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.
