Bikepacking Rig Revisited : My Surly Ogre after 3 years
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- Опубликовано: 9 фев 2025
- I did a video about my bike back in 2020 when it was less than a year old. Since then I have put some serious miles on it and taken it on a few fully loaded, multi day trips.
I still love it as much as ever and very little has changed but there are a few points that merit another video and so in this one I'm going over some of the features of my Surly Ogre that have changed since the original review and some that haven't changed when I thought they would.
If you haven't seen the original video you should probably check that out first as this one will likely make more sense : • Bikepacking Rig - My ...
I also mention my Pennine Bridleway ride a couple of times so if you haven't watched that series then please have a look. It was a great ride but really hard : • Bikepacking the Pennin...
Massive thank you to Quadlock for sending me a free case and mount. I rate their kit very highly after years of use so if you need a mount for your phone then check them out : www.quadlockca...
Other gear I mention can be found on the links below. Some are affiliate links and clicking through on these really helps me out so thanks to any who do :)
== TRP Spyke Brake ==
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== Rohloff Sprocket ==
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== Molok Bars ==
surlybikes.com...
== Ritchie Adjustable Stem ==
ritcheylogic.c...
== Topeak Disc Explorer Rack ==
amzn.to/3EDmD7d
====Shout Me A Coffee====
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Whether you do or not, thank you for watching, your support means the world to me :)
"No one else can tell you how to do it, though many, many will try." Truer words have never been spoken! Well played, sir!
Agree on panniers and how silly it is that for many the definition of bikepacking seems to be bike touring sans panniers. It's comical the lengths some bikepackers go to avoid panniers or how others have concluded that small panniers, if on a Tailfin rack, are acceptable.
Whatever works!
Thank you for the good info and great attitude.
Yeah, it's bonkers what people pick for their personal definition, and the lengths some will go to defend it!
Ride bikes, have fun. That's what I say 😀
Thanks for watching
wait ive been backpacking for years at this point. Since when and do panniers make it touring? never heard this before
That is a really nice video, you made. Thank you for that. A reallynice way of describing your way.
Funny that I finished yesterday a quite similar rig for myself, after dragging myself out of the cave, still suffering from the loss of my beloved Fargo that fit like a glove.
Really nice, work. Thank you for that.
Typically,
I, with lightening speed, click off of endless ramblings of YTbers.
But you, sir, I quite enjoy.
Thank you so much. Cheers.
I'm very pleased to hear that. I do try to keep some direction to my rambling 😉
I hope I can continue to hold your attention. More videos coming soon!
Yes, absolutely philosophical ramblings abut bike touring, bike packing 👍
That particular distinction requires some real attention. I don't know if I'll ever get all my research done to do it justice but maybe. I have a collection of notes, thoughts and references which I like to think will become a video one day.
Watch this space 😉
Really enjoy your thoughts and words. Have a great day sir.
Glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for watching :)
+1 for some philosophical musings about bikepacking vs cycle touring!
Seems there is a bit of interest so it will most likely happen. It might take a while though, I need to do some actual research and planning for this one I think!
100% agree with the love of the old machine. Mine's 12+ years old - a complete Trigger's Broom - and each time I look at it, I'm filled with the desire to BUY NEW... and then I get on it and start riding, and find there's nothing I would change (although I do need to replace the chain now).
I do have three sets of wheels though, each with different types of tyres for on road, off road and for snow/ice.
Tall stems, Quad Lock, angled handlebars, panniers... yep. I'm all onboard with those..!!
Couldn't manage without a car though. Bravo..!!
I like the idea of multiple wheel sets though with a Rohloff on each that is going to get expensive ;)
I had a car for years but got to the point that I was only using it to drive to and from the train (back when I was still commuting). That was 4 miles each way on quiet country lanes and it just seemed crazy to pay so much for so little - especially when I enjoy cycling and there was a bus for backup.
I thought it would be harder than it was but now I cycle everywhere and the few times I really do need a car I rent one.
"Seatpacks are rubbish, panniers are better!" :) :)
This got you a new subscriber!
It is a hill I will happily die on so I'm pleased to find another believer to go down with me!
Welcome on board 😉
Just getting into it, I'm still at the cabletieing everything on stage! But was looking at seat packs or rear racks, going to go for rack/pannier option eventually, tho the seat packs make you look like a 'pro' 😂
Edit, and you can cable tie more onto a rack by the looks of it😂
It did make me chuckle when you mentioned about the bike being heavy ,The main reason I got my Ogre is because it's a lot lighter than my Thorn Nomad . When I was running 650b I tried you tyres but went with Ritchie Evolution max ,I found they ran better on tarmac but also had a lot more grip in mud .I use the Ortlieb quick rack ,maybe that the reason that when I bump into cycling groups they all ignore me ;).
I guess heavy is a relative term 😉
I'm gonna need new tyres in the not too distant future so all opinions are appreciated as I'm pretty much undecided about what to get next.
Jajaja, you just inspired me to get changed and go for a ride on my Ogre. I fell out of love with cycling over the last year but watching this video made me go like "yeah, I fancy a ride now" :-)
Thanks for that.
I built my Ogre in 2017/18, everything mechanical and up to a year ago I was very happy with it, I'm sure I'm still very happy. My is a 29" wheels, simply because I had a set of Archetypes rims in the shed which I'm a fan of so I built a set of strong wheels; never a problem. I bought these rims for my old Reynolds 531 road bike lol. I can't remember exactly tyres ive got (I'm pretty old) Schwalbe touring 1.5" or something like that. I didn't want 2.0", the rims would have been too narrow for that.
Before I stopped riding I was toying with the idea of a 27.5 rims and 3" tyres... I'd need to change the gearing from a triple to a single to make it work on that frame. Maybe now is the time.
If I helped you fall back in love with cycling then I can ask for no better result!
I hope you do get out on a ride and I hope it gets you right back in the groove.
The bike sounds like a beauty. Shame to have sitting unloved in the shed
Ive had my Ogre for five years now and use it to teach kids cycling as well as it being 'My bike' as you said. I mainly ride on the road and my last tour I took 40Kg of camping gear and food! My point is - this is one of the most versatile bikes you can buy. Oh and I agree - bike packing seats are pants as well as looking like some weird phallus. I use a saddle bag which is much more practical and looks - well, normal! I also use panniers but i intend to change my what I carry and the way I carry it next year - I'm at an age where the lure of a B and B is just too great. Great video and great attitude.
The Ogre is also great exactly because you can load it up in any way you want with whatever bags you need. I love it and am very happy having it as my only bike.
No shame in a BnB. I've done it myself before and I'll do it again. Every ride is a good ride!
@@DonAltopio I love the enthusiasm 😀
Same to you, happy riding into 2024!
Down to earth, plain enjoyable bike that makes you smile, happy, forget troubles is the best bike any one can have. Is different for everyone and that’s makes it even better. Enjoy bike, trips and life. Big smile.
Absolutely, couldn't have said it better myself.
The more people out cycling, the better says I. Regardless of the bike you ride, the bags you carry or the trails you ride on!
Spoons ! My girl has wanted one for years. Bikepacking vs. bicycle touring is a must, we need to divide on every possible front. So happy that you picked a winner with the bike. I'm working on a custom fat touring bike that will take years to complete (already in over a year and a half) but should be perfect for the awesome tours I'll probably never get to. Rock on.
Yeah, I've been super slack with the spoons. The first batch went well and then I gave away all my stock at Christmas and never caught up again. I need at least a few evenings to finish a single spoon and free evenings have been in short supply this past year.
They are coming though!
Good luck with the build. I hope it comes together and at least some of those adventure become reality 🙂
Useful update, thanks.
My wife is relatively small so seat packs tend to droop onto the rear tyre. She therefore uses rear panniers and they work very well, so much so that I occasionally do too as they're much less of a faff to get off and put on each day on long trips....... but please don't tell anyone in the "bikepacking police" I said that.
I don't need to tell them. They have sophisticated surveillance techniques and their spies are everywhere. I'm afraid they will have seen this comment so your best bet is probably to the floppiest seat pack you can find and head for the hills. Six months should do it then you can risk coming back to civilisation after the fuss has died down ;)
@JethroJessop 🤣🤣🤣 I fear the knock on the door at midnight so I'm off RIGHT NOW.
@@PuddledPete Best plan. Get ahead and stay ahead, they are tireless in their pursuit of traitors!
Enjoyable update Jethro 👍
I’d love to see your version of the pannier/bikepacking bag debate too!
Cheers.
Glad you enjoyed it.
I may well tackle the subject I think. It will need a bit more prep than I usually do for my videos so I doubt it will happen any time soon but the seed is definitely there so who knows.
Same here
Found your channel when i was looking for a new bike a few years ago. after many obsessive months i ended up with an ogre- more than partly based on your videos and I am so happy I did. what a comfortable beast!
That's great! I'm really pleased if I was able to help in any way. Choosing a new bike can be a real rabbit hole and I cam out with the Ogre as much through luck as judgement but like yourself I am super pleased with it :)
Greatly appreciate your update on your bike! We all have our beliefs, gotta haves, etc., but in the end, the miles have a way to wash away the hype, dull the dazzle of the advertising and leave us to discover what really works for us each. We have had more snow this week here in Finland so my riding ambitions remain, shall we say, frozen. Again, thank you.
"The miles wash away the hype".
I like that. Words of wisdom indeed and so very true.
I hope the spring starts to show its face for you soon and you can get out on the bike again.
I enjoy your philosophical musings, I'm sure your take on bike packing vs touring would be very interesting.
Well it may just happen. Enough people have expressed an interest and I think I could get a video out of it.
I'll get my extensive team of researchers and writers on the job this afternoon!
Thanks for the update! I looked into buying a Surly or Salsa, but I didn't want a bike that weighed 17Kg unloaded. Consequently, I decided to have a custom steel hardtail made that only weighs 14Kg with rear rack, bags, pedals, bottle cages, gps and light mounts plus bell with aluminum bars. I'm old, and after cancer surgery I just can't climb anymore 😞
Sounds like an amazing beast indeed!
I hope you are getting everything out of it that you wanted and that you have many fine adventures in the future - climbing or no climbing :)
Great video. I still have the honor of being one of your Quadlock winners 😎
And I hope it keeping your phone safe on many a fine adventure.
I'm really hoping to do some more giveaways as soon as I find a more practical way to manage it all.
Watch this space for some more free stuff - hopefully 😉
Completely agree with you about panniers. They move the centre of gravity lower, are more convenient to load/unload and easy to pack. A good quality pair will be robust enough even for the worst off roading. The only downside is that you are tempted to load the kitchen sink!
The ease of loading and access is the real clincher for me. To be able to grab stuff while on the move and thrown stuff in as needed is really valuable, and also to have variable volume.
The thing of making you pack too much is a really common argument against panniers but I don't see the issue - I have room in my house for another sofa but I don't buy one because I don't need one, I can sit with a massive box of chocolates and only eat one.
I'd rather have the option of more space when I need it and the rest of the time just... don't pack loads of crap ;)
Thanks for a relaxed start to our Sunday morning. Yay! We should all do our thing and have no need to comment or judge how anybody else does their thing. Love my cycling in the slow lane. I’m now trying it even slower with a second hand Brompton!
I'm all about the slow touring. If I wanted to get there fast I'd go by train 😉
I've never ridden a Brompton but I did once share a camp shelter in Sweden with the Swiss women's Brompton racing Champion.
@@JethroJessop Brompton + Racing! Now that just messes with my head!!!
@@Shuna2011 I know!
Apparently it's all quite tongue in cheek and people race in tweed outfits and just go to have fun. But attracts an international set of riders so must be at least semi serious.
Love this. Also happy to see your t-shirt preferences haven't changed (ha).
And they probably never will. I have a lot of bike clothes that are well over 10 years old. A few base layers that I inherited from a friend's dad that are even older!
Nice update. I wouldn't get involved in the bikepacking/cycle touring debate. It's all just travelling on a bike. Looking forward to your upcoming adventures.
My interest is more in why some people are so adamant that there is a hard line between the two and yet no one is able to give a solid definition of either.
But you are right, its all just cycling and anyone who get hung up on the exact label is missing the point.
Love the handlers, look really comfortable.
They are great. I bought them for the multiple hand positions but the sweep is perfect for me and I hardly ever go up to the horns now
I have a similar rig. The Chronicles were the best all-round 3" tyre you could find until maxxis stopped making them. The WTB Bridger 3" is OK. But I am now on Rekon+ 2.8" and these are brilliant. Similar experience with gears - went from 11-42T to 11-46T. Makes a huge difference on climbing. Not getting rid of the car but do think about it from time to time !!
That's good to know about the tyres, cheers. It isn't going to be long before I need to start thinking about the next set so recommendations are always nice.
Good to see you again and the Surly. Having seen your journeys on the 3" tyres, I opted for a Sonder Frontier (rigid fork) - with SRAM Eagle. I love its universal capabilities and feel of the mud tyres. Re the Topeka rack, I have set mine side in favour of an Ortlieb Quick rack (Lite - model). This is a clip on/off and allows me to ride naked (!) and swop onto my other bike..in seconds. Keep riding and keep enjoying. If you return to Guildford, we could share a ride... Thanks again.
Interesting, I shall check out the quick rack. Though to be fair, I use my panniers on almost ride and my other bike is a full-sus that has barely come out from under its tarp in a year :|
I noticed this frame a few days ago; I would like to do a custom build of this frame. This bike serves 4-5 types of purpose bike riding. Their current Ogre frame is a Mauve Plum color (nice!). Such as some say; "Steel is real".
It's an awesome bike. When I was shopping for mine there was a red option but it was never in stock so I went black.
I'm actually glad I did because it helps give the illusion of a bike that isn't worth stealing 😉
I enjoyed your previous load out review too. I can’t believe it was years ago… For me, it seems like only 10 minutes ago.😂 at any rate, I wanted to chime in with my two cents and panniers versus backpacking bags. Personally, I use a Carradice in the back and the swift zeitgeist in the front… But one thing I did like about the Revelate seat bag was that when it was pouring rain, I could just take the whole seat bag and throw it into my tent and my sleeping bag, and everything else in it was I always just so perfectly dry. 🙂…
PS: You Make me miss my Jones bike, which also had a Rohloff … What a lovely machine!
Tell me about it. I dunno where the time goes! A year used to be a long time but now they seem to come and go like mayflies.
The bags debate will rage forever I'm sure and really there is no definitive answer. It's great to have the choice so as many folk as possible can enjoy as many rides as possible.
I can fit all my bags in the vestibule of my tent and the only one that stays on the bike is the frame bag. That is a real faff to get on and off so I don't bother but the rest can be unloaded in a matter of seconds.
I will concede that my panniers are not fully waterproof. They used to be but those days are gone and they have acquired some fairly decent sized holes during service. I use one of those lightweight dry bags as a liner now and will squeeze a few more short years out of them yet 😉
Thanks for watching!
I'm new to bikepacking and really appreciate the info on the Moloko bars. I also agree on the pannier vs wobble bag. The pannier is indeed superior, not trendy, not "cool", just practical and easy. I have left over surgical issue requiring lots of available water for swallowing and will be getting a 4 or 6 liter bladder that will indeed fit in a oannier far better than a wobble sack.
Glad you found it helpful. Feel free to shout if you have other questions. I can't promise to have the answers but if I do I'll gladly share :)
Worth looking at frame-bag bladders as well for water storage. Think you can get some pretty big ones and the main triangle might be a better place to store that kind of weight.
Yes please do a video ref your thoughts on bikepacking, cycle touring etc. I fell for the hype and bought a high end seat pack and I hate the bloody thing. Panniers all the way for me now.
Yeah I got one when I first built the Ogre and I still occasionally try it but it is just a pain. Mine wasn't high end but no amount of additional spend is going to stop a seat pack being a seat pack and therefore being right in the bloody way, all the time!
There is a lot of mulling to do to make that video so it may not happen for a while but I think it is likely coming so keep your eyes peeled :)
Being one of your older and weight-challenged cycling viewers I did follow your advice on lowering the gearing on my Rohloff bike from 42x16 to 38x16 and found some of the hills of South Oxfordshire went from walkable to cyclable. If the last few weeks on a turbo trainer have made no difference to my overall fitness then I will take a look at the 38x17 setup and see if that makes the hills even easier.
Has to be said I always enjoy watching your local rides particularly the breaks in continuity. Be assured if you ever fail to return after a lengthy ride I will arrange for the villagers to fund a Blue Plaque to fix to a tree somewhere in Long Toll Woods!
That sounds good - "This was the last known location of Jethro, the cycle poet and waffler of great nonsenses, before he finally returned to the forest to live amongst the tree folk".
The subtleties of different gearings are somewhat over my head but that small changes do seem to reap pretty decent rewards so its absolutely worth looking into. I don't mind pushing the odd hill if I have to but I'd rather cycle even if its slower in the long run.
I like how you use your bike as your main mode of transport. It’s dawning on me that I can do that too. I don’t need to drive everywhere as I do and my usual distances aren’t that far that I can’t travel without a car. Maybe, just maybe I can buy a new bike for the job? A good vid from you Jethro, we all change our viewpoints as we gain experience and a review of our ideas is good. I ride a ‘Gravel bike’ for most of my riding it’s a Titanium Litespeed and I enjoy it, it’s far sturdier than my carbon steed but it’s not the ‘Adventure bike’ that yours is. I think, I may just be developing a reason to purchase a new bike. I have always fancied those Surly bikes. Thank you for the vid, I have enjoyed it. I’ve been using Quadlock for years, they work well. I hate listening to your ads, I must admit, but that’s your call. Take care Jethro.
Riding by default has had an enormous impact on me. And I have a tip. When I first started using a bike as my main way to go everywhere, one of the ideas I stumbled across was that your waterproofs play a similar role to a car. They're what protect you from the weather, and really good ones can keep you comfortable in any weather. This idea gave me permission to invest in some really good ones, and it totally paid off; even in the pouring rain I could commute across the city at a leisurely pace, with a smile on my face.
If you can make it work for you then cycling as your main transport can be hugely beneficial - health, finance, environmental impact etc.
It doesn't work for everyone but even trip done by bike instead of by car is a plus for us all as I see it.
And, always nice to find an excuse for a new bike 😉
The ads thing, I can understand. I don't feel massively comfortable doing it but at least rest assured that any recommendations i make are genuine regardless of how I got the gear. I've turned down more free stuff than I've accepted because I didn't feel I could fit it anywhere other than a full on, untested advert.
I don't like selling stuff but it is vastly preferably to what I do for a living so while I maintain even the faintest hope of ever making this channel financially significant I'll be for sale to the highest bidder 😉
Enjoyed the last walk round video of your Surly and this one too. The tinkering never really ends and I quite enjoy that side of it (when I'm not trying for hours to fit the wrong part to one of my bikes). Another vote for the bike packing/cycle touring ramble, although we may need to get you in the cycling-with-panniers witness protection programme afterwards! ;)
Yeah it could be dangerous to take sides. Though my take is that actually there are no sides and its all just long distance cycling 😉
I think I will try and formulate a coherent video on the matter though. Purely as a philosophical/linguistic piece. We shall see
You could have stopped after about 2 1/2 minutes. That is enough reason for a person to like a bike. Then again, than I would not have been laughing out loud a few times in the remainder. Bought a Big Agnes Copper Spur Bikepacking 1 person tent a while ago, based largely on your review. Stumbled upon this video somehow today. Now subscribed, because really enjoy the vibe!
Haha, yeah that is the case with many of my videos. I usually have an idea of what I'm going to say ahead of time but it when it comes to actually saying the words I tend to ramble and run long.
Glad you enjoyed the result though and thanks for the sub, I appreciate the support and will hopefully have more videos going up soon.
How is the copper spur working out for you? I hope it lived up to my hype 😉
@@JethroJessop Really liking it so far, but I haven’t had as much time in it as I would have liked. I will be off to ride the North Coast 500 (GCN alt route) end of the month though, so that should be a proper test. Just finished watching all the Badger Divide video’s, hope to enjoy Scotland as much as you did there. Preferably with a little less headwind. Cheers!
@@larsborghouts8360 I'll keep my fingers crossed and sacrifice something to the weather gods for you.
Have a great time, I'm sure it will be an amazing trip!
Came back to this 1 year old video to just enjoy your narration about your Ogre and the Touring/Bikepacking debate.
I watched the build streams when you were first starting out with it.
On an unrelated note, my imagination pictures a world where bicycle tourists have their own trading cards. "Here's my 2023 Jethro Jessop. I also have his 2023 Surly Ogre, the ultra rare Wooden Spoon card, the Alan card, and Badger Divide. Still working on collecting his other route/ride cards but I think I have the best ones so far. Check out the QR code on the back, it links you to a website with route information for the rides if you want to check them out yourself, and profiles for the riders. Also, here's my Van Duzer "No Whammies", and the 2014 Iohan Gueorguiev (RIP) and his 'Dead Horse' Purple Surly Troll".
I actually have serious consideration to getting a set of trading card style stickers printed in exactly the style you describe!
I wanted to have some kind of Top Trumps style stats game involved but I never got much further than that.
It would be a very cool project though!
I will keep you informed and let you know if I act on it. I think it would be fun to meet other bicycle tourists on the road and pass cards around. Not sure how you can make a game out of it but there's always that possibility.
Regarding games, you might be aware there was someone who put out a bicycle touring board game called the open road. I'm not sure how good the game is based on reviews however the art for it is very stylistic and you can purchase the posters from their site.
@@peppermintpig974 it would be a great thing to get going if enough riders got involved. I'd definitely be up for promoting it!
I think I watched a play through of the board game and it didn't grab me massively. It's a tricky thing to gameify I think
Thanks for the update! I still haven't managed to get a Rohloff wheel for my Ogre... Still my daily commuter and I love it on the Extra Terrestrial 29x2,5 wheels
The Rohloff is quite a step to take but I'm still absolutely loving mine. Glad you are having fun on the Ogre still :)
Yeah Jethro, love to hear your ramble about the Bikepacking/Bike Touring differences and this verses that. My take is it's now become a Fusion of both however the diehard bikepackers are all about being totally Minimalist to the point of torture.....why bring camping gear at all....just a light blanket haha just like the old Cowboys did. Then, there are the rest of us who like to bring everything including the kitchen sink so Panniers are a must as are duffle bags. I think though the bikepacking scene has given bike touring new bags to fill that we never had before.....frame bags, top tube bags, tubular bags for the handlebars, they don't weight much extra but are handy for fiddly bits, heaps of snacks and seeing as many of us like to carry electronics, power banks, leads and chargers. Just tarp camping doesn't thrill me as I don't want any foxes coming in at 2am to give me a peck on the cheeks and at 100kgs, hammocks are a real bastard to get in and out and end up being shaped like a banana the next morning plus I roll over lots during the night and i'd probably end up falling out anyway. ....I guess that fixes the out bit......😂
I have done some very half hearted research into the early origins of bikepacking as hobby and it goes back a long way - early 70s is the furthest I've managed to find references so for the majority of its history there has been no mention of ultralight. This seems to be something that has crept in only recently. I assume as a bleed over from endurance racing.
One day I'll have enough research to put together a script and a video.
Might not be any time soon though!
Qualityhobest review. Thanks, bud, I enjoyed watching this!
Thank you :) I'm pleased you enjoyed it and I hope it was at least somewhat helpful
I’m with you all the way, defining what you are doing by a wobbly wavy bag that hangs off the back of your bike is just nuts. All my bikes have straight handles bars and a more upright position. Two of them have chunky tyres, One of them not so chunky, due to there being no room. They all have panniers racks which have taken us through grassland, moors, fire roads and any other distracted ‘What’s down there then” moments. Personally I’m just exploring in the sloth lane all I need is whittling kit and we are on the same page, one day 😊.
Bikepacking (or whatever you call it) and whittling are fantastic bedfellows in my mind. Nothing like sitting at camp and whittling a spoon from a fallen, local bough.
@@JethroJessop I’ve just spent the last four hours lopping chinks of our wayward apple tree, maybe it’s a good time to start. Time to do some research 🤓
@@graham-kirby Applewood is amazing to carve, one of my favourites. It comes up really smooth, takes details well and has some lovely colours to it sometimes.
It also stays workable even after it has dried. It gets a bit harder but stays good.
Perfect time to have a whittle :)
I ordered a Quad Bike mount this morning because the out front one doesn’t work on my new bike. I took her out for quick 13 miles yesterday, came hard after not riding for 14 months. Panniers all the way for me, they don’t move like the kids used to in the bike seat. What about a meet up where we all reveal our bike packing set up. Another great video thank you
That would be cool. One day I'd like to set off on a ride that allowed me to cross paths with everyone who regularly gets involved in the channel.
It would be an epic trip but is probably a pipe dream for now.
Hope you get your legs back quickly. Spring is coming and the days are getting longer, so the rides follow suit!
Thanks for the update. Was searching for some Ogre insight.Hoping to ride over some cactuses in Baja someday. Bought an ECR that never got delivered because of supply chain issues and then got discontinued so I'm trying to find something else that can fit that hole of rugged off-road stuff...
Do the bikepacking/cycle touring video, it'll be fun :) I think a rack is good insurance, but I can see that panniers are annoying when you have to walk your bike uphill in the bush for three miles, so less about aero and more about stream-lined. The only distinction between the two I can get behind is the terrain you cover, and whatever gets you through the night (and the bush) is fair game. There are no rules, only solutions.
Big panniers definitely can get in the way but I run pretty small ones and hang them as high and far back as I can so they don't interfere with pushing sections.
Hope the info was helpful and I hope you make it to Baja someday soon :)
I had a few frames cancelled on me as well when I was putting the Ogre together. Had to order it from Germany in the end I seem to remember!
We'll see about the bikepacking/touring video There is something there I think but I need to work out what I actully think on the subject first :)
@@JethroJessop Thank you :) I'll look forward to it regardless of what you decide...
Thanks for this very enjoyable presentation from an enthusiastic Orgee, Ogreite, Ogreten? Coming from a Kona Rove I bought during the Pandemic, on which I haven't been completely comfortable. I'm heading out tomorrow to test and possibly buy the 10 speed 2022 version of the Ogre to ride upright and dignified. Hope too much hasn't changed. Smaller tires, Geometry?. Looking forward to catching up on your Channel... Thanks Again for the Info!
I think I like Ogreite 😉
I'm not sure what has changed in terms of frame geometry since I got mine but I doubt it's much. Beyond that everything on mine is non standard and was bought separately to the frame.
Hope the test ride is a success and you come away with a new bike that you love as much as I love mine.
Report back if/when you get it!
Nice rig...bikepacking is bikepacking when you say it is and the same with bike touring, kit and bike choices are up to us to decide 👍
Do you think it really is that simple?
Like art. It is if you say it is.
I dunno, I feel like there is a difference between the two but I'm not sure it has a hard boundary and probably no one will ever come up with a definition that suits everyone.
I ride a surly Ogre because of your videos
I hope you enjoy it as much as I do and you aren't cursing me every mile of the way for a bad recommendation 😉
@@JethroJessop I love it! I am currently considering installing a Rolfhoff hub... I can't decide which one to get haha
@@StellarSailor If it helps, I bought my Rohloff through SJS Cycles who were absolutely fantastic!
I didn't know which model I needed but they contacted Surly who confirmed "TS EX Rohloff hub which has the solid axel not a quick release with an OEM 2 plate"
@@JethroJessop Amazing, thank you!
Brings back memory’s when you were trying to put this bike together 😂😂😂
😉😏
Bloody hell, yeah. People talk about bikepacking being Type 2 Fun but really the building of the bike is far more Type 2 than any of the actual riding.
I hope I learned something from the experience but honestly I'm not sure 😉
Love your videos…watched so many of your trips. Been looking for an Ogre in the UK but for some reason can’t find any seller with a medium frame for sale…frame only or complete bike…not even a sniff ☹️
That's a pity. It was a bit of a faff getting mine I recall, think it had to be shipped in from Germany in the end.
Maybe find one on the continent, go pick it up and cycle back 😉
No better way to break in a new steed!
Thanks for watching, I'm glad you are enjoying the channel
Had the 27.5x3.0” chronicle on my Marin. More pedal traction than my current DHR 2.8” up hill in the loose.
And in the thick thick sand washes the chronicle starts up
Easier and quicker than it’s knobby brother. And resist puncture well.
Yeah I had a real change of heart with the Chronicle over time. It turns out to be a great all round tyre once I stopped wanting a unicorn 😉
I have one spare left in the cupboard then I'll have to start looking for the next replacement
bike packing/cycle touring, do it !!!
I think I might have to. I have a rough idea of how to frame it but I need to do some actual prep for this one so it might take a while.
Rohloff Ogre is Fantastic. I have a very fast road bike and whilst I love that too I have more fun on ogre
Anyone who loves cycling has room in their life for multiple bikes 😉
I have two but to be honest the full-sus gets very little use anymore. I love the Ogre and it is perfect for the type of riding that I find myself wanting to do these days.
I was going to sell the roadie but they depreciate so fast there’s no point. I’d never be able to afford another weapon like that with two kids now
@@curlcurllocal mount it on the wall as piece of art 😉
...many thanks for the update, very interesting. I'm beginning to go through a change...do I need a second vehicle ! I've started to cycle to and from work (just get the trains sorted and then my back up is there). I tend to clean my bike, take it to the bike repair shop and they do their magic and I collect it !
As regards bags and panniers, would love to hear your poetic thoughts on such a life important subject! Ironically some of us strive to be different...but we all end up at a wedding sometime in our lives in the same frock or shirt !
Have fun and enjoy those wheels !.
For me it was pretty easy to give up the car but my situation was simple - no family to ferry around.
Having a car is great but its so expensive and I just didn't get my monies worth out of it. At first it was a bit of a faff but now its just the way my life is and I get on with cycling everywhere. If I really need a car I hire one and even doing this fairly regularly works out cheaper than owning one.
Keep your eyes peeled for the bikpacking/cycle touring debate video. It may happen, though not in the immediate future I doubt. Needs some proper research first.
Quad lock is brilliant ,got one on my brompton worth every penny😊
Yeah I really rate them. Never dropped a phone yet!
I use the tripod mount for filming as well. Quality stuff
I just bought a 2022 Ogre. I'm looking to change the handlebars and I like yours but I also like the a Corner bar that surly has.
There are so many out there to choose from and it's such a personal thing.
I love the Molokos but that is purely for reasons of personal preference so I can't really counsel you one way or the other.
The surly is a great bike though, you'll have a lot of fun on that!
Got any big adventures planned?
Nice update Jethro, I remember your last bike vid well. In fact, I remember thinking something along the lines of "I wonder if those tyres might grow on him...?" Unfortunately they have stopped making them, which is a shame given that they roll so well for a tyre with that level of grip. I stocked up while you could still get them, and (fearing nothing else might come along given the falling popularity of 3" tyres) I kind of overdid it. So I have a stash. If you'd like another set when these wear out, feel free to get in touch...
Bikepacking vs touring. I don't think any of us have a right to tell others what we should think. Personally, I associate bikepacking with using lightweight luggage, but even for a "purist" who takes that view there's a grey area where people need to add volume to carry more supplies than they can fit in the soft strap-on bags. e.g. when crossing a desert, or the centre of Iceland. Does that mean that if you add a rack to carry food and water to cross a desert that you can't "bikepack" across the desert? I don't think it's worth worrying about, honestly. I still find it useful to think of bikepacking as light soft luggage, while I think of "touring" as encompassing all bike travel.
I like my soft bags because they save me 2kg of luggage weight relative to panniers, and frankly I need all the help I can get. But I'm not invested in how other people approach it!
I'm picturing you sitting at home surrounded by mountains of tyres now. Looped around the light fittings, coiled up in the bath tub, hanging in the wardrobe ;)
Thank you for the kind offer, I actually got a spare set on eBay before I heard they had stopped making them so I have a small amount of wiggle room before deciding what the best alternative might be - there must be something comparable out there!
@@JethroJessop Aside from the light fittings (I store my rubber in the dark…!) that's a good description of my loft. Do let us know if you find a good alternative. And if you don't, I'll definitely still have some left!
@@GrahamAtDesk Glad to hear you have at least contained the collection to a single room 😉.
Same goes for you, if you see anything that looks good let me know.
I may actually take you up on the offer in the coming year, so thanks again, very decent of you 😉
Hey Jethro thanks for putting a smile on my face. The padded cycling pants (it is an age thing mate, you are getting old)😅😅. The purist bikepackers are an insignificant bunch, as you say get the bike and the set up that pleases you. I am also a nonconformist and do as I do not as others dictate. Cool video mate, thanks.
Glad you enjoyed it, and glad you agree.
There's little point arguing over definitions but its interesting to discuss in a purely academic way I think - language, identity etc.
I might squeeze a video out of it - I've made videos with much less subject matter in the past ;)
Good to see you again Jethro! Your one of the few that has their head screwed on the right way! ✊🤗 You’re spot on with regards to racks. Your bike, rack absolutely! Even without panniers and just a big dry bag strapped to it is tons better than seatpacks. This is because your not focused on saving weight. Lightweight ht or fs is where seatpacks begin to make sense, though still annoying to use… Horses for courses. Ever tried the Brooks B17? Thing is with a Brooks, you have to break em in, but then, you and your arse will be BFFs 😅
Exactly, each to their own.
I never tried a Brooks. I now many people absolutely swear by them, though I've heard a few who curse them as well. One day maybe, but while I'm comfy on my Selle I probably stick to that. I'm a creature of habit :)
Love your channel, Jethro! I’m also a big fan of panniers; however, going the other method (seat bags etc) might depend on how you wish to engage the anticipated terrain on your route. IMO, there is no viable argument to support the idea the bikepacking bags are meaningfully more aerodynamic-you’re hauling stuff, so how much of a speed difference can be had if the weights are equal? My thoughts are that bikepacking bags might be better if you navigate a lot of hilly, narrow/bush-edged single track and find the rear pannier bag is blocking your ability to efficiently walk the bike up a tough slope. Also, if you know that you will walk across streams, having the bags higher reduces the risk of immersion. But that’s about it for advantages-mostly circumstantial.
There are always arguments for each side and personal preference plays a big factor. Aerodynamics might be a concern if you are racing or aiming for really tough daily distance goals but for me practicality and ease of use are far more important.
I've never found that my small panniers, snag any more than my legs and they are mounted high enough that they don't get in the way when pushing.
I've also found that when a slope is so steep I need to carry the bike or a river needs to be crossed it is a real benefit to be able to take the bags off easily and make multiple trips.
I also like panniers because I'm messy and unorganised and like to just throw things in a big bag 😉
Two differences between the cases. The saddle bag is more aerodynamic, it is good for competitive riders or those who want to cover distances and save effort. Paniers contain more space and also more weight because of the rack.
The debate about the difference between bike-packing and bike-touring is going on between bored people who could do a few more kilometers and save a little battery on the phone instead of arguing (-:
I couldn't agree more. Pack bags, ride bikes, have adventures. That is all that matters.
Personally, I'll take comfort and practicality over a handful of saved calories when riding into a headwind any day 😉
@@JethroJessop
That's probably what brought me to your channel Jethro, although I'm planning on doing a backpacking race in the fall, so learning the pros and cons of all methods relative to my personal pace and style at the moment.
@@ישראלשורץ-י2ק racing is not something I have any experience of. I kind of see the appeal but my approach to life is too slapdash to include any kind of real training and I'm just not competitive enough to be good at it.
Good luck with the race though. Which one are you doing? One I might have heard of?
@@JethroJessop
well thanks.
The truth is that I'm not very competitive either, but I decided to do it just once for the experience and it brings interest into life. The race is called the Holy Land Challenge (hlc) and it takes place in Israel every year on 10/20. Some big names have ridden it. I will try to at least finish it even if not within the time frame
They have a website called the Holy Land Challenge you can check it out
@@ישראלשורץ-י2ק wow sounds amazing. I shall check it out. That will be some riding unlike anything I've ever experienced.
I wish you the best of luck and I hope it is a memorable experience (I'm sure it will be)
I agree!
Top feedback. Please feel free to recycle this comment on all my videos in the future 😉
Just added Vittoria barzo and mezcalls on my Touring bike. 27,5x2.35. you can get everywhere with those. Light, fast Rolling and nice looking. 3 inch has a lot off comfort but boy
they seem heavy
True. It also seems that they are falling out of favour so when I come to need new ones I dunno what I'll go for. I'm not enough of a gear-head to enjoy the research needed for a new tyre choice, I was hoping to just stick with what I knew for the rest of my days ;)
The only real way that the aerodynamics on a bike is really going to matter is if you are cannonball running coast to coast on your bike at as-fast-as-you-can-go speeds, not peddling at ~15 mph. I tried to use a bike packing bag one time and gave it to one of the people I was riding with just as soon as I dumped my stuff out of it, went back to my panniers and have NEVER looked back. They’re EXTREMELY limiting and just can’t hold hardly anything. If you are a serious weight weeny, go for it, going bike packing/touring is NOT an exercise in how much you can go without… which is absolutely HILARIOUS because most of those people travel with enough electronics to start a TV studio, it’s no wonder they are so concerned about weight.
Philosophical rambling on bike packing. I copied your ogre but no rack as yet! So I’m a “real” bikepacker 😅
Then we are sworn enemies forever more!
Wars have been fought and empires have crumbled over such differences ;)
i tried setting up my hardtail mtb with a nice upright gentlemanly shopping position, using a raised stem, and the result was a lot of nasty pressure on the seat bits, so i had to go back. maybe i needed to also change the saddle to something more accomodating.
I never realised how important saddle size/shape is until I finally got a saddle that fits my arse!
I always just rode the saddle that I had and I suffered unnecessarily for my laziness 😬
Great show! Do tell us; "What is bikepacking?"
Spoiler alert - I don't know ;)
But there is maybe an interesting discussion to be had there nonetheless. We shall see, keep watching this space!
Brilliant! Cheers!
You are very welcome. Glad you enjoyed it!
Great video! I'm actually building an Ogre currently, the 2022 version. You don't think the 3.0" tires are too wide on tarmac? For my commuting I do 10 miles of tarmac and I think I'll want something more narrow. Going for 29" wheels, though.
I find it ok, I prefer to ride off-road if I can but the Chronicles roll well on tarmac especially if you put some pressure in them.
Not sure if there is clearance for 29x3 but 3s seem to going out of style anyway.
Thanks for watching, glad you enjoyed :)
Great stuff, Jethro. Love your droll philosophical screeds. I landed on a Surly Krampus during the covid madness. Jones bars, but damn, the Molokos look good, and I actually got to handle some recently, so maybe I'll give them a try some day--I'm using the Ergon grips, too--forever. Was looking for Chronicles recently--none to be found. Curiously, I had the stock front hydro totally fade on me during some desperate bike packing through the Arizona desert this winter. Freaked me out. I'm now sporting Spykes. Not bothered at all by more frequent adjustments, although I've only tightened the barrels once in the last couple of weeks. No biggie.
Maybe you covered this in a different video, but any additional thoughts on the Rohloff? I'm drooling over Pinion gear, but the Rohloff might be a reasonable option--pricey but less than a whole new bike. How has chain wear been? Any issues/problems? Keep up the great work.
Think the chronicles are a memory now, only to be found second hand. I'm looking at Teravail Coronado for my next set I think.
I'm still loving the Rohloff and haven't had any problems so far. It's solid, does what I need and requires very little thought. The only chain wear I experience is down to me being truly awful at cleaning and maintaining my drive train. Sad but true.
Actually, thanks for reminding me, the Rohloff is due and oil change, I need to get on that.
@@JethroJessop Hah, just ordered a set of Coronado 2.8".
@@ScottandJodi have you? Let me know how they work out!
I've got a little life in the Chronicles yet but not much so I'd be interested to hear your thoughts
@@JethroJessop It will be a little while before I put them on, but I will report back. Be well.
@@ScottandJodi no worries. I'll probably get some regardless at some point but if you have any insights before then I'd be interested to hear
Nice bike. I have one very similar. Might try the 17 tooth cog too.
Do it. It's an easy tweak to make and makes a surprising amount of difference!
Thank you for your great content! How to figure out how wide the surly needs to be for best comfort? Cheers
Did you mean how wide the saddle needs to be?
Thanks so much for the detailed overview of your Surly Ogre! I'm debating to buy one, and your video helps a lot!
I was thinking of running it on 29x2.5 tyres, and see that you're using 27.5x3.0 tyres. Any reason in particular you went for 27.5? Just to have the wider tire? Any downsides to the smaller diameter tire that you know of? Thanks!
The fine details of hardware spec are not something I'm very knowledgeable about. I went for the 27.5x3 partly because I thought it would make for a comfier ride and be better in the wet/muddy conditions that I often ride in.
Also, 27.5x3 was quite a popular choice at the time and I was basing many of my choices on articles and reviews of the time, especially Bikepacking.com.
Since then 27.5x3 seems to have fallen out of favour a bit but I'm not 100% certain on the details of why. I can say that I'm super happy with my rig and don't feel any need to change :)
Have you looked at the TRP HY/RD hybrid cable actuated hydraulic brakes? Self adjusting.
I hadn't but I have now, thanks for the pointer.
I do like the self-adjusting thing. Mine seem to be always needing a tweak which can get tiresome.
I'm trying to not spend money too frivolously at the moment but I'll definitely keep these in mind when I'm due an overhaul.
Bike packing or cycle touring just enjoy riding your bike don’t worry about which pigeon hole you’re supposed to fit into
I'm more interested in the reasons behind the pigeonholing rather than the pigeon holes themselves. Also just the birth and evolution of a word is interesting in itself.
But you are right. It's all just cycling and should be enjoyed in whatever way one finds most enjoyable :)
We need a panniers vs seat bag video. Pistols at dawn style.
It is still simmering in the back of my mind. Its a tricky one to find an angle on though.
I reckon it will happen but I need to do more actual research and probably write much more of a script than I normally do.
I use panniers on the front I find they help with balance on steep hills ,I also like an upright position ,I use a Jones 2.5 bar this allows me to fit a Ortlieb ultimate bag , I like & now they make an adaptor that allows water bottle cages to be fitted on the sides .I have no idea why I'm telling you this .
Always interesting to hear other perspectives on these things :)
I used to run panniers back and front and now my old, small front panniers go on the back.
I looked at the Jones when I was putting the Ogre together. I can't actually remember why I went with the Moloko in the end but I'm very pleased with it.
I hit like bevor your seatpack comment. No I re-avaluating my judgement there :-)
Having that discussion with my wife all the time, so I' m not really go to start a battle there. Personal preferences I suppose. I like the seatpack because it forces me to carefully consider what I take along.
Please, no video on the differences bikepacking / touring. As long as people have fun
Exactly, well said. I'm less interested in the actual definitions and differences than in why some people fight with such fervour to enforce them.
I like panniers because, after careful consideration it turns out I really do need to carry an absolute tonne of stuff 😉
But in my eyes it's all just cycling. As you say, it's about the having fun, having adventures and carrying what YOU need, the way YOU want.
I was listening to 'The Kitchen Cabinet" on radio 4 (totally rad, I know). One of the experts was talking about garlic presses and how he hates them, how he couldn't understand why the loathsome people that use them couldn't take a garlic clove, apply a little coarse salt and create a paste on a chopping board with the broad blade of a chefs knife. His supporters in the audience (to my ears at least) baying with a justifiable fury. Such anger about a different way to get, basically, the same result
Whilst I haven't come to any fast conclusions, we appear to need to label ourselves so we can tell who's in our group and who we can shout abuse at. Some, who proclaim to be in a group whilst displaying counter indicators such as panniers whilst bikepacking or using a garlic press, but being a 'foodie' are either to be corrected or cast aside
For further research, see 'Life of Brian' - People Front of Judea vs the Judean Peoples Front (passe I know but still nails it)
I bloody love me a bit or Radio 4 ;)
You are right, we all want to be in a tribe and those who believe bikepacking and cycle touring are actually the same thing will probably fight just as hard for that belief as those who hold the opposite opinions.
We're all just stupid monkeys hooting at each other from our special trees ;)
I haven't come to a firm conclusion because I don't believe there really is one. Ask 100 bikepackers to define what bikepacking is and you will get 100 different answers.
I still think the topic is interesting to discuss in an academic kind of way and when you start looking for early uses of the term "bikpacking" you find some really cool material - retro magazine articles and books etc.
I agree with you on panniers, having used both. Bags are more aero yes, but they're so much less convenient and more faff to take off/get things out of.
At the end of the day my criteria is 'am I trying to ride fast? No? Put the panniers on'.
For bike packing and touring, fun is the priority.
Absolutely. If I was racing my outlook would be very different I'm sure but nothing could be further from my thoughts than ping fast and covering great distances.
I'm all about comfort and enjoyment. Pedal slow, stop often 😉
I have a stem like that on my retro Muddy Fox so I too can ride my bike like the Queen haha with my nose in the air along Mumbles prom
Its the only way to ride 😉
Very entertaining.
Glad you liked it 😃
Hello, another fantastic video!
I observed that you were utilizing a Surly Snuggnut Dropout Chain Tensioner; is this a result of your use of a freewheel?
And why do you choose Freewheel over Freehub?
It because of the Rohloff. Only way I know to keep tension and minimise the wheel twisting. There are probably other solutions but this works for me.
I have to use panniers because I can't fit enough stuff in a dropper compatible seat bag. I see why panniers are disliked, but it seems to me that big seat bags are solution to a problem that most people don't have.
It's all personal preference but I honestly don't see why panniers are hated the way they are. The criticisms that get levelled at them are mostly imaginary as long as you keep them small. Beyond occasional rattling they are - in my opinion at least - the superior solution in every way.
Amen!
Sorry another question Jethro, well two. What width Rohloff hub did you get for your Ogre frame 135mm? As I believe the rear drop outs for the Ogre are 145mm spaced so a boost frame??? I don't think Rohloff does 145mm width axle. Knowing what you did would be greatly appreciated.
Also what wheel rims did you get ie width?
This is how it was listed on my final invoice : Rohloff TS DB OEM2 Hub - Black - 32 Hole [NLI - ROHA - 1042138]. Its the solid axel version with the OEM2 axel plate.
I got mine through SJS Cycles who I highly, highly recommend. I literally just emailed them with my frame details (2019 Ogre L) and they did the rest - contacted Surly, did all the research, confirmed the correct hub, gave me loads of advice and were just super helpful overall. They also stock all the related Rohloff bits and bobs as well.
Rimwise I have WTB KOM Tough i45 TCS. I don't really know what metrics one rates a rim by but these haven't burst into flames yet so I guess they are good ;)
Hope that helps. I'm not at home until next week but if you want me to check any more details let me know and I can do so once I'm back.
@@JethroJessop LoL! Thank you for such a complete and irreverent reply. You've answered pretty much what I wanted to know. Yes SJS are very good. They have previously built me a 700c wheel with Rohloff hub which is still going strong but it is a narrower road rim which can take up to about 2 inch tyres max. I have to confess I re-watched your earlier video where you give the spec of your wheels and tyres so you have another view of this and I needn't have asked the question again. Good luck on your mission.
@@alexmorgan3435 always happy to answer questions if I can. Glad if I can he of help at all 😉
I like that bike ,does the job. Love the bars
Its great and the bars are awesome. I am really pleased that I ended with such a great build considering that I didn't really know what I was doing when I got into it ;)
@@JethroJessop could I ask, where did you but the bars Jethro? I'm thinking of getting some
@@welshbikepackingadventures I got them from Activesport. Seem to remember i had a bit of a hard time finding them at first.
@@JethroJessop ah thanks Jethro, yeah iv been looking around and they seem very elusive lol. I'll have a look 🙏
@@welshbikepackingadventures worth the search. They are great!
"I measured me bum bones and everything" haha!! Good to see you back matey! Those quad locks, any good to mount a phone on landscape for filming while riding along?
They can mount landscape or portrait but you'd need a camera that has pretty good image stabilisation I'd think. I mount my GoPro on the bike sometimes but a phone might not cut it - never tried it though so can't give a definite answer.
@@JethroJessop Many thanks Jethro, yeah I think i'll stick with the mouth mount for the mo. All the best 🤟
@@RoadyPacking-CyclingAdventures I have a chest mount (again for the GoPro rather than the phone) which gives a cool angle. I tend to film handheld when the trail allows and GoPro when things get more technical
I’m getting a Gravel bike. Do you recommend the tubeless tyres? 😊
I do indeed. I have had 3 punctures in nearly 4 years and only one of them was bad enough to warrant more than a tyre plug.
I was pretty nervous about it when I swapped over but I'm sold now.
I too use chamois in winter only.. weirdly I use them over my base layer long underwear.. one pulls up my crack the other reverses it.. I've lived 43 days in Canadian winter.. racks and paniers and studded tires... i use TT bars on an OPUS ZERMATT... HATED MY 12 SPEED 1X and went back to 3x8/9 using DEORE parts from 2005/2010..
of course I have multiple bikes.. I have the same fork as you on my '21 Norco Indie.. DEORE 7spd atm.. strange combo.. 2005 trek 7300fx disc.. and a mullet wheel disc conversion 96 Rocky Mountain Cardiac with 650b700c currently also 3x8.. using a GOLDEN ARROW 105 RD Currently..
gear doesn't matter unless it's absolutely trash.. (shimano... just stop making tourney)
I agree. I research gear as little as I can to do the rides I want to. The more I read, the more I lust after expensive stuff that I don't need 😉
I get, that you use a chain because of the bike frame. However, IF the bike frame allowed you to do so, would you choose a belt instead (I see you use it in a pretty muddy environment )? How happy are you and how often do you service your chain?
I'm not sure I would to be honest (though never say never). I don't find the chain to be a source of many problems and its such an easy component to replace when the time comes. The few people I've met who use belt drives all carry a spare belt because sourcing a replacement is such a pain.
I'd be open to the idea but I'd have to be shown some pretty convincing evidence of major advantages.
I am pretty crap at servicing my chain to be honest. I don't have a regular routine but I keep it lubed and mostly free of clag if I can. I wish I was more rigorous in my maintenance but sadly I am who I am ;)
Could you provide a link to the Ritchey handlebars you have? I'm on their site but don't see that one! Looks good
The adjustable stem is Ritchy but the bars themselves are Surly Moloko : surlybikes.com/parts/moloko_bar
They are great, super comfy. I used to get really bad wrist pain on my old flat bars but these are perfect for my stance
You cheer me up! 🤣
I could ask for no better feedback :)
Hi, Is the Ogre a medium or large? interesting tidbits!
Mine is a large. I'm a little over 6 foot and it fits me well. I didn't get to try before I bought so I went with the official Surly size chart and it worked out very nicely.
Riding a bikes riding a bike…what’s the fork cages how do u Mount 2
I completely agree. It fascinates me why people are so keen to differentiate.
My current cages are by Tailfin. They are super basic and really just provide eyes to thread Voile straps through. i got the longer ones which has proved unnecessary but all good. They come with little removable platforms at the bottom if you need extra support but I run without them and it works really well with my Restrap forkbags.
The Ogre has double sets of mounting points on th forks so you can have a cage and bottle on a each side. One of the selling points that attracted me in the first place.
Wait a moment, four months hence and you’ve yet to be goaded into a racks and sacks apologetic. For shame!
I, for one, would be very keen to hear your take on bikepacking “vs” cycle touring.
It is still in my head as an idea.
I've actually been doing some research and trying to find decent sources so that I can actually present an educated opinion.
It still may never happen but some of the research is actually very interesting
I think the difference between BP and CT is weight and consequently speed over the ground and maybe distance in a day? Its all persinal and relative to what one enjoys? At the moment I enjoy BP using a tent and stopping at campsites and eating at cafes/shops/garages and mostly sticking to minor roads and the odd ex railway line etc. There are no rules! Tally Ho!
I'm pretty sure the lightweight requirement for bikepacking is a modern idea that has come out of endurance racing and gravel riding. I could be wrong but I'd bet the first people to call themselves bikepackers were rocking front and back panniers on old school mountain bikes.
As you say though, there are no rules (and no definitions) really. As long as we all have fun right?
I think the soft bag set ups vs pannier debate only makes sense when you account for "modern" bikepacking evolving out of trail riding on mtbs that rarely had accommodations for a rack. And when they did the racks then were boat anchors and people were still trying to do the mtb things. It was just tying bags where you could. Steel and Alu alloys have evolved. Textiles have really evolved. Now we have really light racks and mini panniers so the debate means less these days. I don't think it was ever about being aero. That's just all the roadies know to talk about. Though where I live, panniers getting chewed up by cactus is always a risk. And there is the issue of un-sprung mass if you're using an adapter to mount a smaller pannier on a susp fork. I don't know anyone that really takes the issue seriously though (except, again, roadies). If I'm riding trail I might take soft bags. If I can do so, I have a set of Ortlieb panniers. Usually its some mix of both with at least a rear mini rack. My only real rule is keeping the profile as slim as myself on the bike so I don't clip something and get bucked off trail and onto our spikey plant life.
The slim profile is useful for sure. It saves you getting snagged and saves damage to the bike. As you say, it has little to do with aero as my panniers stick out about as far as my dork bags... or my legs 😉
I've never met anyone in real life who cared one way or the other, it seems to mostly be an online debate so how genuine it is is anyone's guess.
I think there is some interesting discussion to be had around the evolution of it all, including the term "bikepacking". There may be a video in it somewhere I think. We shall see 😁
Great video. Nice bike. Panniers all the way! Bikepacking bags are a rubbish fad.
Its not a popular hill but I'll die on it with you :)
3 years already???
I think so yeah, though the last few years kinda blend together for me 😉
I know time flies though. Faster and faster with each passing year
You say Bikepacking.. I say Potato... err....packing.. people just need to ride, maaan. Also, you should get a suspension seat post!
Only once have I actually been potatopacking. In Denmark, where every shelter has a little fire pit and logs, I packed a potato and baked it in the ashes.
It took ages and wasn't very nice but the process was incredibly satisfying :)
And yeah, I'll get a suspost one day. Its on my list.
I just want to say that your bike looks like a sweet rig, except it's the wrong colour. An Ogre obviously has to be Shrek green!
Haha very true. I actually wanted it in red but at the time black was the only option available.
If I ever go for a respray I'll request Shrek Green 😉
Yea on the bikepacking v touring. Love you hear an intelligent chap give it to the faux purists.
I might just do it. Its not a question I can answer but it is an interesting discussion and there is some history to investigate as well.
It would need some actual research and planning which I don't usually do so don't hold your breath but it may happen.