Brucey wrote:The utility cyclist wrote:Roux Etape 250, Spa is selling it for £590
https://www.spacycles.co.uk/m1b0s21p3283/ROUX-Etape-250, gets very good reviews by users (not review sites selling stuff) It's not light but then it's still only 900g heavier than the Ridgeback Voyager despite it having disc brakes.
that is about the weight added by disc brakes on this type of bike. Some of it is probably in a heavier, stiffer fork.
It also has low rider mounts on the fork which is a bonus over the Ridgeback too.
No it isn't, the ridgeback voyage has low rider bosses (of course).
Don't get me wrong the etape 250 is not a bad bike for the money, but it does have some shortcomings, for example
- it has 32 spoke wheels which are not likely to be as strong as decent set of 36 spoke wheels
- it has the rear rack mounts half-way up the seat stays
- it has a distinctly budget-style transmission
- the gearing is kind of high for a full-on touring bike
- it is currently only available from spa in two sizes
The rack mounts are troubling to me; they may not be as strong as they could be and they may limit the choice of rack that fits and/or (because the rack and the panniers are further forwards) limit the size of the panniers that can be fitted without heel strike.
cheers
IMO your points are not valid.
1.32 spoke wheels are ample for hefty loads, I've ridden 32/32 (open pro/ultegra 6500) with hefty loads, in fact i used the OP/Ult rear as my commuter wheel for years and was very used when I got it, managed to get my 100+kg and loads beyond 20kg everywhere without any issues at all, also able to carry a passenger on occasion plus loaded bags and myself. The OP is mainly using it for commuting and weekend rides in any case.
2. The transmission is virtually identical to the Voyager, the rear derailleur is one step down, the STIs are the same, the Octalink chainset is an upgrade on what the Voyager has and the front d is the same too.
3. The bike requested is for occasional touring, the main use is for commuting and weekend rides, the gearing is fine, if it bothers the OP they can buy a 26T inner ring for £6 or so, in fact I'd rather have the 32 big sprocket than a 34.
4. Sizing, so what, that's irrelevant if the size is available isn't it just like other bikes on sale linked to
5. How do you know how strong the rack mounts are, sorry but your assumption is all hypothetical re heel strike.
Pound for pound the Roux is better value and doesn't concede anything for it and the £160 as i said gets you upgrades if one wishes