In reply to TobyA:
> I had seen that review and thought the bike looks really interesting. 1x11 seems really sensible in many ways, cheaper, lighter, simpler - although I do find I really need my granny gears on some of Sheffield's steepest hills (like the one my house near the top of!). But the bar end shifter put me off. I guess I'm so used to riding on hoods, moving my hand down there to change gears seems weird, particularly in traffic when you need to be on your brakes. Did you find you go used to it very quickly or not?
Personally, I think its a great bike, but probably a bit 'marmite'. Ok its not as light as my road bike, but its a far more comfortable beast which is ideally suited to my commute and general hacking around at the weekends on and off road. It will take big tires (40c cross tires) and full sks mudguards if you want.
The lowest gear (38 x 32 = about 33inchs) is lower than my road bike compact (34 x 25 = 35 inches?), not found this a problem on hills up to 20% or above in rural Devon. You could probably get a greater range if you customised the cassette by sticking one of the 40t mtb sprockets on, but not sure about compatibility issues. Still, I do seem to drop the chain a lot less than on my road bike, owing to not having a front derailleur I guess.
It took a few rides to adjust to the bar end shifters, but they seem second nature now. Its not quite as responsive/quick as shifting from the hoods, but its not enough to noticeably effect my riding.