What next?

[Glasgow44]

Hi there
I’ve got two bikes: Specialized Sirrus Sport and a Giant Defy 2 road bike. I got both of these bikes through the Cyclescheme. I tend to use my Specialized in bad weather and for long distance touring (e.g. Coast to Coast, Liverpool to Leeds Canal trip) and when I know that the conditions of the surface aren’t that good for a road bike.
I’m thinking of doing another Coast to Coast later next year and, although I love my Specialized, it is very heavy when I’ve got the panniers full at the back. I’m reluctant to take my Giant road bike on any of these trips as the surfaces are not that good sometimes (the Liverpool to Leeds canal trip would certainly have ruined my road bike).
Has anyone any ideas of what I could do? Thoughts even on what type of bike to buy if that was the route I was going to go down?
Thanks

 

[vickster]

Gravel/adventure bike? Proper tourer? Won't be much lighter than the Sirrus when laden though

 

[Glasgow44]

Gravel/adventure bike? Proper tourer? Won't be much lighter than the Sirrus when laden though

I thought as much - thanks

 

[Glasgow44]

CX bike would be worth considering. I bought one in September and I wish I'd bought it years ago, it glides over the pothole ridden roads we have here, it's as fast as my road bike and weighs in at a hefty 7.67kgs

Do you mean a Cyclocross bike? If so, have you any recommendations and would there be much difference in weight do you think from the Sirrus?

 

[vickster]

You could travel lighter

Some Sirrus models were under 10kg, some were 13kg+ especially with disc brakes

What's the budget for the new bike?

 

[Glasgow44]

You could travel lighter

Some Sirrus models were under 10kg, some were 13kg+ especially with disc brakes

What's the budget for the new bike?

I haven't thought about budget to be honest because I'm just enquiring. I suspect that my Sirrus is maybe one of the lighters ones as I don't have disc brakes; I have rim brakes. Maybe there wouldn't be too much difference in weight then!

 

[vickster]

No fully loaded bike will be light

Perhaps look at the gearing of the Sirrus, or a lighter rack and panniers

 

[Oxo]

Specialised Diverge is marketed as an adventure bike, somewhere between a road bike and a CX. Could be worth a look.

 

[Glasgow44]

Boardman CX Team is 10.1kgs
Raleigh RX Pro 1x is 9.2kgs
Raleigh Mustang Com is 9.6kgs
Cube Cross Race is 10.35kgs

So many variations and all depends on a your budget and requirements

What weight is my Specialized Sirrus Sport - is there a website i can look at that will be able to tell me? I've got one of these at home - I suppose I could use that?!

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Handheld-D...1_71?s=luggage&ie=UTF8&qid=1482164053&sr=1-71

 

[vickster]

Google? Specialized probably don't post weights, many manufacturers don't

If it's got a carbon fork and no disc brakes, it probably isn't very much heavier than the ones above...just carry less water or lose a kilo or two off you Unless you are using the weight of it as an excuse for N+1

 

[crazyjoe101]

I can echo that no loaded (even only moderately) bike will be light, most bikes are sprightly enough unloaded but once you get something bolted onto the back of them you need to totally change the way you ride and look at a ride when you plan it as I learned on my first mini tour this year. The best way to pick a new bike is to think of what you want to do and the bike best fit to help you do it.
A MTB could be a nice wildcard as it will open up a whole new 'front' of riding to you.
For now have you considered experimenting with other luggage options for your current bike(s) such as lightweight frame bags, saddle pack, handlebar bag etc? This is the only way of having a 'light' loaded bike that I've found. I did a 1 night/sleep 24h ride like this and my bike was barely heavier than usual use to the fact I only had two tiny bags to fill up - you just have to start with the absolute essentials and you'll be surprised how much you don't need. If this style doesn't appeal or work for you then you can look at getting a bike more suitable for traditional loading afterwards and still have the bags that you can carry on using.