Long-distance ATB - Hulsroy X Witslingers

Black bartape it is.
I will lose the gold chain for Bespoke too.
BDHU is on the menu (under cockpit adjustments). I simply put the bar as is from the previous bike for now.

I dig it. And sorry for being a bike nazi

Did not expect that much drop, looks fast.
Completely agree with tire thing, even though it's been a while I did more than 100k.
Even disregarding comfort, 47 is just safer.

Also like what you did with the mudguards at the bottom, never seen that bending to make wider before.
Frame is very hot, slightly sloping plus straight forks has a nice stance.

We should talk! I had a suspected hairline spine fracture just before getting my Stayer, and boy was I in pain on the road bike I had before it. Since then it’s been big 45mm minimum rubber and gliding over, rather than around road surfaces as you describe. Ever since I built up the road fixed with 28mm (28!) tires I’ve been reminded of how comfy the Stayer actually is.

I’d argue that we Do see a lot such bikes in the long distance world, but more in Audax/Rando side where finishing rather than finishing fast is usually the standard goal anyway?
(Edit: thinking of Fern/Allygn as an example)

Keen to test that out soon anyway as it’s my first audax in over a year soon; long cruisy days on the saddle ftw.

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Won’t lie, your bike makes me want to ask Stayer for a matching steel clear coated fork…

What makes is elegant is not the fork alone but also that it is a dedicated 1 1/8" head tube imo.
The more burly nature of you frameset works well with the forks

You’re probably right and looking at a slender 531 tubed bike right next to it for two weeks hasn’t helped!

Judging from your bike set I guess you 6"4/190cm ish. You'd not want what I build for Pish. You'd find it flexy and flimsy is my guess.
Only solution is to have multiple bikes really and enjoy them for what they are.
I enjoy long slow rides on big tyred soft frames and short snappy rides on stiff frames. Sometimes the opposite. It is the variety I enjoy more than the specific ride.

True of course, that is absolutely what I agree with (though admiring other bikes from a distance always happens!).

It’s funny that you estimated me so tall as that’s probably where my saddle height puts me, but I’m only 183cm with freakishly long legs!

This is a stunner. Wishing you many happy miles @Pish

Crossing some things off the todo list:

Stays are cut. Used a tube cutter instead of a dremel for once. I don't know why I didn't think about that sooner.
Produces a nice, clean cut, without noises or sparks. Then just a pass of file at the end.

While getting the fenders off, I discovered that the cable has been rubbing and is pretty worn out.
That's definitely not great. Hopefully it will still work once I connect the light, otherwise it's gonna be a mess to replace (it's just at the light end, and I think the wires and PCB are potted in resin or something to waterproof them).
We'll see.
Fenders readjusted and tightened, hopefully solved this issue. I believe that lack of tightness + rough gravel during my testing has led to this.

Cabling has been sorted.
TT shifter is back on the left side, which is a nice bonus.
Compromises had to be made though - I had to route the derailleur cable over the GPS mount in order to get the slack needed. Not 100% happy with this solution look-wise - but at least it works.
No ghost-shifting issues since then, but I've ordered new springs for the TT shifter nonetheless.

I adjusted the cockpit. I'm probably gonna stay with the 110 mm stem, as felt good during my tests. BDHU just a bit. Not sure if @Hulsroy approved, but feels comfy that way.
As a commitment to this, fork has been cut flush.
Found some salvaged bar tape, did a quick and shitty taping job with it.

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Wearing lovely green tape to protect the top tube while bolt-on bags are being made.

Next on the todo-list:

1. Sorting out bolts, because f**k 3mm hex button heads. All M5 bolts will be replaced by t25 low-profile. Titanium probably, cause why not.
   
2. Finish wiring.
   
3. Install aerobars
   
4. Replace bar tape
   
5. Actually ride?
   
   

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Looks very fast!

Know the weight?

I don't know the weight. The frame is quite light for a steel bike (1815g), but with the steel fork and rack, it quickly adds up.
All and all, it should be around 12kg as shown.

hard

I love it. Can't wait to see it with bags and all

That makes two of us :)

Three!

Any money, as it sits I bet it's 10 - 11 kg.

Not like it matters though. An absolute belter of a bike.

Mads is a magician with a torch!

Stunning bike

New unforseen problem: I do too many pauses to admire the bike and take pictures of it.

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Went out for a ride this sunday. The bike feels great but my fitness level is abysmal. Even worse than I thought. I had a hard time lugging my a** on climbs.
So the next step is to change the cassette to a 11-42, which is a bit depressing.
Not so long ago, I considered the 11-36 the one for big, challenging rides with a loaded bike.
Anyway, that's what old age and lack of training does for you.

The build is pretty much done- just a few details to take care of ; and then of course the bags from @Tijmen.

Once it's fully finished, I'll to do a proper photoshoot and a bike check. Promised.

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cassette to a 11-42, which is a bit depressing.

Wait till you realise how nice a 46 is!

Out of curiosity, left hand bar end shifter?

Yeah, that. Let us know how you get on. I have a knacked right hand and keep thinking about it, but muscle memory.