nphoto9292

Hey everyone,

I'm looking into getting a adventure/cyclocross/gravel dropbar bike to serve as my go to for commuting, grocery runs, and the occassional weekend ride. I ride primarily on roads, but it's baltimore so I'll need gravel tires to cope with the numerous potholes and cobbled streets (plus winter riding).

Hoping to get the whole setup in at or under 30 lbs. Any suggestions?

My budget is around $1000 - Here are the specs I'm ideally looking for:

- I'm 6'1", so a large/58-50cm frame
- Rigid steel or aluminum frame so I don't have to worry about knicks from beater bikes. Looking for it to carry me (180lbs) + a rear rack, fenders, and 50-80lbs of groceries.
- drop bars with integrated shifters/brakes (no bar end shifters)
- Shimano tiagra or 105 - I have sora on my current el cheapo bike and I'd really like to step up a level or two
- 2x9-10 to help me with hills while fully loaded
- disc brakes and clearance for 35c or wider knobbly tires for year-round riding
- mounts for racks (at least on the rear)
- Preference for black, dark green, or light bluish grey frame

Bikes I've seen that seem on the right track (would appreciate any input from current owners!):
- Marin Gestalt or Nicasio
- Trek FX4 S (minus the dropbars of course) or Croossrip
- Cannondale Quick
- All City Spacehorse
- Surly Crosscheck

Thanks very much in advance!

Rollfast

Unless you are going to die like tomorrow, there is really no such thing.

It's an addiction.

Jon T

Not so. The last bike I bought for myself was an '84 Peugeot PH10. I bought it new in '85. I still have it, I still ride it every Saturday morning, and it's still my one and only bike. So yes, they do exist and you don't have to die tomorrow or next week to make it so. Just for the record, I'm 64 yo. The bike, I'm sure, will out-last me.
Jon

matimeo

This is what I would probably buy with your price range and spec requirements. I don't know you could get anything else for that price, not new at least.

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That's a pretty sweet bike for $999 and I've never been disappointed with a bikesdirect purchase.

Kapusta

Agreed.

To be fair, though, he did say the last bike he’ll ever NEED, not the last bike he’ll actually buy..

Kapusta

I think the Space Horse is pretty cool. It was on my shortlist a couple years ago (ended up going with a Soma Fog Cutter). A friend of mine has since bought one, and I really like it

BlazingPedals

The N+1 principle guarantees that as soon as you acquire a bike, you will need another. (The number of bikes you need is N+1, where N is the number of bikes you currently have.) Therefore your quest is impossible. What you're looking for is a beginner bike that may fill your needs for a while.

Almost all road bikes use brifters these days, so "no bar-end shifters" isn't really a limitation. Steel or aluminum, just make sure it has brazeons for a rear rack. You should probably visit a LBS rather than ask us.

bruce19

Are you sure you're not dead?

Jon T

Quite sure.
Jon

velojym

I'll agree with the above, in that if you do find a 'perfect' do-it-all bike, you'll still probably find reasons to enhance your fleet.

I have a 2000 Kona JtS that I've done most of my riding on, and it really is a bike for all seasons for me, but I still managed to get up to about 6 bikes anyway.
Always have ideas, always wanting to tinker and try stuff, and it's really handy when I'm not taking my *only* bike down for that.

Kedosto

The “last bike I’ll ever need” issue isn’t much of a challenge. The “last bike I’ll ever want” is virtually impossible. Good luck with that.


-Kedosto

Phil_gretz

It tickles me every time I see @Jon T write this. I think that a little bell should go off.

Spinay70

No mid-life crisis top of the line carbon bike crafted with space alien tech in the works for you?

Spinay70

Jon T

Nope. I won't ride a plastic bicycle any more than I'd drive a plastic car.
Jon

indyfabz

I wouldn't haul 80 lbs. of groceries on a Cross Check. In fact, I wouldn't haul 50 lbs. of groceries in panniers attached to the rear end of any bike, much less 80 lbs. of them.

Rollfast

I save that for TV sets.The only bike I don't have that I wanted was a Colson and I stopped at N+7 because I still miss my Duster.

I do have enough vintage and newer tires to run a tire store in my shed though.

Leisesturm

For the o.p.'s needs, but maybe not their wants: something mid range in the Trek fx7.? continuum? Surly LHT? No way in 2019 I'd spend $1K all in one place for a bike. I'd probably buy a carbon fork 25mm clincher speed racer for Saturday/Sunday training and a hybrid for shopping/errands/commuting. My Trek 1.1 on sale was just over $500. I'll never outgrow it. Shimano Claris gives 105 a good run for the money. Their equivalent hybrid is ??? an FX4? Maybe with accessories the two together would be closer to $1.2K but much more than 30lbs. on a 1.1 feels weird and 35mm clinchers and a rack that can deal with 80# just isn't going to have that ... glide. The poor sod smitten with the C&V Peugot ... that kind of loyalty belongs in matrimony. I've lost count of the number of bikes I have right now. I definitely can't remember all the ones I've owned!

kevincgove

Recently purchased a 2019 Cannondale Topstone Sora that ticks all of your boxes except for the no Sora box. My cycling background for reference is a longtime road cyclist (Vintage steel frame with updated 9100 Dura Ace/Sram Red components and custom built carbon wheels). I use the Topstone primarily for commuting with rear rack to hold about 20 lbs of stuff. A trailer attached to it is the only way I can see trying to load up 50+ lbs of groceries. It will also be used for gravel rides and perhaps a bikepacking trip. Feel free to PM is you have any specific questions.