Marin Gestalt gravel/adventure bike revealed with three models starting at £800

Ad Hynkel wrote:

Whoa, what's going on with the rack mounting on the middle one? It's not mounted onto the frame directly but on what appears to be an unnecessary bracket. Is there something going on with the brake clearance we should know about? Not much good for 20Kg of shopping that I would expect to be able to lug home in between adventures/gravel racing etc... Also, it does not look like they have mounted on the seatpost where their "smart mount" is. Or is that just my deteriorating eyesight?

Nope, don't think it's your eyesight. Looks like a lovely bendy strip of steel/ally...

Maybe, they've yet to develop the rack for their optional rack and mudguard option! Or maybe the "smart mount" is only to be found on the top of the range model, which will be less likely to be used with a rack.

Still not decided whether this type of bike is for me. I like the idea. Then, I get back on my flat bar fixie and think, mneh, this is good. If I wanted to go off road, I could either fit me some fatter, knobblier tyres or get a MTB. But, since I mostly ride on road, I may just keep my ££ in my pocket.

jiberjaber wrote:

I'd fancy this but only of I could get a dynamo hub to match the disc set up/ through bolt thingy.

Exactly, look at the TCR set-ups. They are mostly running dynamo hubs, this would rule out any bike using a through-axle.
Why not design the drop-outs to prevent wheel ejection and add lawyer lips?

alexb wrote:

jiberjaber wrote:

I'd fancy this but only of I could get a dynamo hub to match the disc set up/ through bolt thingy.

Exactly, look at the TCR set-ups. They are mostly running dynamo hubs, this would rule out any bike using a through-axle.

Both SON/Schmidt and SP offer dynamos with 15mm thru-axles. Easy enough to convert to 12mm.

alexb wrote:

jiberjaber wrote:

I'd fancy this but only of I could get a dynamo hub to match the disc set up/ through bolt thingy.

Exactly, look at the TCR set-ups. They are mostly running dynamo hubs, this would rule out any bike using a through-axle.

^ As above, Shutter Precision / SP make a really good 15mm dynamo hub with a QR step-down reducer axle available so you can swap the wheel between bikes. I expect they'll have a 12mm version soon, or a simple sleeve adapter for the 15mm hub.

I've contemplated just fitting MTB hydraulic brake levers onto bullhorns with the shift levers at the top facing down.
I sort of think it would work (although it will be pretty ugly), one of these days I'm going to bite the bullet!

David Arthur @davearthur wrote:

geargrinderbeard wrote:

Go away thru axles. Let alone a completely bespoke setup.

Even though this is a really clever and simple thru-axle solution that is easier to use than current thru-axles?

Go away with you and your progress - you'll have us living in covered shelters and covering our bodies with cloth next !

fukawitribe wrote:

David Arthur @davearthur wrote:

geargrinderbeard wrote:

Go away thru axles. Let alone a completely bespoke setup.

Even though this is a really clever and simple thru-axle solution that is easier to use than current thru-axles?

Go away with you and your progress - you'll have us living in covered shelters and covering our bodies with cloth next !

It's not progress. It's an explosion of misery and confusion in the industry. Early adopters such as yours truly are in the quick release camp. Don't want to be buying even more disc wheels with thru axles or converting them (although I have to admit my Hunt Mason wheels have made a very nice job of future proofing themselves). It's bad enough having bikes with rim brakes, disc brakes, 10 speed, 11 speed etc etc.

I'm buying a Penny Farthing...

gonedownhill wrote:

Are there any of these CX style bikes out there that have hydraulic brakes that hit the £1000 C2W scheme price point or is that just asking too much for the money?

You're not the only one wondering this. The only one I've seen to date is Planet X's London Road which is available with a SRAM Rival hydraulic set up for the magic £999.

Given that mtb hydraulics are pretty affordable nowadays, you can expect road hydraulics to come down in price over time once the novelty has worn off.

Jez Ash wrote:

gonedownhill wrote:

Are there any of these CX style bikes out there that have hydraulic brakes that hit the £1000 C2W scheme price point or is that just asking too much for the money?

You're not the only one wondering this. The only one I've seen to date is Planet X's London Road which is available with a SRAM Rival hydraulic set up for the magic £999.

Given that mtb hydraulics are pretty affordable nowadays, you can expect road hydraulics to come down in price over time once the novelty has worn off.

The 105 hydro groupset launching later in the year might see some more bikes squeezing under £1k.

No much chance. Technology is too new/expensive at the moment.

gonedownhill wrote:

Are there any of these CX style bikes out there that have hydraulic brakes that hit the £1000 C2W scheme price point or is that just asking too much for the money?

The problem is that in the mtb world, because the brake and gear levers are separate there is more scope to mix and match components to hit a price (£1k mtb regularly have slx or XT shifters, but rarely if ever XT or slx brakes to match) and there is scope for third parties to produce cheaper brakes, whereas in the road world the levers are integrated, basically ruling out cheaper third part options and much less me scope to mix and match.

Due to the extra expense of hydraulic disc brakes, it will be a while before they trickle down to a point where you regularly get them on £1k bikes - I'd expect a couple of years at least. Basically not till shimano bring out a tiagra level hydraulic brake.