shoota 

I'm thinking about commuting once I move and while I know the Raleigh is perfect for both commuting and gravel riding I'm not sure how to set it up. Since the weather will be unpredictable at best, and parts of the commute will be on dirt roads, I'm thinking I need full fenders? (Or maybe not?) But I also want to do dedicated training rides on the same bike. Ideally I wouldn't have a bunch of commuting stuff hanging all over it. So how is gravel riding with fenders? Anything else I'm not thinking of? Maybe a rear rack? That would look dumb on group rides..

TimothyH

A frame bag or large saddle bag such as those made by Apidura could be used for commuting and come off easily for group rides.

I thought about modifying a Barfly fender for easy clip on/off. I'm sure there are other brands.

I'm not sure that anything has to be permanently attached to the bike.


-Tim-

shoota 

Good idea on the frame bag, I need to get one of those. I guess the biggest predicament is how to not get dirty riding to work but not have fenders for the ride after?? Seems impossible.
How would you modify fenders for easy on/off?

FrontRanger

What would look dumb would be a skunk stripe from riding in the rain w/o fenders.

Get some clip-ons or just use normal fenders year 'round.

shoota 

Another thought: how easy is it to switch between wheelsets with mechanical disc brakes? I'm thinking unless you're crazy lucky you'd have to adjust the brake pads every switch right?

shoota 

Thanks for the link, that's the kind of info I was searching for but couldn't find.

TimothyH

I don't know. I haven't thought that far ahead yet.

Somebody probably already makes what I'm thinking of.


-Tim-

rumrunn6

clearly a reason to get another bike!

shoota 

From the link above it seems manufacturers like Planet Bike make the mounts breakaway for in case something gets lodged in there. I wonder if that could double as an easy why to remove them as well?

I wish.

FrontRanger

The clip-on "racer" fenders such as the ones sold by SKS work surprisingly well, but may not accommodate really wide tires.

I've found that bikepacking seat packs offer about as much protection as the typical clip-on MTB (rear) fender, so there's always that option.

shoota 

Nice, good find thank you. So, what about an Ass-Saver for the rear and one of these for the front? I wonder how well that would do.

FrontRanger

An Ass Saver is better than nothing, but your cranks/bb/etc will get soaked and dirty.

shoota 

Good call

Marcus_Ti

First and most important question(s): How much junk do you need to take to work? How tightly can it be packed? Racks never look dumb if they're actually of utility. I use my waterproof trunk bag for tools, spare tubes, flat kit, and nutrition and phone/wallet.

Fenders are a wonderful utility for a commuter. In everything but a torrential downpour they'll keep you happier and cleaner/drier.




That trunk bag is waterproof and is like 20L, which is enough for change of clothes for work too. I like the trunk over panniers, as it impacts balance and handling a bit less. Also I don't need 2x20L panniers just for commuting.

FrontRanger

And if you don't want to permanently mount a rack to your bike, you can always go the backpack route. I use an Ortlieb messenger backpack and it's relatively comfortable and holds quite a bit of stuff.

Marcus_Ti

Having used a Chrome Metro waterproof shoulder-bag for commuting for years....trunk or panniers are way better if they're an option all around.


Sidenot...the Blackburn waterproof trunk above and the same panniers were 60% off on Sierra Trading Post last week. Not as awesome and convenient on/off as Ortliebs, but for $60 for panniers instead of $200 can't complain much. The trunk was $40 instead of Ortlieb's $130.

mstateglfr 

I admittedly am have not participated in gravel group training rides, but if they are like the gravel events I have participated in and attended, a frame pack wouldnt be out of place and neither would a rack. You do what you need to make setups work.

Didnt you get a Jamis Renegade model? Once you have that bike, 1 could be for group rides and 1 could be for commuting.

shoota 

I don't think I'll need to take a whole lot actually. Maybe lunch (maybe not), maybe a few clothing items, maybe a laptop, not quite sure how it will play out yet. One way is only about 5 miles but I'm guessing I may want to ride hard after work is done and wind up at home. I can see that being a likely scenario which means I will need to figure out something clothing wise.

I might use a backpack to start of with and see how it goes, especially since I already have one. I just know from experience I would much prefer to not have anything on my back.

That's the wife's. Initially we were going to try to fit her to the Raleigh and get me something nicer but in the end the Raleigh was just too big so I'll ride that and she got a new Renegade.

alathIN

If you ride to work in the rain, or on dirt roads, let alone both, you will need to freshen up and change when you get to work.

I have had zero problems with wheel changes and disc brakes. Hydraulic brakes are (mostly) self-adjusting but you should probably reset the pads when changing wheels.

Who cares about how stuff looks on group rides?
Crush those guys with your rack and fenders and lights and your 32-spoke dyno wheelset and 42mm gravel tires, and make them cry like babies, ruining the finish on their 0.5 pound carbon frames.

shoota 

I know that hydraulic brakes self-align, which is why I asked about mechanical, which is what I have. I don't think they will line up very well.

FrontRanger

Hydraulic brakes don't self align, per-se. The pads automatically advance to compensate for wear, but if the caliper is crooked, the pads won't compensate for the bad alignment.

shoota 

Ok, but I mean assuming the caliper is not crooked, if you put in a new wheel and its disc is 2mm to the right compared to the previous disc, won't a squeeze of the brake lever align the pads to the new disc?

u235

I recently got an ass-saver and a mucky-nuts gut saver. I only used them once in the rain so far. I was soaked anyway from the rain but I was only wet and not wet and dirty. They are obviously not a full fenders substitute for a commuter but for the price and the convenience, they serve a purpose and they are very light. The Ass Saver effectiveness is questionable but the front tube deflector works perfect. I can't stand getting dirt in my mouth.

FrontRanger

Although I wouldn't carry a laptop in one, the Arkel bikepacking seat packs are extremely stable, but easily removed (thanks to the integrated Q/R rack).

You could also distribute your gear between more than one bag. For example, the laptop could go in a small backpack and other gear could reside in a bikepacking seat pack, etc.

Marcus_Ti

No. You must shim the rotor on the not-to-spec wheel. McMaster-Carr makes suitable shims pre-cut.