Sit at desk.
Open email. Respond to email.
Open email. Spam. Delete email.
Open email. Arrange meeting to discuss issue further.
Open email. Resist temptation to respond in anger. Flag for later.
Open email. Stare longingly at pictures of a bike built for adventure. Dream of adventure. Wonder if Social Services would mind if you left the kids for a bit and went off into the hills in search of adventure. Wonder if the kids would spoil it by moaning if you took them with you. Decide they probably would. Return to gazing longingly at glorious press release.
The cause of our wanderlust today? Tumbleweed Bicycle Co’s launch of its first bike: The Prospector.
It’s a bike designed for long distance travel to remote corners of the world. The makers say the Prospector is designed to be rugged, adaptable, and to carry a load. The Prospector is claimed to be the first production Fat Bike to use a standard 73mm bottom bracket. Frames cost 1,450USD, although the Tumbleweed website is currently offering a pre-order discount for early adopters.
Tumbleweed claims this is the first narrow Q-factor production fatbike:
A custom bottom bracket yoke and 73mm Phil Wood EBB (Eccentric Bottom Bracket)allows for maximum tire and mud clearance while maintaining a narrow pedalling stance and allowing the use of many off-the-shelf mountain bike cranks. The EBB allows the rider to set BB height and tension the chain, all while keeping the rear wheel locked in the correct position.
Looks like the mud clearance might be coming in handy soon.
The bike uses common mountain bike parts and existing standards, allowing for easier part sourcing – handy when traveling in remote or international locations. Designed around the 14 speed Rohloff hub for maintenance freeshifting, the Prospector is also front and rear derailleur compatible.
In case you’re not sure what a remote location looks like, they’ve helpfully included this picture.
Looks a lot nicer than ‘Calderdale Clag Grey’, or ‘Rochdale Canal Brown’. Take us to where the skies are this colour. Please.
Yes, there would do nicely. Bring on the adventure.
The bike is built for flexibility, so as well as gearing options, there’s wheel size options too – there’s tyre clearance for 26×4″ on 65mm rim (Rohloff SPEEDHUB or singlespeed only), 29×3.0″ on 50mm rim, or 27.5×3.25″ on 50mm rim.
Built with 135mm symmetrical QR rear hub spacing and 135mm fork spacing for rear disc spaced hubs, allowing front and rear wheel interchangeability.
Replaceable derailleur hanger.
Chainring clearance is 24-38 Mountain Double, or 24-32-42 Mountain Triple. Chainring clearance is only limited when the Eccentric BB is in the far rearward position. Larger chainring combinations may be used if this rear position is avoided. In order to use a 3″ tire with derailleurs, a 1x or offset 2x crankset must be used.
With front and rear rack and fender mounts, three water bottle mounts on the frame, and triple water bottle mounts on fork, you can carry as much as your legs will handle.
If all that tickles your fancy, or you just want a further distraction for your inbox, here’s a video about the bike and the testing it has been through. We’re off to plan some adventures. Let’s hope they’re not all just pipedreams.
Can’t see the video? Click here.
