So how do you size a Vagabond? Like a road bike or 29er? I'm trying to figure out whether to go shorter t/t and longer stem (road) or longer t/t and shorter stem (29er). Further complicated by my stumpy 30" inseam legs (although I'll only be riding road/gravel/bridleways so standover not so critical) and the Vagabond's massive head tube length! Any fitting advice or experience would be gratefully received. Thanks.
I'm 6ft with 32"ish inseams. On a large, and it feels spot on. I imagine 2" less on the leg would be fine, maybe run s slightly shorter stem?
Build-wise/reach/etc it feels a nice halfway house between a 29er and a road bike.
https://flic.kr/p/QmpMHp
Well, just put what i think is the final touches to my build (aka vince) and the result is spot on, loving the ride quality. Feels nimble, smooth and rolls along great on both tarmac and gravel track. My build spec as follows :
Fsa orbit headset, nitto noodle bars, cane creek brake levers, trp spyre slc brakes, alfine 8 (16t sprocket, 32t chainring, sturney archer crankset, m324 pedals, sporthub front hub, genesis seatpost, brooks b17 saddle, system x 35degree stem, landcruiser 40c tyres.
Might change tyres eventually to halos but chuffed to bits with everything as is for the moment. Tried various combos before settling so any queries feel free to ask.
Hi guys, thanks for all the info in this thread! I'm thinking of putting together a vagabond as a budget touring / bikepacking machine - I've got a loft load of MTB parts and don't really get on with drop bars, so was wondering if anyone had built one up with flat or riser bars?
I've got very long legs so generally prefer a high front end and not too much reach - the geometry of the vagabond looks good, though I've got no idea how it would ride!
Also, would it take an MTB triple chain set?
Thanks!
unlucky - just placed an order with LBS for 2017 frameset, plan to build it with flat bars & mtb triple chainset, will let you know if i run into any problems - however I'm not the most sensitive rider to any issues with bar position 😳
Thru Axles: 9mm front and 10mm rear QR thru axles Superstar components - BIGGEST IMPROVEMENT TO RIDE QUALITY! THIS IS A MUST!
why would this be, can't really see that it would give much benefit on a rigid frameset?
So excited!! Just ordered my Vagabond frameset from Freeborn. I was after a purple 2016 one, but I just missed out and they seem to have sold out everywhere. I called up Freeborn and they did me a white 2017 frameset for the 2016 price of £289. A bargain me thinks!
I'm 5'11 and have been riding successfully a single speed Planet X Kaffenback in a medium size for the last 5 years. It's been great, but the roads round our way are getting worse and since having a baby and sleeping a lot less, the 14mile daily commute is becoming a grind. Tow paths and local sandy trails are a bit dicy on 28c tyres as well. It's time to stop chasing Strava personal bests and just enjoy the ride. Hence the Vagabond!
I've alway preferred medium frames rather than large, and by sticking with this I'm hoping I've made the right choice with the Vagabond. The reach on the Kaffenback is 385mm and the Vagabond reach is stated as 375, but I ran bull horns on the Kaff (which felt a little over stretched when holding onto the horns), and going to be trying out flared drops (Genetic Flare 440mm) so I can get low and long when I choose.
Will be rebuilding my wheels and ditching my crappy Alfine 8 hub (which keeps popping out of gear) and going for a 9 speed mtb cassette with an indexed thumbshifter experimental arrangement.
Will post pics!
- Dickyboy please let us see yours when you're done!
Cheers Dickyboy - it'd be good to know how you get on! I just ordered a frameset too so will give it a go and see what happens... Will post some pics when it's done. I'm with you actually - I've had so many bikes in different sizes I'm not sure I know what a bike should even ride like any more 😀
I'm building mine as a triple because that's what I have available, but I'd be interested to see your 1x9 provdes, when it's finished - hope you find the fit OK!
Hmm - despite being able to buy cheaper mail order, LBS were offering 10% off so i checked delivery period and duly ordered 2017 frame - sadly I feel my low expectations of LBS's is about to be reinforced 🙁
LBS have not disappointed - frame arrives today, was just distributers being a bit slow off the mark 🙂
^Great excite!
Have been following this thread on and off with interest. Are you still going with flat bars*?
I ask because have often thought how they would feel on mine, if only to see how far I can push the 'versatile' one-bike-to-rule-them-all tag.
But that means buying bars, shifters and cables and I'm skint so maybe another day/let someone try it first!. Albeit my most likely scenario (as I like the drops for distance/multi-surface) will be to fit slightly wider flared drops and inline levers to cover all bases, as it were.
*Vicarious victory!
Gonna try it with flats / on one OG bars and see how I get on.
I watched that almost new one that was in the classifieds here, go for a bargain £385 on ebay but I don't have the cash 🙁
Kept telling myself that in reality I already have all the parts apart from flared bars and brake calipers so however much a bargain it was, it'd only further bloat my spares box with a load of deore/tektro/oem stuff that would never get used and I should just buy a frame. I keep telling myself anyway.
Tinas - wow £385 - I was offered it for £500 before eBay & like you l didn't need any more parts than the frame, plus I wanted a white one 😳
I watched that £385 bike go too... Very nearly jumped in there, but I'm glad I've gone the frame route.
Got my Vagabond frameset a couple of days ago, unboxed it last night and fitted the headset. I was initially a bit gutted I couldn't get a purple 2016 one, but after unwrapping the white version I am well happy!
There are lots of nice little design details on the graphics (that Genesis don't show on their own website) and everything is well finished. I've seen neater welds but for the price I'm not complaining!
(If i'd known about the green on the frame, I may have got me some shiny green anodised bits to match...)
Here's some pics:
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The frame and fork comes with sealed bearing headset (looks good quality but no branding), seatpost clamp (not QR), aheadset cap (Genesis branded - looks nice though), a load of headset spacers, cable adjusters in the frame (by the headtube), bolts in all the bottle bosses etc and even a little pot of touch up paint.
I built the back wheel at the weekend and threw on a 1.95" tyre which I'm considering using for commuting. Not sure whether I'm going to use them for my daily road rides or not yet. I usually use 28c road tyres so the VeeRubber will be alot more comfy but will it feel loads more draggy? I'll have to test and find out I think.
Nice! Great to get touch up paint. I wrote to Genesis last year enquiring about some but they couldn't provide it for the full build (mid-blue) so was out of luck, they suggested I visit an automotive colour matching specialist. Grumble grumble..
Looking forward to seeing your build progress/getting report of flat bar 🙂
Is that dent by the caliper mount meant to be there?
a bit gutted I couldn't get a purple 2016 one, but after unwrapping the white version I am well happy!
That's my consolation too, the flat-blue didn't overly float my boat.
Having a shed clearout now so I've got funds if another one comes along.
Hi guys, this is the Sweden countryside calling…… 🙂
I was excited to finally find a serious thread about the Genesis Vagabond frameset, as I’m considering building me a monster cross bike (a la Kona Sutra LTD) based on this frameset. Hard to find decent info and experiences, so I registered right away when I came across this thread.
Right now I’ve got 2 questions/concerns which I need help with, because there’s no Genesis dealer around in Sweden as far as I can see and I have to order in the UK if it’s going to be the Vagabond.
First of all I wonder if the bottom bracket needs tapping and/or facing or is this done? The closest bike shop I would trust with this job is about 50 miles from my home and I consider the investment in the tools to be a little too stiff seen to the total budget, so this is an important issue info for me.
Then there’s the sizing. No possibilities to do a fit around here, so once again your experiences are of great value for me. I’m 6 feet 10 in length, with an inseam length of 36 inches. I’ve seen that the Vagabonds’ Large offers nearly the same sizing, stack and reach as the Kona Sutra in Large, which fitted me well for the upright position I want on top of the bar. Do you guys agree the Large should fit me fine instead of an XLarge? Or is there a risk with facing issues like toe overlap or heel rubbing?
Well, won’t make it any longer than this for now. Your input is much appreciated and hopefully will lead to me posting my build here in near future! 😀
Is that dent by the caliper mount meant to be there?
Doesn't look right to me either...
Strangely the dint in the fork appears normal.
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Dint in fork is indeed normal ?
6ft 10" - are you a giant nisse or just missing something in translation?
I didn't realise that it was possible to buy the frameset & fork; it's seriously tempting.
It's my 50th birthday at the end of the year and I might treat myself to a new bike build to replace my current steel, carbon forked hardtail which is effectively acting as a 26" adventure bike. Would it be heresy to run one with a flat bar?
Frame and fork 3.88kg
How would that compare to a Singular Swift frame and fork, as that might be another option to build up in a similar way?
Do you guys agree the Large should fit me fine instead of an XLarge? Or is there a risk with facing issues like toe overlap or heel rubbing?
If you really are 6'10" then a large will be too small.
I'm 6ft and on a large Vagabond, and it's a good fit. So an XL might even be on the small side!
Since I got mine at the end of last year it's been my go to bike. Probably done 450-500 miles on it so far. I bought a spare pair of wheels so I can swap easily between MTB tyres and road tyres. Makes life a lot easier!
Would it be heresy to run one with a flat bar?
I know some people are trying this, but I feel it misses the point of the bike.
The geometry isn't really designed for flat bars, and it rides really well with drops - a good set of flared drops gives you so many more hand positions for long days in the saddle.
You'd be taking away some of its versatility by fitting flats.
Pjay - I am just swapping everything over from swift to vagabond, it just wasn't worth getting all the rack mounts etc plus a respray on the swift and forks all this talk of flat bar V drops has he thinking I should do some comparisons between the two during the build 😉
6'1 it is Dickyboy. Don't know where that zero came from 😀
Dickyboy - I'd be interested to know how the two compare (I don't think that the weights would be too dissimilar). The current Swift has rear rack mounts I believe and might be a good choice as a sort of flat bar monstercross/frakenbike.
Hej nisse - the bottom bracket on the Vagabond frameset is threaded, faced and ready to go, standard English thread 68mm.
Yup, the dent in the fork is for brake disc clearance (as long as you're using 160mm discs).
If I was any taller than 5'11" I'd be on a large.
I've always had bullhorns/flats on my road bikes, this will be my first proper try since a kid with drops, but the frame geo just seems to ask for them. However, get the right stem, maybe go a size up on the frame if you're close to the edge, and i don't see why a flat bar wouldn't work.
Thanks for the reply provdes. So, a Large it has to be for me and obviously I can start the project out of the box without fear for bottom bracket issues. Will take the definite decission the coming weekend (some more pictures of your nice build might work confincing) 🙂
Will also take a closer look to where to buy. Suggestions are welcome....
As much as you can compare two frames together swift and vagabond frames are pretty similar, apart from length and weight, EFF top tube is 620 on the swift 590 on the vagabond, but my hardtails are 590 / 600 so I am more than happy to give flat bars a go, swift frame is 2290g vagabond is 2545g both bare apart from seat post clamps, vagabond forks are 1395g uncut whereas the cromotos on the swift are 1055g - all based on large early geared swift & 2017 large vagabond frameset
Got mine built up today! First impressions were mixed - it's finished badly, with the top tube gusset welded well off-centre. I was tempted to return it but I got it pretty cheap through a mate who works for a genesis distributor so just went with it. Maybe it was a factory second - or maybe the quality control guy had had a heavy night...
I raided the loft and used as many old bits as I could to build it up. Just needed wheels. Everything went on no problems at all. The headset it comes with is a good quality sealed bearing one. I didn't cut the steerer down at all as I wanted it fairly high at the front.
I've only done about 10 road miles on it - 10 fast, comfy road miles! It surprised me how quick it felt especially in acceleration. The other first impression I got was how stable it feels. Easiest bike to trackstand I've ever ridden. I'm looking forward to getting racks for it and loading it up. It feels great with the flat bar so far - definitely on the short side but then its a 90mm stem so that's to be expected. The big apples roll over anything - highly recommended!
Nisse - mine is an xl if you would like any measurements. Not to put any doubt in your mind but at 6"1 I think you'll be needing a long seatpost if you go for the large...
Will get some better pics soon. I changed the white grips for black in the end - looks much better. The accidental colour scheme came together well 🙂
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unlucky - looking good! I nearly went for those wheels myself, but ended up raiding the parts bin and building my own. Mine's still not quite built... non-cycling-life keeps getting in the way.
Generally I am really happy so far - the medium size seems like it was the right choice, but I've got a bit of faff to do with bar/seat height and angles etc...
Got a couple of questions though if anyone's got any thoughts.
1. I put in a bottom bracket with a 116mm spindle but had to add a 2mm spacer to stop the 42t chainring hitting the stays. My cranks are some generic cyclocross square taper jobbies, and have served me well on my single speed, but on this frame I can only just get a fag paper in between the ring and stay - a bad thing? Get MTB cranks?
2. Mudguards. I'm running tyres that are just over 45mm wide and want to put a decent set of fenders on this for the next couple of months at least. Any recommendations/advice? Any known pitfalls with the Vagabond? I'm eyeing up these: [url= https://www.bike-components.de/en/Curana/C-Lite-Fender-Set-p28405/ ]https://www.bike-components.de/en/Curana/C-Lite-Fender-Set-p28405/[/url]
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I'd not trust that clearance, either go with a longer BB or MTB cranks.
SKS do blumells in 65mm (they're listed as 28" because that's what 700c touring stuff is nominally), bike-discount.de have them. they fit around 2.1" tyres perfectly. IIRC the only difference between blumells and chromoplastics is the clips, so I'd get some of the chromoplastic clips and fit those to be on the safe side (they pop in/out so release if they clog with a stick or something sending you OTB).
Aaargh, front mech hell has raised it's ugly head, using a mtb triple (24, 32, 42) and a Hutchinson Python 2.0 tyre leaves only a gnats whisker between tyre & mech, tried low clamp, high clamp, even tried a flat bar triple road mech & all will result in "issues" what I think I need is a bottom pull (not dual pull) mech suitable for mtb gearing instead of road - anyone any ideas? or will one of those new fangled direct pull ones work?
Turns out one of the new fangled side swing front mechs solves all my problems even gives enough space for fitting full guards, but going to end up with a rather odd cable route
^ winning!
Thread Needs Pics 😀
I got my frameset from 18 Bikes in Hope, Derbyshire, UK.
Came with the BB and headset faced and chased, and with the headset inserted.
Great guys to deal with and they do mail order. Why not see if they ship to Sweden?
Alex
Thanx for all the tips and advice. I’ll definitely take a second look for the size “unlucky” and as 18 Bikes in Hope do ship to Sweden according their website and also has the Cotic Escapade (another frame I’m really interested in) as an option, I’ll surely get in touch with them sometime soon “Alexpalacefan”.
Looking to join this club.
Pics of front mech and mudguards fitted please! Would be good to know what size tyre and guards you are using too.
Front mech clearance with a 2" tyre & side swing mech
[url= https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/725/32526732831_065649c9e8.jp g" target="_blank">https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/725/32526732831_065649c9e8.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/Ryh1st ]IMG_20170127_182311029[1][/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/48687436@N05/ ]Dicky Boy 500[/url], on Flickr
Nearly finished article, mudguards not yet fitted but loose fitting with these tyres doesn't look too much of an issue
[url= https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/740/31837002693_9b7a57eff7.jp g" target="_blank">https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/740/31837002693_9b7a57eff7.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/QvjXHx ]IMG_20170127_182259541[1][/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/48687436@N05/ ]Dicky Boy 500[/url], on Flickr
Really enjoyed this thread, so much so I've been onto Genesis about the frameset, to see if the colour is due to change as I'm not keen on the white. They are reverting back to the purple with updated graphics. So I'll be ordering one when released later in the year, anyone running theirs on sti's as not keen on the micro shift changers
That looks sorted dickyboy, great job. Be sure to let us know how it handles with those bars 🙂
PS - Tan grips, shirley? 8)
Hello again,
totally forgot to post some reults here. So this is my custom version. The first bikepacking trips (for what it was build) are still to come. But on short rides it felt pretty comfortable and faster then i thought. If anyone got questions i look in here from time to time.
Greetings from germany
Sebastian
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Sebastian that looks to be a great build. I'm thinking about maybe changing my drop bars to something like this. Have you tried any longer trips?
Hey,
unfortunately i haven't got the time yet. August i'll do a trip. But i can't imagine that this Bar wont be comfortable on longer rides.
greetings
Anyone after a frameset ? I have a 3 month old 2017 frameset for sale in classifieds size medium dc
I'm considering dmc's frame - but would want to move over 105 shifters and drive train from a road bike.
From what i can work out in this thread i'd not be able to run a 105 compact double crankset and hollow tech 2 would i? Or could i just run an extra spacer for clearance...guessing not?
