Functional bikes. Not Porn not Anti

Or removed mudguard and fit the new 48mm slick, which will make it into an awesome gravel bike.

[Readers...] So, I never got round to uploading a pic of my CDF after picking brains about fenders...

I've developed an issue where I can't stop buying luggage, but seem to have settled on this set up for light touring (Carradice Super C Audax on the back for camera/food, Apidura 'Regular' on the front for 3 season bag/liner/bivvy bag), switch in some Ortliebs on the the front if i'm riding to a job or touring further.

45mm VO fenders were a perfect fit within the frame, no issues around the discs using spacers. Couple of notes with the front one: my bar bag sits on it (the big Apidura is a squeeze) and i've tucked the BB end in tighter to accommodate a third bottle/fuel bottle.

Looking to add a SON Delux / PlugIII and a front light, then hopefully I'll stop throwing money at it.

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Where did you get the fenders? Any chance of some photos of how you've attached them. Trying to get fenders that sit close to the tyres and these look good.

I'll pop some pics over to you tomorrow, the rear screws directly to the frame at the BB and Stays while the front hangs from an L bracket screwed through the crown (pic).

The arms on the 45mm have dual bolts at the fender end and a P-Clip type thing at the bike end which they slide through to determine how flush the bottoms are. They came with everything needed.

I sourced them from 'Freshtripe' as no one else had stock, I had to wait a while with really poor comms from them, after claiming they'd posted a week before - they were not in fact posted until the day I filed a paypal complaint. LBS has had other customers with a similar issue. However, they came in the end and couldn't have got them otherwise so meh.

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I've ordered from freshtripe several times, always had good comms, timely deliveries. Don't know if I've been particularly luck or you unlucky, but they are certainly not all bad.

I'd go for the one that has the right tt. If you normally ride a bike with a 56cm top tube I'd go for the 54cm as it's only 0.4mm off 56cm.

On another note I didn't go for the brother, cross check or the thorn audax. It was the weight that was bothering me so instead I opted for a caadx. I picked up a 2011 model from ebay for £270 which I didn't think was too bad.
It pretty much ticks all the boxes - no weird geo, rear rack mounts and light. I also think it looks good.

If anyone is after a 1 x 9 FBNPNA Nigel Dean built Geoffrey Butler I'll be putting mine up for sale later today.

I tried front-loading recently after using only a rear rack for most of my life. I carried about 10kg evenly packed in two panniers on lowriders on my croix de fer. I found the bike hard to control on steep climbs, meaning it was harder work as I was using energy keeping the bike in a straight line. I also found the bike sluggish in general; hard to keep momentum, and poor acceleration. I added about 1 hour to the 60 mile ride from home in Sussex, compared to when carrying a similar weight on the back.

Why do people reccommend front loading? Do I have a wierd riding style? If I get more used to front loading will I become faster?

its cool bro

phew thanks.

Sorry for the readers wives.

Work in progress. A previous owner of the frame had Raleigh decals put on, but I've no idea what it actually is. Rides nicely though, and decent clearance. Front loading because a baby is going on the back...

Do any functional people have a saddle roll they want rid of? Need one for a trip I'm off on next week!

Make your own! (Provided you have a sewing machine and an old pannier/access to canvas). I'm just planning my next one, it's hugely satisfying.

Why do people reccommend front loading? Do I have a wierd riding style? If I get more used to front loading will I become faster?

Low trail geometry.

Plus 10kg is pretty hefty too, I'd find that hard, front or rear, it usually take a cyclotouriste a couple of day to a week to get used to it.

Unfortunately don't have access to a sewing machine :(

Ah. Iron on webbing or glue maybe? Or buy one, obvs...

Take square of cloth, orient it like a diamond, lay tools on, fold like a taco, wrap with old toe strap.

This looks excellent!

Handsewing is underrated.

Not a spare saddle roll, but I have a small and a large saddle bag suitable for tools etc.

and

Drop me a PM if you want to borrow either. I'm based north.

It might just be down to personal preference, I much prefer the sensation of pushing the load up rather than dragging it up, but i'm probably only at 6kgs max on the front with 2kg in the Carradice on the back.

As for steep climbs if anything I find the opposite to yourself, I like the 'firmer' steering and the use of the force of the weight when out of the saddle, I think when tossing it from side to side I had less control with the weight on the rear. I'm certainly not much of a climber either way and happily sit in the 32' regardless.

On the flats I'm not far from my usual unloaded speeds.

Not too sure if this has been posted before, nor if this is the appropriate place, but i've just lost a solid half hour scrolling through - such contrasting set ups between riders!

http://www.adventurecycling.org/resources/portrait-gallery/

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that pinnacle arkose adventure frame on sale at evans. Quite heavy, and would require purchase of hitherto untested disc equipment, whilst possibly rendering my much fettled and coveted tourer obsolete. But would take much bigger tyres, and looks a lot of fun for more off-road/gravel rides. For £225 it seems rude not to...

Yes or no?