Phase 1, Single Speed MTB Commuter is complete.
seatpost rack : ban
Yeah man, that’s confusing ATMO. Such a sick build/bike and then that’s hanging off the back.
I recall discussion on what could replace the specialised interior dimensions of that trunk bag required for commuting and guess its replacement hasn’t been sorted yet.
But can you at least get a proper eyelet mounted rack that’s compatible with it?
A backpack?
yeah, that seatpost rack is ugly, and it ruins an ace bike (even if this isn’t the long term plan)
its a topeak bag, so just get a topeak rack with the rail thingys, you can get the supertourist with lower rails for panniers cheap and they are good for touring
this one
(sorry, I don’t usually care how people set their bikes up)
I’m aware the seatpost rack is pants, no backpack as I find them uncomfortable for my broken back and yes alternatives are being sorted. Needed the bike built so I could get to work today, so only got done the absolute minimum to get me on the road.
As Blakey mentioned, a custom front bag/rack is the preferred option as part of Phase 2.
Now I have the frameset, I can stick on the Salsa Cowbells and the Shimano BR785’s and work out measurements for the front bag, as width was always going to be affected by the shakes.
Cool.
How’d it go?
Bike was smooth as silk on the way to work, only noise I had was the occasional squeak from one of my shoes. Makes me wonder how long they’ve been squeaking for…
I think I need to get the NDS bearing pressed into the cup a little more, didn’t look like it went fully in when I pushed it in but the bolt’s done up tight. Will swing past FTR on my way home and get them to take a look.
Also the cabling positioning sucks due to the frame being “American” Rear brake hose cable attachment points run down the LHS of the top tube for a RHS lever, but as we use our brakes “correctly” here in Australia with the lever on the left, the housing is too stiff to get the bend correct, hence you can see it not sitting down on the top tube in the pic. Also the bend in the cable housing down at the rear brake is a tight curve as well. So it’s either get a new housing or DILIGAF until I get the hydro shakes on in the next week or so.
Sounds like the frame has been dropped 
For the dropout to not accept a rear 10mm axle straight up is not ideal.
My Soma ES was the same (obvs steel dropout & not alloy) & a Surly Straggler I built had a similar issue.
Definitely get a derailleur alignment guide on it before putting a rear mech on.
Final dropbar build sounds ace.
Installed a Globe Porteur Rack on the front today.
It’s not pizza box sized, but it’s big enough to fit my current Trunkbag on sideways and still have room. Will grab a small cargo net this arvo to hold it on.
I think the problem is that brake cable is to short it should be a lot better with longer cables.
I just tried running the cable down the LHS from the rear brake again and the housing doesn’t like the bend. It also rubs up hard against the head tube. Changed it back to coming down the RHS and just cable tied the housing to the first cable fitting instead of using a cable clip, so it doesn’t look loose any more. It does however not have enough length to go past a 90 degree turn to the left, so housing needs extending in that respect.
Just waiting on a Shimano Bleed Kit to arrive so I can put the hydro shakes on.
I can confirm they are amazing
Front rack looks the goods.
Looking good Geoff
Here’s mine. Still waiting on the wheels, but pretty much there.
Put the new Barlow Pass tires on tonight.
Will see how the go on a roll into Southbank tomorrow morning.
Have set them up with tubes at the moment, but as soon as I find my second spare Stans valve I’ll take out the tubes and pop in some sealant, as I’m concerned the lack of puncture resistance in the tire may be my undoing on my regular commutes.
Bleed kit turned up today and I had to go pick up a couple more Stans valves as I could only find one of my two spares.
Picked up this.
To deal with this.
Was going to do hydros tonight, but have visitors dropping by, so will have to have a crack on the weekend.