The new bike

[kuan]

This year's new build.

Full Ultegra 9 drivetrain from my old bike.

Sun CR 18 rims, shimano 105 rear hub, shimano dyno front hub, DT Swiss 1.8/2.0 spokes, Panaracer T-serv 28mm tires.

Tektro 720 brakes.

Supernova E3 light.

The rest are just scavenged parts.

[steener]

That's a good looking Salsa dude. I just put a Brooks on my LHT and I am surprised at how comfy it is. The beauty is just an added benefit.

[kuan]

Thanks. :) Yep my Brooks is closing in on a thousand miles and it's just about broken in!

[LewLasher]

What kind of fenders did you get?

I had to remove the front fender from my bike because I kept kicking it out of alignment, causing it to rub against the front tire. I'm wondering whether there are other fenders that would work better for me.

[kuan]

Yeah I kick mine too. That's the problem with 700c wheels on a small frame. Mine is a 53cm. The fender is a 45mm wide SKS with Planet Bike mudflaps. The mudflaps aren't an exact fit. For that you might want to get the SKS X-long Spoiler. I guess spoiler is their fancy way of saying mudflap.

Depending on your bicycle mounting posts you might be able to get your hubs relaced to a 650b rim. That might solve your problem.

[Cloxxki]

Bikes just need to be built with larger clearance. Getting a 29" bike helps.
Big fenders will fit even with nice and comfy (as well as fast) 2"+ tires.

People are so afraid of what 1cm longer chainstays will do to bike handling. I tested this with an MTB with track dropouts (over 2.5 adjustment), and found the main difference is in wheelying. When you're tall, do STEEP climbing, you want the long chainstays. I'm both tall and into steep climbing, most of my bikes, especially kiddie wheelers, had my fighting to not tip back over. Long CSs rule for stable granny gear grinding.

[kuan]

Jan dude that's a randonneuring bike.

[PortlandORXCER]

Kuan, are you a Randonneur? What's been your longest ride? Do you ever ride in those gravel grinder "races"?

[kuan]

Nah haven't done those gravel races but I hear they're fun. I might go down and hangout at Almanzo this year since some of my friends are going to be down there.

[MN Hoser]

I built a new bike this weekend, a Motobecane Ti 29 with SRAM XX. I'm waiting for a new seatpost since it was shipped with a 350 seat post and I need a 400. (Got a 410 Thomson.) I think once I start riding, I'll also need a new stem (it came with a 100). I'll post a photo when it's done.

Jay

[kuan]

Show us Jay. :)

[kuan]

The new version

[MN Hoser]

Changes from stock:
-Thompson seatpost
-FSA stem
-Sram cassette (saving the XX for racing)



I finally got my stem, installed it and took it for a ride at Afton. It's probably been 10 years since I've been there, and they've added some technical stuff. With a new bike, and a 29er, the technical stuff is tough, but I got through it on the second lap. I'm thinking it might be a better course for a 26er...except that a couple spots need some clearance. Anyway, cleaned up the bike and shot a photo this morning.

In retrospect, I wonder if I should have gotten the medium frame. I have a 130 stem and the seat is nearly jammed back all the way. Of course I also need to get a longer seatpost that normal (410).

Jay

[kuan]

Dang that's a nice bike.

I think the size looks OK. You're still sitting in the bike as opposed to on the bike.

[MN Hoser]

Thanks Kuan. I'm just curious how you know a post has been posted here? It's the off-season, and I can't imagine you checking this site every 3 hrs. So, an email notification, or are you really checking the site?

Jay