Will it take qr as well? It is horizontal dropouts but I didn’t know you could do that. But I’m guessing bolt through would be better? Anyone care to shed some light on this? (:

Just looked at my ECR, I need 10mm bolt throughs! I’m guessing Shimano don’t make those? and thanks for the suggestion ton (:

I don’t think that anyone really looks at it that much, as to see the stealing aspect. Just ooh, free breakfast! Or food. xD

Jesus was about to post this exactly! Sorry to hijack your thread… But if anyones got anything in Cornwall or something, near the beach – do let me know! Everything is booked :(

Thanks for your replies everyone! They’re much appreciated (: I don’t actually have much money to spend, so if I was going to get a Hope, I’d be looking at used. The price difference between Hope and Shimano is pretty extreme, with an SLX costing £27 compared to £140 of the Hope, I mean that’s a 560% odd price difference. I’m touring in the UK pretty much, so I guess spares with hope won’t be an option. I’m wondering if the Shimanos with their Cup and Cone setup will be vulnerable to rust? Absolute last thing any bikepacker wants. And then there’s that ultra loud sound everyone talks about from the hopes. Just even more frigging confused. Can anyone reccomend me specific models? Just to end the dilemma! Thank you.

ECR all the way, just waiting on some hubs! And hey, what’s your beef with fatbikes?

The blackburns aren’t exactly much cheaper, with the Outpost front rack being £69.99 and the OMM being £89.99….

Reading the SP PD-8, they claim an efficiency of 73%, I mean that thrashes the Shimano’s 53% and even the Schmidt’s 64%. It seems like a no brainer, I think I’ll go for that? Thanks @steezysix. and @robdeanhove, you’ve sold me! :)
EDIT: the logo and etching on the SP looks incredibly generic… :S

Right, going to buy one now, which specific one? I’m confused on the Shimano alfine dh-s501 vs the nexus dh-3n72. Or should I just get the SP-PD10? My biggest fear is drag… Thanks y’all :)

The marin looks decent, but I’m looking at building an indestructable 200mm freeride beast. Anyone got any suggestions for a steel full sus frame?

@richpips while good, it is still too expensive to be viable :(

@BigJohn, you are so right! I think I might just do this, if all doesn’t work out with the train stuff :) What a brilliant idea. And you’re so right about discovering them unexpectedly and slowly. In fact, I most probably will do that!

@woody I haven’t got a tent, but I really wanted to get one; I went camping for the firs time and absolutely loved the serenity of it all! Those tent bags would fit like a frame bag in the triangle of a bike…

@Jambalaya it does defeat the spontaneniouty and freedom that the whole adventure is about, exactly as edlong remarked

@plyphon, I’m sorry about your experience, I really am, but if anyone wants to treat me like shit, they can go **** themselves because I’m not having it. If I was to go though, I would call up to avoid any bullshit though, you know? :)

@scud, it definetely is an option! Those websites look really good thanks, I’m curious about what kind of people would be willing to offer specifically “cyclists” accomodation, it almost hints at something unpleasant… And that sustrans route is waay too far, I’ve never been out of London on my bike before! The idea of going on a sort of route sounds good actually, because then you’ll know your going somewher nice and not just cycling to hounslow!

@Cheekymonkey! Megabus does sound like an option, but it doesn’t seem like a preferable option, I think I’ll just do what BigJohn said, my worry is that of running out of food and water :S

Thanks for the advice guys, the genesis looks brilliant but it’s not out til next year, and I wanted to build something for this summer! And tbh I’d rather just go with the Surly seeing that the Singular is the same price. Surly it is I guess! Still don’t get why they’re so expensive, it’s annnoyingggg

Wow, good point. So you don’t think it’s worth spending that extra on the Surly?