Best bike type for occasional etape, weekend rides, panniered LEJOG?

[John the Monkey]

With that usage and budget, I wouldn't restrict myself to disc brakes. The Spa steel tourer has V-brakes which would give ample stopping power in all weathers and are not a problem mechanically. That bike is nicely in your budget, is low-geared and reckoned to be very comfy too.

http://www.spacycles.co.uk/m1b0s21p2983/SPA-CYCLES-Steel-Tourer

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder! It's the sight of a nice touring bike that turns my head more than any other type of bike (including the village bike)

The Spa steel tourer (other configurations/finishes are available):
View attachment 355956

That is a lovely bike.

 

[User169]

Wouldn't bother with CX/adventure unless you plan to ride off road. The Condor Fratello is a great all rounder with regular and disc versions.

 

[freiston]

Wouldn't bother with CX/adventure unless you plan to ride off road. The Condor Fratello is a great all rounder with regular and disc versions.

I agree with the sentiment (though what is marketed as CX/adventure could be almost anything) and I did rather like a Fratello I saw at a bike show once but I took a look at the Fratello disc on the Condor website and the frameset alone is £800 (non-disc £750) - build a bike on their website and you're starting at about £1400 (with Sora, mudguards and pannier rack).

 

[Cycleops]

Probably the Italian frame pushing the price up. I'd certainly consider one if I had that sort of money and it is made to your spec. And it is a Condor.

If you don't want to spend quite so much the CdF gives you more or less the same.

 

[vickster]

You could look at the Genesis equilibrium disc if you want a more road oriented bike than the CdF

Fantastic deal here on the 2016 20 if you're about 5'5-5'10 (small and medium in stock)

https://www.winstanleysbikes.co.uk/...Frame_Medium?gclid=CJnorcS9rNQCFccy0wodIOwAhg

 

[damj]

I'm picking up my new bike tomorrow at long last! had been looking at gravel/adventure bikes. However, spotted this one http://www.tredz.co.uk/.Giant-Contend-SL-2-Disc-2017-Road-Bike_97695.htm yesterday, to be honest I'd got to the point of giving up the baffling amount of choice for around £1000. Unfortunately you've joined the madness at the wrong time, cycle to work vouchers are snapping up all of the decent end of season 2017 models. Well that's my experience(with my c2w voucher). Hey but good luck. Have a look at the Contend. You never know it could be the one.

 

[vickster]

The Defy is meant to be better than the Contend, Paul's or Ash cycles might have a 2016 disc for a good price

 

[damj]

The Defy is meant to be better than the Contend, Paul's or Ash cycles might have a 2016 disc for a good price

Better in what way, I'm curious?

 

[vickster]

Better in what way, I'm curious?

Better frame apparently. Can't recall where I read that

 

[Kestevan]

Could do a lot worse than the Pinnacle bikes from Evans

The Arkose 2 is bang on 1K and fits the bill nicely.
https://www.evanscycles.com/pinnacle-arkose-2-2017-adventure-road-bike-EV275623

 

[Cycleops]

Those Pinnacle bikes are good value but are missing that key requirement, a steel frame.

 

[Kestevan]

Those Pinnacle bikes are good value but are missing that key requirement, a steel frame.

Don't see where the OP states a preference for frame material.... Steel wouldn't be my first choice for a frame YMMV

 

[Cycleops]

He doesn't, but he did state a requirement for panniers and if he wants a full compliment he won't get them on a carbon fork. Just my recommendation.

 

[oscarman]

Probably the Italian frame pushing the price up. I'd certainly consider one if I had that sort of money and it is made to your spec. And it is a Condor.

If you don't want to spend quite so much the CdF gives you more or less the same.

CdF is looking the favourite - thanks for your input and guidance

 

[oscarman]

He doesn't, but he did state a requirement for panniers and if he wants a full compliment he won't get them on a carbon fork. Just my recommendation.

Just rear panniers so frame potentially less of an issue