The Lengster

Rear brake ties in with future plans of fitting a single speed sprocket. Pretty much to use the bike as a road bike without the gearing.

Why do you think having a fixed wheel drivetrain does not make a road bike?

I dont.

I would just prefer to have two brakes when freewheeling, when the time comes. Just want to see how I get on with it really..

Basically, as it stands, I'm pretty set on not keeping this for another year or very long after the trip. So seeing if this kind of setup will be enjoyable/to my preference etc and perhaps even change my mind.

Also reason I'm after a front rack and not saddle bag is because I came across this photo:

As I already have a backpack (coincidentally identical to the one in the pic), I dont really want to be spending more on extra bags and may aswell fork the money out on something that may be of use again in future i.e. a front rack...

I may have a problem however.

I have a Wald basket which doesnt mount correctly to my forks. Like the bit past the droopout comes outwards and fouls the rack mount arms. Maybe upgrade the fork with a second hand good quality one while I'm at it?

Would not really recommend a big rack on a road/track bike, even though it can be done, especially in that position.

A saddle bag would be much cheaper, lighter and smaller (forcing you to take what's necessary).

It doesn't mean you won't use your backpack anymore, quite the contrary, backpack are great in cities, but saddlebag is much more comfortable and flexible in longer ride.

Ahh fair point. Looking at the pic for longer I can see that being fairly annoying that it comes up that far.

Will trawl through the saddle bag and touring threads I think.

Thanks for your input.

I've got loads of compression straps and bungees I was going to use to attach a backpack to my seatpost/saddle rails but now I'm borrowing a saddle bag. You're welcome to them if you want to try it out?

Very much like the look of the second one. Must look into saddle bags.

It's a rucksack actually.

If you're using a front rack I'd recommend using steel forks too.

If you're using a front rack I'd recommend using steel forks too.

this might actually be a really good idea.
get some steel road forks with rack mounts. the extra rake will help you handling with load on the front.
the rack in the picture above is a gamoh porteur.

Thorn have some decent fork with huge rake to compensate for a front load. (55mm rake).

more rake = less trail = can be ridden laden.

Cheers guys.

Although what are the cons if I got a rack and used them with current forks?

I know they don't have specific mounts and as mentioned above the Wald rack fouls the fork itself. Is there no way round that?

Scobles I googled those forks and at that price I think saddle bags are looking like the better option. Not to mention that will mean changing my entire cockpit right?

Loz when are you down again? May take you up on that offer!

The main cons is that cornering will be harder with more weight in the front, fine in a straight line but difficult to turn tighter at a higher speed.

Hence the suggestion of saddlebag - no fucking about needed.

How are those rucksacks attached? Is there a special kit for attaching to seatpost/frame or is it just a compression strap wrapped around the bag in the most logical places?

Cheers guys.

Although what are the cons if I got a rack and used them with current forks?

I know they don't have specific mounts and as mentioned above the Wald rack fouls the fork itself. Is there no way round that?

Scobles I googled those forks and at that price I think saddle bags are looking like the better option. Not to mention that will mean changing my entire cockpit right?

Loz when are you down again? May take you up on that offer!

No plans to come down before April unfortunately! I can post them though.

Compression strap wrapped around the bag in the most logical places?

Yup, elastic strap installed properly can help make it nice and stable.

Yup, elastic strap installed properly can help make it nice and stable.

On the blue frame with the SS and Thomson seatpost it looks like a webbed strap. What's the deal? That looks lie a better bet i.e. no flex. Would you agree?

Possibly, but it's largely in the method of installation, some strap might be more suitable, but doesn't necessary mean better.

Cheers guys.

Although what are the cons if I got a rack and used them with current forks?

I know they don't have specific mounts and as mentioned above the Wald rack fouls the fork itself. Is there no way round that?

Scobles I googled those forks and at that price I think saddle bags are looking like the better option. Not to mention that will mean changing my entire cockpit right?

Loz when are you down again? May take you up on that offer!

what are the current forks made of? When I got my rack I was advised to only use it with steel forks, not carbon or aluminium.

My one

Oh and Photo Jim you should come cycle round Poole and tell me there are no hills on the coast lol.

I come from Bournemouth. Go do the Dorset Coast Audax, it's muchos fun times fixed.

You complete pillock for riding without a spark of a foot retention system, glad you're aware of that now.

You can do Paris with a fixed wheel drivetrain, just stick with a sensible gear (like the one you've posted), and foot retention/rear brakes.

There is;

My bike, I wouldn't say HHSB but I did take inspiration from some in the HHSB thread. One thing I'd say is change the stem and buy some 5mm spacers and play around with stem height, I found it impossible to get right with that adjustable spesh stem and would get savage wrist/back ache after 20 odd miles. It's a nice idea but just didn't work for me!

Southampton isn't all that bad, I live there currently. Pretty good city for cycling, the city council are very proactive about encouraging cycling. shame the police don't follow their enthusiasm!

Sound more like the saddle position rather, set it a little further back to allow a bit more weight on it rather than on the handlebar.

sort saddle position first, then cockpit second.

Nice bike Kaaaaaaandries. Thinking of studying in B'mouth next year. Hows the fixed gear scene down there? Do you ever ride at the Velodrome?

Sound more like the saddle position rather, set it a little further back to allow a bit more weight on it rather than on the handlebar.

sort saddle position first, then cockpit second.

Saddle position is fine, my knee would say differently if it wasn't. It was how my shoulders were sitting when using the drops, standard stem left the bars too high or too low. Lingering injury from my hit last year.