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Nice, two wheelsets were something I was considering.
Just found out that there is no availability of small or medium sizes until mid-April. Do I have the patience to wait.....
... Sorry if this has been mentioned already - but does anyone think you'd get a 650b+ in there? Say a 2.8"? Looks like a great bike. I did the GDMBR and a lot of off-pavement touring in Spain with a the Longitude 2017 which runs 2.8" tires. Plus tires are overkill for gravel riding but great on the rough stuff. Would be very interested in a Vagabond for my up coming trip to South Africa as it's mostly gravel/service roads....
am building up my vagabond but have encountered an issue...hope pro 4 hub with sram xd driver and 11 speed sram 10-42 cassette - the 10t sprocket is too close to the chainstay / dropout for the chain to sit on it and clear the frame... scratching my head wondering whats gone wrong
solved - for reference
<span style="color: #444444; font-size: 12px; background-color: #eeeeee;">Just found out that there is no availability of small or medium sizes until mid-April. Do I have the patience to wait…..</span>
We have a 2017 Medium in stock if anyone is interested - reduced from £999 to £799. Could, by the looks of things, get hold of a 2018 Medium for anyone who wanted one too. Smalls a bit harder to come by but feel free to give us a shout and we'll try.
"However, I already have a Surly Krampus, and I’m wondering if there will be too much overlap between the two bikes.
Anyone on here got a Krampus AND a Vagabond?"
Yep 🙂
and no, very different personalities bikewise.
Krampus for 'proper' off-road riding and exploring the woods. Vagabond for gravelling and road bimbling.
Drovercycles, where are you based? Very interest.
edit: got so excited that I missed the ‘ed’ off ‘interested’!
Looks like you’re in Hay and open at 10am tomorrow? Do you take credit cards? Maybe a day out....
Yep we're in Hay. Credit cards fine. Officially closed tomorrow but happy to swing by the shop and show you the bike if you want to come and see it.
Thanks drover. It’ll take 90 minutes or so to drive - can I pop in at 11.30, 12ish?
Sounds good to me! Will see you there and I'll put the kettle on.
Ta v much - see you tomorrow.
Drovercycles, thanks again for opening the shop.
I had a ride when I got home - 25 miles that I normally do on the cross bike, with a few MTB trails thrown in. The bike was excellent, even more fun than I thought it would be. I’m very pleased.
Here's mine..off road
[url= https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2894/34021821030_95662a7794_z.jp g" target="_blank">https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2894/34021821030_95662a7794_z.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/TQoJ6d ].[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/73928339@N03/ ]hop58[/url], on Flickr
and in road set-up
[url= https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4170/33596659663_01c6e8accf_z.jp g" target="_blank">https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4170/33596659663_01c6e8accf_z.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/TbPEqP ]IMG_4926[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/73928339@N03/ ]hop58[/url], on Flickr
I started off with the 1 bike/2 pairs of wheels scenario, but in the end couldn't be arsed changing them around so built up a Longitude just for off-road and I use the Vagabond for gentle off-road and lanes/roads. The tyres are Vittoria hypers 700c x 35mm and are super plush and quite fast rolling...also they'll happily take on tow paths and forest roads. I had a pair of Spa cycles wheels built up for the Vagabond (not shown) with a sp dynohub front hub for night use.
It's a small and I'm 5'8". I love the way it just steamrollers rough lanes/rutted tracks really confidently and it's so, so comfy all day long.
Cheers.
I’m really pleased with mine. Just checked Strava and I’ve done 508km since I bought it from Drover Cycles, just over two months ago. I was a bit concerned that it could be the worst of all things - steel frame and forks, heavy 29er wheels, etc, but it is really responsive and genuine fun even on the road. I’ve mainly been using it for the old fashioned xc type stuff that I would normally use the cx bike on - where I would never take a 150mm fs bike but really want more width than a 32mm cx tyre provides.
I’ve been rediscovering old rocky climbs and holloway type tracks that I haven’t been on for years. My CAADX tyres have gone soft from lack of use!
Partially just to keep this thread alive.
Just given mine its inaugural mudbath at the Badlands CX Sportive. Built from a frame so I reflection on the genesis build. But I love it, so nicely balanced and the handling is spot on in the dropst
A 38t chainring just about clears in the middle position of an mtb chainset. But only just. I'll swap it to the outer position for peace of mind when SSing.
What's the second set of cable guides for on the downtube?
Pros:
Its like a CX bike that isnt trying to kill you and doesn't need quite so mollcoddling thorough rough stuff. I didnt quite expect it to be as competent as it was. It's still a drop bar bike with associated tiny wheelbase but its not bad.
Cons:
I put some old Sb8's on there, theyre the 30tpi oem version, just googled it and it turns out that the 120tpi version is one of the draggiest xc tyres out there. At one point I was pedaling downhill on the road and could still feel the drag!
Selcof bars from PX have issues, the drops feel too short, theyre very stiff, the bend doesn't line up with my brake hoods so theres a lump under my palm when holding them. Some Ritcheys might be coming on payday. The selcof are fine as long as you use thick tape and only really use the drop position.
Sold mine, enjoyed riding it in the dry Chilterns but just wish I'd never sold the Swift it replaced 😒
What’s the second set of cable guides for on the downtube?
I wondered that....my guess is Alfine gear routing. Though you'd have to use a tensioner.
Alfine still only needs one cable on the drive side doesn't it?
I did wonder if it was for a rohlof, but then it would be one open cable and one sealed witch is a bit wierd. And the frame isnt otherwise designed for it.
The only thing I could think of is I found the brake cable didnt bend so well round the headtube so ive routed the brake up the right hand side to give it a gentler bend. But there's easier ways to solve that than doubling up on routing.
I put some old Sb8’s on there, theyre the 30tpi oem version, just googled it and it turns out that the 120tpi version is one of the draggiest xc tyres out there. At one point I was pedaling downhill on the road and could still feel the drag!
My 2017 Vagabond came with SB8s. Not sure which version - I’m guessing they are a cheap own type - but I can’t say that I’ve noticed them being draggy at all. Quite the opposite in fact, but then I spend most of my time on trail MTB tyres these days. What does annoy me about the SB8s is that they clog up with absolutely anything and then spray it everywhere as soon as I pick up speed. I’ve never seen a tyre quite as bad for it as this.
My build. Mostly XT
Jones Loop Bar
Hope BB and Headset
165mm cranks, 40/28:11-36
Vittoria Tyres: Front- Mezcal 2.1, Rear- Mezcal Barzo 2.35 on Crest Rims
Been riding this about on the gravel and bike paths around Edinburgh. Great fun! Hoping to get out for a couple of long rides in Scotland over the Summer.
My only gripe is with myself; at 5'6" (30" inseam) I'm caught between S:M frame sizes. This is the medium but it's frustrating not being able to fit a decent Carradice saddlebag in the back due to lack of clearance... Clarence. Maybe I should have bought a small..?
Your Insta account is private so I can’t see any pics.
Not sure what you mean about the saddlebag? Is it that the seatpist is down too far but would be extended on the small? (I’m on a medium as well, but I’m about 5’10”).
are bar end shifters as horrendous to use as they look?
Bar end shifters are great, much more ‘direct’ feel than any sti type shifter.
You can get adapters to use them on flat bars too.
https://flic.kr/p/2dD6rtV
Loving the new frameset color, just disappointed to see no extra mounts on the forks for maybe some bikepacking duties 🙁
are bar end shifters as horrendous to use as they look?
I thought I'd hate them but I don't miss 'modern' shifters at all when I'm on the Genesis. I wouldn't want to put them on my cx race bike, though. The only annoying bit for me is that I often clunk my knee into them when I dismount, and change gear.
are bar end shifters as horrendous to use as they look?
I'm considering fitting one, I reckon as long as the drops aren't too long it would actually sit nicely just behind your hand most of the time. The geometry really does favour spending the whole time in the drops.
Picked up a Vagabond for my daily commute yesterday. It's actually @provdes old steed.(the other STW owner earlier in this thread.
First ride in today. Thing flies considering the weight!
Need to tweak to bits here and there, but very happy to far.
Pictures to follow 🙂
Anyone with a large considering selling theirs? Still fancy one.
One on ebay at the moment
@jlawie - what's the position like for longer rides? It seems shorter and more upright than a lot of examples.
@cromolyolly - Can't comment on anything over 40k yet.
I've popped a 70mm stem on which feel about perfect for me. I've a host of back issues, so being a little more upright is exactly what I needed.
what’s the position like for longer rides? It seems shorter and more upright than a lot of examples.
I think my longest ride on mine last year was just under 110k, mixed cycle paths, canal paths and the Sarn Helen Roman road into the hills, which is very rough in places. I was fine!
I also rode Gritfest on it - 90km on the first day, 45km on the second. It was a good bike for that event.
I wouldn’t hesitate to take it for even longer rides.
Me and a friend cycled LEJOG on ours (100 miles a day) we both found them very comfy
Cheers guys. I keep shifting between a more "classic" design tour/adventure/gravel bike like the Croix de fer and vagabond style. Can't decide which.
I guess its very much dependent on the distances you plan to ride and the terrain in which its done.
90% of my riding will be on road, but the option to run 2inch (50c) plus tyres gives me far more tubeless options. And the additional drag seems to be negligible between that and my 38c's on my old bike.
Believe the vagabond frame is actually marginally lighter than the CdF as well.
I'm having similar problem deciding to you @cromolyolly . Already have a longitude which I swap plus wheels and 700c wheels between however fancy trying suspension on that and also trying drop bars. Longitude is a large so I think is too long for drop bars, dispite otherwise being similar to a vagabond.
Already have a longitude which I swap plus wheels and 700c wheels between
I thought about a longitude. I've looked at more mtb style bikes and imaged swapping wheels like you and so on. I came to the conclusion for me that a flat bar hooligan bike (so I can manual, bunnyhop things, ridea swoops and jump when the mood strikes) is necessary and a "just ride" on whatever, wherever is also necessary. It just depends on how wherever I want to go.
The escapade is interesting. Tyre clearance for 2 and a bit inches but more traditional, less short and upright. Then I look at vagabonds and the like and think the shorter more upright thing might work.
Of course if I could fit a medium, I could have longer but still upright.
Believe the vagabond frame is actually marginally lighter than the CdF as well.
I don't not know that.
*doublepost.
Cheers guys. I keep shifting between a more “classic” design tour/adventure/gravel bike like the Croix de fer and vagabond style. Can’t decide which.
I've owned both a Vagabond and a classic touring bike within months of each other. *Warning* Big Long Ramble ahead, may be useful, maybe not.
IME/for my purpose a monstercross is jack of all and master of none other than versatility*
A few things i've learned about touring and bicycles.
If was mostly tarmac-touring then my old 531ST touring bike would still be in the stable. It was an utter joy to ride for that specific purpose. Long-legged, roomy, strong-yet-light and almost magically sprightly over rougher roads. With 35c tyres squeezed in it would do easier gravel too, no problem.
After hefting a friends CdF I'm pretty sure that I'd still instead pick the old 1980s custom tourer for the superb ride characteristics on tarmac/minor roads. The more relaxed geometry of the old skooler is also superior, IMO.
As it was, I had to choose one economically priced bike for touring/playing and work (which often involves lugging camera and other kit to out of the way places down miles of farm tracks, bridleways and forest roads). So out went both the old 531 touring bike (which wasn't getting used owing to time constraints, and I needed the cash for a move), and out also went the rigid 26er MTB that I had been using as a general multi-surface gadabout/bike-packer. Living in the super-rainy muddy West Country I also wanted disc brakes if I was going to have one bike. So in came the Vagabond to 'replace' both.
If your riding is to be be more light bike-packing and rough stuff then a monster-crosser is probably the most versatile bike to the point where a simple tyre change takes it from fairly capable long distance tourer* to a capable ATB/rigid MTB. As said, while excelling in neither, it (IME) really excels in versatility.
*At barely 5'10' with a T-Rex arm-to-leg ratio I ride a medium Vagabond which is spot-on with regards comfort and short/medium rides on a variety of stuff. The Vagabond is a short bike in the wheelbase dept. It's also nicely balanced. As such it's a hoot to flick around in the woods, easy to carry over stiles, easy to store, comfy and balanced on long loaded rides. etc -
BUT, were I to be doing mostly long-distance loaded-touring on mostly tarmac then I'd want something slacker, more long-legged and roomier with a horizontal top-tube for more between-frame space. Or maybe even a compromise again except a Vagabond in large size. I've yet to try one.
One final point on all-terrain cycling - I started out riding for fun/exploring and commuting in late 80s early 90s with drop-bar bikes and early rigid ATBs. All steel. Back then I'd use these for all types of riding. Just the joy of getting out and riding on half-decent kit that probably won't break and doesnt rattle. I now discovered that the Vagabond gives all the benefits of that type of riding in a modern package, ie discs, 29ers, big tyres, great standover, and wide drops.
It feels old-skool tough and is a work of well-thought-out simplicity itself. Just get on and ride, maybe not knowing quite where you'll end up, but knowing that you can take a rocky trail, rolling downhill section, miles of moorland or 100 miles of tarmac either way and yet still enjoy the ride in comfort.
Shod with >2.1 tyres the bike feels bombproof. It's also underkeks-wreckingly fast on twisty-jumpy single-track pointing. If you trust your inner Jedi in the drops and use those old skills to float over the roots and rocks at speed then you'll be at the bottom sooner than you imagined, awash in a flood of adrenalin. It grabs a few panniers full of groceries with a shrug, flicking easily in and out of traffic, heads up good visibility. Flip stem for more aero. Just a great all-round bike really.
No, the Vagabond of course doesn't replace either a hardtail or a road-tourer although it will tackle such terrains without killing you or even being a hardship. It's a compromise, yet a great and fun one for my needs/tastes. That, and and I also have a hardtail for more mentalist pursuits. The return of the retro-tourer can wait until I have a dry garage and plenty of spare time. Meanwhile (for me) the Vagabond is the ultimate, economical, simple, strong 'just hop on and ride anywhere' type bike. Last night before bed I had a brain-fart, grabbed the Vagabond rode it around the block just to watch the full moon. I was loathe to return. Also noticed again that it climbs very nicely indeed. Important stuff hereabouts. Already planning tonight's hill-ride + minor-road loop, relishing the anticipation of riding it on this bike. That says it all for me. That, and it's a keeper - as originally hoped 👍🏼 🚵
@Malvern Rider
That exactly as I see it.
Jack of no trades, but still a fun bike to ride.
It'll never replace my hardtail, but it makes my commute to and from work more fun. Especially as its give me the ability to blast through the woods if it takes my fancy.
If you keep posting stuff like that, you are going to cost me money. I'll have to have both to make a legit comparison.
In pictures, it looks like the vagabond has an upwards sloping stem - is that because they out one on, HT angle, something else?
I run a 7 degree stem with it dropped (or upside down).
With a 71 degree headangle, the stem is still pointing up, but not as drastically as most the pictures online show.
The Genesis website shows a 15 degree stem. Which is 22 degrees steeper than what I run.
Frankly...the stem looks ridiculous on the Genesis website (in my opinion of course).
Frankly…the stem looks ridiculous on the Genesis website (in my opinion of course).
It put me off initially. I thought maybe someone had "gnarpooned" it. I should have done the math instead of being lazy.