Advice needed on "Adventure Bikes"

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  • February 15, 2017 at 8:45 pm #919109
    John Joe
    Participant

    Hello!

    I am shopping for a new bike after my Specialized Crosstrail was stolen at the Grosvenor Metro in broad daylight at around 3:00pm in the afternoon. (So I am shopping for a better lock too!!!)

    While sleeping a whole new class of bicycles has appeared – “Adventure Bikes”. The Crosstrail hybrid bike could move fast and with mid-size knobby tires and front fork suspension seemed perfect for Washington, DC long rides on paved roads, C&O tow path and George Washington National Forest dirt roads.

    These are the recommended Adventure Bikes priced $900 – $1400. Any suggestions or comments on these bikes would be appreciated!

    Marin Gestalt
    Raleigh Willard 1*
    Jamis Renegade Expat *
    Specialized Diverge Sport A1
    Masi Giramondo
    Giant Toughroad SLR1
    Kona Sutra
    Novara Safari
    KHS Grit 220 *
    Ridley X-Trail
    Cannondale Slate
    Specialized Sequoia

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  • February 15, 2017 at 9:18 pm #1066205
    Phatboing
    Participant

    If your budget permits, I’d also strongly urge you in the direction of the Salsa Fargo (and probably also the Vaya).

    By which I mean: GET A FARGO. It is the happiest-making bike in the universe.

    February 15, 2017 at 9:29 pm #1066207
    AFHokie
    Participant

    Do you have a preference for drop bars or flat? I ask because the crosstrail is a flat bar and you have a mix of both in your list.

    “Adventure” is a subjective marketing term…within Specialized’s line-up alone in addition to the Diverge you listed they also offer the Sequoia, AWOL and more.

    You may want to look at both the Giant Anyroad and Revolt models. Both have models under $1400 and are similar to a Specialized Diverge or Jamis Renegade.

    For reference, I have a Revolt and love it. I find it soaks up vibration from tar & chip roads and handles large/loose gravel well. The gearing is hill friendly and while its not the lightest bike out there, it has never felt heavy or slow to me. It’s built to take larger tires, so you can easily customize to the type of road conditions you want to ride. My only knock is that it’s not the tightest turning bike.

    Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930AZ using Tapatalk

    February 15, 2017 at 9:48 pm #1066209
    TwoWheelsDC
    Participant

    @Phatboing 155132 wrote:

    If your budget permits, I’d also strongly urge you in the direction of the Salsa Fargo (and probably also the Vaya).

    By which I mean: GET A FARGO. It is the happiest-making bike in the universe.

    I dunno…I saw a Soma Wolverine in CX garb (gears, CX tires on H+Son Archetypes, no rack, no fenders) last night and drooled all over myself. Would definitely be my choice if I was looking for a utility/adventure bike.

    February 15, 2017 at 9:54 pm #1066210
    dkel
    Participant

    @TwoWheelsDC 155136 wrote:

    I dunno…I saw a Soma Wolverine in CX garb (gears, CX tires on H+Son Archetypes, no rack, no fenders) last night and drooled all over myself. Would definitely be my choice if I was looking for a utility/adventure bike.

    Those look good with racks and fenders, too.

    I have a line on a 54 frameset for cheap, if anyone’s looking for one.

    February 15, 2017 at 10:11 pm #1066211
    cmj7gh
    Participant

    (watching this thread)

    I’ll be in the market for a gravel/touring/adventure bike soon. I also want something that won’t be too out of place in an occasional fun ‘cross race, and I’d like the experience of building a bike from a frame. I’ve been oggling the Wolverine for a while – I’d love to build one of those up as a 1x (not for any real reason other than I think they’re cool).

    Unfortunately, I’m 5’11”, so probably a bit too tall for the 54 =(

    February 15, 2017 at 10:20 pm #1066213
    Judd
    Participant

    There’s a couple of forum folks that have Jamis Renegades all of whom are super happy with them. Komorebi has one with sweet fenders that makes me jealous.

    February 15, 2017 at 11:09 pm #1066214
    dkel
    Participant

    @cmj7gh 155138 wrote:

    Unfortunately, I’m 5’11”, so probably a bit too tall for the 54 =(

    It’s a long bike, so it may not be too far off. The Soma website has the complete geometry if you haven’t already looked there.

    February 15, 2017 at 11:25 pm #1066215
    Phatboing
    Participant

    @TwoWheelsDC 155136 wrote:

    I dunno…I saw a Soma Wolverine in CX garb (gears, CX tires on H+Son Archetypes, no rack, no fenders) last night and drooled all over myself. Would definitely be my choice if I was looking for a utility/adventure bike.

    I have definitely had that reaction (more so because I have a weakness for orange bikes). The Fargo, though, has been mountain biking, long-distancing, gravel-mucking, pavement smashing, and commuting, and is incredibly fun in all these situations.

    The only answer is to get both.

    February 16, 2017 at 12:15 am #1066220
    ginacico
    Participant

    @Phatboing 155132 wrote:

    If your budget permits, I’d also strongly urge you in the direction of the Salsa Fargo (and probably also the Vaya).

    By which I mean: GET A FARGO. It is the happiest-making bike in the universe.

    My Salsa Vaya still makes me giddy like a little girl.

    February 16, 2017 at 2:45 am #1066227
    komorebi
    Participant

    @Judd 155140 wrote:

    There’s a couple of forum folks that have Jamis Renegades all of whom are super happy with them. Komorebi has one with sweet fenders that makes me jealous.

    I love my Renegade. Versatile enough for just about anything (mine has been through through snow, sleet, rain, gravel, dirt, and mud), almost as fast as my road bike, plenty of clearance for fenders and wider tires, and an all-around comfortable ride.

    February 16, 2017 at 2:55 am #1066229
    anomad
    Participant

    The Volagi Viaje makes a great adventure bike. They were the first road bike with room for wide tires and fenders and disc brakes. I never miss a chance to plug their bikes.

    February 16, 2017 at 3:04 am #1066230
    TwoWheelsDC
    Participant

    @anomad 155157 wrote:

    The Volagi Viaje makes a great adventure bike. They were the first road bike with room for wide tires and fenders and disc brakes. I never miss a chance to plug their bikes.

    No one buys Viajes anymore. They’re too popular.

    February 16, 2017 at 4:03 am #1066236
    hozn
    Participant

    @cmj7gh 155138 wrote:

    (watching this thread)

    I’ll be in the market for a gravel/touring/adventure bike soon. I also want something that won’t be too out of place in an occasional fun ‘cross race, and I’d like the experience of building a bike from a frame. …
    Unfortunately, I’m 5’11”, so probably a bit too tall for the 54 =(

    I have almost settled on building up a ti “adventure bike” with couplers (travel frame), which will replace my commuter so l am probably going to sell my Habanero ‘Cross frame in a couple/few months. It’s a 59cm, so maybe too large, though (?)

    e99270fad08e13cbf5ad8b201bfd6bd9.jpg

    February 16, 2017 at 12:07 pm #1066239
    matton
    Participant

    Personally, for a steel frame and in your price, the Fuji Touring with a good set of Vittoria Voyager Hyper 35MM tires fitted and at propper pressure is by far your best choice. And you have to consider the savings of $50 or more for the rack… The stock rubber on it will give a ride impression of a mediocre bike when you test ride it so keep that in mind.

    Good luck!

    February 16, 2017 at 12:35 pm #1066240
    rcannon100
    Participant

    Salsa Warbirds

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