[Closed] Build advice please, Genesis Vagabond

Oh, man, I am dead jealous.

I would love one of these. I can't help much with the tech stuff.

I would use it for the same. Commuter/explorer/tourer/utility.

Sort of a cyclocross type thing. Lush.

With that clearance, you can put whatever size wheels you want on it can't you?

29" 700c 650B 26" (gets a bit close to the ground with that last idea probably )

I kind of bodged a 650B frame and threw on anything I had.

I am only little and I like 26" (plus I had some) so i put them on. I put 700c mudguards on to give some mud clearance. Then I have a Dynamo front hub ....... Don't think the frame is right for me, so will be transferring it all to something else at some point.

Have fun with it and trying stuff on it I say.

I have a 1st gen stock build and like the build well enough for what I ask of it (mixed surface touring)

Wheels and tyres (29″). I’ll try tubeless.

Can't recommend any wheels as not up to scratch with 29ers myself.  These Alex Volares are heavy so looking to upgrade one day.

Tyres - I really like these  WTB Nano Race (60TPI Folding, 29x2.1) for general offroading/ATB/paved/unpaved transitions. Not for mega mud but suprisingly capable, grippy and fast-rolling for most situations and in the summer are ideal everywhere.  Running lower pressures helps on hardpack and they seem forgiving of that.  For more MTB stuff I would go wider and knobblier.

Drive chain – this should be from Shimano MTB ranges?

Hmm, pretty sure Shimano road and MTB are incompatible.  I use bar-end (Microshift) shifters and Deore 2x10, and happy with that  (cheap-ish, hard-wearing and reliable) as long as I watch knee-positioning (ouch)

Brakes – are TRP Spyre or BB7 the only good

Hydraulics/hybrids are an option also.  Saying that, I have Spyres.  Not great. Not awful.  Apparently changing stock pads to something better helps a fair bit.

Bars and saddle – or just use what I have?

If they're what you like and not just what you have, why not?  Saddles are so personal a thing.  I'd recommend wide-ish bars with a bit of flare if you change.  Or if not hung up on drops then look at loop-type bars, Genesis Alt bars or H bars etc if you want to go full MTB drivetrain and keep the costs down.

Bikepacking bags.

I believe Alpkit is the recommended default recommend for frame bags, saddlebags and bar harnesses etc, but for something different and sturdy I do admire the work of inner-tube recyler and bike-bag maker

https://beerbabe.co.uk  

Worth a look, and she does bespoke stuff.  Seems reasonably-priced, clever and well-made.

PS I also switch to Schwalbe Landcruisers (35c) with SKS Bluemels 45mm guards which JUST fit those tyres.  This makes a sturdy near-bombproof all-weather commuter/road touring setup.  Not light tyres, but reassuring, grippy, and deal with potholes etc no problem.

Good luck with your build, sounds like you're about to have loads of fun!

Brakes – are TRP Spyre or BB7 the only good optons?

Juin tech hybrid hydraulic user, been very good - not as good as full hydraulics though. The giant conduct system can also be fitted, don’t know anyone who has used it though.

Bar end shifters would allow you to go for TRP Hylex hydraulic brakes and any drivetrain you fancy without breaking the bank.

Various combinations of Shimano/SRAM/road/MTB/9-10-11-speed components can be bodged to work together but in your shoes (depending on budget) I’d buy a system that’s designed to work as one (or at least one that’s in common use).

In a frame only option, whats the difference the vagabond and a fugio?

^

Vagabond is designed as 29er vs 650b, (slightly) different geo and diff materials (ie longer chainstay/wheelbase, steel fork vs carbon, head angle a few degrees diff, more tyre/mud clearance etc)

prob best to compare spec side by side:

https://www.genesisbikes.co.uk/bike/fugio-fs

https://www.genesisbikes.co.uk/bike/vagabond-fs

I built my vagabond up with alfine 8, using a jtek bar end shifter, worked like a dream, i sold it to build a salsa vaya as wanted a compact up front for the reiver, for that i have used 105 sti shifters and an xt rear mech using a jtek shiftmate 8 (changes the pull ratio so that road shifters operated an mtb rear mech) also a great set up.  I have to say there is something about the vagabond, its a bit special, a really smooth ride.  You'll love it, im sure i will find myself with one in the garage again at some point.

for brakes I had the Shimano CX77 cable discs and now Spyres. I prefer the Spyres but although the CX77s are a visual abomination that is atypical of Shimano they are effective and very reliable IME.

If you are using 105 10 spd shifters then you can use a 9spd shimano MTB rear mech if you want to use a wide ratio cassette. Front mech will need to be 10spd road.

edit: CX77 seems discontinued but the BR-517 is still available

@Cheezpleez, @Malvern Rider, @joemmo: I was under the impression that the Vagabond would be best with MTB cassettes and chainsets for range and for chainline management ... but I have got used to drop bar shifters and I was under the impression that I would get away with this, at least for the rear derailler / cassette. Hmm, I think I will have do some thinking (and reading on Sheldon Brown's website) this weekend.

Thank you for the replies everybody, both the ideas and the encouragement. I'm particularly looking for suggestions for wheels now.