Genesis Vagabond – anyone got one?

wzzzz can you show pictures of your build?

what crank/bb did you pick?

can you do THIS[/url] on Vagabond?
maybe using fender mounts?

Hi all

I have had my vagabond since they first hit the shops back in spring – it’s my go to bike for generally messing around or when I get bored with the more ‘serious’ bikes + I love it when I can cruise past a group of roadies on pretty beefy tires 🙂

I am just wondering what others have done with the bar end shifters – I love the whole bike apart from these tools of Satan – I was looking to go down the STI route, hydraulic brakes but have heard mixed results with road shifters and mtb gearing – what is everyone else using? I want to try to keep the original gear ratio, just change over to sti (prepared to swap the group set out if necessary !) anyone using a sram set up on theirs ?

Best
Lee

What’s up with the bar-end shifters? They’re simple, they shift fine. Ok, I bang my knees on them maybe twice a ride, but I don’t see that brifters would be a massive improvement.

I wouldn’t say there is anything ‘wrong’ with them other than it can be a PITA moving from a bike with STIs to my vaggy – I suppose it’s a matter of preference for me (and it will stop be trying to shift with static brake levers !) – just curious to see what others have tried

I looked into the sti/mtb gearing extensively when building my vagabond. From what i gather it is possible but requires a lot of trial and error using road and mtb parts with mixed reports on the results, something to do with struggling to achieve enough pull with sti levels to shift the front chainrings. My only option with alfine was di2 sti shifters so saved the expense and went with a jtek bar end. Personally find the bar end a joy to use and makes the experience a little more tactile and ‘old school’

can be a PITA moving from a bike with STIs to my vaggy

If you want hydraulic brakes and MTB derailleurs just use SRAM, you have the option of 10 or 11speed or 1×11 with the CX stuff.

Gevenalle do shifters that would work

Gevenalle[/url]

I have the road version on My croix de fer and really like it. You can’t shift in the drops though if that bothers you.

Sort of wish I’d bought a Vagabond frame instead of the cdf but seems too much overlap to own both

I use a Paul Comp adaptor to fit a Sram GX shifter to my drop bars. I then run an 11-42 1×11 sram setup. It’s totally awesome, if you’re amenable to not being able to shift from the hoods or the drops. I don’t find that a problem at all.

I’ve had the verniers out and looking at the clearances I think you can probably fit a 2.3 (maybe 2.4) in the back if you go for a 1×10/11 drivetrain.
The fork will defo fit a 3″ tyre in.

So I’m thinking of trying out a 29+ish set-up on it next weekend. Should be fun!

ajantom – The idea of a 29+ish setup on the Vagabond excites me! I’ve run a pair of Maxxis Ardents (2.25 rear) on mine and found there to be sufficient mud clearance running a 2×10 drivetrain – you should be fine. Keeps us updated, pictures please! 😀

Can anyone tell me the axle-to-crown measurement of the fork?

Has anyone tried 27.5+ wheels? I’m sure the fork would allow it. Just wondering if 27.5+ would fit the rear.

Would fitting flat or alt bars with a shorter stem be a totally stupid idea on a vagabond? The understated looks of the 2017 white frameset would suit the build I am after.

Can anyone tell me the axle-to-crown measurement of the fork?

Has anyone tried 27.5+ wheels? I’m sure the fork would allow it. Just wondering if 27.5+ would fit the rear.

Don’t know the A-C, but a 29+ wheel fits in the fork fine, so 27.5+ would easily.
As far as the back goes, I think you might squeeze in a 2.8, but it’s be close.

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 1×9 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:

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.

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.