looking for something with a bit more off-road capability...
 

i picked up a 2013 surly disc trucker two years ago after doing lots of research. i'd previously owned a norco wolverine, but got rid of it after getting the surly. as soon as i got rid of it, i missed it because with the surly i was pretty well limited to roads and very light trails. i'm now selling the surly, which has served me terrifically, in favour of something with a tad more off-road capability. i'm right at 400lbs and am 6'3". i'm not looking for a mountain bike as majority of my riding is still done on roads and trails, but i want something that can take a bit more of a beating for those times i decide to venture onto some heavier trails with my mountain biking friends. i want something that, while doing well off-road, is no slouch on pavement. i'd like to keep with discs and go either touring or cyclocross. i've got my eyes on a couple of bikes, but am not sure if they'd be able to support me. one's the new trek 920 (which is what i think i might end up with), the other's the cannondale caad x disc ultegra (or whatever the equivalent for this year is called). my concern with them is that they don't feature 36 spoke rims, though i've been told that spoke count doesn't necessarily account for/yield rigidity. the 920 especially surprised me with a 28 spoke- cannondale is 32. i'm not the biggest fan of bar-ends, but if a touring bike's a better for me i'd probably invest in brifters later on (if it has everything else going for it). i generally do about 20-30km when i ride, but am working my way up. not doing any loaded touring for the time being. i'm completely open to any and all suggestions you might have for other bikes- feedback re: the aforementioned two bikes would be greatly appreciated as well.

Surly Straggler, Salsa Warbird

What about the Disc Trucker isn't working for you? IIRC it can take pretty big tires, a cross bike is likely to have smaller tires than the 700x37 that come with the disc trucker.

FYI not many off the shelf bikes are going to feature 36h wheels, unless you go for something designed for loaded touring like the Surly you have.

Salsa Fargo

My first thought exactly. I have ridden my LHT fully loaded on some rough mountain roads in Montana. I have also done D2R2 on it, which is a mostly dirt randonneur ride in MA.



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