Croix de fer

[Saluki]

I have a Croix de Fer. It currently has road tyres on and I love it. I took it on a 25km test ride, bought it and took it on a 100 mile sportive the very next day. I love it. Sure, it’s a little heavier than my carbon roadie but it’s supremely comfy.

I would recommend one.

 

[Chris Long]

Is that this years Croix de Fer 10?

 

[John_S]

Hi Chris,

Taking a look at your options the Adventure Disc certainly looks gorgeous and certainly seems like a well thought out all round bike capable of lots of things. Reading the design notes and a blog on their website it definitely sounds like a capable bike.

https://www.templecycles.co.uk/blogs/blog/behind-the-design-adventure-disc

This person used theirs for commuting and then more:-
https://www.templecycles.co.uk/blogs/blog/new-horizons

It also seems to get positive reviews:-
https://www.templecycles.co.uk/blogs/blog/a-day-in-hell-an-adventure-disc-review
https://www.thecoolector.com/temple-cycles-adventure-disc-bike/
https://www.theguardian.com/technol...disc-trail-bristol-bespoke-review-martin-love
https://off.road.cc/content/news/te...ries-classic-looks-with-huge-versatility-3200


For me size & fit is the most important first factor when choosing a bike and it sounds like that is incredibly important for you as well so hopefully you can get that right for you with either frame/bike and then go from there. Good luck choosing the right bike for you whether that's the Adventure Disc or the Genesis.

John

 

[John_S]

Just out of interest on the geometry charts do you know what sort of figures you're after (stack, reach etc.)?

One reason I like Fairlight cycles is that they offer both regular and tall versions of their frames so there's more chance of getting the right frame to fit you.

View: https://vimeo.com/180866780


Maybe save for a bit longer and push the boat out to get a Fairlight Strael?

https://road.cc/content/review/240016-fairlight-cycles-strael-20

You can get the info on it in their Lookbook that you can download from this page:

https://fairlightcycles.com/product/deposit/?v=79cba1185463

With Fairlight in order to get the right fit you can either send them bike fit data if you have it or if you don't you can put you own measurements, height/ inside leg, into the Fairlight website and it will recommend a frame size to you according to your riding style if you go to the Fit Guide in the Find Your Fit section:-

https://fairlightcycles.com/strael/strael-105/?v=79cba1185463

Good luck with making your choice.

John

 

[Chris Long]

Hi Chris,

Taking a look at your options the Adventure Disc certainly looks gorgeous and certainly seems like a well thought out all round bike capable of lots of things. Reading the design notes and a blog on their website it definitely sounds like a capable bike.

https://www.templecycles.co.uk/blogs/blog/behind-the-design-adventure-disc

This person used theirs for commuting and then more:-
https://www.templecycles.co.uk/blogs/blog/new-horizons

It also seems to get positive reviews:-
https://www.templecycles.co.uk/blogs/blog/a-day-in-hell-an-adventure-disc-review
https://www.thecoolector.com/temple-cycles-adventure-disc-bike/
https://www.theguardian.com/technol...disc-trail-bristol-bespoke-review-martin-love
https://off.road.cc/content/news/te...ries-classic-looks-with-huge-versatility-3200


For me size & fit is the most important first factor when choosing a bike and it sounds like that is incredibly important for you as well so hopefully you can get that right for you with either frame/bike and then go from there. Good luck choosing the right bike for you whether that's the Adventure Disc or the Genesis.

John

thanks John

yes, I've been really impressed with Temple. love the retro look and I have a feeling there will be a lot of good after sales points too. Touch up paint for example, you cant get the Genesis paint. The Temple is also a modern bike. its lighter than the Croix de fer, and has semi hydro brakes which I want, so I can easily change cables but get the better stopping power of the hydraulic pistons. The Croix de fer 30 has full Hydro. Iots all these details isn't it? And then I think sod it, just order it, and then think, actually this is a LOT of money! Decisions...

 

[Chris Long]

Just out of interest on the geometry charts do you know what sort of figures you're after (stack, reach etc.)?

One reason I like Fairlight cycles is that they offer both regular and tall versions of their frames so there's more chance of getting the right frame to fit you.

View: https://vimeo.com/180866780


Maybe save for a bit longer and push the boat out to get a Fairlight Strael?

https://road.cc/content/review/240016-fairlight-cycles-strael-20

You can get the info on it in their Lookbook that you can download from this page:

https://fairlightcycles.com/product/deposit/?v=79cba1185463

With Fairlight in order to get the right fit you can either send them bike fit data if you have it or if you don't you can put you own measurements, height/ inside leg, into the Fairlight website and it will recommend a frame size to you according to your riding style if you go to the Fit Guide in the Find Your Fit section:-

https://fairlightcycles.com/strael/strael-105/?v=79cba1185463

Good luck with making your choice.

John

Yes I contacted Fairlight. I like their bikes, but not overly fussed on the paint schemes. Which I think is also important, I have to ride this bike for many years to come!

 

[Chris Long]

Update on the pricing

A shop has now price matched £1700 for the Croix de Fer 30 2019 (rrp £1899)
I have actually found a place with a Croix de Fer 20 2018 in a SMALL size, £999

But my heart is saying Temple Adventure Disc (£1795)

I like the titanium bikes, but they aren't catching my eye like the steel frames are

I've ordered a small Croix de Fer at Evans to have a look. No obligation to buy.

Chris

 

[John_S]

Hi Chris,

I totally understand needing to like the colour of a bike because you’ve got to like the colour & look of the bike as well as it having the right spec.

Hope that you like the CdF that you’ve ordered. If you don’t I agree that the Temple Adventure Disc is a fantastic looking bike!

And if you want one more option to consider there is the Shand Stoater and one reason that i’ve mentioned that is because in addition to the standard colour you can get it in quite a few other colour options.

https://www.shandcycles.com/bikes/stoater/

https://off.road.cc/content/news/sh...-their-versatile-touring-and-gravel-bike-2729

Hope that your test ride at Evans goes well!

John

 

[Chris Long]

I have a feeling I'm going to go with the Temple

I did look at the Shand, but considering I was only going to go to 1200 max with the voucher, that's just over reaching a bit. I can just about justify the Temple on the grounds that it will last a long long time.

 

[mythste]

Let us know how you get on with the test rides.

I am sorry, I feel like I have thrown a spanner in the spokes a bit here but I've ridden bikes that have been the wrong size for me and although they were probably fine, it always played on my mind.

 

[Chris Long]

no problem mythste

You probably misunderstood me a little when I talked about reach and being uncomfortable. I'm completely inflexible. I can't touch my knees!! so I just prefer using he hoods. I've done more research, talked to more shops and it seems I am on the right size, I think my Colnago photo looks a little out of proportion because of the angle. Temple have also matched me with their smallest bike.

Chris

 

[Saluki]

Is that this years Croix de Fer 10?

Do you mean me?

If so, yes it is.
The small was a smidge on the small size, the medium a little large. I needed a ‘small and a half’ really. I went with 5he medium as it was just so comfy. A slightly shorter stem did the thing for me. I liked the colour too.

 

[Chris Long]

And I have just put the payment through for the temple Adventure Disc. So excited. Now I just have to decide on colour,

And
Which Brooks saddle to go with. It comes with a B17 but as I am so used to a selle italia flow, I'm thinking a B17 narrow may be better

Perhaps a subject for a different thread....

 

[John_S]

Hope that you get on well with and enjoy the new bike when you get it!