Bike test: Temple Cycles Adventure Disc 3

The word Adventure in the Temple’s name isn’t a misnomer: this bike’s built for big cycling experiences. Every part, from the frame to the groupset, wheels and cockpit, is chosen for its practicality. Were something to go wrong whether you’re in Rome or Romania, Baku or Berlin, you should be able to source replacement 9-speed components. 

In spite of the bike’s understated looks, it still turned the heads of my non-cycling friends. The muted finish masks a Reynolds 725 frame that’s neatly manufactured in the Far East before being powder coated in Europe. The single-colour paint job is accompanied by a metal head badge, simple graphics, matching bar tape and saddle, and a silver bar, stem and chainset. 

And that classic-looking chainset delivers adventure-ready gearing, a knee-friendly 20in bottom gear and no large jumps. I think the braking is equally well chosen, too. The Temple’s dual-piston cable disc brakes offer control and consistency regardless of the weather, and they’ll work if the rims are knocked out of true. 

I chose a Temple-branded saddle though you could go for a Brooks. Steel and wide rubber combine to deliver impeccable long-distance comfort while carrying kilos of your kit. The saddle and bar tape proved comfortable, and the 40mm Schwalbe tyres took the sting out of poor road surfaces, gripping gravel and towpath well when venturing away from the asphalt.

The bike’s not light, but that’s neither here nor there when fully laden, and while that makes it a sedate climber, you can still spin comfortably in the bottom gear. The riding position is pretty upright and friendly on your back, so visibility is great and you can take in your surroundings. The wheelbase is shortish for a tourer, making its handling a little livelier than some, but the wide, slightly flared bar offers great control.

Verdict

Old-school looks perhaps, albeit with disc brakes and thru-axles, but Temple has delivered a smooth-riding mile-muncher that’s ideal for both big adventures – the clue’s in the name – and day-to-day duties. Excellent comfort, well-chosen and comprehensive kit, a ride you’ll never tire of and a steel frame that should outlast you.

Other options

SPA CYCLES D’TOUR 725 DISC TOURER 9-SPEED £1,525 

The same Reynolds 725 tubing and an extremely similar Sora-based groupset and triple chainset make this a like-for-like competitor. Only £1,395 at time of writing.

GENESIS TOUR DE FER 20 £1,499.99

Genesis’s own Mjolnir steel frame is accompanied by a 46-30 Shimano Claris double chainset and an 11-40 cassette in this very well-equipped machine.

First published in Cycle magazine, April/May 2025 issue. All information correct at time of publishing.