i'm (~1.84m with ~87cm inseam) looking for an alloy Gravelbike able to fit a front rack (f.e. Tubus Tara) to the fork. So far i've tested a lot of different bikes but all alloy bikes seemed to lack this option: Norco Search A 105, Focus Paralane AL 105 & Apex, Bulls Grinder 105, Bianchi Allroad. Most are limited to 35 at most (dunno if this is still true with mudguards).
I also rode a Marin Four Corners Elite (awesome bike, would prefer it to be a little lighter) and a Genesis Croix de Fer (a LBS said he can build one up for under 2.000€) but both are steel and i'm afraid they might be a bit to heavy even when i strip them of their mudguards and racks trying to go gravel "racing". Lately i stumbled upon the RLT9 but it's a little to pricey.
What's my plan with this bike? -commuting (attached light in winter - none in summer season) -gravel / cross rides (solo and in groups) -light touring (weekend) -touring (~1 week self supported) -supported journeys (like the last two weeks in norway without having to carry baggage myself) -in the near future: attach a child seat to the back while still being able to carry load up front
Without this last point i guess even a bike without the option to fit a front rack might be sufficient.
Anyone knows if the Kona Rove AL can fit a front rack? Is the frameset sold separately? Can he Londong Road (Planet-X) only fit a mudguard up front?
Planing on going 1x with this bike (looks so clean). Want to use a 10-42 cassette (even if 11-42 is cheaper) to maintain a little more top speed if needed. Planing on using a 38, 40 or 42 cog (not sure yet). Which 1x42-11/10 bikes do you know that are able to fit a rear rack at least (f.e. the Votec doesn't).
After having owned and ridden the Rove for a couple thousand miles mol. I think it would do all you ask with the exception of a child seat and front load. Seems like a lot of weight to put on the bike and handling would be scary.
Ah nice, have seen the thread but not this picture
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\nDo you know if the frameset is sold separately so i could build one up with the components of my choice or is the frame alone heavy so going steel wouldn't matter at all?
I have not seen the Al frame for sale anywhere only the steel frame. The steel frames are very hard to come by seems like only those with inside info can get them.
Check the new Diamondback Haanjo, I believe this year's fork has rack mounts. The Salsa Vaya is another option, also steel and a bit heavy, but would be awesome for touring and commuting, less so for CX.
I'd say get whatever bike that fits you and that you like to ride, swap out the fork for one that can handle a rack, and sell the original fork. I wouldn't want to limit my bike purchase based on whether the fork will take a rack when it's not that hard or $$ to put on a different fork (usually).
![[smile]](http://cdn.websitetoolbox.com/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif)
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\nDo you know if the frameset is sold separately so i could build one up with the components of my choice or is the frame alone heavy so going steel wouldn't matter at all?