Built for short tours. Anything I missed?
 

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=320658

Yes its a hybrid built from mix and match low end mtb/road components. I hate drops but like the feeling of a road chassis. Originally friction stem shifters modded to altus pods. Brakes are single pivot but work well enough. Built my own cargo carrying solution from an alloy rack and some bags I had hanging around. Running a road triple up front and a 7 speed at the back. If I can find an 8 speed freewheel cassettee that will change. 27 1 1/4 tires. Put my own blend of bar ends in the cockpit. Works great for 250km rides. Planning a 2 day 600km coast to coast and back ride in Korea at the end of the month.

She is heavier than my distance mtb but very comfortable. Rode 200km with a few good climbs and she climbs like a mountain goat. Running a 12v battery to keep my gps running. I think she is ready bar spme wider pedals. Anyone see something I missed? Never ridden two 300 km days in a row.

Nice bike. Can we get a better picture of the center bars?

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=320686

My own recipe. Mtb pods, ergo grips with bar ends, and larger bar ends in the center to give me a slightly more aero option or simply to relieve the stress of all day rides. Also used a riser bar pointed down and forward to extend the reach a little.

600km in 2 days isn't my idea of touring.

I'd say you forgot to take an extra two days off work.:)

If you need to do those contortions with the riser bar there's something wrong, like the bike size or the stem's too short. The grips angled forward like that aren't going to be comfortable IMO.

Frame is too small. Not much I can do about it and an extended stem costs more than I'm willing to put into the bike. All these parts I had or scavenged from abandoned bikes. It works. Not elegant perhaps but it works. I've run 12,000km with a similar setup on my mtb no problems.

As for time off work... no time off with young kids! 2 days is the best I have so its 600km in two days.

Then I'd take a train/bus there and cycle back or vice versa.

The point of the trip is to ride 600km in a weekend. I know I can ride 250km in 12 hours total. There is time to get there, eat, sleep, get up at 3am and ride back. Its the next step to my mission to ride around the entire country. I've covered the local area and I haven't used motorized transport for two years now. I want to get there and back under human power.

Odd? Maybe buts its something I've wanted to do for years. I have the fitness and determination so its time to do it. I have much nicer bikes that I'm sure would make the trip easier, but this bike deserves to do more than commute. :)

If that's what you want to do then go for it.

Sounds very audaxacious. :)

Looks good but I'm concern about the extreme extension of the rack. How much weight is on there?

No more than 6kg. Clothes and a small battery.

For now the bike should be fine for your trip. In the future I suggest a longer stem and if those are canti studs on the seat stays, attaching a rack to them in order to lower your load's center of gravity.

Brad

I'd miss having a handlebar bag, myself..

Agreed, do you stop to enjoy the sight/landscape/etc?
Sounds like this belongs more in the road forum =D

Been on this route at least halfway by bike anyway. The other half was by car on diving trips years back. It would be great to have time to stop and smell the roses, but alas thats not to be for a few years yet. To even get a Sunday ride in I have to be out the door at 3am. Getting two days? A miracle I intend to cash in on. As for road forums, my low tech creation wouldn't fit in. Too heavy and not aero enough. Besides I know what I'd get there... "you need drop bars." Tried those, hated them.

One thing though... anyone seen an 8 speed freewheel cassette with fairly close spacing? I don't want mega range, but I do want a good spread between 11-18t.

I have a 13-21 8S, works well here on the coastal plains.

Brad

No, but someone might suggest bullhorn bars and clip-on aero bars. I like bullhorns in preference to bar extensions because they are smoother, offer a more comfortable extra hand position, are longer and... well, just better in every respect for road riding.

But as this is a frankenbike, I suppose you've got to go with what you've got.

What's happened to the bottle cage on the downtube? Your seat position seems to be compromised with that downward angle. The leverage on the seatpost rack is pretty high and it's not something I would do.

yep, wrong forum. you'll get more gooder info in "Long Distance Competition/Ultracycling,
Randonneuring and Endurance Cycling"


as they say "...information specific to long distance cycling. This isn't for tours, this is for endurance..."

600km in two days is relaxed compared to randees. For me 300km in a day is about my 'fun' limit. For randoneers, well they just don't stop. :)

Anyway, I'd be interested to hear how you get on. Doing 250km in 12 hours is one thing but it's a big leap from that to doing two 300kms back to back.

I don't think we should be putting arbitary limits on what is or isn't 'touring' so the best of luck and remember safety is the most important thing. Be safe, be seen. Those kids need you.

Working on the bike. Got most of it fine tuned. Brakes need a little too much force. After a three hour ride my hands hurt. Need to do something about that. Also changed out to bmx freeride pedals. Take the pressure off my feet. She is almost there. :)

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=321442

This hybrid came to me at a good price. Similar geometry (which I like a lot) but with 700c wheels and v brakes. Solves two problems. It came with crap shifters but I added better pods. At present its 1x7 and to be honest... its not bad. It would be slow to climb a steep hill but 48t at the front is what I use the majority of the time anyway. Worth the effort of adding a FD and extra chain rings?