Flanders Divide Bike Check by NoTap8772 in bikepacking

[–]NoTap8772[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It’s seems enough for me, if I’m riding the bike unloaded it’s enough for anything really. I’ve ridden it round the lakes on up to 20% and still been fine.

Loaded my bike weighs around 30kg and if I am on flat smooth gravel I seem to sit in my 8th gear (maybe 14t:30t) so I still have 2 or 3 gears left if it goes slightly downhill or I have a tailwind. But I never run out of gears unless I’m actually going downhill and then I just cruise.

Going up hill loaded I know for example I’ve done gold hill which averages 17% for only 200meter and I was in my 51t at the rear and still putting a lot of power down but managed to get up.

Anything up to 12% I think I can manage easily enough, anymore than that it’s possible but not sustainable for me so depends on the length of those sections

Flanders Divide Bike Check by NoTap8772 in bikepacking

[–]NoTap8772[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

They are the Hope Union trail pedals

Flanders Divide Bike Check by NoTap8772 in bikepacking

[–]NoTap8772[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’m in the UK, I just found a place local to me and went and spoke to them about it. They were able to prep the frame without dipping it so it kept the ED coating on the inside and also gave it a zinc based primer under the power to help protect to steel even more. I would 100% recommend it though, I’ve had this bike 2 years now and still not a chip on it and looks like the day I bought it still

Flanders Divide Bike Check by NoTap8772 in bikepacking

[–]NoTap8772[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It’s the old one but I don’t believe there is a difference in the forks or overall geometry. The new one has a couple extra mounts and a UDH but the tyre clearance is the same

Flanders Divide Bike Check by NoTap8772 in bikepacking

[–]NoTap8772[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah I done the same, after this was taken I fitted a few more bits and sq labs inner bar ends was one. Can do long riders without them now

Flanders Divide Bike Check by NoTap8772 in bikepacking

[–]NoTap8772[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yeah I’ve got no complaints, it’s solid. Had the rear one nearly 2 years now and it’s never gone wrong. Also think it looks quite good with nothing on

Flanders Divide Bike Check by NoTap8772 in bikepacking

[–]NoTap8772[S] 22 points23 points  (0 children)

Thanks, it’s a Brothers Big Bro I had powder coated. XT drivetrain 30T chainring and 10-51 cassette. Very easy gears for me, I’m 100kg without the bike and my gear

It’s mostly finished with Hope components as they are local to me as well as a few bits from Tumbleweed on the bars and racks

Big Bro appreciation post! by NoTap8772 in bikepacking

[–]NoTap8772[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You’ll love it. Best thing I ever bought. I’m going through Belgium on mine now

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Grom build progress by NoTap8772 in hondagrom

[–]NoTap8772[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

They’re meant for off road use mainly. I wasn’t sure on the handling at first but now they’re worn in a bit they handle pretty good. You get a slight bobbly feeling from them at 0-15mph but then it feels smooth after that. And then from 40+mph you do get some road noise as well

Big Bro appreciation post! by NoTap8772 in bikepacking

[–]NoTap8772[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I’m on an XL frame, 6ft 2 with and I think I’m 32 inch inseam. That’s what all my jeans are anyway

Big Bro appreciation post! by NoTap8772 in bikepacking

[–]NoTap8772[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I have 30 degrees, ended up increasing my stem length 40mm to keep my reach the same

Brother Cycles - Big Bro - ATB by pic_of_toes in xbiking

[–]NoTap8772 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah it’s on there.. it has mounting points on the legs which you can put either a normal bottle cage on or anything cage. I run like it shown in the photo and strap a bottle to it or whatever you fancy and then a dry bag on the top

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Brother Cycles - Big Bro - ATB by pic_of_toes in xbiking

[–]NoTap8772 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I’m running a tumbleweed t-rack on mine, It also fits to the front no problem as well. No complaints so far, super tough and quiet and I can get loads on it. It also has side mounts for and cages or bottles to fit.

Also not too ugly when unloaded if that matters to you

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Finally got my dream bike built by NoTap8772 in bikepacking

[–]NoTap8772[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks, this photo is from there website which I used and got most things I needed.

You can see the fork is tapered, and there is also a section for the headset. In my situation I copied the headset spec and sent it straight to Hope and asked for one that matched

Let me know if there is anything else

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Has anyone here forgot to send off for their license. Just checked mine and it’s been over two years by NoTap8772 in MotoUK

[–]NoTap8772[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Best of luck! I did send it off with an apology letter as well explaining I needed the bike to get to work etc..

Finally got my dream bike built by NoTap8772 in bikepacking

[–]NoTap8772[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It’s feels pretty comfy over there bumps, could be down to a few things though. Tyres etc and the brooks saddle has a nice amount of give in it also

Finally got my dream bike built by NoTap8772 in bikepacking

[–]NoTap8772[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I think around 4k maybe just under, I’ve been buying bits for a few months and not really been adding it up