Nice. Can you actually fit a 29+ wheel in the back? How long are the chainstays? And how high’s the BB?

Lots on ebay. Search for 29 plus mtb frame

This is worth a look https://www.anturasmor.co.uk/race

Not done it (but have done bits) and I reckon it’ll be a great ride or a part of it could be part of your plan

It’s been hot out there today. Currently relaxing at the White Horse, Graffham, after a glorious day of roadying around E Sussex. Have a good one OP and stay safe

Velocity Dually

Halo do some too, I think

I’ve said this before but I much preferred the Gap on a rigid bike as part of a bikepacking loop. It’s all about the scenery.

There are much better routes in the area. Check out Lord Hereford’s Knob.

BB200

Seems a lot to spend on a rigid fork to pair with a cheap (albeit nice) frame. Ask on the classified for a used rigid fork? I’ve an od Swift fork I could probably be tempted to part with, if it’s any interest.

Also, I’d make sure you can get a plus tyre in the front (which rules out my Swift fork ). I favour 29+ but even 27.5+ is good on a rigid bike.

As for gearing, I’d go 2x personally. I still run 3×9 on my bikepacking bike and I’m not planning to change any time soon. There’s everything from road to vertical bog on the rides I do and lots of gears works for me.

Gotta be a Stooge

Someone asked a similar question on the Bearbones forum (Bargain alert thread, I think). The advice was to check the hydrostatic head as it seemed very low.

Hire a digger, excavate a massive pit across the full width of the right of way, fill it with liquid cow shit and rotting animal carcases. That’ll show her.

Amazing stuff! Well done to Alex, Lee, Javi and all the other riders

Just Riding Along

Us bots don’t get to meet real people 😕

Head over to the Bearbones forum. There’s Torino-Nice and, I think, a Spain coast to coast being organised plus other less organised stuff.

Too many variables. Just take the win and move on

Weigh up the consequences of your actions for yourself and others.

Don’t bow to the unreasonable wishes of authorities or the rich and powerful.

Make your own judgement.

Crack on.

I was riding slowly on a footpath the other day (wide, armoured surface, clear line of sight). As a responsible person I stopped early and pulled over to let a pedestrian pass. I smiled and gave a cheery hello and in response got ‘This is a footpath you shouldn’t be riding here’. I politely and cheerfully explained that I wasn’t doing any harm. The answer was ‘It’s not about harm, it’s about the rules’. I rode off.

Some people feel the need for rules for their own sake; others don’t.

There are some great tents and shelters on Aliexpress. I have a Trailstar copy and a single-pole ‘tent’ that’s a little similar to the SMD Deschutes shelter and can be pitched outer or inner only or both together. Both are amazing for the price (about £40-50).

You can, of course, boil water in a plastic bottle using whatever heat source is to hand.

I’m not recommending this BTW 😀

I have a UK Hammocks one which is great but I don’t think you’ll get one in time. Cumulus seems to be the usual recommendation. I know lots who swear by them.

Needs more for gravel bikes. Otherwise what’s the point?

Blimey, just realised I’ve been SSing for 10 years now. I have geared bikes too but can’t imagine not having a singlespeed.

I use a 20 with a lanyard, although it’s never fallen off any genuine or copy mount I’ve used. Agree with all the above. Separate batteries and no touch screen are big advantages for me.

Thanks all for your input. I’ve gone with the Aqua 20 – £32 from some motorbike website.

Why do my posts keep failing to appear?

Anyone used an Oxford Aqua 20? Looks like what I need and the smaller (too small) version gets a good review

Thanks. Looked at the Lomo but I think it’s a bit big for what I need. 20 litres would be nearer the mark, I reckon.

will have a look at the Osprey.

Is your house built on the site of a plague pit? I seem to remember something similar happening in an episode of Scooby-Doo

Middle age? Pah! I can barely remember it

It’s all pretty sloppy still

If it’s well stuck at the sides then you’ll be fine anyway IME. That’s the bit of the tape that’s creating the seal.

I tried foam grips but find Ergons comfier. Mine are taped like Whitestone’s. It took a bit of experimenting to get the angle right but they are great now I’ve got them set up right for me.

I’ve just built up a Smuggler (bargain frame from Merlin, bargain Fox 34s from Germany) for exactly what you’ve described and well under budget. I’ve always found longer travel bikes a bit dull in the Surrey hills. YMMV.

I ride both – SPDs on my singlespeed, rigid mtb and road bike, flats on full sus and fatty.

These days I prefer flats for mucking about but I do feel spds are more efficient for pedaling (happy to admit this may be placebo) and definitely prefer them for SS when gurning up a steep hill at max heart rate.

Flats can help improve technique, both by forcing you to work out how to lift the wheels without pulling up and by giving more confidence when manualling etc. However, ehen I first tried them I noticed I was dabbing at points where I’d have just pushed on through when clipped in, so it can maybe go both ways.

I get more pedal strikes with flats and I’ve had to get a boot dryer because Five tens are made of sponge.

Tasty!

Fleegles are great. There are two types and the wider ones are 710mm, I think. May only be available in 25.4 diameter so you might need a shim. Mine were super cheap.

Tap in your favoured geo, frame material, spec, budget, colour, etc and the app tells you what to buy. Bingo – STW is redundant.

Try Point North or Pennine Outdoor for fabric, velcro, webbing, etc:

Point North
Pennine Outdoor

I’ve mainly used 1k denier pu coated nylon for frame bags. It’s burly and not the easiest to work with. Others have used 500d or less with good results.

Take your time to plan and check what your doing as you go. It’s easy to sew things back to front if you’re not careful. If you’re like me your first attempt will be serviceable but not pretty. The next ones will be better.

Look on YouTube for how to vids.

The only other thing I’d say is that there’s a lot more choice of bags to buy now and some of the cheap ones make it less worthwhile to sweat over a sewing machine. Check out Lomo as a good example.

No idea on value but that is in very good nick and possibly the nicest Five I’ve seen. How come it’s got no battle scars? My bikes all look shagged within a ride or two :(

Love this thread and it definitely inspired me. Over the last seven years I’ve made frame bags, bar harnesses, seatpacks, stoves and tarp accessories. I’ve bought, mats, bivvies, tarps, filters and all sots of other toys. But more importantly I’ve had some cracking adventues, from overnighters near home to longer trips through Wales and the Highlands.

Obviously technique is critical but If a swept bar puts your hands (and thus your body weight) further back, it will tend to make it easier to lift the front. Just like reversing your stem, only probably less dramatically.