Functional bikes. Not Porn not Anti

I don’t read I just look at the pictures.

one day I will stop being lazy, I will take my ugly pomp apart and have it repainted
maybe next lockdown...

Thanks for the repost. To add to the discussion on front v back-loaded luggage with some more anecdotal evidence: I used a tubus tara and ortlieb sport rollers on a 1inch threaded fork on a tour a while ago. The fork angle was rather steep with little rake and I used drop bars. The whole set-up felt wrong: it was flexy at low speeds, wobbly at anything above 20km/h and the handling felt sluggish. The bike felt great with rear panniers though. After that experience, I had the tubus tara sitting in my parts bin waiting for a more suitable build. I recently put it on the giant with a 1 1/8 ahead fork with big fork blades and mid-blade mounts and with sweeped riser bars. In this set-up, the front loading feels great. Very stable and with a lot of grip on the front which makes climbing, descending and riding out of the saddle a lot more enjoyable. I was touring with a friend who rode a similar 26er with a rear load and it was interesting to see and feel the difference on otherwise similar bikes. On the road it doesn‘t make much of a difference but on twisty paths the front load inspires a lot more confidence. I’m happy with having a rear loaded 28 inch road-type touring bike and a front loaded 26er. At the end of the day the more suitable option depends on the frame and the type of riding intended.

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nice pomp!

Not quite sure how effective that support is though

gorgeous thing!
I'd probably move the support to the backside of the bag instead, which would also shorten and stiffen the stays.

@cake 's Kona looking so hot right now

It does! Particularly nice to see a bike that gets some use in contrast to all the shiny bikes posted. I’ve yet to understand the advantages of a roll top frame bag though. Please enlighten me.

Looks sweet! I think it's so you can cram everything in and not worry about busting the zip. I wonder if they are more waterproof too, as I feel a lot of water gets in along the top seems if they have a zip. Roll top won't have any seems along the top.

zips fail

Maybe they do. Been a while since I had one on a bag.

Lots of good reasons! Thanks

Is there a favourite guard to fit over big 26 tyre on a functional build? I’ve gone up to 26x2.1 conti double fighters and my current guards are just a bit tight and also a bit knackered

plastic or metal ?

Don’t mind really. Easy to fit and tough as it gets bashed about a fair bit! Never had metal on any bike but open to trying

I keep saying it but I like Flinger 60mm guards. They have thicker stays and they come pre attached to the mudguard blade so it's less of a 3 handed job.

You’re talking my language now! Simpler mudguard install is all good when you’ve got constant weird nerve shakes done the hands! Those little sks bolts go all over the workshop!
‘I need 3 hands or a clever Knob’ as a GB mechanic once said

Yeah exactly, Flinger ones come pre already on, you can adjust as normal but they're already on so a big part of the faff is reduced. They also have a less annoying method of covering the cut off end bit (though maybe it's easier to lose them)

Only issue is they're 60mm not 65 like the biggest SKS ones, and you can't get the nice matte black ones, like SKS. But for 26 functionals they're what I always use.

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Oh the only other thing I don't like about them is the rear mudguard is too long. I know people here have a hardon for putting massive flaps on their functionals, but IMO only the front is any use. The rear just makes it harder to pop the bike up on its rear wheel for putting in bike sheds etc. I don't ride in a peloton so people can just avoid my rear wheel if they don't want to get a bit of mud.

I don't ride in a peloton so people can just avoid my rear wheel if they don't want to get a bit of mud.

If I didn't know you lived in the UK, I'd mistake you for an American.

You should see his other one! Ultimate functional. And he's just bought a retro Koga Miytata MTB Tourer...

My SKS blumels have been great, but otherwise get stainless GB.

ah! post pics please :)