safariofthemind

crimsonking, love that headlight setup. How did you get it mounted? Slick.

crimsonking

Thanks.
I fabricated it with a steel plate (i think it's for kid's bike basket mounting plate) and using some zip ties to fasten it. So far no problem.

safariofthemind

That's ingenious. You ought to start a separate thread and post pictures of how you did it. Very practical for touring.

crimsonking

Well, i got the fullbike NOS and i just change the cockpit, shifter, saddle, front hub with dynohub, adding racks, lights and fender and extra bottle cages mounts. And that's it.

Juha

No you're not, until you post the pics.



--J

Hangtownmatt

Granto,

FYI - you can get a brand new Nashbar "Touring" frame right now for $79. I've read some pretty good reviews. Here's the link:

https://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product...3_10000_200450

granto

Alright, here is the pic. It's not as sexy as the other two pics in this thread, but it will have to do!

Scozim- the 1.5's are Cheng Shin Kenda MTB tires. Pretty fast and seem to handle a variety of terrain.

LeeG, you mentioned blackburn front racks and said you prefer platform racks for 26" tires- why? Ultimately this will be doing completely supported tours... would you still go with the platform over a lowrider rack? Is there a rack that combines both? Or when you said blackburn rack did you mean the lowrider? Can you combine this with the flimsy nashbar platform rack?

Crimsonking- I am seriously jealous now What front rack is that btw?

Though I do dream of drops I think the trekking bars are a great compromise for the price. It's not that I'd ever get in the drops per se, it's really a matter of being stretched out, which I like to be rather than have my elbows out.... looks like these handlebars will let me do that. Shouldn't have to modify shifters or brakes for this, correct?

Was also going to ask- that's a bianchi (foam?) saddle on there. Am I going to hate that? Are brooks really all that? There are a bunch of used leather saddles at the bike shop, worth trying out?

crimsonking

I think your bike come up nicely. Are you confident about the rear rack?
Mine is Old Man Mountain Low Rider, to answer your question about low rider front rack that have platform you can check out Surly racks or Nitto's.
Bars and saddles preferences are personal things, but for me the advantages of drop bar and leather saddle (B17) that everyone says seems all true. Ride what you have, then you can modify it later if you decide that you don't like them.

mattbicycle

[QUOTE=granto;11528718]
In the beginning I'd probably never tour more than a couple days

The first couple of days (for me) are the hardest. I feel sore, unfit and just start to get into the swing of things re. riding, camping, finding food & water etc. If possible, I reckon get past the first couple of days then ride for a couple more! Even if your first tour is five days, if gives you a chance to take advantage of your hard work in days one and two, rather than do the hard yards then the tour's over!

griplimited

Granto, that front fork has the mid braze-on... was that original?

Crimsonking, so badass.

I don't have a decent pic, but this is my trek970, kept it simple with original drivetrain and only upped on handlebar, seat, and racks. Regreased all bearings and it felt like new again.

granto

It's built like a tank. It does slope backward a little but I think I can hammer that out.

They are not what you'd typically see: they're actually inwardly threaded holes, would you call them braze-ons? Guess they had to be brazed on, but they don't stick out. I don't think they originally came with the bike, but it looks like someone threw that fork on there. I say that because it's on the small side... the knobby tires that were on it before would just barely rub the fork and would definitely not fit in with the fender also mounted on. I want to also do some winter riding so I'll probably end up picking up another old fork eventually.

I figured the holes would help mount a rack.... but looking around it seems like this is rare, no?

Excellent advice my friend My first tour is imminent. Will let you guys know how it goes!

big_heineken

I'm surprised that nobody mentioned drop ends. These would add a better hand position than the bar ends and they are only about $20.
https://store.icyclesusa.com/or8-hand...rce=googlebase

Nigeyy

Given the amount of positive comments on the Brooks, you should probably give it a try. However, I'm one of the dissenting few -I just couldn't get on with my Brooks and will get around to selling it sooner or later. But this is also the case of what works for many other people, may not work for you...... You have to give it a go. I'd also say, yes, if you can try out any other saddles, do so. You may find one that is just perfect for you (be it a Brooks or not).

safariofthemind

Hey, that came out ok. Kudos. Try adding a small seat post rack and spread the load between it and the rear rack. Most seat post racks can handle 10 lbs and are ok for your light stuff inside a small dry bag secured with a flat bungee (sold at Dick's Sporting Goods and elsewhere, about $12 for 4). Another easy improvement is a top-frame-tube bag to carry tools, maps, etc. Jandd and others make nice ones or you can sew one out of a stuff back if you are really handy with needle and thread. https://www.jandd.com/detail.asp?PRODUCT_ID=FFP

granto

Thanks! It's turning out to be a sweet commuter/beater also

As for frame bag- I have this one and it rocks. You can't beat this deal.

https://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product...7_10000_202110

I have an avenir widemouth under the seat bag and although I like the top-tube bags I'll probably end up getting one of those lunchpail-looking handlebar bags to fit a couple more things. I also like my cheapo nashbar waterproof panniers so far. Overall I'm pretty happy with everything, but so far I do hate the seat. I have an old WTB plastic one to try and next it's probably, yes, scraping up the money for the Brooks. Unless of course you're feeling generous enough to send that abhorrent piece of rubbish to a stranger across the pond, Nigeeyy

safariofthemind

Recycling bikes is addictive

I am up to 8 bikes for my kids and I. The only one bought new is a very old Fuji Sunfire that my son uses. If you like putzing around and are handy with tools it is not a bad way to go and I hate to see old quality frames go to the trash dump. On average it costs something like 150 to 200 to bring an old clunker back to life and get another number of good years out of it provided the bottom bracket, hubs and headset are in reasonable shape. Around here there are loads of used mountain bikes that have never seen a trail. You may get a bit of dirt and grime and some surface rust but the structural integrity of the bikes is good. Nothing some TLC and elbow grease won't fix.

With the bags, using ziploc freezer bags to compartmentalize and organize your equipment is a very good idea. They also add moisture resistance as do tupperware containers and small plastic jars of the kind peanut butter comes in. Invest in a good vacuum laundry bag that you can stuff your dirty clothes in until you can wash them. They save a lot of room. Here's an example https://www.boscovs.com/StoreFrontWeb...emNumber=61102

As for the saddle, man, that's the holy grail of all tourers. Sometimes it's a matter of your derriere getting used to the saddle, other times as with the Brooks, it has a break in period. It's always looked like voodoo to me. So you just have to play around on that one.

Time to ride...

Jtgyk

I have the Nashbar panniers, and they are still holding up after 2 yrs hard use (commuting daily, grocery runs, hauling books, etc.)

I liked this little platform rack so much I ordered 2 more for my other bikes. It's amazing just how useful that bit more carrying surface can be.

I have that Frame bag as well, and I like it wekk enough, as long as I don't need to use the seat tube bottle holder.

I have one Brooks that I love and one that I have issues with (both B17's).
Oddly enough I needed a saddle for a new build and just wanted something to but on and try it out.
Bought THIS ONE from Walmart. It's turning out to be a good, comfy saddle...obscenely good for the money ($16.96).
Would I trust it for a long tour? Probably not.
For weekend trips and commuting. So far..... You betcha.

The only problem I have with my own Hardrock conversion has been some heel strike issues.
The tires I use are Specialized Fatboys (26 X 1.25 100psi)

My Hardrock without frame bag and pre-panniers and front shelf rack.