The Velo Orange Camargue has arrived
#26
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It's doing pretty well so far. I like the handling, even though I mostly run with a rear load bias (my bike train: trail-a-bike and a Burley trailer). The top tube runs a bit short for ideal flat bar setups, so I have to use a longish stem. The braze ons are numerous and thoughtfully applied.
I briefly thought about a Soma GR, but the tubing is actually pretty stout for that kind of bike, and I think the Camargue will work better for my kind of utility riding and short tours. I wouldn't worry about the overkill of the big tires: if you don't need them, don't use 'em, and nothing is lost... unless you like a tight fender line.
By the way, I've updated my bars a few times since my initial post. I'm currently running a Titec H bar:
I briefly thought about a Soma GR, but the tubing is actually pretty stout for that kind of bike, and I think the Camargue will work better for my kind of utility riding and short tours. I wouldn't worry about the overkill of the big tires: if you don't need them, don't use 'em, and nothing is lost... unless you like a tight fender line.
By the way, I've updated my bars a few times since my initial post. I'm currently running a Titec H bar:
How is the bike so far? Deciding on the Camargue or the Soma Grand Randonneur for touring. I intend to run Rando bag on front rack and low rider Panniers, and a smaller saddlebag if needed.
I was all set to buy the Soma Grand Randonneur, but saw the Camargue (the off-road capability is VERY tempting). Due to work, I won't be able to do anything crazy like a month, probably anywhere from a weekend to a week, and think maybe the Camargue is overkill..
I was all set to buy the Soma Grand Randonneur, but saw the Camargue (the off-road capability is VERY tempting). Due to work, I won't be able to do anything crazy like a month, probably anywhere from a weekend to a week, and think maybe the Camargue is overkill..
#27
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Seat-, Wondering what type of top-bar bag that is in photo. Nice bike.
#28
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It's a Jannd frame bag. Cheap at $35 or so, and I'm finding it a convenient way to carry stuff I always want to have on the bike. For me, that's a tool kit, spare tube, first aid kit, ID, and a Cliff bar.
I used to think carrying around a first aid kit was only for worry warts, until my five year old daughter fell at a park and skinned her knee badly. She's standing there, bleeding freely and crying, and I can only offer her a hug. Luckily a mom nearby had a single band aid, but after that I decided I need to be more prepared.
I used to think carrying around a first aid kit was only for worry warts, until my five year old daughter fell at a park and skinned her knee badly. She's standing there, bleeding freely and crying, and I can only offer her a hug. Luckily a mom nearby had a single band aid, but after that I decided I need to be more prepared.
#29
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#30
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#31
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There's nothing wrong with 26" wheels. I qualified "Unfortunately" with "for us 650b fans". A previous poster had said the smaller sizes were made for 650b, whereas they are designed for 26" wheels.
#32
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You can always still outfit it with 650b, just get brakes that have good veritical adjustment like paul motolites or even tektro 720s. You can probably squeeze in at least 2.0 if not 2.1. I've seen Maxxis Ardents squeezed into an old Trek 950, and those things are knibby
#33
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Yes you can do that, but looking at the frame geometry, I see that the BB drop is only40mm. That is pretty high, and might be even higher with big 650bs. It does look like a nice bike, sort of a budget Atlantis.
#34
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I'll most likely get this frame over the Soma Grand Randonneur. I already have a 650b Trek conversion as my Rando bike and really like the ride. The Camargue definitely looks like it could handle some load and I could go off-road unloaded. The Smokes are my favorite, and I think they only come in 26". I'm also a pretty small guy (5'5", maybe 5'6") so I appreciate bike to be appropriately sized. Also dig the non-suspension corrected fork.
#36
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25mm is the diameter difference between 650B and 26", so somehow putting on 650B would only raise the BB up by 12.5mm.
Oh true, I only saw the 70mm on the bigger ones. Yeah, raising up the BB 25mm could definitely make the handling wonky.
I'll most likely get this frame over the Soma Grand Randonneur. I already have a 650b Trek conversion as my Rando bike and really like the ride. The Camargue definitely looks like it could handle some load and I could go off-road unloaded. The Smokes are my favorite, and I think they only come in 26". I'm also a pretty small guy (5'5", maybe 5'6") so I appreciate bike to be appropriately sized. Also dig the non-suspension corrected fork.
I'll most likely get this frame over the Soma Grand Randonneur. I already have a 650b Trek conversion as my Rando bike and really like the ride. The Camargue definitely looks like it could handle some load and I could go off-road unloaded. The Smokes are my favorite, and I think they only come in 26". I'm also a pretty small guy (5'5", maybe 5'6") so I appreciate bike to be appropriately sized. Also dig the non-suspension corrected fork.
#37
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Just found that there is a VO dealer in the UK....
The Camargue frame here is €200,00 more than a Surly LHT. Is it €200,00 better? Would it be as capable under load?
The Camargue frame here is €200,00 more than a Surly LHT. Is it €200,00 better? Would it be as capable under load?
#38
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It's definitely not as stout as the LHT. The tubes are smaller diameter, and (I think) thinner wall. In the Camargue's favor, it's designed for a front or front biased load, so it doesn't need to be as stout.
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Just found this on Flickr:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/924489...466709/sizes/l
https://www.flickr.com/photos/924489...834392/sizes/l
Really nice setup
https://www.flickr.com/photos/924489...466709/sizes/l
https://www.flickr.com/photos/924489...834392/sizes/l
Really nice setup
#41
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Great looking build! I struggled with waiting for the Carm to arrive or getting the Campeur for a full touring build. I opted to get the Campeur and I rebuilt my dad's 1993 Bianchi Project bike with a good set of wheels and fresh rebuild all the way around. I ended up with a great touring bike that i needed and used well before the Carms arrived. The Bianchi has served my purpose by being exactly what the Carm would have been. But i love the frame and fork on the VO Carm. I was worried about the top tube being too long but At the same time, i am using a Jones H-bar and love it.
my Campeur
https://s1105.photobucket.com/user/pa....jpg.html?o=38
You set it up nicely as well. Interesting that you mentioned the frame pack. My wife made a pack for my Bianchi and i am overjoyed with it. It is slightly larger and I can get a heck of a lot of items in it. I have been toying with the idea of doing a s24O ride coming up to test the minimalist approach to an overnighter.
Not a great picture of the bag size i have but you can still get an idea. The cost of my bag was a dedicated wife who is crafty. It's rainproof also.
I'm very interested in reading updates on the performance of the Carm. Not that i need another bike in the stable as i am clearing out 3-4 now. But it is tempting.
my Campeur
https://s1105.photobucket.com/user/pa....jpg.html?o=38
You set it up nicely as well. Interesting that you mentioned the frame pack. My wife made a pack for my Bianchi and i am overjoyed with it. It is slightly larger and I can get a heck of a lot of items in it. I have been toying with the idea of doing a s24O ride coming up to test the minimalist approach to an overnighter.
Not a great picture of the bag size i have but you can still get an idea. The cost of my bag was a dedicated wife who is crafty. It's rainproof also.
I'm very interested in reading updates on the performance of the Carm. Not that i need another bike in the stable as i am clearing out 3-4 now. But it is tempting.
#42
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I really, really dig the frame, but the lack of apparent stoutness next to a LHT and the price are putting me down
#43
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If VO sold a 56cm Camargue with 26" wheels......that would be my next bike. Instead, I'm looking at picking up a LHT frameset. It's almost perfect except that Surly kept the same length chainstay on the 26" versions as the 700c versions....46cm!
#44
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I've settled myself by the 26" LHT on the 26" vs 700c LHT, but the Camargue comes in true 29" flavor, which I like even better. And it even has horizontal dropouts.....
But.....I'm currently financing a big tour, which makes the extra €200 hard (very) to swallow, and the smaller diameter/thinner tubing somewhat a downgrade.......
Corwin1968, I quite like long chainstays, and all the reasons they'r there on the LHT are related to the position of the BB relative to the wheel center, so no reason to change it on the 26 versions. Pannier heel clearance and centralization of mass, as well as comfort and stability all relate to between-centers distances, so no reason to change them between wheel sizes
But.....I'm currently financing a big tour, which makes the extra €200 hard (very) to swallow, and the smaller diameter/thinner tubing somewhat a downgrade.......
Corwin1968, I quite like long chainstays, and all the reasons they'r there on the LHT are related to the position of the BB relative to the wheel center, so no reason to change it on the 26 versions. Pannier heel clearance and centralization of mass, as well as comfort and stability all relate to between-centers distances, so no reason to change them between wheel sizes
Last edited by ze_zaskar; 09-12-14 at 04:00 PM.
#45
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.
46cm is a little short for a touring bike chainstay isn't it?
I thought 19" (~485mm) was more the ballpark you want in order to avoid heel-strike for big panniers + big feet.
46cm is a little short for a touring bike chainstay isn't it?
I thought 19" (~485mm) was more the ballpark you want in order to avoid heel-strike for big panniers + big feet.
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Nearly all touring frames that come to my mind have chainstays between 430 and 450mm, so I believe 460 is on the longish side of things, at least today
#47
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Rivendell Atlantis: 44cm
Co-Motion Pangea: 45cm
Surly LHT: 46cm
Camargue 700c: 46cm
Camarge 26": 43cm (I think...memory)
Surly's "touring" MTB's have 43cm (29'er Ogre) and 41cm (26" Troll) chainstays.....very short for touring and they are marketed as touring bikes.
The only bikes I've seen with longer chainstays are the old 80's MTB's and Grant Petersen's new Appaloosa.
#48
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Thanks! I was probably mis-remembering, then again I am partial to old MTB's...
#49
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FWIW, I ended up asking Velo Orange directly about the Camargue load carrying capabilities, and they assured it is up to the task of fully loaded expedition touring
#50
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[SUP][/SUP]
I just got the frame last week. The quality is definitely better than the LHT.
My main worry before purchase was the fork, as the biplane fork on my old MB-1 seemed pretty thin, and I remember reports of people breaking the fork. This fork will look like it will take a beating and back.
My main worry before purchase was the fork, as the biplane fork on my old MB-1 seemed pretty thin, and I remember reports of people breaking the fork. This fork will look like it will take a beating and back.