Spotter's Current Project Collation

I can't be bothered to update individual thread any more, updates to follow.

I'm in the process of selling off several bikes and building some new one to replace some.

Currently building a 2016 Genesis Vagbond:

to replace my Scott/Kona thing which @Hulsroy modded for me.

Also I just picked up a 2017 Genesis Borough for my gf which I a series of planned upgrades for:

my Scott/Kona thing which Hulsroy modded for me.

What's this frame destined for?

What's this frame destined for?

Sale - if I get on with the Vagabond. I'm doing a test build with that first, ride it for a while, if I enjoy it i'll want to do some modifications and paint it as 'sweet baby blue' doesnt do it for me.

I was going to give it to my GF, but the Borough is better for her.

Sale - if I get on with the Vagabond.

I could be interested for some further extensive modifications if it's not too spenny.

Plans sound good, I thought sweet fixie baby blue was right up your street though.

You can have first dibs, won't be a huge amount.

Subbed; your builds are always good.

Always refreshing when someone on this site actually rides bikes

I am interested to see what you make of the vagabond..

There might even be someone who rides fixed in London!

Upgrade list for Genesis Borough

Got:

• Black inline 27.2 post (thxz @cake)
  
• Brooks C17
  
• 700x35c Marathon Supreme Evo HD
  
  

Awaiting delivery:

• Knock off one-up plastic pedals
  
  

Planned:

• Dynamo wheelset
  
• Dynamo lights
  
• PDW mudguards
  
• Small Rawland rack
  
• 137 basket (black)
  
• Hydralic brakes
  
• Smaller 110bcd narrow wide (40t prob)
  
• SRAM GX shifter /mech
  
• 10 speed 12-36 cassette
  
• Shimano Square taper BB
  
• New grips (TBC)
  
• new Masi flat crown forks
  
• paint
  
  

Also I have a hunch that the twin bridges on the split top tube may be the same spacing as a bottle cage, if so i may get eyelts added

Its getting use as is which is good

I made some progress on the Vagabong last night as some parts I've been waiting on; a new chainring and an adaptor to allow me to direct mount a SRAM shifter on XT brakes:

Plan is to finish the build, test ride it, then send it off to get some eyelets added and then paint.
Eyelets needed:

• seatstay bridge
  
• chainstay bridge
  
• 2 more on each side of the fork - use the mid-blade eyelet on the fork as the middle of a triple mount
  
• replace one of the braze-ons after a bolt head sheered off last night
  
  

As for paint, it will be from this range:

Also interesting to note, I originally wanted an AWOL, but on comparing the Geometry of both they're actually very similar

Once the test build is finished (and i know I'm happy with it), I'll change the tyres to something more road friendly, add mudguards, racks and luggage. Also treat myself to new pedals.

Tyres

I'll want something in the 700x50/29x2" range, current front runner is just the same as I have on the Scott:

• Schwalbe G-One Speed
  
  
  

but other options are:

• Panaracer GravelKing SK Plus
  
  
  

Wildcard option is:

• Schwalbe Marathon Almotion
  
  
  

Which I wouldn't have previously considered, however they get excellent reviews
https://www.bicyclerollingresistance.com/tour-reviews/schwalbe-marathon-almotion-2016

If anyone else has any suggestions please let me know.

Mudguards
Only two real options I'd consider:

• 65MM SKS Blumels
  
  
  

Downside is that they're shiny, they do matte finish in 53mm so annoying they dont in 65mm.

Or I buy some GB stainless ones and have them painted matte black, as the officially painted ones don't seem to be coming any time soon.

Either way, they'll get big RAW flaps and a 3rd flap

Racks & Luggage

Rear - Carradice bagman expedition QR and a super c saddlebag (which i'm going to add some plastic to stiffen up)
Front - Rawland demiporter (dont buy the alu one I have if anyone is wondering, the eyelets snapped off), Black wald 137 and i've ordered a wizard works Alakazam Basket Bag in these colours:

Long term I will replace the Rawland for something Nitto and a Tubus Duo

But i am also tempted by a Pelago Commuter

Pedals

Probably DMR V12 Mags

All the other options that I like such as spankbros etc seem out of stock everywhere, unless anyone has any recommendations.

Dynamo lights

Prob going to upgrade my current lights and gift my old ones to my GF for her bike. So I'll ge myself a B&M IQ-X and a SECULA PLUS

I think I have some 65MM SKS Blumels you can have cheap if you'd like.

How used are they please?

Used but fine I think. I'll dig them out if you want. Already drilled for front flap.

If you're open to other wide 29er mudguards there's some simworks x honjo ones that look nice but expensive. There's also some 75 sks bluemels in matte black but they don't have much coverage as I guess they're made for e bikes.

https://www.sks-germany.com/en/products/bluemels-series/bluemels-75-u-long/

There's also some mad 65 and 80mm pletscher ones that can also do double duty as lightweight rear pannier racks, which seems sick to me but I guess might not be your vibe.

absolute unit etc.

I just got the bluemels though I do sometimes wonder about those pletscher ones...

excited to see the build whatever you pull together.

I have a pelago rack and it is very nice - also very heavy. It also mounts pretty high up on a Vagabond.
If you're not going to mount panniers day to day, I'd go for the smaller Nitto and a lowrider rack.

And you're probably going to need a Problem Solvers Fender Flute to get the mudguards as close to the front tyre as possible - again speaking from experience as a Vagabond owner.

If you can send some pics that would be great, thanks!

I find square profile mudguards deeply ugly for some reason. simworks x honjo are £180 which is beyond obscene, i'd rather get the GB and paint, GB are always worth the money.

I just ordered a Nitto M-18 in black

What size tyres are you running on yours?

I want to do all these mods to my vagabond frame too so I'd be very interested in the total cost plus paint

If also recommend changing the rear derailleur cable guides to fully sheathed if you can. Mine often bungs up under the bb

That crank and chainring is 🔥

MKS lambda Pedals always looks good with white ind. cranks in my opinion. I’ve been meaning to try a pair but current plastic mtb pedals haven’t let me down to warrant it. That said, I don’t think they come stock with pins either...

Very nice!

I ran mine with 700x50 Big Bens, which measure around 45mm. I have been eying the Marathon Almotions myself, and I reckon they woul be a good fit - maybe even in the 2.15" size.

This has similar vibes to what im aiming for

https://bikepacking.com/news/readers-rig-jays-hoefer/