One bike for everything?

[murielalex]

I have a Gunnar Sport, which I bought for the same reason as you. I don't have fenders or a rack on it, but plan on doing so if/when that makes sense. I've used it for commuting, for regular 30-50-mile weekend rides, and have 100-mile-plus charity rides planned over the next three months. So far, I've been more than happy.

[zoom-zoom]

I have a Gunnar Sport, which I bought for the same reason as you. I don't have fenders or a rack on it, but plan on doing so if/when that makes sense. I've used it for commuting, for regular 30-50-mile weekend rides, and have 100-mile-plus charity rides planned over the next three months. So far, I've been more than happy.

I have several friends who have the Gunnar CX bike and use it for both paved and gravel road riding. Really nice bike, but they don't make it small enough for shorter folks. I think the shortest person I know on one is about 5'7".

I love my Redline Conquest. I've ridden it with knobbies or slicks and I'm pretty sure it can take fenders and panniers.

[Owlie]

I have several friends who have the Gunnar CX bike and use it for both paved and gravel road riding. Really nice bike, but they don't make it small enough for shorter folks. I think the shortest person I know on one is about 5'7".

I love my Redline Conquest. I've ridden it with knobbies or slicks and I'm pretty sure it can take fenders and panniers.

A CX bike with rack mounts is probably a good do-anything bike.

Shame about the Gunnar. I just looked up their geometry chart. I'm about 5'7", but I'd probably have to be on the smallest size they make!

[Sky King]

on a vain note, the 2012 Surly Cross Checks as so pretty I love the current color. As a proponent of Surly, I would vote for it. My DH uses a cross check as his everything bike, in fact he just did a 3 day tour on his, pulling a bob trailer and it only has two gears. Like Veronica, I am totally spoiled with my Rivendell. She is a fabulous do everything bike for me.

[Veronica]

Like Veronica, I am totally spoiled with my Rivendell. She is a fabulous do everything bike for me.

I've since moved on to two other bikes - a Rivendell Legolas and a Cervelo S3. The Legolas could certainly handle light self supported touring and maybe I could even tow with it. The Cervelo... not so much.

But my riding focus has changed greatly since I started riding.

Veronica

[nuliajuk]

A CX bike with rack mounts is probably a good do-anything bike.
...

There are lots of 'cross bikes on the market. Check out the Kona Jake, Rocky Mountain CRX, Ridley Crossbow... no doubt there are many others. Generally, the lowest priced model in the lineup will be the versatile one with the rack and fender eyelets.
My husband rode his Rocky Mountain for two years, then sold it to a young woman who wanted to do triathlons on it. She figured on using it with the fat tires for most of the training (the roads are really bad here) and then putting skinny road tires on for racing day. (DH still has a 'cross bike, now a Ridley Crossbow).