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Well I’ve been working away constantly for the past months so struggling to get miles under my belt in preparation for The dirty reiver (200😳) so in the absence of losing my own ‘excess’ weight I’m thinking bike suitability.
The vagabond being the best fit in my current stable, it’s bloody heavy, possibly due to Alfie hub. So considering swapping alivio groupset off my 29er (high latitude) and sticking some 40c wtb nanos on.
its that or sell her, buy another gravel bike like the sonder el Camino al or maybe the new Jamie renegade.
i do like the ride quality of the vagabond but not keen on dragging that heft for 200km with me being no Olympian an all.
Any suggestions?
I'm not sure how much weight you'll save with that groupset swapping about. How about putting some quick tyres on the 29er and see which one is quickest out of the 2. Then don't worry about it and get some rides in.
Maybe think about your luggage if you haven't already. Eg feedbags, that sort of thing.
I did it on my Fargo and there is a lot of climbing! So lighter bike will help, but i think any last minute training you can cram in would be best gain, see you at the back (it's where i'll be!)
Just find a way to train more. You still have time
Just thinking - we ought to have a Dirty Reiver 2018 thread. I'll start one in a mo.
From the 2017 DR thread, it seems that at some point whatever bike you choose will feel like it's the wrong one. Some bits suit a CX, some an MTB.
The drag of the Alfine could have much more impact than its weight...
Oh bugger with my weight and the alfines drag it could be curtains😳
TO THE GARAGE !! (Cue A-Team music), I ain’t struggling up no hill fool!
If it’s to be vince, er the vagabond, it’s gonna be a first foray into tubeless, probably change the groupset and get one of them suntour suspension seatposts.
If that idea fails, I’ll hit the hobgoblin order another bike and end up sleeping in the garage.
Oh yeah and ride lots cos that’ll help.