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“Adventure Road” Bikes

02.01.2015 by Ray Niekamp // 5 Comments

As I deal with less than optimum biking weather this winter (although I shouldn’t complain — I rode today in 62-degree (16C) sunshine), my thoughts turn to other bikes. What’s out there that I need to pay attention to?

I’ve noticed one category that has taken hold quickly, at least based on the offerings of all the major bike companies. That’s the so-called “Adventure Road” bike. Evolved from cyclocross bikes, the adventure road is intended to let the recreational roadie go beyond the tarmac. The wider tires offer good traction on gravel roads, too, and more comfort when the pavement disintegrates. It has the drop handlebars of a road bike, and it’s priced in a wide range — from under $1,000 to well up into the several thousands. What sets it apart is its wider-than-typical road bike tires and its brakes.

I took a look at several makes, and selected models that are priced in about the mid-range: $1,200-$1,500. Here’s what you can get:

The Trek CrossRip

The Trek CrossRip Elite.
The Trek CrossRip Elite.

The Elite model has an aluminum frame and carbon fork, a 9-speed cassette with an 11-32 tooth range, a 50/34 compact crankset, mechanical disc brakes and 32 mm tires. Its MSRP is $1,270.

Giant AnyRoad 1

The Giant AnyRoad 1.
The Giant AnyRoad 1.

Also aluminum frame, carbon fork, mechanical disc brakes. It has a 9-speed cassette with an 11-34 tooth range, and a 48/34 crankset. It also comes with 32 mm tires. Its MSRP is $1,225.

Diamondback Haanjo Comp

Diamondback Haanjo Comp
Diamondback Haanjo Comp

Aluminum frame, carbon fork, and a 10-speed Shimano 105 drive train. It has a 12-30 cassette, and a 46/36 crankset. Mechanical disc brakes, but wide tires — 40 mm. MSRP: $1,500.

Norco Search S2 Steel

Norco Search S2 Steel
Norco Search S2 Steel

The Canadian bike maker Norco has low-to-medium-priced adventure road bikes with steel frames, and more expensive carbon fiber framed models. The S2 has a chromoly frame and fork, and 11-speed Shimano 105 drivetrain, 11-32 cassette and a 50/34 crankset. Mechanical disc brakes, 28 mm tires. It’s priced at $1,215.

So, what’s the attraction of bikes like these? Well, they offer a more comfortable alternative to traditional road bikes. Their geometry is more relaxed than most road bikes, with shorter top tubes, and taller head tubes. The disc brakes offer better stopping power, and the wider tires cushion the ride somewhat. If you have gravel roads in your area that beckon the cyclist, these bikes are good gravel grinders.

It’s likely that they won’t keep up with the A group in your club, but that probably won’t bother most people in the market for them. For a certain type of rider, the ride is important — not the speed. I’m intrigued by these bikes. I’m not in the market now, but if I do start shopping for a new road bike, I think the adventure road will be the road I take.

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Comments

  1. pat says

    February 5, 2015 at 1:16 pm

    The stability/volume of the wider tires is nice!
    I just converted a old steel frankenbike to a flatbar cx bike with
    a 32mm front and 30mm rear tire. I hope to ride
    non rock garden mtb trails on it soon.

    Reply
  2. Dave r says

    May 5, 2015 at 8:26 pm

    I just bought a norco s2. I only have 2 weeks commuting on it (abt. 300 miles). The bike is commanding on the road. It rolls great and I hardly notice the added weight of the steel frame. What I do notice is the comfort over my old aluminum bike (Cannondale synapse 2013). At this point I can’t help but wonder if I should have gone all out and gotten the carbon version but this is a solid bike that should last years to come. Did I mention 105 11speed!? I love this bike. I also really like the tires that came stock, it’s a small thing but nice to not have to immediately drop another 100$ on decent rubber. I looked at the s1 and s3 also, in size 55.5 the s1 weighed 25 lb and the s3 was 27.5 lb. Never weighed the s2 and ultimately went for a 58 cm because I liked the fit better. I think with full fenders, rack and lights I’m pushing 30 lbs. The bike so far is abt 4 min faster on the 45min section of my commute regardless of weight. I notice that i carry more speed on the rougher sections of road than before. The ride of steel is worth checking out. Besides, my girlfriend says “thirty pound bikes are sexy”.

    Reply
  3. Oliver says

    July 13, 2015 at 1:04 pm

    Hi,

    I got a Search S2, too. And I love it! For the resilience of the steel frame and the responsive feel it delivers. Fast enough for drafting on the road, and forgiving enough to shred on gravel. I will mount wider tires to soften coarser gravel sections and go hunting weenie mountain bikers on porky full suspension bikes.

    Very trick: Bent seat stays for extra cush. Cool paint. It looks robust as hell and could be mistaken for TI at first glance. Nice trick. Bits integrated in the rear dropouts that can be popped out to attach fenders or racks to. This bike will double duty as a commuter or for travelling. Bontrager-like gusset under at the head tube junction to keep things solid. Overall very clean appearance. The heck, even the saddle is a great spec!

    Gripes: Rear brake cable routing along the chain stay delivers an odd bend. I skipped the last braze on and rerouted inboard the chainstays for less interference. Worked for me. And you cannot easily switch brakes from moto style to bicycle style due to full length housing (which is a plus in itself). I’ll remedy this when the cables need TLC. And a 160 mm rear disc is too much when running without load. It’s easy to overwhelm traction with its great stopping power (another plus in itself). Welds could be a bit nicer. OK, I’m picky here.

    BTW: 2016 will see only aluminum and CF Searchs! So if you think “steel is real”, you better hurry before 2014’s sell out. For me, it’s a keeper and I dearly recommend it!

    Ride!

    Reply
    • Scott Jangro says

      July 14, 2015 at 1:11 pm

      Will these replace mountain bikes for any large segment, you think? I guess what it’s missing is the suspension. Hard-tails only?

      How aggressive can you get with these bikes? Gravel, sure. how about single track, log hopping, and rock gardens?

      Reply
      • Dave r says

        October 9, 2015 at 8:45 pm

        These bikes are classified as “anyroad”. For that they work awsome! They can be setup for a variety of uses but rock gardens and log hopping I don’t think are in the cards unfortunately.

        The problem really is the combination of all the elements that make a great road bike. The long wheelbase, drop bars, lower bottom bracket, large chainrings, and the tires. Sure you can put 40 mm tires on, but the other components are more costly and in the end you wouldn’t have a great mountain bike.

        Reply

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