[Closed] Show me your adventure bikes

well i'd post a pic of my fat bike as i do just what you describe, but i'm thinking you are expecting something else.

Strictly speaking it's a cyclocross bike (Kinesis Crosslight Pro5) but it's the closest I have. Over the past week I've done two extremely muddy woods rides and a 47 mile road/bridleway ride. It has no guards, no rack mounts and cantilever brakes. I'm planning to do the C2C on it this year. It cost me the grand sum of £240 off here and it suits me down to the ground.

[img] [/img]

rOcKeTdOg - Member
well i'd post a pic of my fat bike as i do just what you describe, but i'm thinking you are expecting something else

Pretty much this.

bikes that take you on long journeys on mixed terrain

Oh, go on then.

[img] :large[/img]

[img] :large[/img]

Not the best pic but my Peregrine after a bothy trip a couple of weeks ago.

[url= https://farm1.staticflickr.com/732/23729252105_b41cf90b6d_z.jp g" target="_blank">https://farm1.staticflickr.com/732/23729252105_b41cf90b6d_z.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/C9SBWi ]20151212_123349[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/82598458@N05/ ]jamesanderson2010[/url], on Flickr

@ Nipper99 ...same place 2 years ago
[URL= http://i791.photobucket.com/albums/yy195/stumpym4/Bike%20packing/DSC03180_zps9af9e74a.jp g" target="_blank">http://i791.photobucket.com/albums/yy195/stumpym4/Bike%20packing/DSC03180_zps9af9e74a.jp g"/> [/IMG][/URL]
Now use this for my adventures
[URL= http://i791.photobucket.com/albums/yy195/stumpym4/Bike%20pics/IMG_20141029_111028_zps3pontukv.jp g" target="_blank">http://i791.photobucket.com/albums/yy195/stumpym4/Bike%20pics/IMG_20141029_111028_zps3pontukv.jp g"/> [/IMG][/URL]
to do this [URL= http://i791.photobucket.com/albums/yy195/stumpym4/Way%20of%20the%20roses/DSC03902_zpsgjznrbpl.jp g" target="_blank">http://i791.photobucket.com/albums/yy195/stumpym4/Way%20of%20the%20roses/DSC03902_zpsgjznrbpl.jp g"/> [/IMG][/URL]

rOcKeTdOg no, as I said anything. I'm torn between a fatback and a cx bike.

[img][url= https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1456/24111425315_c5023e0ad5_k.jp g" target="_blank">https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1456/24111425315_c5023e0ad5_k.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/CJDmHz ]IMG_20150615_111651353_HDR[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/54929817@N02/ ]rents2[/url], on Flickr[/img]

[img][url= https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1616/23815795540_adbf952ff0_k.jp g" target="_blank">https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1616/23815795540_adbf952ff0_k.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/Chwbhu ]IMG_20150904_095740584_HDR[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/54929817@N02/ ]rents2[/url], on Flickr[/img]

Kona Minute! I bought this a few years back to take my lad about with me and since then it has become the #1 bike in my stable.
Its good for everything. Club runs, chain gangs, touring, gravel roads and the odd bit of singletrack (with the little'un)
I commute on it everyday all year round and it never lets me down.

I have this
[URL= http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f278/firestarter4075/20150813_133418_zps7tmd8ph7.jp g" target="_blank">http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f278/firestarter4075/20150813_133418_zps7tmd8ph7.jp g"/> [/IMG][/URL]
And this
[URL= http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f278/firestarter4075/Mobile%20Uploads/DSC_0070_zpsyxnvzoor.jp g" target="_blank">http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f278/firestarter4075/Mobile%20Uploads/DSC_0070_zpsyxnvzoor.jp g"/> [/IMG][/URL]
Both very different in every way but both a great deal of fun

as I said anything. I'm torn between a fatback and a cx bike.

Tommid, with your record Pugs, Wednesday or Straggler. 🙂

[img] [/img]

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Firestarter- what guards have you got on that lovely shand? What size tyres are you running? Looking for some for my cotic escapade.

There's this
[url= https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3911/15054211751_5b1e39ce61_b.jp g" target="_blank">https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3911/15054211751_5b1e39ce61_b.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/oWhLF2 ]P1010490[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/druidh2000/ ]Colin Cadden[/url], on Flickr
I no longer have this
[url= https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2903/14458348996_1db4313796_b.jp g" target="_blank">https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2903/14458348996_1db4313796_b.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/o2CPrf ]Calm morning on Loch Spey[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/druidh2000/ ]Colin Cadden[/url], on Flickr
I definitely still have this
[url= https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8231/8540729384_ffe240aa09_b.jp g" target="_blank">https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8231/8540729384_ffe240aa09_b.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/e1HthU ]P1050319[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/druidh2000/ ]Colin Cadden[/url], on Flickr
I'm selling this
[url= https://farm1.staticflickr.com/682/23180139393_1a22e8a3e7_b.jp g" target="_blank">https://farm1.staticflickr.com/682/23180139393_1a22e8a3e7_b.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/BjmgRK ]IMAG0204[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/druidh2000/ ]Colin Cadden[/url], on Flickr
I'm keeping this forever
[url= https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3065/2844771429_a79665bfc5_b.jp g" target="_blank">https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3065/2844771429_a79665bfc5_b.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/5kocrg ]PICT3465[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/druidh2000/ ]Colin Cadden[/url], on Flickr
and now there's also this
[url= https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5680/22982612360_8f7c0a5f12_b.jp g" target="_blank">https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5680/22982612360_8f7c0a5f12_b.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/B1TTXf ]DSC_0332[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/druidh2000/ ]Colin Cadden[/url], on Flickr

My point (if there is one) is that you can have an adventure on almost any bike 🙂

firestarters mudguards are PDW Full Metal Fenders, I have them on my Tripster as below

[img] [/img]

Stumpy_M4, is that the Coast 2 Coast on the Trans Penine Trail ? Thats on my to do list for 2016.

They are 45mm pdw guards and tyres are 35mm conti cx speeds

This was the initial set up. I've now changed to a shorter stem and layback post to get the weight over the back wheel.
Surprisingly fast and comfortable, but also capable on and off road.

Gearing is 36 - 11-25 soon to be changed for 38 - 11-28.
[img] [/img]

xyeti - Member
Stumpy_M4, is that the Coast 2 Coast on the Trans Penine Trail ? Thats on my to do list for 2016.

[IMG] [/IMG]

It's just like a normal bike, with stuff attached.

Go with your heart op. As Scotroutes says, you can have an adventure on any bike.
I've got a cx, 29er, full suss and road bike. The cx sees the most use and is perfect for most things but I'd sooner be on my 29er for routes like the Cairngorm loop etc. The cx is great for touring on road and mixed routes like Sustrans tracks. The 29er is just as capable but slower...

[img] [/img]

Sort of adventurous.

Stumpy, Just Googled Both the way of the roses and the TPT Southport to Hornsea, i'ts the TPT i think i have foolishly agreed to do, in 2 days.

xyeti - Member
Stumpy, Just Googled Both the way of the roses and the TPT Southport to Hornsea, i'ts the TPT i think i have foolishly agreed to do, in 2 days.

I did have a genesis fortitude adventure

[url= https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3857/14406238976_663c4d3a37_c.jp g" target="_blank">https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3857/14406238976_663c4d3a37_c.jp g"/> [/img][/url]

[url= https://flic.kr/p/nX2JWC ]Parking spot with a view[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/jimbosussexmtb/ ]Jim Barrow[/url], on Flickr

Then I changed it for a genesis longitude (that was awesome)

[url= https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8820/17043453452_60dd580ef1_z.jp g" target="_blank">https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8820/17043453452_60dd580ef1_z.jp g"/> [/img][/url]

[url= https://flic.kr/p/rY59VJ ]Believe it or not I'm carrying a lot less this time! #bikepacking #microadventure @apidura[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/jimbosussexmtb/ ]Jim Barrow[/url], on Flickr

I've done a couple of trips on my Tripster, though they were more roadie in nature

[url= https://farm1.staticflickr.com/444/19490912324_d956227139_c.jp g" target="_blank">https://farm1.staticflickr.com/444/19490912324_d956227139_c.jp g"/> [/img][/url]

[url= https://flic.kr/p/vGm2bu ]Tripster ATR[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/jimbosussexmtb/ ]Jim Barrow[/url], on Flickr

But I've sold three of my MTB's and bought a Travers Rusty, which is the best mix of my longitude and my sync. I'm doing the Tour Divide this year and this is going to be the beast for the job. Incidentally I'm raising money for cancer research, Jenn inspired me to do it and gave me loads of great advice, if anyone wants to give me some extra motivation my justgiving page is here: [url= https://www.justgiving.com/jim-tom-tour-divide ]https://www.justgiving.com/jim-tom-tour-divide[/url]

[url= https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5653/23752491381_a31535c72b_c.jp g" target="_blank">https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5653/23752491381_a31535c72b_c.jp g"/> [/img][/url]

[url= https://flic.kr/p/CbVJat ]DSC00514[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/jimbosussexmtb/ ]Jim Barrow[/url], on Flickr

[url= https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5640/23335141613_447af27871_c.jp g" target="_blank">https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5640/23335141613_447af27871_c.jp g"/> [/img][/url]

[url= https://flic.kr/p/By3GBP ]Black grips, merry Christmas![/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/jimbosussexmtb/ ]Jim Barrow[/url], on Flickr

[url= https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1666/24108201215_54ef002377_c.jp g" target="_blank">https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1666/24108201215_54ef002377_c.jp g"/> [/img][/url]

[url= https://flic.kr/p/CJmQiD ]Just wired up the electronics on my @traversbikes #rusty to make sure it's all working for the #bearbones #bach2bach #bikepacking event next weekend. Flashing lights means it's all good 🙂 @use_exposurelights #revo #cinq5 #plug #spdynamo #BarYak[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/jimbosussexmtb/ ]Jim Barrow[/url], on Flickr

First proper outing will be at the Bear Bones Winter Event next weekend.....

[url= https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3944/15672217445_4d6b1d5aff_k.jp g" target="_blank">https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3944/15672217445_4d6b1d5aff_k.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/pSUdeB ]IMG_0545[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/24645633@N08/ ]thom1984[/url], on Flickr

big heavy tyre mode.

[url= https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3726/19863463141_03b89d2749_k.jp g" target="_blank">https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3726/19863463141_03b89d2749_k.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/wggryr ]IMG_0780[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/24645633@N08/ ]thom1984[/url], on Flickr

in touring mode.
every time i post a photo i say must take another.

hummerlicious - whats the frame bag on the Fortitude?

That was a Uraltour, great value finners. I've had a custom Alpkit one made for my new Travers, it seems a little more robust.

Lazy link (still much the same today except has XT thumbies, Spesh BG seat and Schwalbe Land Cruisers atm)

[url] http://singletrackmag.com/forum/topic/touring-bike#post-6216464 [/url]

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xyeti - Member
Stumpy, Just Googled Both the way of the roses and the TPT Southport to Hornsea, i'ts the TPT i think i have foolishly agreed to do, in 2 days.

Used my kafenback to ride that route in 21 hours last summer. Superb ride, and the bike worked a treat. No pics on my phone, but I'll try to put some up tomorrow. Email me if you need tour help.

Paule, thanks, I will take you up on the offer of assistance. Mostly in the form of route guidance around the back of Liverpool towards Halewood as this area seems to be a bit misguided, spoke to a few people recently ALL of whom got lost in that same area.

We looked at the route and made the decision that we could definitely do it in 20 hrs, Man maths dictates when we actually get on the ground we can achieve it in 30. It looks a cracking route and mostly off road.

I think I'll start a seperate thread

My merlin malt is my tool for pedalling of into the sunset...
[img] [/img]

Looks like my bike doesn't fit in to this marketing niche 🙁

But it's the only bike I have and I have adventures on it

I've had some interesting trips on my bike over the last 7-8 years, although I'm not sure they qualify as adventures. It started as an Inbred frame, bought to ride through Scandinavia and Eastern Europe to Istanbul.
[img] [/img]

Following a respray and extra braze-ons, I eschewed full pannier loads for subsequent trips (this is 3000m up in NW China):
[img] [/img]

Ditching shredded panniers, these days I'm pursuing a lighter approach, enabling trips such as an offroad LEJOG this summer.
[img] [/img]

Montgomery, I think it's fair to say your rides feature on the 'adventure' scale. 😀

I don't, tbh. I'm wary of using terms like 'adventure,' Over-use of words like 'epic' cheapens them and deprives them of meaning. What is 'adventure?' It's not a relative term. To me, an adventure must involve significant time, commitment and risk, with no bail-out options possible. Something should go wrong which you then have to solve. If you're able to maintain a blog while doing it, for instance, it's probably not an adventure...

I'm kind of in agreement, hence putting 'adventure'. In the context of riding off tarmac being an adventure, your rides count. The snow picture is great BTW.

I think we all realise it's not adventure in a 'Lewis and Clark' sense. But I think you can cut a little slack, it's a pretty healthy outlook to have on life to travel about by bike and explore places new to you.

But let's face it, it's perfectly possible to make an unsupported trip pretty much anywhere on the planet and still fill in a blog. It's only really when you add in a high risk activity that ability stops.

Fair dos on "epic" mind you.

Anyway, more all terrain travel bicycles of various configurations please!

Well said Monty, I'll say this though!

Looking at some of the contributions on this post makes me realise that there are those who do actually get out there, NW China, another embarking on the Tour Divide and the wilds of Scotland makes my jaunt across the pennies pail into insignificance.

I'd like to add that the term Epic sums up a generation and a cross Atlantic bond with America, there's nothing wrong with this however it is over used, and as for adventure that depends on the individual, I like to think that anywhere there is a risk of death becomes an adventure.

It is true that the Bike is a magnificent thing, it does take us to destinations far beyond what must have been first imagined and then there are those who ride these magnificent creations, from great adventures to conquering personal ambition.

I just use my only MTB - a Cotic Solaris - for trips that are mostly off-road but I've got a Genesis Croix de Fer for trips that are mostly on-road.

I suppose "adventure" is really just stepping outside your comfort zone with a dollop of the unknown added for good measure, there needs to be uncertainty about completing the goal, it shouldn't be guaranteed. An "epic" is when such things go wrong and the uncertainty is more about survival than completing the goal. Sadly the advertisers/Red Bullsh*tters have taken over these and other terms.

There are fewer "blanks on the map" and the world's become much smaller and more homogenous so we can't all be Wally Herbert, Eric Shipton or Bill Tilman.

What is 'adventure?' It's not a relative term.

It is though, really it is.

Pedantry aside, it also seems to be the marketing buzzword of the year for everything from touring bikes to Shimano's new XT groupset.

Doesn't bother me TBH, and "adventure bikes" certainly sounds more appealing than "gravel bikes".

It's great the variety of bikes in this thread innit?

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My all-terrain bike. I think a bike like this needs to work well on any terrain you're likely to ride over - 150 miles of tarmac at a time, days of mix-terrain ground or fun Alpine tech downhills, and not be a dull, cautious ride while loaded up. It needs to put a smile on my face as well as cover ground effectively.
For me the rigid 29er does it best. It's a bit 'steady' on road or on genuinely severe trails but so am I carrying 5-10kg and a few days / a couple of weeks of fatigue, or when thinking of getting through the full ride rather than day-ride risk taking. Comfort starts to win over any drop-bar bike road efficiency on longer, easier rides. It won't take fatter than a 2.4 tyre on a big rim but that's ok, I'd keep the more nimble feel of tyres in the 2.0-2.4 size and the geometry that goes with it for touring. It's a good balance ime.
*note uncool triple : )

OP, you mention CX vs Fat .. quite a range? Depends on the terrain you ride right? Both are quite terrain-specific, but if most of your riding is either road/very easy off road or very rough ground/trackless wilderness they could be a good option.

@montgomery

enabling trips such as an offroad LEJOG this summer

Is there a published route or are you making one up ? I bet there's a load of folk on here (me included) who'd be keen on this...

Re: off-road LEJOG. Two guys did a CX version last year - http://bearbonesbikepacking.co.uk/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=6349&hilit=LEJOG

I think an 'adventure' is to simply plot a line on a map that that relates to a place that [u]you[/u] haven't been to before and with little prior knowledge go off and explore. What Montgomery describes I would call an 'epic'.

Jones with the right tyres is a dream to ride. [url= https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5704/24014882372_726616e58d_k.jp g" target="_blank">https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5704/24014882372_726616e58d_k.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/CA7xS5 ]IMG_6498[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/yorkshirebiking/ ]Stuart Rider[/url], on Flickr

[i]offroad LEJOG this summer
Is there a published route or are you making one up?[/i]

Last summer, I should have said. I made my own route up, and I'm not publishing it. Making up the route is part of the adventure...

Run what you brung.
[URL= http://i1097.photobucket.com/albums/g341/kiwijohn42/SNB12309_zpsiwd8jq22.jp g" target="_blank">http://i1097.photobucket.com/albums/g341/kiwijohn42/SNB12309_zpsiwd8jq22.jp g"/> [/IMG][/URL]
This'll do. 20 years old & still going strong.

What is 'adventure?' It's not a relative term.

I know what you mean, but I have to disagree as 'adventure' is innately relative to the person experiencing it. How that translates to bike marketing/usage is up for grabs - that much I concede*

Definition of adventure in English:
noun

'An unusual and exciting or daring experience:
her recent adventures in Italy'

MORE EXAMPLE SENTENCES

'Does the idea of touring conjure up exciting images of places to see and new foods and adventures to experience in foreign lands?'

'For some children starting kindergarten is an exciting adventure, for others the experience borders on the terrifying.'

'It is also an exciting adventure and a story of a quest that must be fulfilled.'

[url] http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/english/adventure [/url]

*Although I'm reasonably sure that I don't require to spend upwards of a grand to ride trails and backroads that locals manage every day on a rusty 1950s Flying Pigeon carrying sacks of cement/flour/rice etc 😉

I don't know why we're debating the word when the OP made it quite clear what he meant 🙄 😆

I use my CXer, my TCX Adv1, for adventure CX. I normally use grifos' or Clem's MSO's or about to try out Clem's Gravel Grinders all depends on route and course conditions. I've got a couple of Apidura bags, a compact seat and a compact bar bag which I can fit all my overnight/day rides stuff in admirably.

I like the idea of a Monster CX bike for long distance off road, but TBH my TCX is so good at what I want from it it seems madness to add another bike to my wardrobe..

[img] [/img]

@Scotroutes your Travers looks absolutely amazing, I am genuinely in awe. It looks fantastic! I love the Dually rims and the Dynamo setup! Super Jealous. Are those clamps for the bar extensions custom machined? Never seen anything like them before. The Tour Divide sounds amazing, good luck! (:

And ooh, does anyone know if there are any frame out there similar to it, as in semi fat with an adventure tint to it (short tt) but cheaper? £1500 is a bit much for me to spend on a frame. I can't really think of any. There's the Salsa Deadwood which is drop bar but at that price the Travers looks better value..

Not mine buddy, but brant at Pact bikes could do you a full custom Ti frame for less than £1,500.

Having just seen a Genesis Tarn recently, I might suggest looking at one of those too.

Oh no I'm terrible I scrolled down too fast :S Sorry Hummerlicious!

The Genesis Tarn actually looks fantastic thanks, looking at that now! The Longitude has a much shorter top tube though on the small size, I'm really digging that. Never had an Ally fork on a steel frame though, can't imagine how it would ride!

@officerfriendly

your Travers looks absolutely amazing, I am genuinely in awe. It looks fantastic! - Cheers, I took ages to decide what I wanted and then took ages to decide the spec! Sad thing is the weather is so crap now I've only ridden it a couple of times. I want to keep it in good nick so I don't have to replace the drive train before it gets to america.

I love the Dually rims and the Dynamo setup! Super Jealous. - I Had to have the silver ones imported from the states, cost me £55 p and p, eek!!

Are those clamps for the bar extensions custom machined? Never seen anything like them before. - Do a search on facebook for BarYak and you'll find the chap, they are made in the states, it was cheaper than a set of Ti Jones loop bars by a long way so seemed like the obvious choice for me.

The Tour Divide sounds amazing, good luck! (: - Thanks, I'm equal parts scared and excited, I've wanted to do it since I first heard about it from Jenn, I can't wait to go, hopefully I can raise a load of cash for cancer research at the same time.

And ooh, does anyone know if there are any frame out there similar to it, as in semi fat with an adventure tint to it (short tt) but cheaper? - As I said I spent ages looking and couldn't really find anything else that tickled my fancy. Had to sell all my worldly goods, but the end result was worth it.

Cheers,

Jimbo

[url= https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3852/15312970195_374c5ff31e_k.jp g" target="_blank">https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3852/15312970195_374c5ff31e_k.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/pk9Yxv ]Camban trip, Sept 2014 027[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/jimmygrainger/ ]jimmyg352[/url], on Flickr

[url= https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8240/8628432687_d9661c7807_k.jp g" target="_blank">https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8240/8628432687_d9661c7807_k.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/e9sYqP ]Torridon 2013 009[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/jimmygrainger/ ]jimmyg352[/url], on Flickr

[url= https://farm1.staticflickr.com/414/19619010959_f22121d91e_k.jp g" target="_blank">https://farm1.staticflickr.com/414/19619010959_f22121d91e_k.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/vTEyrD ]Minigaff trip 018[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/jimmygrainger/ ]jimmyg352[/url], on Flickr

Had 'adventures' on all 3.

[img] ?raw=1[/img]

"Adventure bikes"! I also use my fs mountain bike but I haven't been able to strap enough stuff to it to avoid wearing a backpack.

That cannondale looks amazing. It's just a mountain bike with drop bars on, right? For some reason it really works...

What tyres on that, CFH?

@ montgomery did i read about your adventures on crazyguyonabike ? would you care to share the extra brazeons on your inbred ?

montgomery - at last, a seatpost longer than mine...... 🙂

I'm starting to hanker after a Jones!

Here's mine. Another Peregrine.

[url= https://farm1.staticflickr.com/563/21790403785_6ba8080119_k.jp g" target="_blank">https://farm1.staticflickr.com/563/21790403785_6ba8080119_k.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/zcxvSZ ]P1080315[/url]

[i]the extra brazeons on your inbred?[/i]

Bottle mounts under the downtube and on the seat-tube; Crudcatcher mounts under the downtube; seatstay bosses for the Sherpa rack:
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The frame's looking tatty since its respray in 2008/9. If I got another respray I'd consider adding bosses inside the triangle for a frame bag, but given the obsolete standards (wheels, headset, maybe even axle widths soon) it might be better just buying a new bike (Marin Pine Mountain?).

@montgomery

I made my own route up, and I'm not publishing it. Making up the route is part of the adventure

Bang on.

For absence of doubt, that's what we're doing. But if there was a generic published one that everyone was using, we'd be trying to avoid it !

There is one, [url= http://www.users.waitrose.com/~ianclare/lejogoffroadbymountainbike.htm ]here[/url], which is the only one you ever see referenced.

That's the thing, y'see. I quite like the concept of the Great Divide Tour but suspect the reality is probably one of just being part of a huge ceaseless convoy of riders all doing the same thing. It's the antithesis of 'adventure.'

So right. You never know what you're going to find. We did Luton to Rome 5 years ago on road bikes on a route I planned. You should have heard the abuse I took when we hit the white roads in Italy, or when we had to climb a massive load of steps just outside Besançon. Neither of which I'd exactly expected...

We're doing wales c2c this year (on CX bikes), route planning starting with the sustrans then basically adapting as much as possible (100% with a bit of luck) to come up something unique. If we manage to do it and stay friends it's LEJOG next year!

@Hummerlicious

That's a lot for postage, ouch! How much did the rims cost you? I saw Charlie the bikemonger is selling them for just over £100 each. And I saw the BarYak things, they look fantastic! Never seen anything like them before. Oh, and how is the Exposure Revo? I have a B&M Luxos U but truth be told it's not that good offroad, very very good on the road though! The thing that makes me weary of getting a Revo is the lack of Usb charging but I see you've got a Cinq? (:

I would be scared and excited too! It should be one hell of an adventure! I wish you the best of luck.

I can't really see anything out there either! Hope you don't mind me asking, but what makes the Travers the one for you? The thing I like the most is how short the TT is, it's just 565mm on the small which should be very comfortable for more upright riding. Glad to hear it was worth it! (:

Depends on what sort of adventure I am looking for really! They come in many forms( adventures and adventure bikes) I prefer gnarmac tourer myself :-))
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If this post illustrates anything, it's that bikes can be all things-to all folks.... that and you can't beat a bit of bike porn!!

If this post illustrates anything, it's that bikes can be all things-to all folks....

Yeh, and like Scotroutes post earlier. Having a **** load of bikes helps! 😀

umop3pisdn - Member
What tyres on that, CFH?

Apologies, missed this earlier!

Challenge Strada Bianca.

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[url= http://singletrackmag.com/forum/topic/the-stw-skinwall-appreciation-society ]MOAR SKINWALL PRON HERE! [/url]

They're all 'adventure' bikes for me.

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Challenge Strada Bianca

What was it you said about marketing BS

Shouldn't those tyres be called 'Challenge Cow Crap Lane"

'Challenge Cow Crap Lane"

Round here, it's more buffalo and pig, but otherwise, yes. 😆

Gari- How do you find the Van dessel ? Did you order it direct ? 🙂

@officerfriendly

I work in the bike trade, so it wasn't too bad, but that £55 really stung, serves me right for being a tart I guess.

The Revo is great, I have a SP hub on each of my bikes now and just swap the light between them. It's fine for MTBing, the only time it struggles is if you have someone with a light like a six pack behind you, doesn't quite cut the mustard. It's great having the set up that I can get my stuff charged while I ride.

I really wanted a plus bike as I loved my genesis longitude, the travers team were at the big dog last year so I got to try Michael Travers Rudy Fat (as it was called then), size wise it was spot on for me. The geometry is very similar to the Kinesis Sync I have so I just felt immediately at home on it, just with a bit more cush from the tyres.

Challenge Strada Bianca.

Cheers. How are you finding them? Current top choice for Paris Roubaix.

Invested in front and rear Freeload racks which have served me well for four years turning whatever I have into an adventuring machine. Once the webbing ratchet is cinched up they stay put and carry all I need whether strapped on, rack-top bag (pictured), side-panniers or a mix of all. Probably the most versatile bits of kit I've invested in.

Pictured below on my old Maxlight (mounted higher than usual for some reason)

As most of my biking is about exploring and photography of far-flung bits of landscape it eventually turned out that all I really need for adventures is:

1x mtb (preferably a size bigger than I would go for ie 19" rather than 18")

Add to this:
2x extra-long bar-ends
2x Schwalbe Hurricanes (or Marathon Racers for surfaced lanes)
1 or 2 x Freeload racks and some panniers/bags.

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