robert schlatte

Don't shy away from disc brakes. It will increase your options. if you have worked on bikes at all or are mechanical, they are not difficult to understand.

mstateglfr 

Something odd about the 1.1 is it now uses a thru axle front hub. The old Randonee version had a QR hub.
its still rim brakes, but with a thru axle...not really sure what thats about.

LeeG

That is odd. Do through axles still have a qr function?

fietsbob

Yea, there is a tool less removal .. they extract thru a closed hole in the fork end.
(my 60s motorcycle [BMW] had similar for rear wheel, but with a nut)

Thru axle takes care of the suit happy folks getting a contingency lawyer,

because they don't understand how regular QR work..

We get plastic blocks to keep the fork un squoze in shipping, with regular forks..

A tube the width of the wheel would do as good with those types,

in your pannier until you ship the bike home.


One would think they have it in the factory shipping box, ask the shop to give it to you..



Oh and the thru axle is Aluminum. regular QR are often steel..



...

Squeezebox

Thru axles are a larger diameter than QR axles. I assume they are stronger and thus fewer bent axles. But are bent axles really much of a problem? I have had a broken axle a couple of times, so maybe it is somewhat of an issue.

jefnvk

They are in mountain biking. I'd guess if REI is doing it, it is either a) something they think they can market regardless of actual utility, or b) simplifying parts orders across multiple bike lines.

mstateglfr 

I guessed the reason is option B, but if you look at the ADV 2.1 and 3.1, bpth have disc brakes and QR hubs!


...ends up the 1.1 is QR and they just mistyped something in the specs area. look at the 2nd image where the bike is facing you from the front wheel and use the zoom- its a qr.

fietsbob

I've never bent a front axle in my life the axle ends are short on the front ..

Rear Freewheel hubs are another story..

the whole Idea of the cassette is to move the axle support bearing outboard

to shorten up the axle.. extending just a short distance from the support of the bearing race.


....

Mr IGH

Bikeradar or pinkbike had an article on thru-axles, the 15mm thru-axle wasn't even 10% stiffer than 9mm QR. They claimed thru-axles are all about liability. Makes sense to me, when I was working as an LBS mechanic it amazed me how many riders don't understand the cam-action of a QR and used the short lever as a wrench. Thru-axles drive up the cost of dyno hubs.

Doug64

I believe the primary advantage of a through axle is that through axles eliminate alignment problems with disc brakes. You can't put the wheel in crooked and the rotor can't get out of alignment with the pads, even in tough riding conditions. Great for a mountain bike, but a PITA for a touring bike.

DropBarFan

Salsa Fargo GX is pretty reasonable weight, can take a suspension fork, I like the split rear dropout for belt/IGH option. Habanero Cycles Cross / Touring frames and bikes Habanero sells titanium cross/touring frame for only $1045. IMHO if one is pushing the $2K mark it would be nice to get an aluminum or titanium frame that saves 1 kg+ weight.

mstateglfr 

Thru axles for disc brakes are better because they perform better. It isnt because of lawyers or trends.
Disc brakes place a twisting force on the dropout and having a thru axle solves the problem.

mtn_cyclist

Motobecane Fantom Cross Titanium. Eyelets for fenders and rear rack. Light and comfortable. A smoking deal.

Save Up To 60% Off Titanium Cyclocross Bicycles | Road Bikes - Motobecane Fantom Cross Team Titanium | Cross Bikes

sarahbruce

My local shop just brought in a Jamis Aurora and it is a really nice looking bike! It is below your price range and seems to fit your criteria, along with being pretty well equipped. The color matching frame/fenders/rack look incredible in person.
Bruce

jmeb

Auroras are great values. Only issue they may have for Ops requirements is relatively limited tire clearance.

sarahbruce

I just looked up the specs on the Aurora, and it you definitely could be right. It comes with 32s, for some reason they seemed wider in person. Most of the time there is room for some finesse when fitting wider tires, but 38s might be too much.
Bruce

shelbyfv

That Monstercross seems perfect, build it just the way you want it.

martianone

+1, LHT ride felt "dull". However, more important is getting a bike whose fit is optimal.

geoffs

I just built up a Habanero for my wife which she's really happy with. It is so much lighter than her LHT and the handling is much much better. I used a Whisky #7 fork which gives clearance for 45mm tyres easily.
I had the frame custom made for her after getting her bike fitted by Steve Hogg

MarcusT

Everyone would like to buy the perfect bike right out of the box, but my experience has been the first (second and third) priority is Comfort, comfort, comfort. Look for the most comfortable bike you can. You can switch out components, you can change out accessories, but when you're loaded with 60 lbs of gear into a 2 week trip, you're going to be crying/praising for the lack of / adequate comfort of the bike.

manapua_man

I think this is more likely, given that through-axles are a lot easier to deal with when you have disc brakes... and those seem to be getting more popular on road bikes as time goes on.

DropBarFan

Pretty cool, in hindsight I would have bought a Habanero but got the Disc Trucker to save money, figuring that production tourers would soon upgrade their tech. Unfortunately trad-touring production bikes are still 70's-type stuff.

jogya03

..agree..I did put comfort as second priority once, choosed to go for few days easy trip on 24" aluminum folder, instead of my regular 26" bike (w/ CrMo frame) and I was beaten !! never again I put comfort in second priority. Sure I would use my 24" folder again, but not before I finish upgrading it to improve comfort aspect !!

Squeezebox

If you want comfort ? It's time to look at your gear list. Really 60 lbs!! ouch!!