cross-posted from: https://lemmy.dbzer0.com/post/71252573

Frannie is a 2019 Salsa Vaya.

Steel frame with a Shimano 105 drivetrain. We roll tubeless. She typically hauls between 20 and 40 pounds of gear depending on the season. I used to ride carbon, but once I hit my 40s every ride started to hurt a little more, so I moved to steel. Unloaded, the frame weighs about 19 lbs, but it handles smooth as silk.

I would spend 8 hours a day on this thing if I didn’t have a job.

Dat azzzz

  • Throbbing_banjo@lemmy.dbzer0.comOPEnglish
    3·
    11 days ago

    Those front bags were a game changer. Love how sturdy they are and how well they grip the rack. No rattle at all.

    That’s a speaker on the fork! I can hear it a lot better there than on the tube.

    • Bademantel@lemmy.worldEnglish
      2·
      11 days ago

      I only tried front bags on a friend’s setup briefly but don’t they ruin the handling, especially those big and heavy ones?

      Nice bike!

      • Throbbing_banjo@lemmy.dbzer0.comOPEnglish
        2·
        11 days ago

        Less than I expected them to, but I definitely take tight turns more slowly when they’re on.

        It’s more a weight distribution thing than anything; if I’ve got 30 lbs of gear in those rear bags and nothing up front, handling gets super hairy on hills, gravel, or rain/snow. Fishtailing on a bicycle at 20+ mph is fucking terrifying.

        If the weight is spread out, it’s significantly smoother. And the low center of gravity is great for gravel.