[Closed] Genesis Vagabond Owners.

Lots of info on this other thread about Vagabonds, including some with flat bars, and plenty of photos...
[url= http://singletrackmag.com/forum/topic/genesis-vagabond-anyone-got-one ]Genesis Vagabond thread[/url]

is this not an awfully expensive way of having a flat bar 29er? Cost of new levers shifters etc gonna be doesnt. Out of interest why not pick a flat bar 29er bike in 1st place?

straight that'll feel a little more substantial?

The original forks are pretty hefty, can't imagine needing or wanting anything more substantial.

Why would you buy a drop bar rigid mtb/monstercross, then put flat bars and cheap forks on it?

IMO it'll end up with a very upright position (drop bar bikes have short top tubes compared to flat bar bikes) and the forks won't suit it.

You'd be better off buying a bike you actually want in the first place.

Sounds like you want a Longitude?

Steezysix.... that has been my original choice along with a Marin Pine then came across the Vagabond.

TBH the changes I've mentioned won't cost me a penny as it's all kit I've got... and since posting this I've seen a couple of flat bar conversions and I think it looses it's appeal it had when drops are on it.

I think the only change I'd make thinking about it now is doing away with the sus fork change and maybe stick 29+ up front for a bit more comfort..??

I'd ride it as it is first. Drop bars are inherently more comfortable that flat bars, and it's got big'ish tyres already to soak up rough tracks. 29+ might work, but I expect you'll find you reach a point where the big tyres allow faster speeds on tougher ground than is manageable on drop bars. It's never going to be as technically competent as a MTB (too short wheelbase).

Was just about to start a Vagabond thread so hope you don't mind a slight hijack?!

I'm looking at getting one too & was after some size advice, I'm 5'10" with a 31" inside leg so in two minds between medium & large...any help appreciated

Sorry again for the hijack!

Hoff your right on the inbetween from what I've read. I'd say large. I'll be going xl as I'm 6'3

I'm 5ft10" and a bit with a 32" inside leg. I emailed Genesis for their advice and they suggested a medium. I spent a while comparing the geometry charts to my CAADX and MTBs and - apart from getting very confused - noticed that the standover on the Large seems huge at 33". To me that might lead to a rather top-heavy feeling bike for my height.

Hoff, im 5’ 10” with a 30.5 inside leg, i went medium on the last 4 bikes ive bought, from 4 different manufacturers.
All fitted me perfectly.
I still have 3 of them and no intention of changing, the fourth i gave to my cousin, he needed it.
Hope this helps.

Cheers for the feedback - I also have a 17.5" High Latitude which height wise I'm probably right at the top end on. Also ride a 17.5" Trek Remedy & MK2 Stooge which are spot on. I emailed Genesis & will see what they say too but leaning towards a medium.

IdleJon / Martymac - Did you end up with Vagabonds?

No, i ended up with a surly karate monkey, an expensive third choice.
Wanted a swift, my size was out of stock,
Considered a vagabond, but ultimately decided against it as i intended to run it with flat bars from the start,
In the end i went with a karate monkey, but the one i ordered was out of stock so i got a (more expensive) new model.
I don’t regret it, its a great machine.
I couldn’t say it was any better than the vagabond though, I haven’t ridden one of those.
Can i just add, charlie the bikemonger was excellent to deal with, id recommend him/his shop.

I'll be ordering mine in a fortnight hopefully.

Martymac - Bought my Stooge from Charlie, just 'happened' to coincide with a family camping trip to Swanage 🙂

Idlejon - take it you're going for a medium? Have you managed to take a test ride on one?

I'm off to see my folks tomorrow & their local LBS is a Genesis dealer so planning to pop in to see what they have

iv got a drop bar longitude up for sale if anyone interested - a very nice ride

www.alongbirdalley.co.uk/genesis

get back with any questions!

or email me at: hand@alongbirdalley.co.uk

Im 5"11 and I got a large. Swapped the stock stem for a 70mm I had in the spares box and swopped the barend shifters to sram apex. Absolutely love it most ridden bike at the moment stock wheels are crap but got to expect it at that price. Perfect gravel/bivvy bike

Idlejon - take it you're going for a medium? Have you managed to take a test ride on one?

No unfortunately. I've only seen one in a shop and that was in the Lakes. A long way away. I'll do some ringing around this weekend to see if anyone within a short drive has one.

@graemethejock - what's the stand over like on your Large?

I ride a medium Vagabond @ 5' 10". 31.5

Fits like a glove with seatpost left to spare, but I do have short arms, like a T-Rex.

I'd say medium.

IdleJon I went out for a spin and took a snap. The seat-height as pictured is correct for my 31.5 inseam. 20cm of seatpost is visible. I flipped the stem to try it out but prefer it less sitty-uppy tbh so that'll go back. The medium for me is ideal for my type of riding (plenty of rough paths, woodland trails, towpaths, country lanes with potholes. If I was doing more road touring I'd probably want something with longer chainstays. As it is the M fits me very much like a 18" MTB which is not surprising as the seat-tube is 18.5", giving me plenty of standover with the sloping top tube. I'd be interested to try a large for comparison, but the M feels spot on for the typically short multi-surface rides(< 40k) that I currently do. The stem is the stock 110mm BTW.

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Thanks Malvern Rider, all useful stuff. I'll almost certainly go for the M. I'm using an entry in Gritfest as an excuse to buy a new bike - looks like it should be a good compromise for longer gravel stuff with the techy sections that Matt Page tends to put in his events.

^ compromise is the key word with these types of bikes. And heaps of fun, IME. It's quite a surprising all-terrain solution that is worth upgrading/customising depending on the type of riding you do. A better/lighter wheelset and some better pads/brakes would be my own first moves in that direction but these will be fine until they give up the ghost 🙂

I'm already planning what wheelset and (possibly cable actuated hydraulic) brakes will go on it!

Any truth to the bar end shifters benefiting from being swapped out to Shimano type??? I hear they'd index better??