Adventure/Commuter Niner RLT (was Arkose)

I've been using a Pinnacle Arkose SSCX bike as my commuter for the last year or so, and it's been through quite a few iterations. Now I'm almost at the end of my studies I want to start gearing it up for a few longer-distance adventures...

So, it initially looked something like this:

Recently I added gears:

And some gear...

I've yet to find the right tyres though, I've used WTB Nanos which are great off road, but hard work on the road. Paselas, which were great until they washed out round a corner and broke my thumb... and currently fitted are Marathon Racers, but these aren't really doing it for me either. I'm thinking about Schwalbe G-One if anyone has experience of them?

I've also got a SP PD-8X dynamo on order, and when it arrives it'll be fitted to a Stan's crest, to match the rear wheel.

Also waiting to be fitted are some guards...

Schwalbe Kojak's.

Nice, this is pretty much what my Arkose is, except with the garish yellow/green frame.

I've found Compass Barlow Pass to be great tyres on road and even on gravel/dry descents. Commute each day on them without hassle too.

Yeah, would have helped if I'd been explicit about what I was looking for...

I think Kojaks are probably a bit too road-focused, I want something that's fairly quick rolling on the road, but also happy in the woods, mud, and gravelly hills.

The G-Ones get a decent write up, but are either out of stock, or expensive in most places.

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I think Kojaks are probably a bit too road-focused

True, I had a hard time balancing on grass lol .. might be user error.

I'm guessing they're not out yet, but the Specialized Sawtooth might be what you're looking for?

Otherwise the SOMA Cazadero maybe?

Challenge Almanzo, Challenge Gravel Grinder or Panracer Gravel King?

I have the same bike, few changes but still set as a SS, rear QR is being a big pain in the ass, it creaks and moves when under power, I even managed to get the wheel off the dropout in a steep climb...
Currently deliberating on getting new wheels done, got some American Classic hubs for very cheap

There was a recall on the rear mech hanger - I think because it caused the rear QR to slip. Give Evans a call, they'll probably still replace it FOC...

That or use a closed cam skewer, I swapped to an XT skewer when I first got it, before the recall, and that fixed things.

No jig at home, so off to the bike shop these go...

That makes a lot of sense, I'll try to get that hanger replaced.
About the tyres, I was thinking to get gravelkings, in 40c threaded flavour, and set them tubeless, but can't complain about the nanos, durable and still no flats.

Paselas will be fine, but fair enough you got the fear of riding on them after your wash out.

Wheel built and lights arriving tomorrow...

The fork isn't drilled though, and only has a bolt under the crown. None of the standard Supernova mounts look like they'll fit under the fork - so I've had to get a bit creative. I've ordered a 10mm bell mount spacer, with the idea that I can bolt the supernova multi-mount to the spacer and then the light to the multi-mount upside down.

How successful this will be is TBC!

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Hi, I have the same bike and I want to start gearing it up too.
Which shifter and derailleur did you mount?

Thanks!

I've used a bar-end shifter, with SLX rear derailleur. Bit of a faff though, as there's pretty much only one shifter that works with Dyna-Sys (I wanted a clutch derailleur). Then it turns out that the clutch is too strong for the shifter when turned on, so you get ghost shifts...

...so in summary, get a road derailleur and standard bar-end shifter!

My Supernova is Handlebar mounted and works well - I've got the particular handlebar mounted version: https://goo.gl/DzXtt7

Or you can get a O-ring fitted mount and attach the normal light apparently:
http://practicalcycles.com/products/244632--supernova-e3-pro-handlebar-mount.aspx

I was riding Paselas and swithched to WTB Nano's which incedently washed out on me round a corner. Luck of the draw I guess

Yeah, I know Paselas are a firm forum fave', and there's nothing wrong with them... just wouldn't enjoy the ride as much I think, and would always be super cautious 'round corners!

In other news, lights have arrived, so project #ghettomount will start this weekend...

I have the Nanos and washed out in a corner too, I guess I was asking too much off a knobbly tyre in wet pavement

Going fast on wet corner always have a risk of getting washed out, even on the best tyres.

So, the light mounting didn't quite go as planned, though I got there eventually. Not sure whether I'll keep them as is. Will see how the commute to work goes for the next week or so... think the front light might be pointing down too far, but can't get it higher as the stem is in the way.

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Try and find this bell:

http://www.bev-intl.com/bell-02.htm
The spacer is only 3mm thick for more slammage and it could also lower the mounting point for the light. the bell is mounted with m5 bolt treading

Could you not just mount it on the mudguard mount on the fork instead?

...

or keep your current setup and mount the light upside down