New rides?

It's that time of the year, all the new 2012 bikes are getting introed and making me drool. Could this year be a new bike year?

I currently own three bikes: 2008 Jamis Coda 19.5", 1999 Trek 930 19.5" and 2009 Motobecane Fantom CX 58cm. All are really a bit small (if you follow Riv's sizing guidelines) and I'd like to correct that. Riv says I should be on a 60-62 for road bike sizing. I'd also like to have disc brakes on all of them. The main advantage of the Coda, is that it has full braze-ons for racks and fenders. If the Fantom CX had those I'd not need the Coda. So finding a CX or relaxed geometry road bike with discs and full braze-ons means I could replace two bikes with one. I've found a few bikes that would meet those requirement (and could be considered affordable)

Specialized Tricross Elite Disc Apex Compact. The priciest of the bunch, and Aluminum. Highest standover, shortest toptube and longest stays. Steeper headtube and more rake make it the lowest trail of the bunch, which combined with the long stays could make it the slowest steering as well. The rear caliper hanging back behind the seat stays could cause rack issues. It's probably a pass.

Raleigh Roper. Missing lowrider braze-ons. Shortest stays. Lowest standover and shortest headtube. Probably the sportiest of the group. Not impossible to consider.

Redline Metro Classic. The only triple in the group, which doesn't thrill me. But otherwise the best gearing for my riding style. and Avid BB5's are well respected. The color and styling are great. This is the new front runner.

Soma Double Cross DC. Only available as a frameset. Tange Prestige tubing is the best of the steelies. best known clearance for wider tires, but still only 38s, which just isn't enough for serious gravel grinding. No lowrider mounts on the DC fork. Building from a frameset is probably the most expensive option, unless I were to run cantis/v's and switch over everything from the Fantom CX.

As mentioned none of these has the kind of tire clearance required for serious gravel grinding. Which means I need another bike! I'd considered another 26er frame and switching everything over from the Trek, but if I want discs that means a new wheelset, brakes and levers and at that point it may just make sense to go 29er.

Bikes in the running:

Surly Karate Monkey. Pretty much a classic. Track ends aren't my favorite. Only available built as a SS, but frameset is reasonable and if I'm ditching the Fantom, I can scavenge the brifters from there.

On One Inbred. Lighter tubeset than the KM. Carbon fork. Switchable dropouts with many options available (including Alfine!) Built bike is pricey, but frameset reasonable, and similar scavenging can be done as the KM.

Origin 8 Paladin 29. In a dream world where I was light enough to think that carbon was a good idea, and I needed a light bike to win, this could become a serious option. Fully Rigid, carbon 29er. Could be built very light and should (if all I hear about carbon is true) be very comfy on gravel with big soft meaty tires.

Much to think about and numbers to be run, but as we get to the "off season" it means plenty of time to plan out the road map.

Darkness

Just as we start plunging into darkness, my much loved B&M Ixon IQ has failed. Luckily, it has done so before the end of its 2 year warranty, and it now in a box on its way back to Peter White Cycles, the distributor.

However, its failure has prompted me to purchase a backup light, the Planet Bike Blaze 2w. Sadly it will likely be over a week before either arrives to cut through the night and point my way. That leaves me relying on my old Niterider Ultrafazer Max 1w. The Max is waterproof and dependable, but lacks the beam shape and power of the Ixon IQ. It also won't share the same mount as the Ixon, which the PB Blaze will. It's battery life is pitiful as well.

While ordering the Blaze, I went ahead and ordered new brakes for the Motobecane. Shimano M590s and Travel Agents. The same setup I have on the front of Beast will now be on both ends of my main ride. Hopefully this will adequately solve the wet weather braking issues I've had.