I don't NEED a new bike, but I've kinda got a hankering for one, if y'all know what I mean...
So anything new coming out/come out in the past year, 18 months? Or any especially good values out there?
Rack/Fender compatibility is a must-I ride in the rain a lot and commute. Belt drive possibility is also a big plus. I ride in the rain a lot and find cleaning a chain tedious. Extra extra points for alfine di2 compatibility, but costs less than the rodeo labs flaanimal.
The Soma Wolverine Type B, has a split chainstay for belt drive. Soma tweaked the geometry on the Wolverine this year, mainly adding a bit of stack to the frame sizes.
Currently building up a Type A (no split chainstay, also a 44mm headtube to accomodate tapered forks, and 12x142 rear thru axle slider plates).
Nice quality frameset at a decent price ($630 bucks), and it is relatively light. My Type A with a mix of heavy and some lighter stuff is about 22.5 lbs.
Totally agree, when I saw Type A and Type B, I was wondering why they didn't just put a split stay on the Type A, and forgo the Type B altogether. Doesn't make much sense to me, but what do I know...
Ummmm... My experience is that for anyone needing gearing then "cheap" and "belt drive" don't mix. Belt drive required an IGH (internally geared hub) and the only IGH I'd trust for serious gravel riding is the Rohloff (about $1600 for the bare hub). What am I missing?
I commuted in all weather with some dirt/crushed limestone sections on a nexus 3 speed IGH for years, no major problems. Looking at alfine 8 or 11 this time around.
I've also put 10k+ miles on sora with no problems. Main reason I'm looking at a new bike now is because its time to replace the crank+chain+derailleur. And the wheels(rim brake) probably won't make it through the winter either.
Maybe I just have low expectations, but I think most people way overstate how hard they are on equipment. Or the terrain they ride. Most common routes I ride are a lot of hardpack, or compacted gravel. Not dealing with drivetrain destroying sticky clay or whatever.
