So, I dug up my bags, some of which I still had loaded from back when I was testing out the Singular Cycles Gryphon Mk3 for this two-day gravel trip I have had planned for.....I don't know.... A long time now. Anyway, I started fitting these to the Buzzard and I quickly came to realize I would benefit from having a custom frame bag for this bike, but I really don't think that is going to happen. And I should just get this along with what I already have, so I resigned myself to doing just this and forgoing any big purchases.
Besides, I probably need to limit my choices down to bare essentials anyway. It isn't as though I am doing some week-long tour. I just need to be able to sleep overnight and get back home again. This seems to be harder to do than it sounds though. But yeah..... That's what I am shooting for here.
The load was my OR handle bar bag, which if I recall correctly, has my sleep system inside it. Maybe some clothes in there as well? I didn't bother to check. It had weight and this was all I wanted to know. That and how I was going to attach it to the Utility Rack which ended up being pretty simple using the straps native to this bag.
As shown here, there are several loops to use to strap on another dry bag if I need to, so I could get a bit more on there. Plus, if I need a pad, I could use one of the various flat panel ones, (or a windshield insert typically used for shielding the inside of a vehicle from the Sun while parked) as a mattress.
The rear bag had my two-man tent inside of it. This could carry a bit more as well. So, I have options there. Still, a frame nag would have been nice, but yeah....not going there!
I have two cages to mount on the inside, rider facing part of the Utility Bar, but I have not gotten around to mounting those just yet. I did fill the bottles with water though. This made up the load for the initial test. I'll be doing a more detailed, full-load test later on.
I was afraid the handling with this bag on the rack would be bad. The fork/front end geometry is really critical in this regard. I did not know quite what to expect. About halfway through the test ride I climbed a steep incline which brought my speed down to probably 5mph, I would guess. This is where your geometry and load can bite you with a wandering, hard to steer front end. Surprisingly this was not the case here. I had very stable handling, and no flopping fork to f9ight against, which really was surprising.
But this set up still needs refinement. I'm not 100% settled on the saddle position, the saddle, or the seat post. I think I want to explore getting a shim so I can size down to a 27.2 mm seat post which I have several of and ones which should prove to be more forgiving than this brute of a 31.6mm post which the Buzzard has now. I also would like a bit more set back and for whatever reason, the tilt function on this Salsa post is not working correctly and I cannot tilt the nose up just the tiny bit more I would like to.
I may swap out grips as these Ergon grips feel a bit harsh on my paws. Hmm...... I guess that is about all, really. This is turning out well, surprisingly. I can find very little to complain about, and this is a parts bin bike using stuff which was never designed to be together.
The next step is to inventory what is in the OR bag and then try a "real-life" set up as a load, mounting the two extra cages and full bottles, and then seeing what I come up with. I'm thinking this is going to actually be a pretty rad bike. So, I am probably going to get the eccentric bottom bracket, (already on the way here, actually) the different seat post and saddle, and install different grips. I have to decide what I want to do about the tire set up. Then....?
I guess this would mean I would actually have to use the thing, right?
I'll cross that bridge when I get to it.
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