CP: The Topcross (Low trail CX + touring)

Thank you.
Shifting with a mtb trigger on a drop bar with road brake levers takes some getting used to.
But after a while it is fine. And it is a dirt cheap way of getting 1x10 hydraulic disc group for drop bars.

Why not separate the low rider and Porteur rack? It make it easier that you can keep the small porteur for day to day stuff then attach the Lowrider on it for touring.

I will think about that. Thank you.

That could also make an opportunity to put your lowrider a but lower - isn't yours a bit high with most of the weight above the axle, or is that intentional? AFAIK, the whole point of lowriders is to spread some weight below the fork ends.

Yes you might be right. I haven't had low rider panniers before. I will fill the bags with stuff and try out different positions on the frame before finalizing the design.
I tried googling height of the low riders, but only found rack mounting instructions.

The main disadvantage I have with a big front rack is that it stiffen the front end significantly, not massively so but can felt a little more vibration on your hands (experience with Surly Nice Rack).

Having a porteur rack mounted halfway the fork legs prevent it from stiffen it up too much, ditto to the low rider.

Valid. I will try designing a more modular system.
Any pictures of nice custom solutions are welcome...

I can find them later, but those system can be achieved with OTP rack, e.g. Velo Orange Rando and Tubus Tara.

yes. I see it. Might be smarter just to buy it ;-)

Probably smarter, but no fun.

Plus, what about integrated mount for a dynamo light? and internal wiring to keep it tidy?

I have made the mount for light (the 3000 lumens ones you get on ebay). Will share pictures of it later in the process.
I haven't gotten around to dynamo hub yet. It might be useful once I move to london (this summer) and will have to commute for work on it. But my current situation doesn't need permanent lighting on the bike. I don't want gather too much shit before I move. Shipping will be expensive.
The rack will be stainless so I can do modification to it later on.

Any pictures of nice custom solutions are welcome...

Sorry to butt in, not the best photo but this is what I've got

Custom porteur rack attaches on the inside of the fork blades, Tubus Tara on the outside.

Very cool. It wouldn't be a problem brazing more attachment points to the forks..

Almost exactly what I run with an Haulin Colin Porteur.

How big is the platform of your rack?

Also. Best way of attaching the rando bag? I haven't decided on which bag to get. But I want the rack to be able to accommodate which ever...

I would like to avoid this

It is heavy enough already

How big is the platform of your rack.

Pretty big, it's wider and longer than the rando back on the bottom, but smaller than a porteur rack.

The Nitto M18 would be a good benchmark, as it's a little bigger than most rando rack;

Thinking about something like this.

Size is 11" x 9", like the Swift Rando Bags.

I have made drawings of the frame with 26" x 2.1" wheels. That will make the trail around 49 mm. I think I will get myself some 26" wheels for off road touring and save the 700c wheelset for cx.

I love the flexibility of disc frames ;-)

@edscoble is that a modified whisky fork? Can't see it on their webz

I have no ideas, however such modification is possible on carbon fork.

Trying out some cheap 26ers... Might just work ;-)

Well well will you look at that.

Yes read that ;-)

It works very well in my setup for gravel/sand and flat off road, but not on donwhill trails. Brought it out on single tracks yesterday and I had a lot of issues hitting ruts and roots while climbing. So 265mm bb height is not enough for hardcore singletrack, BUT perfectly fine for touring I'd say. Will buy smaller wheels and big slick tyres eventually.