£800 bike

[TrevA]

Thanks again to everyone for their contributions.

I like the look of that Ridgeback Voyage, nice low gearing.

Does anyone know what the biggest tyre you could get on there is?

Would 35mm fit?

Thanks again.

I have the Panorama rather than the Voyage, but I think it's a similar frame. I can fit 37mm tyres easily.

[The utility cyclist]

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. It also has low rider mounts on the fork which is a bonus over the Ridgeback too. The £160 difference can get you some upgrades or extra goodies like a decent saddle. Oh and one review site reckons you can get 38mm tyres under the mudguards that are fitted.

[Brucey]

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

[TrevA]

Nothing wrong with the Ridgeback saddle, so no need to upgrade.

[The utility cyclist]

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

[Brucey]

IMO your points are not valid.....

How did I know you were going to say that? I'll remember for future reference that

- fewer spokes in wheels with more dish and no-name hubs is obviously better on touring bikes
- splined BBs like octalink don't wear out more quickly and are not going extinct
- cheapo rear mechs don't wear out in five minutes
- that the rear rack obviously doesn't extend more than a few inches past the rear axle is no problem...

that kind of information will come in really handy....

[Bonefishblues]

I don't think that you have thought this through Brucey. On the Roux you'll get to upgrade earlier, see

[newtotouring]

Im gonna go for one of these two bikes this week me thinks.

https://www.evanscycles.com/specialized ... gJEFPD_BwE

https://www.hargrovescycles.co.uk/ridge ... gK0DfD_BwE

Different machines i know but any thoughts on what one will be the most fun for multi purpose everyday use would be most welcome.

Thanks

[TrevA]

Im gonna go for one of these two bikes this week me thinks.

https://www.evanscycles.com/specialized ... gJEFPD_BwE

https://www.hargrovescycles.co.uk/ridge ... gK0DfD_BwE

Different machines i know but any thoughts on what one will be the most fun for multi purpose everyday use would be most welcome.

Thanks

Depends on what you want. The Ridgeback is £200 cheaper, has a better groupset (Sora v Claris), comes equipped with mudguards and a rack.

However the Diverge has disc brakes, is better for off-road and might be quicker with some decent road tyres fitted. But if you want to carry any sort of load and/or ride when the roads are wet (which is pretty much all winter), then you'll have to purchase mudguards and rack as extras, which increases the price difference further.

[newtotouring]

TrevA - I wish I could afford them both 🚴

Theyre both really nice bikes. I like the low gearing on the Ridgeback but love the look of the Specialized Diverge

[Spinners]

Great work on finding the Voyage at a low price

It's a smart looking machine.

[Bonefishblues]

If the touring is a key priority, the Voyage. Otherwise, t'other.

[djnotts]

If you are fit and/or don't do hills, then the Diverge. I, for example, would NEED the significantly lower gearing on the Voyage - shame it looks so, well, boring!

[Bonefishblues]

I think that sir means "classic" doesn't he?

[djnotts]

But no, sir means BORING!