I was looking for a bike that would be used for daily commuting and occasional 2-3 day tourings and may be once a year a week-long backpacking trip.Considering this Boodabike Pulse that has all the features I like. I prefer to ask your opinion about the frame geometry and overall impression – is it good enough do-it-all bike ready for occasional backpacking trips ?
EDIT: My question is particularly about the frame geometry, but all equipment-related suggestions are very welcome too. Also if I buy this one, I’ll start by replacing the brakes by something like shimano XT hydraulic.
[https://boodabike.com/product/booda-bike-pulse-rohloff/](https://boodabike.com/product/booda-bike-pulse-rohloff/)
https://preview.redd.it/0di77me4yxyb1.png?width=2378&format=png&auto=webp&s=a18c37512893a28bacc07a59e639db09432ec79b
https://preview.redd.it/l2k8h0e6yxyb1.png?width=2006&format=png&auto=webp&s=dd3f76a1a54f651321eaf3bb0a55a46d14471d70
by hugovg
5 Comments
That bike will do whatever you want
Belt drive is great and may be great for thousands of miles. But when it fails you can’t repair it and you need to fit another one.
So you might want to make sure you have a spare belt and take it on trips with you since you need to be self reliant for that particular part. The lack of easily available spares or fixing potential are the objections I hear most.
i’d want more tire clearance for really “do it all”
The bike is nice but not perfect. If you live in an area where bike theft is common I recommend using a cheaper bike for commuting. If someone messes with your bike it’s going to hurt much more than an $80 used bike. For a “do it all” bike I’d want clearance for bigger tires and mud. In peanut butter mud that bike wouldn’t even be able to be pushed after about 20’/6m. Those wheels simply wouldn’t be able to turn. You would need to carry your bike. Even if you aren’t going to take it mountain biking dirt roads exist and when dirt roads experience rain you get mud. Mud clearance isn’t something many cyclists think about until they experience mud and their bike stops working. A bike with clearance for big tires AND possible mud can accept a narrower tire but not the other way around. Also if you’re going to use a belt drive I recommend that you carry a spare belt with you on longer trips. Most bike shops don’t keep belts of any kind in stock and it’s even more unlikely that the shop will carry the particular belt that you need.
I am in similar shoes and that I use my bikes mostly for around town commuting And pleasure Rides. I usually do one 4 to 5 day tour every year…. In my humble opinion a gravel Bike is the best fit for both worlds As far as frame geometry is concerned, because both are very comfortable for hours in the saddle and I own two… A ralligh Willard And a state all road… They are both very easy to ride. But the all road is much better for gravel as the tires are wider and fatter.
Good luck and have fun!