Minus a dynamo, GPS and a custom frame bag, my bike is almost complete. Wanted to see if there was anything missing or anything useful to know from those with experience.
Chromoly 4130 frame
26 inch wheels/ Schwalbe Marathon
3×7 STX drivetrain
Deore V brakes
by Euphoric_Fly_6699
5 Comments
Looks real nice. Personal preference but I like a handlebar bag a lot for easy mid-ride access to things like my phone and snacks.
Get a rearview mirror, otherwise looks solid.
Are you thinking about a bottle dynamo or a hub dynamo?
I’ve had both in the past, and honestly, I was never a fan of the bottle dynamo. It always felt like it was dragging, and getting it to press just right against the tire was a constant hassle.
Hub dynamos, on the other hand, are a real upgrade. If you choose a good-quality one, they run super smoothly with barely any resistance. Plus, you can get adapters that give you a USB port perfect for charging your phone or power bank during the day while you ride! Besides that great job!
Hi, nice build.
Repairs no how to change a rear wheel flat while the bike is loaded. know how to boot or repair the tire if it gets a big cut. know how to tune the shifters & derailleur cables for proper index shifting.
are those grip shifters? be able to repair and/or replace the cable. if they’re new you likely will not have a problem, but having to fix those on the road is not fun.
Visibilty:
https://www.bicycling.com/bikes-gear/g20017365/the-science-of-being-seen-a-guide-to-safer-riding/
after getting hit by a car the first two phrases you’ll hear ( if you’re conscious ) are “are you OK?” followed by “I didn’t see you.”
bio-motion: the best way to be noticed by drivers is to highlight your pedaling motion. put on hi-vis yellow socks, reflective white straps, led lights on your ankles, &/or reflective material on the pedals & crank set to achieve better visibilty (see article above)
reflective tape: the fenders, and possible the pedals or crankset are good spots to add reflective tape. buy from big box or small hardware store white, red, &/or yellow reflective tape. also, white reflective tape more effectively reflects white car headlights.
Lighter is better, but do not sacrifice functionality for weight. Reference the ultralight sub here as well as CrazyGuyOnABike and old Igor Kovse blogs. https://ultralightcycling.blogspot.com/?m=1
Security: security wheel skewers are worth the cost. I use security wheels skewers as well as two cheap lightweight word combo cable locks …. and a heavy D-lock, of course, for the frame. Someone would have to break the cheap word locks And deal with the wheel security skewers so I’ve yet to have my wheels stolen.
When my komoot route sent me down a steep and loose MTB gravelroad in France I was happy I had hydraulic disk brakes. I have V brakes on my commuter and those pads would have worn out fast on that type of terrain with a fully loaded bike.