My 40th birthday is approaching and it has been suggested that I might be interested in a new bike. Well, yes, now you mention it, I
might.
I'm pretty happy with what I've got for road (audax and pootle) and commuting. What I've had the odd daydream about lately is a new mountain bike for days out on the south downs (my Trek 3700 is more commute these days) which can also double up as an off-road tourer - S24O and longer off-road and mixed rides. Quite a lot of my idea of touring involves stuff that is off road, so this seems to make sense.
I don't have a lot of history with different MTBs or tourers, so I'd like to check my thinking. I suspect I'll bung a number of questions in here, sorry.
So, first: I think I'd like disc brakes. But to do the touring end I'd want a rack. There seem to be three ways round this:
1) Bikes with a chainstay mounted rear disc caliper, the On-One inbred being the one I've spotted in my price range. Any others?
2) Racks with different mount points, such as the Topeak Super Tourist.
3) Cantis and an standard rack aren't that bad, especially at the back. Get on with it.
I quite like option 1 as a good design solution. However, I think some folk here do option 2. Any thoughts on how they compare in practice?
I've kind-of ruled out a cross bike as few have the gearing I'd want; 29ers as too pricey; and straight tourers as not really ideal for the most frequent use of being a mountain bike. I'm thinking On-One Inbred, Genesis Latitude, Orange G. Not cyclescheme but £1000 is my limit, either self-assemble (with help where I don't have the tools) or off the shelf and £150-200 for changes to contact points and adding rack, computer etc. Any other suggestions for XC type short-travel hardtails with rack mounts that I really ought to look at?