Gravel / Gravé / Gnarmac / Groad / ATB

Worth getting if theres an option but can always get a bar mounted one if not

House tools like the swatbox? That would be pretty nifty

On Canyon's mtbs, there's a similar looking thing for easy access to all the internal cabling, so could be the same here.

Don't some mtbs have a rubber bit there to help protect the downtube from rock damage?

What he ^ said

I can drink two bottles and be thirsty again between water stops in lots of places in the U.K. Different people need different amounts of water. I must sweat a lot...

And if you’re bikepacking and wild camping you can easily get through all your water even if you arrive at a camping spot full: cooking, drinking, brushing teeth.

If your bike doesn’t have a third mount you can buy various bodges to add one. I’ve got a thing with rubberised Velcro that adds amount under the downtube that’s really safe and sturdy. Cost less than a tenner.

The new Rose looks good. I’d love to hear a proper review of one.

The new Rose looks good. I’d love to hear a proper review of one.

I'm in just for the tan wall g-ones! I need them now, and thus, a new bike to put them on!

I was gutted to discover they don't come in tubeless variant

If bike packing in remote places is the aim I'd rather get steel. For riding in the UK a third bottle is totally unnecessary, tough you can always put a tool keg in there

For you, maybe. But plenty of people need more than a couple of litres to ride in isolated parts of the U.K. - myself included.

I actually find it very useful as a way to store tools, meaning it free up space in the frame bag.

Also means not having to dig around in a big bag for a small tool.

Can anyone recommend me a tool for turning the EBB on my Arkose? Preferably something that works with the crankset in place. Been using two pin punches and turning then with an old VDE screwdriver. It works, but requires the crankarm to be off and marks the BB cup.

You mean like a pin wrench?

(you can get adjustable ones)

I just put the biggest screwdriver I had through the hollow part and tapped it gently with a rubber mallet to move it

@jesperxt I've read but not tried it yet that you can cut the top of a normal shimano BB tool so that it slips over the spindle and then you rotate the EBB with the external BB cup, assuming you have an external bb?

So got time to work on the Boardman gravel conversion today - few before pics

work done -

• removal of winter reflectors plastered all over the place using 3M tape --- best thing i found to get this sticky residue off GT85
  
• mavic aksiums converted to QR and fitted with winter tyres (durano plus + tubes - heavy but never punctured in winter)
  
• said wheels destickered
  
• conversion of triple to super compact double + addition of bashguard thanks to @Lolo
  
• full outer (compressionless) to RD - and move the RD "arc" as it was catching my heel.
  
• move FD down to middle ring height
  
• bottle cage move down using shimano kit
  
• bottle cages added, one side entry for one of them
  
• full clean !
  
  

to do :-

• addition of the spacers to the BB to alter the chainline - this is because the shimano plastic tool to get out the crank (the 'star' thing) has become unuseable, need a replacement
  
• swap of 9sp XTR to 10speed (although i might not, i like the rear mech!!!)
  
• full BB clean and regrease as well as chain + rear mech (when i get the BB out!)
  
  

to buy :

• flared bars + new bar tape
  
• frame bag
  
• gravel tyres - thinking kenda 32 block for yorkshire dales byways...? i have the burly rims for them already for swap outs
  
• pedals - i like crank bro's egg beaters as i have them on my roadie + backup rodie...
  after:
  
  Current weight : 10.2kg
  
  

things i'd like to do :-

• black FD and black inner ring
  
• black hydo callipers, silver were on discount when i got them, or go full hydro.
  
  

EDIT:
close up of triple -> double

rear "arc" + RD

There's no room for a pin spanner, unfortunately.
@Netakure and @TheShipwright Thanks for the suggestions. The BB tool sounds like the perfect solution.

Thumping great Allen key or screwdriver in to one of the holes in the EBB shell then use the crank arm (wrapped in rag) to apply force to the key to turn the EBB.

So ya what @netakure said but one less tool required.

things i'd like to do :- black FD and black inner ring

You can rattlecan the ring, the paint will only come off where the chain sits, and you've got black gunk there anyway.

like that idea.......

Of course, you can buy a strap-on. I didn't think of that.

Of course, you can buy a strap-on.

#nocontext.

not even one of these?

@Hulsroy suggested one of those, but I'd have to use an undersized one as the pin holes are partly hidden by the BB cup. And it would probably still mark the cup.