Do it all road bike - Fara F/AR Test and Review
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- Опубліковано 15 жов 2024
- The type of bike more of us should be riding - Fara F/AR All Road. It's a fast 'endurance' road bike with greater clearances for wider tyres. This review bike had been to a few journalists before being offered to me for a few weeks. It will be going on to yet another reviewer soon (if it hasn't already)
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Reminds me of my Giant Contend AR that I have just over a thousand miles on. Very pleased with it and it starts at a much lower price. Nice to see the range of comfy road bikes is expanding.
Worth taking a look at that too - thanks.
I have a Giant Anyroad 1 from 2015. An odd road/gravel/cross bike that I love. Has done thousends of miles and still going strong. And also highly versatile. Odd looking thing mind, and no longer made. I don't think they sold many. I think the Contend is its more traditonal looking- and sucessful - heir.
I remember the Anyroad! That's why I love Giant, of the big brands they seem the most willing to try new ideas. Like the original TCR way back in the 90s. A sloping top tube on a road bike!? They got a lot of hate for that, but the first time I rode one I realized it was the way.@@slainelow
interesting review ... i agree with your comments around this style of bike would actually suit most riders.
I dod have a look at the Fara brand .... opted for a Mason Bokeh (v2). This is my 'goto bike' - from the lunchtime training ride to soprtifs/bike packing & ultra endurance trips.
The planet x Titus Road Runner is on a similar theme to this type of bike. I have the 2x Roadrunner and it is a very versatile bike too with good tyre clearance as well. Plus of course a titanium frame. For our rubbish Scottish roads these types of bikes are superb 👍
If you don’t race and don’t strava hunt, do you need a £5k bike?. My Giant SL1 cost £1200 recently, it’s robust has two wheels and pedals and the thing holding it back is the bloke peddling
Sounds like bike designers have "caught up" with the steel frames from the 60's - they were "racing bikes" that could tackle gravel, pastures, corn fields, abandoned roads, single track paths, easy "mountain bike" trails that were yet to be invented... but had a hard time with mud 🤷.
Looks a great bike, if my knees hadn't gone, that's the sort of bike I would go for, love the gearing especially the 46/33 front chainrings
I'm new to road/gravel/do it all really - just the last 3 years after 35 years of mountain biking.
It really strikes me much in road and gravel is driven by the 'pro racer' image, not the realities of weekend riders and UK roads.
So many skinny tyres, narrow cassettes, racy and uncomfortable geometries and frame constructions etc.
Like you I've just done the Moray Triangle on a 35mm 'do it all' Merlin G2P on 36mm tyres. It's great - nippy enough, holds speed on roads and gravel, beefy enough for luggage and comfy enough for all day.
You confirm my own view that, for us 'ordinary' riders, there are more practical concerns than being as aero and lightweight as possible, and yet the big brands continue to insist on marketing so-called (I'm unconvinced) F1 marginal gains to us Skoda drivers. I'd trade durability for a few extra grams any day.
Sounds like they're doing the same sort of thing as Ribble, with the CGR (Cross/Gravel/Road) which I'm awaiting delivery of. Two sets of wheels and youve got every bike you need in 1
My pal Sean has one of those and recently sent a text saying exactly the same thing! So yes, I think you’re right Ricky.
Really enjoyed your review of the F/AR. I too have bought one There is one issue I have discovered and that is the front derailleur (FD) mount just after 25Kms has become loose, which requires retightening and and remounting of the SRAM FD. This may be poor installation. However, now that you have ridden the bike for some months have you had any issue with the FD mount working loose? Cheers
Mine was a demo bike which went back quite a while ago, sorry. I did find the magnetic mounts unscrewed and that was easily sorted with some Locktite. Perhaps seek some advice from your LBS who’re used to assembling bikes?
@@alwaysanotheradventure many thanks for the reply, I'll get back to Fara on this point.
@@jamesmurphy7481 just my first idea- personally I’d ask my bike shop what they would do first, then get FARA to pay for them to fix it.
Feel free to mention my video to them - I still fancy😁 buying one of their bikes.
@@alwaysanotheradventure I have had a response back from Fara who suggested it's a good idea to apply loctite to the mount's bolts. However, I do have to reinstall the FD. I think your point about getting the bike shop do this and get Fara to pay is worth progressing. I will mention the fidlock issue to them from your video in my response. It is really a nice bike as you can have found out.
looks a nice bike with only two problems - 1. what is after sales service like and the second is the price at over £5k there are lots of bikes that can do the same thing for way less as the frame looks like an open mould from china
Bike industry thinks we can all ride Pro Style bikes, they seduce us but in reality they are uncomfortable and expensive! Approaching 60 and I’m more for comfort than speed these days hence On One FreeRanger with Redshift Sport Stem and Seatpost thanks to your recommendations 👍🏽😀
I'm please the stem and seatpost are working for you.
I’ve got the same Quadlock mount on my bike stem and it has a rather annoying rattle… maybe that is the source of your rattle?
Ah interesting- I’ll check
Wonder if this is the direction the bike industry is going, basically a road bike capable of handling the UK poor roads but not quite a gravel bike. Informative video, thanks.
I'm pretty sure these 'all-road' type bikes are replacing the 'endurance' bike for sportives and general purpose, other than racing.
8,000 pounds and even 5,000 pounds is a ridiculous amount of money to pay for a bicycle. Or am I just old and out of touch. Really enjoy your videos, I recognise your voice from somewhere.
I agree about price, and give the glut of bikes right now, I see some are coming down. People tell me I sound like John Craven, but I don't hear it. Although I did work for BBC news for may years.
How does this compare to your v+1 ?
This is a road bike that can go well off-road. The Vielo is an off-road bike that goes well on road. Easiest way to describe it really. Interchangeable for shorter distances but each comes into it own over longer distances.
At least it has a dual front chain-ring. A single chain ring is fine for a mtn. bike, but I just don’t get the current trend for a single on a gravel bike or heaven forbid a road bike.
If they can get the tech right, I'd be up for a 1x on my endurance bike, but they're not currently there.
Nice socks!
Planet X specials. Now going holey (is that a word??)
@@alwaysanotheradventure I know! They are great. I have a pair & was sorely disappointed when they stopped selling them.
For the same price probably better to have a sub £2000 gravel bike with slightly wider tyres plus a sub £3000 pure road bike ( ideally with rim brakes) racy or endurance style depending on what you do. . But this looks good for someone who doesn't. ride much rougher gravel.
Fair enough Dave. I’m inclined to go with this as the only road bike plus a tougher gravel/adventure bike.