Santaria

So I'm looking at my rear wheel (literally, as I type this) and realize that my Araya is getting the ever living **** beat out of her.

My Karate Monkey is sitting in the other corner, collecting a bit of dust (thank God for finals).


I've really been contemplating a new steed, and with that in mind, I've been really putting a lot of thought into what it is I want, or need.

Salsa Fargo is sick. Just sick. I know I can load it up with groceries, ride over the roads here and still have a pair of wheels at the end of every month.

Surly Big Dummy would offer me disc brakes, easy hauling options, and an upright riding position.

But neither is optimal to what I want, they both are in that 80% range of what I dream of.


So I started putting a (stupid) idea together.

Is it even remotely possible to piece together a frankenstein bike?

29er wheels (2") - something very comparable to my Karate Monkey (Salsa Delgado Rim)
Soma touring frame (or even a Pake C'mute)
avid shorty brakes (although I love BB7s - I'm not entirely sure they are the simplest, barebone solution)
nitto bullhorns with bar-end shifter

I was thinking about a SA on the rear hub, but frankly I would even consider going with a campy groupo if it got used.

Ultimately, my goal is to build a bike that can put up with the roads (yes, I'd wager they are the worst in the country. I'll even burn up an HD video some time this week to show you exactly how bad they are. At one point I blew out 2 tires on my Suburban doing 25 MPH on the way to work, and scrapped my muffler in the process - and my truck sits 3" higher than stock).

So really what I'm attempting is a bastardized offroad touring rig with 29er tires.

I'm thinking any quality sealed-bearing, BB, parts like that are obvious. Its the form/frame/wheelset I'm really getting mental-roadrash figuring out.

hAlp!?

canyoneagle

Vassago Fisticuff?

Santaria

The frame/fork combo looks like it would be just the ticket, too bad there doesn't seem to be one available online in the 56 range. They discontinue it already?

canyoneagle

ooh, not sure about that. I assumed it was a popular model.

Praxis

Surley Pugsley. Will take 29" wheels, according to this thread (login required to see pics). 26" tires fit up to 4" wide, don't know if that changes with 29'ers.

ratell

If your short enough isn't what your describing a long haul trucker? I though I heard that 29" wheels were going to be an option for all sizes on the LHT this year.

Santaria

I'm a Surly-kinda cat all day long, but I wasn't given the impression the LHT would support the width of tire I think is necessary for this. It's more CX, with a dash of hell and 9MM randomness, combined with ocassional earthquakes, flooding, hurricanes, tornadoes and traffic patterns that make Asia seem calm. I'm exaggerating for massive effect, but I still haven't had time to go video a roadway for you. The city officially has stated that if at least 1 lane has less than 4" deep broken road-ways, its considered 'excellent.' 90% of the roads I see have 4-8" rutted roads with zero shoulder; typically I am ridding in the furthest left lane, within a foot of the 'passing' lane and I'm still getting spokes destroyed on a regular basis.

ratell

Surly's site says the long haul trucker will take 2.1 inch tires if that's wide enough.

Santaria

delgado>semi>gordo in that order on 29er rims by Salsa I assume?

Although the delgado is the only rim brake option I think....

gerv 

I hate have to make decisions like you face. I'd think about it for a while, realize how much I like my current ride and fix up the Araya or get a new wheel. Maybe I'd build a new wheel.... something indestructible.