Genesis cycletruck/Tricross/Solaris MAX - KingTwin tandem

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GB about sorted. Definitely going to need some bigger tyres to make it look less gappy though, might even be able to squeeze in a 30/32c, I'm a sucker for wedging in the biggest tyre that'll fit a frame.

With some angle grinder and file bodgery on the 1055 7spd freehub I've squeezed in 10 out of 11 sprockets of an R7000 cassette, which is working nicely with the 5800 shifters and 7000 mech.

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Awesome, this is the kinda bike I wanna build for next spring.

Cheers, it goes well for a parts bin cobble together, I'd forgotten how well good steel rides. Had a filthy ride out this morning and it all went well until the rear shifter packed up, might need a new cable. Biopace can get back to the 90s where it belongs too!

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really nice!

Cheers!
Still need to take a look at the shifter, hope it hasn't munched a cable within 50km.

It always gets to this time of year and I start thinking about building another frame, now actually riding is cold and dark and grim. Getting the first thoughts of a MK2 to replace the DIY bikepacking frame (geo is okay but not great and the finish is sloppy). Thinking of largely copying the geometry of the Solaris, but using the build kit from the previous frame (Alpkit loop bars/rigid carbon forks/maybe the X01 11spd drivetrain from the cycletruck). The jig will need updating too, to make it more use friendly and robust.

This will probably be a slow burn, I'm guilty of rushing things out of impatience and the details suffering as a result. I'd like to take this slower and really try and nail the details of the frame. First thoughts are many braze-ons, dropper routing, 142x12 back end, clearance for 29x2.4 and having a stab at some internal routing, as it'll primarily be for bikepacking.

Oh man, it looks even sicker from this angle, and with this amount of mud! This is literally the perfect inspiration and the final nail in the coffin of me not building a neo-retro roadie...

Glad it's been an inspiration! Really enjoyed riding this frame again after a couple of years.

The Tricross is now fully set for grimy winter roads. Finished building the new matching rear wheel to replace the stock one. Carbon Force cranks with 50/34 rings to replace the 39/30 Sora ones, and a fresh bottom bracket and cassette. It's weighty but rides well and the full guards/dyno lights are spot on.

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Rockhopper has got some slick tyres and swept bars for town cruising. Clearly on the small side for me, so might swap the frame out for the Hooger Booger which is longer, that'll need a 29.4 seatpost finding though.

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I'd just get a 27.2 seatpost and a shim for the Hooger if there's no serious off-road usage involved.

Ergotec seatposts are readily available in 29.4 - far from the nicest, but pretty cheap.

@vp1337 @slothy good call both, looks like SJS have a 27.2 to 29.4 shim for a tenner, which is a bit cheaper than a new post. It won't be getting serious use so a shim will be fine. I'll keep the ergotec post in mind if a shim slips or causes issues, not bothered about the look as long as it's black.

Dropped the stem, adjusted bar angle, and swapped the pedals to DMR V6s at lunch. A Stridsland NW chainring would be nice but would cost more than the rest of the bike..

Hooger Booger also has the bonus of a v-brake fitting without having to braze on new cable guides.

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bonus of a v-brake fitting without having to braze on new cable guides.

Afaik if you slide a V-brake noodle's inner housing (with the metal cup) into the cable guide, you can make it work on the Rockhopper.
But proper cable guides are better and more aesthetic for sure.

I've been thinking about swapping the frame out on the DIY build. It's really too high/short/slack to work well with flat bars, it climbs well enough, but doesn't descend how you'd want a mountain/bikepacking bike to. Probably won't build another frame this winter as I don't have the motivation for it, so on the look out for something steel to replace it with, maybe a Stanton Sherpa/Genesis Longitude/Salsa El Mariachi/another Solaris. Would probably swap the Shimano 9spd on it with the X01 11spd from the cycletruck at the same time.

Having said that, had a great ride out this morning in the snow on it, at a more relaxed pace than usual. Stove and pot fit nicely in the bar bag.

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Definitely going to swap the Rockhopper frame for the Hooger Booger, it's just that bit too small, bonus is the HB will take a rear v-brake without messing with adding more bosses. Ordered some new (moto)bars, a 27.2-29.4 seatpost shim, 1 1/8th quill adapter and some fresh pads.

I'll run a short 25.4 stem on the quill adapter and hopefully make it slightly less ugly with some cromo steerer spacers. I have more choice of aheadset stems, and no 1 1/8 quills for that matter.. The bars arrived and were fitted to the Rockhopper to check, pretty happy with them.

Bonus Ziggy.

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Swapped the bits over from the Rockhopper to the HB. Frame looks and feels a far better size now. Clearance at the back is really tight with a slick 2.3, think I'll dimple the chainstays rather than get a smaller tyre. Front canti hanger needs to come off too, and some cromo steerer spacers put on to make the best of the quill adapter. This frame has routing for a rear v-brake which is a big improvement over the old canti.

Light was going when I'd finished and I'm no photographer..

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Those bars looks very good and ties the build together nicely imo

Cheers, they feel comfortable too and the colour ties in better than I thought it would. Head tube badge is a winner as well

I agree! It looks like a very fun ride.

Feels like spring is just around the corner and the HoogerBooger rides so much better than the Rockhopper. Really glad I bothered to swap the frames.

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HB looks great!
What bars?

Thanks, it goes well!

Bars are from eBay: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/283980946693
Shimmed with some cromo tubing up to 25.4mm.

Cool thanks. I have been looking at similar on eBay actually.
Any noticeable flex?

No worries. No, none at all. Very thick walled tube, at least 3mm. Would happily recommend them, the high rise was the main appeal for me.