Originally Posted by
chasm54
I believe you. One more question, if I may. Given that it will carry so much gear on the back, but you have also made provision for a front rack, do I assume correctly that you'd still split the load front/rear for optimum handling? Just curious, because my Thorn Nomad, which has a pretty long wheelbase (not as long as this one, obviously) and can take a very big load at the rear, still seems to me to handle best if, for loads above say 35lbs, I split it 80/20, or 70/30, rear/front.
Like most, we discovered that most folks like a 70/30 or 80/20 split and although our front rack will support a great deal having that split makes for a nicer ride.
I don't like having a ton of weight in the front and with the Arvon you can get away with having everything on the back as it will take two sets of panniers and then you keep a lighter front end and increase your aerodynamics.
I have set it up with six panniers... it is an expedition worthy bike so there may be situations where you will need extra capacity for things like water should you be looking at riding days with little to no stops / support. It has five bottle mounts and could accommodate even more if one desired this... without a front rack the double eyelets allow for two more cages to be mounted on the fork.
As you ride a Thorn you can appreciate that a longer wheelbase helps center the rider and by un-weighting the rear wheel it is easier to spin up loaded or unloaded... when you ride the Arvon WT unloaded you will forget it is a touring bike and it is the longest bike Arvon has ever produced... most tend to run a little shorter than 60 inches wheelbase.
I built up my separable using a Raleigh 20 H frame as my base and extended the rear stays and tightened up the front end to reduce the trail which makes for a very quick and sure handling bike... it has served as a test platform for my own ideas on small wheeled tourers and we are currently working on a ground up build of another separable.