Posted by: fartymarty
What rack is it?
The front one is just a generic cheapie, might be an old 26" rear I think.
The strap on (not pictured, Google it) is a Thule Tour Rack. A bit fiddly to mount, but super stable in use.
Old pic, same rack, can't see it.
Cheers
As something of a tidy-cable fetishist, that lock on your handlebars makes me shudder, hah. Otherwise, looks like a build you could take camping some rough and rowdy spots! Those are enormous rear panniers... how many liters?
Posted by: cooperquinn
As something of a tidy-cable fetishist, that lock on your handlebars makes me shudder, hah. Otherwise, looks like a build you could take camping some rough and rowdy spots! Those are enormous rear panniers... how many liters?
Fair, I did use the lock, but it ain't pretty.
I only have the smaller version of the bags now (pictured on the curly bar machine) but the large ones were probably ~30+l each.
The plan for the next rough camping trip is to take the Stanton with some mountain wheels and big-volume tyres. It easily clears a 29x2.4 rear, and I'm tempted to try a 2.6.
Fitted said rack to figure out the loading for family camping after Christmas.
And did a clearance check with 29x2.6 which passed with flying colours.
(apologies for the cross posting).
It's not as much the case with a steel frame like that, but man that style of rear rack stresses me out. I get fed ads for similar ones, and they're always mounted to some carbon fiber full-suss bike and... that's just not loads the seatstays were destigned for.
Posted by: cooperquinn
It's not as much the case with a steel frame like that, but man that style of rear rack stresses me out. I get fed ads for similar ones, and they're always mounted to some carbon fiber full-suss bike and... that's just not loads the seatstays were destigned for.
Lucky for me I've never had a carbon bike.
Just like... yikes.
Originally posted this in the wrong thread!
Anyways, this might be something people here like. My former XC race bike originally purchased in 2008 which I used as a commuter and touring bike for a few years before COVID brought life changes, including no more bike commuting. It was pretty fun with the big slick tires, Jones bars, and basket. I think the steel fork was a Salsa, and I "fabricated" some crazy aluminum stays to mount a pannier rack on the 3-pack bosses. Also, that XT 2 x 10 was one of the better shifting drivetrains I've owned, go figure. I built a more gravelly bike to replace it but honestly this was more my speed and style in a lot of ways.
Abies - sweet looking ride.
My current build. New bits include the Brooks B17 Narrow (which I am really liking), bar bag which is my modded hip pack (I added a few loops and fix it to the bars / light bracket with Voile straps) and some Wolf Tooth bar tape (the 5mm thick stuff).
Next on the list is a Nitto M18 rack for the front.
So if I convert an older mtb into a flatbar gravel bike have I in effect just done jack squat all? ;)
Posted by: Abies
Originally posted this in the wrong thread!
Anyways, this might be something people here like. My former XC race bike originally purchased in 2008 which I used as a commuter and touring bike for a few years before COVID brought life changes, including no more bike commuting. It was pretty fun with the big slick tires, Jones bars, and basket. I think the steel fork was a Salsa, and I "fabricated" some crazy aluminum stays to mount a pannier rack on the 3-pack bosses. Also, that XT 2 x 10 was one of the better shifting drivetrains I've owned, go figure. I built a more gravelly bike to replace it but honestly this was more my speed and style in a lot of ways.
That's cool. How does the handling feel with the luggage up front?
Posted by: BC_Nuggets
That's cool. How does the handling feel with the luggage up front?
I sold it a few years ago, but I remember it being fine for the use case (nothing beyond mild gravel with the panniers). Maybe a little wobbly at low speeds. Definitely a funky setup with the Jones bars that put my hands basically in line with the steerer tube, but it was nice and upright! Here is another photo of it loaded down with a ton of crap for a casual tour of the San Juan Islands.
Also I don't know if Soma still makes those 700 x 48 slick tires but they were great and suited the bike well. Comfy balloons and cheaper than Rene Herse.
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