New Bike Time - Would Like Input From The Collective Mind
#1
Member
Thread Starter
New Bike Time - Would Like Input From The Collective Mind
Background: Late 50s male, 6'1” 200lbs, total knee replacement in December of 2017, always been active (tennis mostly, but that's off the table for now) and got back into cycling about 4-5 years ago. My bikes are both hybrids (we have a house in two states) – one is a '15 Trek FX 7.3, the other is a '16 or '17 Bianchi Torino. Both bikes have flats (as will my new bike), one has a 3x9 drivetrain the other is 3x8. Both have bar ends (what can I say, I like them).
I am ready to get something that's a little more comfortable for some longer distances mostly on patchy asphalt and the occasional gravel/dirt road or Rail Trail. The terrain where I will use this bike is not overly hilly. I realize I'm probably going to buy a dropbar bike.
I want to go through my LBS for my purchase. Here's what I am thinking about...
Bianchi Volpe
Breezer Doppler Team
Surly Midnight Special
***I'm not allowed to post URLs until I have 10 posts. Otherwise, there'd be links***
Any thoughts from the collective mind of BF are greatly appreciated. Anybody ride the Volpe? Right now that's the early favorite...
Thanks in advance!
I am ready to get something that's a little more comfortable for some longer distances mostly on patchy asphalt and the occasional gravel/dirt road or Rail Trail. The terrain where I will use this bike is not overly hilly. I realize I'm probably going to buy a dropbar bike.
I want to go through my LBS for my purchase. Here's what I am thinking about...
Bianchi Volpe
Breezer Doppler Team
Surly Midnight Special
***I'm not allowed to post URLs until I have 10 posts. Otherwise, there'd be links***
Any thoughts from the collective mind of BF are greatly appreciated. Anybody ride the Volpe? Right now that's the early favorite...
Thanks in advance!
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2016
Posts: 289
Bikes: Masi Giramondo, Trek 830 monstercross build, Raleigh Gran Sport, Lemond Tourmalet
Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 121 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 19 Times
in
12 Posts
It's hard to go wrong with bikes like the midnight special. Anything in the adventure road dropbar segment will give you a good balance of comfort and efficiency and versatility for mixed surfaces. As long as you look for tire clearances that support up to 50c, high stack heights, longish wheelbase,and triple gearing to handle hills, you will have a comfortable bike you can ride all day anywhere.
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2017
Posts: 7,992
Mentioned: 42 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 7062 Post(s)
Liked 11,128 Times
in
4,749 Posts
It's hard to go wrong with bikes like the midnight special. Anything in the adventure road dropbar segment will give you a good balance of comfort and efficiency and versatility for mixed surfaces. As long as you look for tire clearances that support up to 50c, high stack heights, longish wheelbase,and triple gearing to handle hills, you will have a comfortable bike you can ride all day anywhere.
Midnight Special in the right size would probably satisfy you, but you should have no illusions about speed - that's a relatively heavy bike. But hey, I spend a lot of time on an All City Space Horse (which you might also consider), which is heavy, and I love riding it!
Good luck with the process and decision.
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2015
Posts: 15,536
Bikes: 2015 Workswell 066, 2017 Workswell 093, 2014 Dawes Sheila, 1983 Cannondale 500, 1984 Raleigh Olympian, 2007 Cannondale Rize 4, 2017 Fuji Sportif 1 LE
Mentioned: 144 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 7666 Post(s)
Liked 3,530 Times
in
1,857 Posts
#6
Senior Member
Hard to argue with the Midnight Special. It's a well designed and practical bike. I'd likely just get that.
Lots of other options here for steel allroad bikes, depending on what your LBS carries.
Salsa Journeyman
Norco Search
Bombtrack Hook EXT
All-City Gorilla Monsoon
Note that these are all 650B bikes, so very on trend right now.
Lots of other options here for steel allroad bikes, depending on what your LBS carries.
Salsa Journeyman
Norco Search
Bombtrack Hook EXT
All-City Gorilla Monsoon
Note that these are all 650B bikes, so very on trend right now.
#7
Member
Thread Starter
Thanks for the links, Maelochs... someday I'll have 10 posts and be all grown up!!! ( I can't even quote the links you provided)
#8
Zip tie Karen
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Fair Oaks Ranch, TX
Posts: 7,004
Bikes: '13 Motobecane Fantom29 HT, '16 Motobecane Turino Pro Disc, '18 Velobuild VB-R-022, '21 Tsunami SNM-100
Mentioned: 26 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1465 Post(s)
Liked 1,542 Times
in
806 Posts
All three seem well equipped for what you describe. They're at different ends of the same price point, with Surly at the top and Bianchi at the bottom. How much better is the performance for your use? Disc brakes are nice, but do you need them? Ride in the rain much? Or in muddy conditions? That might drive me away from rim brakes.
It appears that all three have mid-fork mounts for a front rack. That's a nice feature if you decide to do some touring or utility riding. Any would support fenders, although the Breezer supplies them. An easy add for the Volpe. Clearance might be tighter for the Surly, but I can't tell.
I'd ride any of the three. My daughter has a Volpe and it has worked well for her. It's a bit long in the top tube, which fits her well. Can you try them out before deciding? That might help you decide...
It appears that all three have mid-fork mounts for a front rack. That's a nice feature if you decide to do some touring or utility riding. Any would support fenders, although the Breezer supplies them. An easy add for the Volpe. Clearance might be tighter for the Surly, but I can't tell.
I'd ride any of the three. My daughter has a Volpe and it has worked well for her. It's a bit long in the top tube, which fits her well. Can you try them out before deciding? That might help you decide...
#9
Member
Thread Starter
All three seem well equipped for what you describe. They're at different ends of the same price point, with Surly at the top and Bianchi at the bottom. How much better is the performance for your use? Disc brakes are nice, but do you need them? Ride in the rain much? Or in muddy conditions? That might drive me away from rim brakes.
It appears that all three have mid-fork mounts for a front rack. That's a nice feature if you decide to do some touring or utility riding. Any would support fenders, although the Breezer supplies them. An easy add for the Volpe. Clearance might be tighter for the Surly, but I can't tell.
I'd ride any of the three. My daughter has a Volpe and it has worked well for her. It's a bit long in the top tube, which fits her well. Can you try them out before deciding? That might help you decide...
It appears that all three have mid-fork mounts for a front rack. That's a nice feature if you decide to do some touring or utility riding. Any would support fenders, although the Breezer supplies them. An easy add for the Volpe. Clearance might be tighter for the Surly, but I can't tell.
I'd ride any of the three. My daughter has a Volpe and it has worked well for her. It's a bit long in the top tube, which fits her well. Can you try them out before deciding? That might help you decide...
The LBS does not have any of these bikes in stock, so a test ride seems out of the question. I think I'm leaning towards the Volpe with possible upgrades to rims and tires.
#10
Senior Member
I just bought one a couple of months ago and love it. I'm also 6'1" but have 20 more lbs than you. I've also have a few more years on you.
It's the first bike that I've owned with disk brakes and really like that they are fully hydraulic on the Team. I've already ridden it on a few gravel roads with mud where I would have walked my road bike or just turned around.
The 650bx47 tires are overkill; however, it will be easy enough to go to narrower tires when the originals wear out.
I appreciate the fenders although they do buzz a bit. I'd fitted my touring bike with plastic fenders and it made a difference on wet or dusty days. In fact the Doppler having fenders was one of the first things that caught my eye.
There is also the Breezer Doppler Pro for less money; however, I think the better components make the Team worth the extra money.
I don't have any experience with the other bikes that you mentioned, but I bet they are great bikes also.
It's the first bike that I've owned with disk brakes and really like that they are fully hydraulic on the Team. I've already ridden it on a few gravel roads with mud where I would have walked my road bike or just turned around.
The 650bx47 tires are overkill; however, it will be easy enough to go to narrower tires when the originals wear out.
I appreciate the fenders although they do buzz a bit. I'd fitted my touring bike with plastic fenders and it made a difference on wet or dusty days. In fact the Doppler having fenders was one of the first things that caught my eye.
There is also the Breezer Doppler Pro for less money; however, I think the better components make the Team worth the extra money.
I don't have any experience with the other bikes that you mentioned, but I bet they are great bikes also.
#11
Member
Thread Starter
I just bought one a couple of months ago and love it. I'm also 6'1" but have 20 more lbs than you. I've also have a few more years on you.
It's the first bike that I've owned with disk brakes and really like that they are fully hydraulic on the Team. I've already ridden it on a few gravel roads with mud where I would have walked my road bike or just turned around.
The 650bx47 tires are overkill; however, it will be easy enough to go to narrower tires when the originals wear out.
I appreciate the fenders although they do buzz a bit. I'd fitted my touring bike with plastic fenders and it made a difference on wet or dusty days. In fact the Doppler having fenders was one of the first things that caught my eye.
There is also the Breezer Doppler Pro for less money; however, I think the better components make the Team worth the extra money.
I don't have any experience with the other bikes that you mentioned, but I bet they are great bikes also.
It's the first bike that I've owned with disk brakes and really like that they are fully hydraulic on the Team. I've already ridden it on a few gravel roads with mud where I would have walked my road bike or just turned around.
The 650bx47 tires are overkill; however, it will be easy enough to go to narrower tires when the originals wear out.
I appreciate the fenders although they do buzz a bit. I'd fitted my touring bike with plastic fenders and it made a difference on wet or dusty days. In fact the Doppler having fenders was one of the first things that caught my eye.
There is also the Breezer Doppler Pro for less money; however, I think the better components make the Team worth the extra money.
I don't have any experience with the other bikes that you mentioned, but I bet they are great bikes also.
Thank you so much for your review of the Breezer. One of the first things that interested me about the Doppler Team was the WTB Horizon tires (same tire comes standard on the Midnight Special as well). Interesting that you say they are overkill.
What kind of pedals do you use? I've started using the Pedaling Innovations giant platform pedal and I have some overlap because of the way the foot sits on the pedal. If I go the Doppler route I'd probably have to go with another platform.
#12
Senior Member
Thank you so much for your review of the Breezer. One of the first things that interested me about the Doppler Team was the WTB Horizon tires (same tire comes standard on the Midnight Special as well). Interesting that you say they are overkill.
What kind of pedals do you use? I've started using the Pedaling Innovations giant platform pedal and I have some overlap because of the way the foot sits on the pedal. If I go the Doppler route I'd probably have to go with another platform.
What kind of pedals do you use? I've started using the Pedaling Innovations giant platform pedal and I have some overlap because of the way the foot sits on the pedal. If I go the Doppler route I'd probably have to go with another platform.
I use Crank Brothers Candy pedals. I have them on my touring bike also. I like that they are easy to clip in from either side of the pedal. Also the cleats work well in shoes that take recessed cleats such as touring or MTB shoes.
#13
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Metro Detroit/AA
Posts: 8,207
Bikes: 2016 Novara Mazama
Mentioned: 63 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3640 Post(s)
Liked 81 Times
in
51 Posts
Wait I got this one: buy exactly what I have, it is obviously the best!
But in all seriousness, just take each of them on a ride, and pick the one that feels the best to YOU. Equipment wise, I'd prefer the Volpe, but I like triples and don't have a love affair with 650.
But in all seriousness, just take each of them on a ride, and pick the one that feels the best to YOU. Equipment wise, I'd prefer the Volpe, but I like triples and don't have a love affair with 650.
#14
Advanced Slacker
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 6,215
Bikes: Soma Fog Cutter, Surly Wednesday, Canfielld Tilt
Mentioned: 26 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2764 Post(s)
Liked 2,537 Times
in
1,433 Posts
For what you are describing 42mm tires are easily all I think you will need or want, so I would not worry about a bike clearing more than that. I use 38s for exactly what you are describing. My bike (Soma Fog Cutter) will clear 42s, but unless I was going to be riding strictly dirt roads and some double track, I would not bother with anything over 38.
Of course, a lot of frames that clear up to 700cx42 also clear 650bx47.
There are a ton of “gravel” bikes out there which will fit the bill. All City Space horse is one that I like a lot (a good friend of mine got one).
Of course, a lot of frames that clear up to 700cx42 also clear 650bx47.
There are a ton of “gravel” bikes out there which will fit the bill. All City Space horse is one that I like a lot (a good friend of mine got one).
Last edited by Kapusta; 04-25-19 at 07:15 AM.
#15
Senior Member
Have fun with your choice. I like all 3. Bianchi's are great bikes and it's the lowest price of the 3. Tiagra is a good groupset. That Doppler is really cool. Shimano 105 is a very good groupset. I guess the Surly would be my last choice. But that's just me. The downfall for you is none of the bikes are available to ride before you buy. THAT is not cool. Do your homework. Fit is everything.!!
If there is a Specialized dealer near by.?? They might have a Diverge in stock that you could ride before you buy. Lots of great bikes out there. Visit as many shops as you can. But even I would have a hard time setting that Doppler aside. Sweet bike. Put some 38c tires on it and be happy.
If there is a Specialized dealer near by.?? They might have a Diverge in stock that you could ride before you buy. Lots of great bikes out there. Visit as many shops as you can. But even I would have a hard time setting that Doppler aside. Sweet bike. Put some 38c tires on it and be happy.
Last edited by BirdsBikeBinocs; 04-26-19 at 06:41 PM. Reason: typo
#16
Advanced Slacker
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 6,215
Bikes: Soma Fog Cutter, Surly Wednesday, Canfielld Tilt
Mentioned: 26 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2764 Post(s)
Liked 2,537 Times
in
1,433 Posts
What is the max tire clearance on the Bianchi Volpe frame? It looks like it comes with 32s. Personally I would want bigger tires than that.
#17
Senior Member
Does your LBS sell Specialized?
If so, I'd buy a Diverge and call it a day.
If so, I'd buy a Diverge and call it a day.
#18
Senior Member
Volpe and get some top end tires to mount on it from beginning. Compass or Panracer Gravel King.
Simpler brakes are better.
You can't lose with any of your original choices.
Simpler brakes are better.
You can't lose with any of your original choices.
#19
Member
Thread Starter
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
JayNYC
Cyclocross and Gravelbiking (Recreational)
15
08-03-18 03:33 PM
thms
General Cycling Discussion
14
11-18-17 01:54 PM
RaZor18
Hybrid Bicycles
6
05-31-17 07:57 PM
BigGuy100
General Cycling Discussion
18
03-28-14 05:53 PM
JeremyZ
Road Cycling
12
05-08-10 07:59 AM