bikeworkshop
Old School Grand Master
Front loading is popular in flat countries, rear loading in hilly ones.
Bicycle geometry has an effect too.
Retrobike Touring.
- Thread starter Trebz
- Start date
Bicycle geometry has an effect too.
It's hard to see on the pictures but I do have a small front rack mounted.
It's this one:
https://cube-magdeburg.de/rfr-gepaecktraeger-vorne-black.html
I like it because it mounts to the canti bosses and so acts a little bit like a brake booster and the high rear end of the rack also keeps the luggage away from the front brake cable.
In the front I just had some light stuff, the hammock, tarp and underquilt on the rack, sleeping bag and a set of cycling clothes in the front roll that is attached to the handlebar. Then I put two straps around the whole package and it didn't move at all. On the first day I also put 1,50l of red wine on top but that also wasn't a problem.
Most of the weight was in the frames main triangle.
In the small bag on the top tube I had some tools, smartphone and snacks, under the top tube some more tools like the 15mm hex and the air pump and all of the food. In the two bottles were 1,75l of water.
In the rear there were another 1,50l of water, Bluetooth speaker, power bank, cables, cooker and gas, toilet paper, towel, soap, tooth brush, a warm jacket, a windbreaker and a rain poncho.
The bike felt pretty well centered. We had quite some pushing and carrying to do along the way and it went really well.
I also like the centre of gravity a little higher on these kind of rides because the bike then feels a little more "nimble" on the trails. On long journeys on asphalt I like the stability of a lower centre of gravity.
The front also never felt wobbly but I think that's because of the sling shot stem. It felt rock solid.
We had all loading situations and I liked mine the most. Front heavy was a pain to push as the rear came up quite easily and rear heavy likes to wheelie on steep ascents with rocks and roots.
bikeworkshop
Old School Grand Master
Toeclips and sandals.
Explain that to the nurse
Looks like waiting for a ferry
Ya.. bike camping trip to other island.
bikeworkshop
Old School Grand Master
Steel for touring.
More comfort, more secure attaching points, and braze- ons can be added if required.
The only benefit to aluminium is light weight at a given stiffness.
Imo 95-96 steel kona frames have the best geometry and touring feel
More comfort, more secure attaching points, and braze- ons can be added if required.
The only benefit to aluminium is light weight at a given stiffness.
Imo 95-96 steel kona frames have the best geometry and touring feel
Binky
Retro Newbie
Yeah this is what I'm leaning towards. I've seen a 2000 steel Kona come up for sale locally. Is the later geometry not as suitable?
bikeworkshop
Old School Grand Master
As front suspension travel increased, the head angle changed to allow a longer fork with higher front end, and toptubes got longer ( coupled with a shorter stem) to help stop riders going over the bars when the Forks compress.
2000 should still be ok - it depends what mtb niche the model was aimed at. (as well as the expected fork travel)
Binky
Retro Newbie
The frame originally came with a 2.5" travel Rock Shox Jett fork.
