Opinions on This Style of Bike

[KLR600]

I've pretty much decided that unless I'm offered an amazing deal on a nice DH/trail bike that my next bike will be something like this:

Commencal FCB

Saracen Hack-FB

The XC bike I had fell through and I no longer have it but I really enjoyed cycling around Berlin and logging rides on Strava. I was really starting to get my bearings for all the different spots around the city before I gave the Specialised back and I miss heading out for an hour or two in a random direction. I miss the health benefit side too as cycling is one of the few things I can actually enjoy whilst pushing myself physically. Running does my head in and going to the gym never lasts longer than a few months before I hate it.

So are bikes like the ones above much cop? I don't think I can bring myself to go out and out roadie. I've never liked road bikes and never been able to get on with the seating position. I do like gears though hence not wanting some single speed fixie hipster fashion accessory. I also really like the idea of disc brakes coming from MTB and remembering how terrible cantilever and V brakes were in the wet. The weights seem reasonable compared to entry level/similarly priced road bikes and obviously the cockpit is more along the lines of what I want over a traditional road bike.

I think the maximum distance I'd be looking to ride in one go would be around 50 miles but that wouldn't be a regular thing. I'd probably be looking to cycle around 20-30 miles on a usual ride but doing some sprints in there as well.

With that in mind, would the above style of bike be any good? Would I be better off just getting an old road bike and putting flat bars on it? Have roadie cantilever brakes improved at all in the last decade?
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Now: '00 Kawasaki ZRX1100R - Past: '84 Yamaha DT125, '89 Kawasaki KLR600, '97 Yamaha XJ600N
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[Irezumi aka Reuben]

Road bikes and hybrid bikes often have slightly different top tube lengths to account for the more upright riding position/shorter bar reach, although you can easily just chuck some flat bars on to one and it wont make too much of a difference/issue.

Road bike brakes are fine in the dry but can be a bit worrying in the wet but depend more on pad material (swisstop seem to be the best but wear out rims quicker). Lots of hydraulic and cable brake systems about now for road/hybrid bikes which for city riding would be a lot better.

Off topic but heading to Berlin for new years with the missus. Just going to see the sights then fireworks and the gate etc. Any ideas on places to go. Been told Friedrichschain is good for places to eat/drink?
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Pictorgraphicalfantastical

[KLR600]

[G]

I have a very similar bike and really like it - a charge scourer.

Mine has 50-34 11-34 which gives a decent range, especially now that I've added some big panniers, tri bars, motorcycle lock, muffs etc.
I like that you've still got pretty much the speed of a road bike, but can take over 50kg worth of stuff up hills too -
https://scontent-a-lhr.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfp1/v/t1.0-9/10425170_10152426003325689_7843639928355474416_n.jpg?oh=e3fb0c12c38b12a2c490eae742c36d1b&oe=55059D0D

Apart from replacing the chain, only original component I've changed is the front brake to hydraulic - the cable disc wasn't too bad, but it was a good deal and I needed new pads as it was . Might do the same on the rear at some point. Would like to go even bigger than 50 for the big chain ring, but suspect it may start to introduce shifting issues.

Before I added all the stuff, bike wasn't the lightest compared to 'proper' road bikes, but is a bit tougher I expect.

[Irezumi aka Reuben]

The difference in the top tube length isnt massive and with lower end bikes they dont bother altering it they just shange the stem length.

You really need to think about what riding youre going to do as well. If it's going a bit further out and/or moving at speed then having a double chain-ring and a 12-25 or similar 10-speed is going to be better. If it's purely for city work I'd look at getting an MTB and converting it to 1X10.
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Pictorgraphicalfantastical