The Two Bicycles of Varonha.

Cross Check sold. Wheels have been unlaced. Hubs given to LBS. New Open Pros being built. Going tubeless with Gravelking Sk 35mm. Much anticipation. Ready to ride early next week. Joy!

Picked up new wheels on Tuesday. Mavic Open Pro on Ambrosio Zenith hubs, fitted with Panaracer Gravelking Sk 35mm tyres, tubeless. Went for a test ride today, 30 miles, 3000ft of climbing. Wheels are fantastic, tubeless is awesome, my fitness is somewhat lacking. Maybe 35mm slightly knobbly tyres is at the limits of a Surly Pacer, couple of stops to remove dragging twigs that got caught in my brake calipers, never felt at risk of being thrown off though, and I suppose as they wear down clearance will get more comfortable. Pics of finished bike/wheels tomorrow.

I put the 32mm gravelking tubeless on my equilibrium disc.. roll great and fantastic do it all tyre..

They are awesome all round tyres. Gonna go 32mm next time round, 35mm are a little large for my brake calipers.

Pic of current set up. 46cm Ritchey venturemax bars, pdw bell, Mavic Open Pros set up tubeless with gravelking sk 35mm tyres. Lovely ride.

Looks great

Thanks. Rides great, 32mm tyres when these have had it, would like a little more clearance.

Any interest in a pair of Panaracer Gravelking Sk 35mm tubeless black tyres? Only used for a month. £40 posted UK mainland.

Edit: tyres now sold.

Looking at buying a bigger Carradice bag (Super C Audax) and using it as a handlebar bag. Would need support though (so it doesn't touch my front tyre, small frame you see). My thoughts are leaning towards getting two pieces of 8mm aluminium rod and bending it to a similar shape as the Carradice bagman support, attaching to the bars with p clips, and where the two pieces meet at the bottom front, flattening the rod, drilling the ends, and attaching a front light bracket. Is this feasible? The bag will not carry too much weight.
All useful suggestions welcome. Jon

I'd go for mild steel rod instead.
Aluminium might crack where you've bend it, and you can probably size down to something like 4mm rod. If you're worried about corrosion you can always rattle can it.

Cheers. Will steel rod flatten at the ends in a vice, or will I need to light the burner and get my hammer and anvil out?

Hammer and anvil I think.
Alternatively, you could use steel tube, which would flatte more easily, but be more difficult to bend without getting any kinks.

Due to an imminent arrival, the Pacer frameset (including FSA cartridge bearing headset and Surly seat post clamp) will be going up for sale. Classified will go up soonish. Will also be having a rid out of the parts bin, plenty of bits to shift.
If you're interested before I do a classified, pm me.
Jon

New frameset, headset and brake calipers ordered. Will update with pics once bits arrive.

What where you thinking price wise for the pacer?

£230 posted UK mainland.

Headset, Cane Creek 40, has arrived. Brakes, Tektro r559, have arrived. Email about frame delivery has arrived, wrong size on shelf, gotta wait til end of next week. I blame Brexit (for everything)!

Great choice of headset, mine is nicely made.

What's the new frame? Or is that a secret...

Nah, not really a secret. It's the worst named bike I can think of (when translated), ladies and gents I will soon be riding a fishmonger! Or to give it it's proper name a Soma Pescadero.

Ah ha!

Disc brakes are dead, etc. Looks interesting. What are your build plans?

Pretty much everything off my Pacer, except headset and brakes and the 40mm Gravelking sks sat in the shed. It's like the Pacer, but with a better sized headtube, and room for bigger tyres.

Yet again my attempt at owning a Soma is thwarted at the 11th hour! First time (about 3-4 years ago) I wanted a Wolverine, only for a US dock strike to mean none got sent to UK. This time a whopping great big shitty twating donkey raping shit eating energy bill has blocked my path, or at least eaten my bike fundage. Wank indeed!
Still, on the plus side, I do enjoy riding my Pacer. So obviously the Pacer is not for sale.

Crimble has come early to the Tea residence. After the energy bill/Soma cluster fuck, her that is always right struck a deal with my mom n pops, purchased me a Surly Cross Check 50cm in mule mug, at a discounted price from Triton (£349). After a session of building on Wednesday night, that went on far longer than intended, fighting with tubeless tyres (front went on easy as, rear a different story altogether, after 1 hour I was thinking fook it, stick a tube in, but I was not going to be defeated, with the help of she, it went on). Got everything set up, brakes went on, cabled up, new gear cable on the other hand was what can only be described as a bloody nightmare, my 2nd hand 105 shifters jammed, no movement whatsoever!
Thursday morning saw a ride to the lbs, to let them see if they could get it shifting, called me yesterday afternoon to say it's working but only just, the shifting mechanism was rather worn. Scouring tinterweb found some on CRC for £120ish pounds with 0% finance, so £10 a month and I have brand spanking new 105 shifters (in black).
Finished it tonight, just been for a quick 5 mile shakedown, it's bloody cold out there, all is well in the world, I own another Cross Check (in the right size), I get to ride on 40mm tyres once again, and the kettle is on.
Pics to follow, also a list of stuff I have to sell as part of the aforementioned crimble deal.

Right, quick list before I do classifieds.
For sells......
Surly Pacer, 50cm, red, FSA cartridge bearing headset, Surly seatpost clamp, dbad sticker. If wanted could throw in Tektro r539 calipers, scruffy but function well.
Pair of 32mm Gravelking Sk, black/black, tube type. Used but plenty of life.
Pair of 28mm Gravelking file tread, black/black, tube type. Used, rear more worn than front but still go for a while.
Nitto bullmoose bars, black, cut to 650mm width.

Are the bullmoose 1 1/8" or 1"?