Forum menu
I've always found that sort of set up to be unpleasantly flexy, obviously the adaptor is pretty much the same thing but I run it as low as I possible which reduces the flex. I think an even shorter, higher rise stem will give me what I need.
Of course an important element in this thread was good old fashioned N+1 desire!
The universal Nemesis 😉
Have you considered Jones loop bars as an alternative to drops? Lots of hand positions for touring comfort and no compromise offroad IME.
There is as yet no one bike which brings together adequately; acceptable speed, position, and lightness of a road bike; the strength, stability and adaptability of a tourer; or the right handling and full tyre clearance of an mtb.
I think thats the case with most things, e.g. you don't go offroading with an F1 car. 🙂
I would still like to try a Cutthroat with a carbon MTB wheelset, the lightest 100mm suspension fork available, an Eagle drop bar groupset, fast XC tyres, flared drop bars, and a dropper post. 😀
hollyboni, you mean like this, although it doesn’t have suspension forks:
Arrgh, my eyes!
Oddly, I recently bought an old (more recent than yours) Lava Dome off here for exactly the same purpose you want to replace yours.
Surly Ogre with Jones bars
I use it for touring with the kids. With strong wheels, racks and panniers
And I use it for bike packing after swapping wheels and tires and ditching the racks
It's a lovely bike . Everytime I get back on it after riding my other bikes, it just feels right and full of possibilities.
In fact I'm doing the French Divide on it. Starting tomorrow.
Re picture requests for the Kona, I seem to be incapable of posting from Flickr which is where I've always put pics to post on here in the past. Can anyone remind or re-educate me?
Otherwise, I've just had 3 brilliant days on the old faithful and think a new stem might be more appropriate than a new bike but thanks again for all the suggestions. Can't help but feel that those old Konas were well ahead of the game and it's great to think in this throwaway society that my parents bought me something aged 15 that I'm still using at 42!
I recently bought an old (more recent than yours) Lava Dome off here
You're lucky I remembered I'd donated my nice 26" wheels to my son because I very nearly snapped that one up quickly 😀
Hi Dave
(waves!)
I may have the answer! How about a Surly Troll? £499 from Triton in a 16 inch frame and fork set. Designed to run 26 or 650b. Fully rack mounted up the wazoo. No pissing about with silly press fit nonsense. Oh and you can run them with drop bars.
Weight wise, I doubt you will notice any difference but they are great bikes.
I have a Fargo and love it. It would mean more expense for you though. The question I would ask is whether you would pay a few hundred more for one that you would get 28 years use out of?
A bit left field but have you considered a Cotic Escapade? I currently run a gravel bike that does 700c x43 with ease and 650b up to a 2.2 (and more at the front). The Cotic is a similar idea. Given your cross skills, I reckon that would be a great choice for you. Rack points on the frame too! I am loving the versatility both on and off road of gravel bikes.
Auch just buy a new bike. The Kona owes you nothing. Start making new memories with your next bike!
Sanny
Cheers Sanny, need a get together at some point!
Auch just buy a new bike.
I'm faithful Sanny, not a bike slut like you!
I admire your faith no matter how misplaced it is!
I prefer the term bike connoisseur. Bikeslut is a tad too pejorative for my sensitive soul!
Oh and aye to a ride! The Gorms? Torridon? Afric?
+1 for the Fargo which is also run with Jones Loops.
Keep Peddaling built a ti one which might be on their gallery.
The mtbr fargo thread has just about every combination of Fargo build in there somewhere.
http://forums.mtbr.com/salsa/salsa-fargo-thread-467422.html#post13760324
Ti456 here - brilliant touring bike - just spent 5 days cycling round Mayo / Galway on mine in July and was spot on