Black Packing Light
  • Sections
  • Today’s Features
  • Subscribe
  • Sign In
  • Subscribe
  • Home
  • Email Newsletter
  • Membership Info
  • Articles
    • Recent Features
    • Gear Reviews
    • State of the Market Reports
    • Gear Guides
    • Gear Lists
    • Skills & Techniques
    • MYOG
    • Science, Technology & Testing
    • Stories
    • Calendar
  • Education
    • Podcast
    • Webinars
    • Masterclasses
    • Online Courses
    • Guided Treks
    • Education Portal
  • Forums
    • Forum Index
    • Recent Forum Posts
    • Gear Forums
    • Gear Swap (Buy/Sell)
  • Gear Recommendations
  • Gear Deals

Backpacking Light

Pack less. Be more.

New bike!

Home › Forums › Off Piste › Bikepacking & Bicycle Touring › New bike!

Viewing 10 posts - 1 through 10 (of 10 total)
Forums are supported by our merchant partners (disclosure)
REI (Coupons) • ZPacks • Hyperlite • Patagonia • Arc'teryx • RBTR • Drop • Backcountry • Feathered Friends • CampSaver • Gaia • Mountain Hardwear
Gear Deals • Gear Search
Login to post (Basic Membership required)
  • Author
    Posts
  • Jul 24, 2018 at 7:26 pm #3548258
    Dale Wambaugh
    BPL Member

    @dwambaugh

    Locale: Pacific Northwest

    I’ve been riding thrift store and yard sale FrankenBikes for years and decided to get a new one. This is my first new bike since 1990!

    It’s a Kona Dr Dew with 650b x 47mm WTB Horizon tires and 1×11 SRAM drivertrain. I added a new taller stem and Jones SG 2.5 loop handlebars, Racktime Addit and Topit racks (with a Wald basket zip-tied to the front ), NiteRider lighting, Sigma BC 8.12 computer, Mirrycle mirror and a rear mount kickstand. I also dropped the chainring from the stock 38 teeth to a more hill-friendly 34 tooth version.

    My wife and I ride a lot of paved and gravel rail trails and I continued with a modern version of my old hybridized mountain bike running 26×2 touring tires. The geometry on the Dr Dew is within millimeters of the Kona Sutra touring bike. It is very stable and the long wheel base and chainstays give a better ride and more heel clearance for panniers. I can go Spartan UL with a couple waterproof stuff sacks or do the classic pannier thing. A Z-rest fits perfectly behind the basket.

     

    I have now added bar tape to the lower loop for alternate hand positioning.

    FYI, if you bike has mid-fork braze-ons, the Racktime Topit front rack is available at Sierra Trading Post for $25. Racktime is marketed by Orltieb and designed by Tubus.

    Jul 24, 2018 at 11:20 pm #3548287
    Greg Mihalik
    BPL Member

    @greg23

    Locale: Colorado

    Sweet!

    Jul 25, 2018 at 4:39 pm #3548369
    Ben C
    BPL Member

    @alexdrewreed

    Locale: Kentucky

    Nice looking bike.  You have it pimped out nicely.

     

    Jul 29, 2018 at 2:14 pm #3548837
    Andrea C
    BPL Member

    @andreagattonero

    The bars are well above the saddle line, so you will end up with a lot more weight on the rear than what you should have. On the flat is not a big deal, as long as you avoid potholes and very rough terrain, as the rear wheel may suffer from breaking spokes and the likes.

    Jul 29, 2018 at 3:06 pm #3548843
    Dale Wambaugh
    BPL Member

    @dwambaugh

    Locale: Pacific Northwest

    I have arthritis in my neck, so an upright riding position is really necessary. I’m also a weird fit, with short arms and legs and long torso.

    I ride dynamically, getting off the saddle in rough stuff and using my legs as a spring. Gravel rail trails are usually the roughest stuff I ride.

    I’ve been riding this style for years and never broke a spoke. Millions of Dutch and Danish riders use upright bikes with no big deal.

    Skinny high pressure tires and lighter spokes and rims would be more prone to damage. What I’m riding on is more mountain bike style and they take huge jumps and bumps.

    There is some power loss in a more upright position, but it’s that or no riding.

    Jul 29, 2018 at 4:41 pm #3548852
    Casey Bowden
    BPL Member

    @clbowden

    Locale: Berkeley Hills

    How do you like the 1×11 drivetrain?

    Jul 29, 2018 at 4:52 pm #3548853
    rubmybelly!
    BPL Member

    @sleeping

    Locale: The Cascades

    What a beauty Dale! Nicely done, sweet bike. Do you go tubeless for added comfort?

    Jul 29, 2018 at 6:47 pm #3548865
    Dale Wambaugh
    BPL Member

    @dwambaugh

    Locale: Pacific Northwest

    The 1×11 drivetrain was too tall with a 38 tooth chainring. Dropping to 34 was easy with no chain modifications and a simple b-line adjustment which SRAM makes a handy dandy gauge for setting. I like the simplicity.

    I haven’t gone tubeless yet  Those WTB Horizon tires are more spupple and lighter that the 26×2 Schwalbe Marathons on my other bike—- if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it!

    Here’s my latest mod, now that I have named the bike “Waldo” (decal from bikenames.com)


     

     

     

     

     

    Jul 30, 2018 at 2:45 am #3548942
    Ethan A.
    BPL Member

    @mountainwalker

    Locale: SF Bay Area & New England

    Dale that’s one sweet bike, enjoy! I hope you share some of your adventures with Waldo. Would like to him loaded up once you get a chance to pack for a trip.

    Jul 30, 2018 at 3:40 am #3548951
    Dale Wambaugh
    BPL Member

    @dwambaugh

    Locale: Pacific Northwest

    The plan is to use to light panniers, a 20 liter dry bag on top of the rear rack and a 13 liter on the front rack or in the basket. That will give me more room than my multi-day pack.

    We ride a lot of rail trails and I want to do a trip on this one in September: https://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/palouse-to-cascades-trail-rattlesnake-lake. I can ride from the Seattle suburbs to the Colombia River on this one.

  • Author
    Posts
Viewing 10 posts - 1 through 10 (of 10 total)
  • You must be logged in to reply to this topic.
Log In

Join our Community Today

A Membership is required to post in the forums.

View Membership Options

Forum Menu

Backpacking Light forums are moderated and here to foster helpful and positive discussions. View the guidelines.
  • Main Forum Index | Recent Topics
  • Gear Swap | Gear Deals | Chaff | BPLTrac
  • Forum Support Docs | Posting Guidelines

Latest Online Course

trek planning masterclass title image Trek Planning Masterclass - now available on-demand.
View all online courses »

Want outdoor gear and skills info you can really trust?

Get our Handbook - the resource you need to make intelligent decisions about gear, safety, comfort, and pack weight.


Gear Recommendations

  • Publisher’s Gear Guide
  • Staff Picks
  • Guide’s Gear Recommendations
  • Our Lightweight Gear Recommendations for REI Members
  • Today’s Gear Deals
  • Search for Gear on Sale

Subscribe Right Now

Receive new Members-only content, gain access to 2,000+ articles in the archives, and become a part of the most passionate community of backpacking experts in the world.
Subscribe Now
  • Backpacking Gear Reviews
  • Backpacking Skills
  • Backpacking Trips
  • Backpacking & Outdoor News
  • Outdoor Recreation Science & Technology
  • Backpacking Courses, Webinars & Other Events

Follow Us

Get outdoor skills and gear info you can trust.

Download the Backpacking Light Handbook to help you make intelligent decisions about gear, skills, ultralight philosophy, and reducing your pack weight.

Join Now: Support fair and objective product reviews.

Something for everyone: Basic, Premium, and Unlimited Membership options available.

View Subscription Options

More @ Backpacking Light

  • About Us
  • Jobs
  • Advertise with Us
  • Write for Us
  • Submit a Product for Review
  • Diversity Grants
  • Help / Support / Contact
  • Terms & Policies

Call Us

Membership Sales & Support: 406-640-HIKE (406-640-4453) | About

© Copyright 2001-2021 BEARTOOTH MEDIA GROUP, INC. | U.S. Library of Congress Serial Registration ISSN 1537-0364
BACKPACKING LIGHT® and the FEATHER/MOUNTAIN icon are registered trademarks granted for exclusive use to Beartooth Media Group, Inc. Subscribe here.

  • Subscribe
  • Log In
  • My Account
  • Forum Profile
  • Private Messages
  • Newsletters
  • My Course Enrollments
  • Unlimited Membership Portal
  • Help / Support / Contact