Following on from my previous thread I am going to buy a new bike with her money. I told her this and was told - " I don't effing care - i won't be here" so new bike time. 🙂
I have not bought a bike for many years and certainly not new! I have no idea what is out there. Budget is whatever is needed
Purposes will be for offroad pootling, needs to be MTB style not a gravel bike. Some touring as well so lots of braze ons. Probably want a 135 qr rear for a rohloff. I have a fat bike for trail centres and so on as well.
I am thinking of a semi custom build on a shand bahookie
What else could I be looking at?
A browse of the Surly catalogue should throw up something (though you getting a frame with Surly on it might be pust-ironic). Salsa maybe a bit more special.
Difficult to argue with your Bahookie though, especially given your location.
If I were you, living where you do, I'd go and have a chat with Shand, and get something designed just for what you want it for, with a paint job she would love
Probably want a 135 qr rear for a rohloff.
Options for this have dropped right off, so you might well end up with something custom if that is a red line.
The Shand, no question, because:
My Salsa is an incredible bike for just riding around, up and down everything. It's just a brilliant place to sit and pedal. I absolutely love it. But it's fairly cheap and mid grade tubing.
The Shand Bahookie is the same thing but more nicely made and from fancier tubes. My mate has one.
Set it up with high sweep bars, not too wide, and go 1x12. Re the wheels, do Shand do swappable dropouts? Many bikes do so whilst you might not get the option to boost you could get 142x12 option.
Genesis Longitude has 135mm rear and lots of braze ons, not sure how easy it is to set up a Rohloff though. That's an upgrade I'd like to make to mine at some point, although my dream bike is a Tumbleweed Prospector (£££££)
Have a chat with Ricky at Feather cycles and get a custom stainless steel?
Bahookie does have changeable dropouts. Here's a pic of it with a hub gear:
Nice.
When does the “what colour” conversation start…?
Oh, it's a Rohloff of course, the SP is part of SpeedHub.
Custom paintjob I think. Triumph pale metallic blue with dark blue pinstriping?
Custom paintjob I think.
Was gonna suggest that, regardless of what bike you actually buy.
What a shame I dont fit a 16" frame 🙁 Fair saving and what a spec list
https://winstanleysbikes.co.uk/bikes/electric-bikes/cube-stereo-hybrid-140-hpc-slt-625-2020-electric-bike
No e bikes as it will be going into the highlands for multiday trips but i want a motor retrofittable for a long tour on it. maybe I need two bikes? 😉
+1 on Shand and some lovely paint.
Get some nice wheels built.
Get a good shop to build it all.
Just take enjoyment in the bling.
maybe I need two bikes?
Like you need to ask.
Curtis have the AM9 with rack and pannier amounts. Look so nice with the clear coat finish.
Custom frame from Swarf?
I’m just listing what I’d buy here 😀
What about something completely custom with a custom paint job. I know they're London based but I love the detail Saffron produce.
Ooh that curtis looks nice. I just have no idea what is available.
I would be ditching the rohloff and getting something with a pinion and belt drive , the bike will ride nicer off road with the weight more central and you can maybe use the rohloff on a gravel/tourer/adventure bike .
Might be worth looking at coverage of previous bespoke bike shows https://singletrackmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/highlights-from-the-bespoked-show-2019/ Give you an idea of whose out there and see what tickles your fancy . 18bikes and shand jump to mind .
🙂
I read your post and thought Bahookie before you even got to that part. You know it makes sense
Get 'tandem' written on it too
Edit:and yes you need two bikes.
No e bikes as it will be going into the highlands for multiday trips but i want a motor retrofittable for a long tour on it. maybe I need two bikes?
You absolutely do. You want a purpose built e-bike if you're going to get one.
The Curtis comes with a 66 degree HA and is built for 140mm fork. This is not a 'pootling' bike, it's a bike for technical riding. I believe the reason my Salsa is so damn good for long distance riding, the reason it feels so positive, is the steeper head angle. Whilst a slack HA is good for tech I don't think it's as good for long miles. The Bahookie is 69.5.
Face facts, you're of a certain age. Islabike do a nice ebike with a step through frame so you don't have to worry about getting your leg over.
I came on to give my tuppence worth and echo what’s already been said. Given your location and the fact this bike will have a certain meaning to you, a Shand could fit the bill in my opinion. I think they will have something that’s just right for you and a wee bit special to boot. That said don’t rush it, take your time and find something that gives you that feeling of excitement.....as you wait 6 months for it to be delivered 🤣
@molgrips Have you still got the El Mar? Did you get the chainstay yoke issues sorted?
Yes, I'm not giving up that bike, it's such a joy. I had Argos of Bristol fix the stays but they pretty much ignored what I wanted and did what they wanted, which involved using 853 stays that they couldn't crimp to get the clearance I wanted. So I'll probably have it done again by someone who can broadly replicate the original part which fortunately I still have.
Wasn't it you that bought the one off eBay?
Virtual unanimity on here? Unheard of!
Off to Shand I go then. that was easy
Many more decisions to make about it to come… we’ll find something to have a hundred different opinions about it yet! We’re here for a distraction anytime you want TJ.
Tam Vs Bahookie then?
I was about to say - we've yet to agonise over bars, gears, dropper, tyres, pedals....
IME recently, wheels are key to a nice ride too. Get them handbuilt built from the parts you want. A nice tight and evenly tensioned wheel is really noticeable over my slack spoked 'temporary' back wheel...
@molgrips No, not me, I’ve got an orange one I’ve had since new (2014?). I remember the discussion about crimping the chainstays vs. getting a plate yoke made up.
Id go shand 29er for your given use
Bin the rohloff and get with the times*. And have a bike that rides lovely rather than a boat anchor
* spoken as a Rohloff owner
Shandem Jeremy.
Agree, should have tandem decal on it somewhere.
Enjoy mate.
A memorial bike is a lovely idea. Especially a long lived one like that.
Let me know when you're bringing it down to South Wales.
I was about to say – we’ve yet to agonise over bars, gears, dropper, tyres, pedals….
Wait till we get to paint......
Shandem Jeremy.
That made me smile
Rasta paint job so we can see him coming.
light metallic blue with dark blue pinstriping? Must have pinstriping.
The full build comes with hope wheels and replaceable dropouts mean wheel choice is not irrevocable anyway
I was looking for pretty much exactly what you describe a while back TJ.
Here's what I did here
It's been my most used bike over the past year and a bit, using the Roly, SS and 12 speed derailleur. Currently SS with big tyres and I love it.
It's suspension corrected for a 120 fork, which I may well add at some point.
Welcome to take it for a spin if you are North at any point.
I was close to getting the Shand Tam, but it didn't quite tick the boxes I was after.
Had a long chat with Mr Shand at a Cycle Show a few years ago, nearly bought a Stooshie but wasn't quite "road" enough for what I was after at the time.
If and when the chance comes, I'd like to give them some of my money for something that looks stunning.
Oh that is nice and ticks a lot of boxes including the headmount for a rack
Oh my, that's nice.
If I ever had the money, I still don't know if I would go back FS (n+1 not withstanding). I think I would buy a nice comfy, light 29er with light fork...
This bahookie is very lovely
That is pretty. Geometry looks spot on. Needs more bosses. Hard mounting points are great. Straps aren’t enough.
I've another bike I would consider, based around the fact that one car park ride on a pinion bike was lovely....
I'm pretty sure you could ask Mr Shand to fit whatever bosses etc you want.
Of course.
Just been to Shand but I couldn't place my order as I cannot decide on all the options
Standard bahookie medium frame - but what paint job? rohloff or 12 spd? shimano or hope brakes? dynamo front hub?
Definitely dynamo front hub.
I'd be tempted to try Rohloff if I could.
All my bikes have Shimano brakes, so Hope to be different.
Paint - no idea. What would t'missus choose?
Standard bahookie medium frame
Medium? Aren't you my height? My Salsa is large, and I'm glad it is. Nice short stem (70mm!) keeps the handling sharp and I get more room for a frame bag if I need it.
12 speed
Hope brakes
No dynamo, unless you want to go touring in the dark. You're not riding this thing to the pub are you? Are you?
Hope brakes Shimano 12 speed don't ruin a lovely bike with a boat anchor of dragginess and only go Dyno hub if your actually gonna use it at night they are nice on utility bikes but unless your doing alot of night riding on it it's a fair chunk to carry round along with the bearing liability.
Shand blue is lovely....but then every one gets that it seems.
I think I am a bit shorter than you molgrips - 5'10 just about. I rode a medium Tam and it was a great fit.
Ah right.. yeah I am on the cusp so if you are a touch under it might be the right choice.
Dynamo hub can be retro-fitted if you decide it's warranted later. As can Rohloff.
In the past, I would always have said dynamo, but modern battery lights are so good I’ve changed my mind.
I’d go for interchangeable dropouts, that way you can change your mind later about gears.
There are downsides to rohloff and derailleur gears, only you can really say which you prefer.
I would always go derailleur, because I’ve never ripped one off.
I’ve had many shimano brakes, all flawless.
‘Shandem’
Paint it a colour your good lady would like.
My good lady was useless with colours. she did like a bit of bright pink tho. Hmmmmmmmmm
All shands have the swappable dropouts so wheel choice can be changed later.
I am leaning towards a rohloff cos I hate dérailleurs and 12 spoeed is hideous with a mech that just about touches the floor and a huge ugly cassettee
Rohloff and belt drive?
Dynamo - I have two for the Amazon now. I love knowing that I can just jump on it and go for a ride without thinking of whether or not I charged a light, where I put it, how long it'll last. Only really works at road speeds though: not really bright enough for extreme gnarr and requires a decent speed to keep it at full power.
IGH - I'm not a fan but that could be because I've very rarely had rear mech problems so the advantages pass me by.
Brakes - my own experience with Shimano is that they're faultless so I've never seen the justification for additional expenditure.
With the brakes Its two issues - I prefer hope feel but the main sticking point is the unavailability of spares and the harder to find fluid if world touring. I like to be able to carry a seal kit and use dot fluid
I am tempted to put set of old minis I have on it 🙂
I am looking for a bike for life as it were with everything rebuildable and long lasting and fixable if miles from anywhere
In which case, if it were my money, I would go Pinion belt drive, Hope brakes, nice but 'normal' wheels....
In that case, contact hope and get them to make a set of brakes for use with mineral oil.
Go rohloff, but with chain drive. A chain can be fixed in the wild, and replaced in virtually any lbs.
You want fixable round the world yet are looking at belt drive rohloffs and all that nonsense.
Rather you than me.
I agree 12 speed is stupid.
For your remit I'd have 2 or even 3*11
I prefer hope feel but the main sticking point is the unavailability of spares and the harder to find fluid if world touring. I like to be able to carry a seal kit and use dot fluid
Have you got that the right way round? Hope offer seal kits and use ubiquitous and cheap DOT fluid, whereas Shimano aren't fixable and use expensive mineral oil. And have had significant reliability issues.
I wouldn't go for belt drive as if you do snap a belt you're screwed. Chains can be fixed with a quick link.
If really do want to world or even European tour then I would (reluctantly) agree 2x11 is the way. You want enough top end to keep spinning down some massive pass, and enough low end to winch your knackered self up the next one laden with kit.
You want enough top end to keep spinning down some massive pass, and enough low end to winch your knackered self up the next one laden with kit.
A Rohloff will do that .... But my point was more that the folk IVe met waiting on parts in New Zealand Australia , Canada -and those are civilised countries are always those with propriatory things such as rohloffs and recumbents......
Trail rat makes a good point, for a world tour you want parts that can be easily replaced.
Even the best parts in the world can occasionally fail. Imagine a mangled rohloff shifter from a silly low speed fall for example.
Touring requirements are slightly different to normal road or mtb use.
rohloff will send a replacement anywhere if you bust a hub. also with 135 dropouts and a mech hanger a derailleur rear wheel can be got anywhere. Belt or chain is a tricky one. Belt longer lasting and no lube but have to carry a spare. chain fixed anywhere in the world for 2p
rohloff shifter hard to break but if you do so you can change gear with a spanner on the hub and you can always SS a rohlff if the internals mangle ( brake disc spacing is the same as a granny ring so flip the hub and put a granny ring in place of the disc) That gets you back to civilisation
my earlier post should have read "sticking point with shimano is the unavailability...."
Colour?
I think this will be hated but I am thinking plain dark colour and all polished alloy kit - rims. hubs, bars the lot
Not sure if the link works but this is one of the nicest Shands I've seen... Ian B's off the BB forum:
Is that an homage to Alitalia Airlines?
Think it was loosely based on a Lancia Delta Intergrale.
You can at a push pack a spare mech hanger and derailleur. But if you are in a well serviced country you could get a Shimano 11sp mech straight away.
Belt longer lasting
When I was using my Rohloff on an all year round off road commuter that I barely ever cleaned the chains were lasting 3 years. Lubrication was some Toyota gearbox oil I had lying around. I certainly wouldn't worry about chain wear
On gears - in the OP you mention offroad pootling and some touring. This is where the Rohloff shines imo. Yes, if you are shredding the gnar, then it's not the best choice.
I rode one for everything a few years back and the slow engagement and weight in the back wheel in techy riding really will grate. I've been riding Onyx hubs for a couple of years now and that makes it worse!
I'd have it over 12 speed any day of the week for a long distance bike. I'd agree with TR that 2 or 3X also makes a lot of sense for a bike of this sort. Gives you the range you need for touring, without the endless finnickyness of 12 speed. A front mech is great if the bike doesn't spend it's life rattling down singletrack.
all polished alloy kit
Polished rims still look great. And cranks. And, well, as much as possible. Do it, if you can find the stuff.
How about 2 bikes? thus keeping the tandem theme..
How much world touring is sir likely to do - keep a bike for that, and one for fun / UK touring (hmm, 3 bikes then.)
Get a nice pant scheme though, that will make you grin.
I don't get a new bike very often - and sizeable m minority of my bikes are second hand. But maybe not think in terms of long long term - 6-9 years and review again once things have moved on again.
On gears – in the OP you mention offroad pootling and some touring. This is where the Rohloff shines imo.
I would be concerned about efficiency, personally. If I were tired struggling up some alpine pass at the end of the day I'd want every bit of efficiency I could get, and I'd be resenting the %s that a hub gear would keep to itself. But YMMV of course, you will get there in the end probably.
How much world touring is sir likely to do
I read the OP as he's not after a tourer, but a general purpose everything bike that would do some touring.
I read the OP as he’s not after a tourer, but a general purpose everything bike that would do some touring.
and still be able to have fun on singletrack.
So spec I have decided is. rohloff but have a mech hanger and 135qr spacing. Chain drive 120mm travel fork and rigid both colour matched
single dark colour, all components polished ic rims hubs bars. wide swept bars
Burgundy metalflake?
A little discreet signwriting: Julie - bought with her money
Burgundy metalflake
Oh yes.
all components polished ic rims hubs bars
Oh yes yes.
Edit:
I had a lovely enamel paint on my Salsa but after a few years by the time I had it fixed for the chain stay breakage it was already corroding a fair bit in places. Not as durable as powder coat?
Matt, that definitely losses points for close but not matching fork.
