• Hmm maybe, I suppose that sort of makes sense. I would be more tempted if they did a 15mm front then one could swap forks without needless adapters

  • The front and rear is Qr, but you can run through axle with different plates on the rear.

    Dropouts: Vertical, 135mm O.L.D sliding Quick Release dropouts (optional 12x142mm Thru Axle plates available separately)

  • reposting from gravel thread, probably 98% the same crowd, but worth a shot:

    My VanNicholas has just died, as I don't want to be without a bike for too long (and buying a new frame will ease the pain) I've started looking. Brother Big Bro seems to fit the bill, would need some fiddling in BikeCAD to get a similar fit, but nearly all components would be transferable (QR wheelsets, BSA bottom bracket, 30.9mm seatpost) whilst it can still be upgraded to 142x12 through axles if I would want that at some point in the future.

    Are there any similar frames I might want to know about?

  • What did it die of?

  • Mysterious creaking turned out to be a crack.


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  • oy vey!
    Weird place to break, they can't do anything for you?
    ...sorry if this comes across as salt in the wound, not meant that way.

  • No worries, feel free to ask.

    Yeah I thought so as well, especially considering that I weigh 61kg and ride on 2" at 1.5 bar, can't put much stresses on the frame you'd say.

    According to their warranty statement warranty is only for the first owner, which I'm not.

  • Must’ve been some monster that owned it previously, too bad.

  • It was all going so well...
    Despite feeling like hammered shit after a few really crap weeks leading up to the Dorset Gravel Dash, myself and Socialamnesia managed to get into the camp in 2nd and 3rd after the first 60 miles. Glorious sunshine for almost the whole day!
    Day two however didn't go so well... Apparently I jinxed myself by telling everyone who asked about my belt drive "It's great... I've never had a single problem with it in 6 years"
    Which inevitably meant... After a few blasts of particularly heavy rain turned one particular part of the course into a total mud fest that almost stopped us even pushing the bikes, let alone riding them....a stone or something jammed in my belt drive and SNAP!!!
    End of the gravel dash with just over 20 miles to go!
    Lessons learned... Always carry a spare belt! :)

    On the bright side I got to test out a few changes I'd made to the bike, and also got to share my seat back to Swanage with an awesome Irish Wolfhound! :)


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  • Had sort of considered the Light Blue Darwin a while ago when I was looking for a new frame but hadn't realised the clearances were as generous as this! May be of interest to @Tijmen as above

    29" × 2.25"


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  • Yes, correct. Was actually looking to sell the Rangers after I sold my Surly 1x1 but I put them to good use in the Marin. Turned out to be quite a lucky dumpsterfind eventhough the 620mm toptube put me off at first.

    Getting enough clearance for the link wire did cause some headache. I'm not sure if I'm a good mechanic or a stubborn one but either way the brakes work great, wrong pull ratio and all. Good modulation and stopping power. Beats many TRP Spyres and other mechanical disc brakes for example.

    The Marin also features some bits I made myself, stem and anythingcages most prominently. Looking to make a new fork for it as I dislike 99% of all unicrown forks. Maybe a wide Pacenti crown and some sturdy fork legs. Already got some disc mounts from Konga and have a few cable actuated disc brake sets kicking about.

    Oh, and that 3.0" Ranger did definitely not fit in the rear if anyone's wondering. Does come up a bit narrow at about 72mm but I made a poorman's yoke out of some 76mm ID steel pipe which I opened up a bit and brazed in there. Seatstays also crimped for ease of mind but that's my bread and butter these days hah.

    Proper pics for your viewing pleasure:

    More pics in my Flickr and specs can be found at Pedalroom.

  • You sir are a proper hot metal glue gun wielding maniac.
    It looks awesome!

  • #realtireshavecurves
    This frameset is so good! Perfect for Gravel-monster-touring and quite good for the road!


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  • Wait. Whut? You snapped a gates belt? Dang. Sprocket and cog OK?

    Pics of Wolfhound please.

  • Ooh, looks interesting as well. But I'm going to have it repaired to postpone its inevitable death for a while more. Think I'll get Orlowski to build me a frame with my first post-graduation salary.

  • Oh yeah, I'd love an Orlowski! Solid plan!

  • I haven't had a really up close look yet, but as far as I can see the cogs are still good.
    Regarding the wolfhound....


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  • Cool wolfhound!

    My curiousity is piqued about the cause of the failure. Do update with your findings.

  • Huge quantity of mud from one particular field, caked around both front cogs, both rear cogs, and belt... Combined with stony bits being dragged through with the mud... Must have gotten a stone wedged between the belt and cogs and thus snapped it. Had no issues before... But it's never had such a huge amount of stony mud caked around it before. Apparently it's now 4 out of 4 belt drive failures on the gravel dash! :)

  • Wasn't this suppose to keep you away from drivetrain angst on the Divide?
    Nice bike anyway.

  • Yes it was...
    I think I've resigned myself to the fact that I just need to go Rohloff and stop fucking about. :)

  • Love the bike. Really want one but can't quite figure out the sizing/geometry. Mind if I ask what size you and the frame are? Bike looks very nicely balanced!

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Monster, Monsteur, Monstour , 26/29+ and Expedition and Adventure bikes

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