An update on the Vagabond with some small changes made:-
Front mech has been swapped from an RSX low clamp 7sp one for an Ultegra road 10sp one which gives quite a bit more clearance between the seatube and tyre and also moved the pivots and spring to the side of and not behind the seatube.
I swapped the seatpost from the Easton EA50 to a Thorn layback post as this gives a more precise micro adjustment,the EA50 was either too nose down or too nose up due to the course serrations on the interfaces.
I swapped the seatpost collar for a Salsa Liplock,the original Genesis one that came with the frame didn't inspire confidence,it looked cheap and flimsy.This isn't the first one I've changed,the one on my Longitude was a worse still QR one that wouldn't tighten enough.
Salsa Liplock is the Rolls Royce of seat collars IMO,very stylish and made from quality materials.
I've now fitted the bike with black 53mm Bluemels mudguards but wish I'd gone for 60mm as there's a bit of overspill with 50mm tyres
,a nice long front mudflap and a rubber deflector on the rear takes care of anything coming up off the road or trails.
I'm very happy with the bike for its intended purpose,it handles the trails and crapmac it's used on brilliantly,and with the Marathon Supreme tyres fitted is surprisingly quick and nimble both on and off road,for what is after all a heavish bike.
I've slightly tweaked the riding position as I've put miles on it,it's now juusssttt about dialed in
The Alpine Douple chainset is proving a really good choice(I normall ride a triple),the 24/39t c/set with the 14,15,17,19,21,23,26,30,34t custom cassette gives a 20in low to 79.5in high gear with a nice progression where it's needed in the most used gears.
I can climb steep 10%+ gravel in bottom gear,and have spun out top gear at 25mph.I don't need anything lower or higher,but if I were younger and fitter changing the chainrings for say 26 or 28t/40 or 42t would give a higher set with the same progression.
That about sums up the changes made other than to mention that today I swapped the 700x50mm Marathon Supremes for 700x50mm Conti RaceKings which measure up the same size as the Supremes(45w x 47high),these have a nice supple carcass similar to the Supremes but with a small close knobblie tread which look like they'll ride well off road in the impending wetish winter weather and look likely to ride well on crapmac.
A word about the Supremes,these are fast supple tyres that roll very well indeed for a big tyre and I'm very pleased with them,though they aren't as supple as Hypers due IMO to having a thicker albeit slick tread.
As a comparison at 50mm(44wx47high actual)they're about as supple as 40mm(37wx37h)Hypers but almost as quick which is saying something for a much bigger air chamber and I run them at much lower pressures,28f/48r compared to the smaller Hypers at 45f/65r.
EDIT;I'll post some photos when I get a chance to take them