I've been thinking of getting a bike for touring (long distance stuff) and unpaved roads for a while, and an 'adventure' bicycle seems appropriate. With this in mind I've ruled out a Genises CdF as the tyre clearance isn't great once you've got fenders in their, charge plug because I really don't like them, surly because they had nothing that floated my boat, and that bring me down tot he two main contenders in my mind.

I had set my heart on a Kona Rove. Absolutely stunning bike and build quality, and seems appropriate for what I want. Limiting factor being a double touring stuff, and the cost up switching this out for a triple. Also, only one set of eyelets for panniers/fenders to mount on.

The other option is a Salsa Vaya 2. If these are built anything like my Fargo forks, then it'll be incredible. Comes with the triple setup and obscene type clearance on it. Also, spec is spot-on for the money (Charlie the Bike Monger can get me one for £1300).

Anyone got any thoughts here who's experienced either bike, or who's done any long-distance touring? I keep changing my mind on this and I'm just going nuts now!

unpaved roads

I'm assuming by the above that you're thinking forest / fire roads, tow paths and the like? If so, some of the Pinnacle models are well worth a look.

only one set of eyelets for panniers/fenders to mount on.

Do you need rack mounts? Soft luggage doesn't stop been good just because you swap bikes ... and why do you want to mount a guitar to your bike?

s8tannorm wrote:and why do you want to mount a guitar to your bike?

not just the one either.

Your spot-on with what I mean by unpaved roads.

I know soft-luggage doesn't stop being so good, but I'm planning some trips where I'm going to need space. I did about 1300 miles in one trip last summer with my appkit setup, but there's no way I can take the full camera bicycle (DSLR, 3/4 lenses, filters, tripod) and equipment for some walking stuff as well with the capacity of that setup. Not without a rucksack anyway, which I'd rather avoid as I've had some pretty bad back-pains caused by riding with rucksacks in the past.

The trip I'm planning will, unfortunately, be far from bear bones in this case

Also, I'd go for a Les Paul

I forgot about your camera gear.

I've done a fair bit of long distance touring on a steel framed tourer (won't take bigger than a 32mm tyre) and also my 1990's Orange Gringo MTB, but even with my favourite touring tyres (continental travel contact 26x1.75) its slow on tarmac so I'm seriously considering a Vaya myself for exactly the same thing. Seems a really good buy for the money, although I think the gearing is too high if you're going to be carrying a lot of weight.At the end of a long day in the saddle, especially if riding for many consecutive days, when you've just stocked up with food for the nights camp and carrying a few litres of water I find I need a low gear at least as low as 28x32 or lower.
For the same reasons I also find a rack and panniers the best option,its much easier to access and organise stuff and you have spare capacity for food etc and I find the drying kit that you've washed the night before is much easier if you spread it over the panniers and it dries out as you ride along
The Fargo is also on my list.

I find I need a low gear at least as low as 28x32 or lower

One thing I liked about the idea of a SRAM drivetrain was the idea that I could use road STI shifters with a MTB rear mech, and stick a 11-36 cassette on to extend the gear range. Don't do road shifters for a triple, though :/

I really like the Rove too, but the gearing is also too high. I'm not familiar with Sram gearing and compatabilities.
I've used SPA cycles own triple cranks and you can specify an inner ring as low as 24.
They use an ultra reliable square taper BB and I.ve never had any issues with them.
Fit them to the Vaya and keep the road rear mech and shifters, and still have a really low gear?
Just out of interest what camera do you use?
I also enjoy the touring/photography combination and use a Canon EOS100D though I only take one lens, and find because its so small and light for a DSLR I can get away with a small gorilla pod

danielgroves wrote:

I find I need a low gear at least as low as 28x32 or lower

One thing I liked about the idea of a SRAM drivetrain was the idea that I could use road STI shifters with a MTB rear mech, and stick a 11-36 cassette on to extend the gear range. Don't do road shifters for a triple, though :/

26 x 36 (and 39 x 11) is OK? Could pop on a 40/42 range extender sprocket?

Just out of interest what camera do you use?

I've got a fairly large set-up now.

• Nikon D7100 Body
• Nikkor 55-300
• Nikkor 35mm
• Sigma 10-20 (my main lens)

Quite often carry flashes, too, depending on what I'm doing. I'd quite like to get something like the 24-70mm too with a 1.4x multiplier, and then leave the 55-300 behind as it's often a bit long for what I'm after. Tripod I use is a Slik AMT Pro 340DX.

26 x 36 (and 39 x 11) is OK? Could pop on a 40/42 range extender sprocket?

Should be with a long-cage mech. Might be pushing it with an expander ring, though. Would still be a case of suck-it and see though.

Of the two you mention, the Vaya would be my choice for longer tours, dirt road miles etc. I've not ridden either but simply based on what I think's important on a touring bike like this, the Vaya's front end being higher and the BB a whole 10mm lower count for a lot (to me anyway), likely to make it a comfier bike on long or rougher rides. If it takes bigger tyres that would clinch it. I don't think there's anything to chose between them in terms of frame quality, knowing the factories where they come from, the Vaya looks to use slightly slimmer down tube and seat stays that may well give the frame a tad more flex.
(edit to add, some great pics on your site!)

jameso wrote:Of the two you mention, the Vaya would be my choice for longer tours, dirt road miles etc. I've not ridden either but simply based on what I think's important on a touring bike like this, the Vaya's front end being higher and the BB a whole 10mm lower count for a lot (to me anyway), likely to make it a comfier bike on long or rougher rides. If it takes bigger tyres that would clinch it. I don't think there's anything to chose between them in terms of frame quality, knowing the factories where they come from, the Vaya looks to use slightly slimmer down tube and seat stays that may well give the frame a tad more flex.

Thanks. That all means sense, and I think altogether I'm going to go for the Salsa.

Does anyone have any suggestions for anything I should definitely look at prior to purchasing? Also, any advice for sizing? I sit perfectly between the 58 and 60 at 6'3".

jameso wrote:(edit to add, some great pics on your site!)

Thanks for that, I appreciate it. I really need to get more on there, half the point of this bike is hauling camera gear around over a long distances to get even more!

Pinnacle Arkose 5 adventure road bike?
Has 40mm tyres, rack mounts, Sram Force 1x11 drive train, 32 rear sprocket but Sram have brought out a 11-36 cluster for this group set and perhaps even add a range extender?

I wanted a Vaya for ages, but in the end I got an AWOL, as it was available on C2W. Took it out for a bit of a shakedown today, a mix of surfaces, core path network, grass, Tarmac, rocky singletrack, etc and I'm pretty impressed with it so far, too early to comment much beyond that.

32 rear sprocket but Sram have brought out a 11-36 cluster for this group set and perhaps even add a range extender?

The mech's the limiter, you need a longer cage version for the 36, available as OE soon and on the 2016 Arkose 5. tbh I really like the Arkose and have used it for some longer weekends bivi-biking but it's still biased to road/cx/mixed day ride sort of use, it's a bit low at the front for some for a touring bike. There's a new bike due into the line up that's more suited to longer rides. I say due .. been faffing with the sample frames and forks for over a year but pretty much there now. I'd go for a Vaya (or the Awol) over an Arkose for true touring uses. For now ; )

Alright. I think* I've made my mind up. Going to get the Vaya.

Now hurry up end-of-month. Need that final paycheque!

*hope

Fargo or singular gryphon?

jameso wrote:

32 rear sprocket but Sram have brought out a 11-36 cluster for this group set and perhaps even add a range extender?

The mech's the limiter, you need a longer cage version for the 36, available as OE soon and on the 2016 Arkose 5. tbh I really like the Arkose and have used it for some longer weekends bivi-biking but it's still biased to road/cx/mixed day ride sort of use, it's a bit low at the front for some for a touring bike. There's a new bike due into the line up that's more suited to longer rides. I say due .. been gaffing with the sample frames and forks for over a year but pretty much there now……..

Sounds like that could be a great bike…. 2016 Arkose too.

Thing that puts me off the Akrose (other than the 1x drivetrain) is the ally frame. I like the way steel rides.

Singular Gryphon looks like a good bet though. Will take a proper look at that later.

To me any steel bike that isn't a whippy mess with a load on feels very similar to a light, thinwall Al frame. The distinction between the two isn't what it was 10 years ago, but I still like steel bikes for this sort of thing, struggle to really explain why these days. I like the way an Al/carbon F+F saves 2.5kg when I'm trying to keep weight down but steel just seems 'proper' : )