Updated: 20/01/2019
So I updated my Bikefit post again
I only rode about 800 km’s of TA 2018 because of my head injury in late 2017!
I made the right call to stop.
The fit and comfort of my Pivot worked out great, I could ride around the world with this setup.
But being made from carbon it felt dead under me and I started looking for a bike frame that would be alive and make riding fun again.
The only problem was the last minute servicing and having to change to a smaller handlebar bag and then running out of space for my water and food!
Which i’m working on a new design idea…for 2019
If your not comfort on your Bikepacking bike to ride 8+ hours a day then find a Bike Fitter who knows about Bikepacking setup and see them.
At the end of the day Cycling and Bikepacking is about having fun.
Why a change in direction with my bikepacking bike?
Well a few of you have been asking why i’m changing from my Jones? Well someone in OZ said that my Jones Loop handlebars were not a good idea for me!
I have had a love / hate relationship with my Jones Handlebars (and Jones Bike’s on to my 3rd Jones and it’s up For Sale now).
Why? because I love the design but have always found for me the angle 45 degrees is too much! as I have been having hand and arm pain for the last few years using them.
Plus having got to 50+ I need some suspension.
In OZ I learned about Bike Fitting and things started to click in my head and once having a BG Bike Fit myself it just started feeling so much better. So i’m going to be changing back to 12 degree handlebar that I used 3 or so years ago and loved at the time but was looking for more hand placements (Because I very badly bent them in a unplanned dismount I had to find a handlebar that was available in NZ at the time) Salsa Bend 2 (17 degrees) handlebars So I have changed my handlebars again after waiting almost a year I have got a new pair of Thomson 12 degree Titanium bars and fitted them because they are so much more comfortable for me.
So my new bike.
Make? I’m going with a new Ritchey because steel is alive and the carbon felt died!
So I sold my Pivot frame off
Which model? a Ultra 29er
Fork? Fox 34 (Love them) changed damper to a Grip Damper (more oil and it’s simple)
Front hub? Son {15x110mm) Dyno front hub (from Chris @ puresports.co.nz)
Rim’s? are WTB KOM i29 (Because badly bent in a unplanned dismount)
New Rim’s DT Swiss XM 481 (a little stronger and wider at 30mm internal) Love them
Rear Hub? Hadley made in the USA and strong
Groupset? Shimano XT 2×10 (Longer chain life and better shifting)
That’s all the info at this point in time.
Here are a few Photos of my rebuild
Editor
