PolarBear007

Thanks! I've wondered how well rear panniers would fit up front - great idea. I like the tubus cosmos ss rear rack - looks really solid.

Tapeworm21

My first custom frame-up build. Only thing I over looked was a 25.4 stem and a 26.0 handlebar..... you know, the basic stuff. Other than that, it was a very fun build and still in the process. Velo Orange rear/front rack, some bottle cages, a Paul Components light mount, and a Silca pump if I can find one are next on the list.... oh, and the correct stem.... along with a steer tube trim.

JRD

That is a great looking bike! Good Job! Nice attention to details!

psy

About to unpack from this weekends little three day bike camping trip and I thought id post an updated pic of my fargo. Added the aero bars for this one and I like them a lot.

psy

psy

The new cockpit

psy

jhawk

Ooooooooh! Loving the aerobars addition!

I want to try them on my trekking bars. What do you make of them so far?

psy

Keepers

bald1

Very well done.

joaozinho

joaozinhomenininho: Bolívia - Puerto Quijarro - 6541km

Bolívia x Peru x Chile

Joãozinho (Brazil)

SparkyGA

Updated photo of my Surly Troll, ready for touring Japan!

I use the frame bag to carry water, can put about a gallon in there. Keeps the weight off the racks and makes the bike handle a lot better than with water on the rear or front racks.

djb

neat Sparky, do you use a bladder type thingee in there?
Oh, I hoped you didnt step on your glasses!

ps, is that amount of slack not a problem with your igh?
pps, I've often wondered why more people dont use chain guard things on these setups. I saw a couple who had them on their rohlof bikes a few years ago, it seemed like a really neat idea, to keep mud and crud off the chain, reducing the wear on the specific rohlof gear.

(I've been eyeing the Troll for a while now, as a great 26er for going rough places)

mdilthey

This is a really sweet rig. I keep a 3L Platypus bladder and two 2L Platypus bottles in my Revelate Designs Tangle Bag when I need to carry more water. I agree that it makes the handling much easier. I also have a Sawyer Squeeze filter with an in-line attachment on the Camelbak, so I can just squeeze filtered water into my frame bags without removing them. It's handy.

I have the tube running up to my handlebars, and I can drink while riding.

mdilthey

Oh, one more thing: Watch your fuel bottle. That bottle cage kept loosening up on me over time and rattling/moving while I rode. I replaced it with a Salsa Anything cage.

SparkyGA

Yeah, I've got a 4L MSR bladder in there with a hose going up to my handlebars.

Was having some issues getting my chain length right, but this evening I played around with it again and discovered that my front sprocket was "a little" worn out. Replaced it, and suddenly my chains slack was a lot better after that. Turns out after a few continents, you need replace you sprocket LOL.

Never put on a chain guard on this bike as I don't have an issue with my pant leg getting caught in the sprocket.

Trolls: Love mine. Trolls are great frames if you need to build a bike that can do a bit of everything. I really like the rear dropout more than anything else for touring. I love the flexibility of the frame, good for touring, MTB, bike packing, road riding etc and the number of options on how to setup the bike (IGH or derailers, V-brakes or discs)

Really? I've had mine on there for awhile without issues. I usually have a small bungee strap around the cap just a bit of extra safety too. I'll keep a eye on it, and pack a spare water bottle cage just in case of it failing. Thanks

djb

sparky, this is the doohickey I was referring to, a pretty neat system to cover the chain so that in really bad conditions, you'd have less mud and such getting all over the chain and rings, kinda neat, but I suspect it is rather exclusive, and probably expensive. I read this cgoab trip journal a few years ago and remembered this thing. Worked for them in any case, journal is Panamericanos on the pan american or thereabouts.

makes sense to me to cover it all up if there is no derailleur, as mentioned though, its probably pretty rare.

JerWJ

Not fully loaded, but here she is!

B200Pilot

So which one's better?

Setup A (Raleigh Sojourn with Bob Yak) or Setup B (Surly LHT Deluxe with panniers)?

Setup A


Setup B

mdilthey

I always prefer panniers to a trailer. I see the big metal trailer and extra wheel and think about carrying it up a hill... no thanks.

Tapeworm21

Not sure if you understand the point of a trailer. Or if you've ever ridden with a trailer. Curious what trailer you've used.

mdilthey

BOB Yak: 13lbs 8oz

My camping baseweight for 4 seasons: 12lbs

Unless that thing has a motor in it, it's unnecessary for me to even consider it. It's half a bike in weight.

B200Pilot

Trailers have their advantages when one requires heavy loading. I can see doing a 4 - 5 day trip with only 12 lbs of gear, but it's impractical to think that you can do remote touring with only that. Imagine going through the Mongolian desert for 3 weeks without any human contact. You need gear / supplies to last you a while. A Bob Yak can really pack on that weight.

I use the BOB yak when I go touring with my wife. She can't carry too many things and more often than not, even if we go for a few days, I have a 24 of beer in that bag + some food, etc. You can be a minimalist, but sometimes comfort requires a bit more gear. Not everyone is up to wearing one pair of shorts for 2 weeks.

Each to his own. Nobody's right or wrong, but it's up to the individual what he or she wants to sacrifice "weight" or "comfort"...

I personally love the BOB Yak, but then again, I avoid going through the Swiss Alps with it trailing behind me

mdilthey

I agree with the Mongolian thing, but even then, I still wouldn't use a trailer. Two panniers would be ok for me. My standards of comfort are far below the "average" for the forum (as I see it.)

I toured 30 days, unsupported, with 8 pounds of stuff. It was amazing, and I've done every tour light since then. I hit Colorado this past winter and I did it with two panniers, and that included a 15º sleeping bag and fully enclosed tent.

B200Pilot

My hat off to you! I couldn't do that. I'm touring in Europe this summer and I'm having a hell of a time figuring out how to pack my bike and supplies for a 7 day trip to France. I have my bicycle (which fits in one standard airline suitcase), tent, sleeping bag, mat, bike lock, very very basic tools (a spare tube, a mini tool and a bike pump), DSLR camera, Go Pro, iPad mini, chargers, clothes, wallet, helmet, a small first aid kit, basic toiletries, etc... the basics... I have two rear panniers, two small front ones, a small saddle bag and handlebar bag...

This is how I packed last year to Europe... This year I actually bought a bike case from S&S Machine