Do It All (Almost) Bike Frame Advice

Hello All,

I’m looking for some advice for a bike build. I hate to use the term ‘lifebike’ but that’s essentially the concept I’m going for.

The idea is that I can use the bike as a general rubbish weather bike for my commute to work but also have the adaptability of being able to carry some light touring loads for the North Sea cycle route I have in the diary that keeps on getting put off and last but not least for it to be man enough to handle the impending sproglett and associated child seat which will arrive within the lifetime of the bike. I'm hoping the frame will last a good ten years!

I have been looking at the genesis Croix de Fer Reynold 725 with carbon fork and surly straggler frames to build from so far. Steel seems the most sensible option but I would not be adverse to anyone’s experience with comparable aluminium frames if the consensus is that the likely life of the bike isn’t compromised (having invested in a Canyon Ultimate AL not so long ago I am a loving the high end Aluminium concept)

Does anyone have any experience of the adaptability of say a Croix de Fer cross bike in a steel such as 725 (not flush enough for the stainless I’m afraid) for these sorts of activities? Or should I be looking into the tougher Cromoly touring bike category for durability?

I am intending to put some good tough handbuilts on the frame with some good width tyres. Was thinking something around the 30mm mark with guards, although Finishing off with 105 hydro group set. Having hydros on non-road race bikes before I don’t see myself going down the cable actuated route even though it is a fair bit cheaper.

I would say my upper frame price would be 500 pounds with the Croix de Fer at the upper end of the envelope. Although if the consensus is to go higher grade materials then I would be willing to save for a bit longer.

I have a proper out and out road bike for fast rides so weight isn’t really the be all and end all and terrain wise i would say rubbish roads and gravel will be the worst the bike see's, i live in London so i'm not really in the position to be doing any serious off roading!

Any advice in this regard would be very much appreciate. I will certainly keep all up to date with my final choices and the build as I progress!