Bikepacking Across America - Designing & Building the Bike: The Basics

[@bisikleta1015]

The handlebar is called truck stop bar. I had the avocado color and weights like a tank, already at 15+kg. I really like those hammered aluminium fender, but I couldn't find seller in my country. I plan to ride it through the apocalypse.

[@stephanball7276]

Great video, thanks for all the links to the parts list

[@jaydog1500]

Sweet rig

[@mazditzo]

Totally like your setup, kickstand is a must, adding that to every steed that I owned 😂😂😂

[@ReimaginedAdventures]

Good morning Mark great video love the set up !

[@PMK7734]

You have truly made it your own. I've had a Long Haul Trucker rim brakes for years. Thousands of miles on her. The best and most dialed in bike I own.

[@marktgreene]

Thanks.

[@KuswandiRia03]

NICE BIKEPACKING ACROSS

[@annleegibson4598]

And once again, I learned things I didn’t know I would like to know. 😀 Watching these Building the Bike vids will help me understand what might happen during your million pedal trip.

[@marktgreene]

Be prepared!!

[@Bikepacking]

Very cool just subbed I’ve been bikepacking 10 years and it always a learning experience

[@zenfishbike]

Very solid build. I'd lose the full frame bag which, combined with front and rear panniers, makes the bike an unsafe sail in crosswinds. I run a 1/3 frame bag under my top tube which still provides some capacity for long things and a collapsable water bag. Happy trails!

[@josephhaddakin7095]

Nice bike. I've got aluminum frame Trek 920. I think modern aluminum frames are pretty dependable. Funny thing is, I've got the Surly rear NICE rack(chromoly). I broke the bontrager aluminum rack in the Arizona desert. I spent some time fitting a double kickstand. Instead of that pivoting seatpost, I've got the spring in my B67 saddle. I'm surprised you went with a 1x drivetrain. I switched to a triple 44/33/22 front with 11-42 rear. Same as you, I run tubeless Schwalbe Almotion 29x2.15. Schwalbes are the best & rode all over the U.S. & never got a flat. Interstate highways, desert(sand, cactus), glass, ect. Best tires hands down. I've got the larger bottle cages for nalgene bottles. I also have hydro brakes. I've never had a problem with them. You look like a guy I met in a bike shop near Wichita, KS. He was getting ready for a ride on the Katy trail. I was riding from California to Missouri. We both had the same spd sandals. Happy trails.

[@Ade2bee]

Are use end of handlebar mirrors on my road bike, I would always have some kind of mirror on my bike

[@Jeff.Slavich]

Exceptionally well thought out. My only notes to think about (I'm sure you already did) are, the only downside to the Brooks saddle is if you're hit with rain. The rain can have a negative effect on the leather, but Brooks has a cover that's available. Secondly, the Garmin Varia is a rear radar detector to give you notifications of upcoming vehicles. Again, I'm sure you're already aware, but just incase. Be well & be safe. Really looking forward to the ride videos. The trip of a lifetime. Oh, are you packing any chain lube? I didn't see that in the previous videos.

[@marktgreene]

Good points. I forgot to mention chain lube (good catch!) as it's not on my packing list; instead, it's on my "to buy in Portland" list along with Tire Sealant, Bear Spray and groceries. Regarding the Brooks Saddle, I bought a pack of cheap shower caps that I'll use when rain is threatening. They're super-cheap and handy. I have looked at a couple of the rear radars (I love tech!), but haven't taken the plunge. Have you used one? I just don't remember a vehicle sneaking up on me and not being seen in my mirrors. Still, it could happen.

[@stevemullin1195]

I'm looking at getting a surly bridge club as my touring bike. Currently ride a recumbent trike which has the same weight limit as the BC but is twice the wt of the BC.

[@marktgreene]

Surly has a solid reputation and, so far, I’ve been very happy with my frame, for & rack.

[@johngorman7729]

Let me know how it goes with the tires on the tubeless set up.

[@chrisbrumenschenkel5037]

Surly frames are made in Taiwan.

[@xaviergomez1561]

Thanks for the video. I was hoping to hear more about the fender flute by velo orange. I have a Bridge Club with 650b tires and the fenders just float way too high above the tire. Do you recommend getting the fender flute to fix that problem? To lower the fender closer to the tire?

[@marktgreene]

I’m afraid I’m not much use for this question. My Schwalbe Marathon Supreme tires are large enough that I did not have too much space between them and the fenders. The fenders initially rattled a bit, but Velo had pieces/accessories to solve that problem. The fenders worked really great for my whole trip - except on the muddy C&O Canal trail where there was so much mud that I had to stop several times to pry the stuff from between my tires & fenders, but I don’t believe that’s really the fault of the fenders. Have a great ride!

[@scottdasilva1814]

Great video, I appreciate you taking the time to do this. I would prefer tubeless, but I have not had problems with my tubes going to work. On my MTB bike the valve stems are always getting jammed up with Stan's and airing up is an issue. Is this as issue for Schrader and Presta valves?

[@marktgreene]

I've been riding presta tubeless for about 12 years and have had almost no problems. But they have spared me from several flats. Over that time I have had two or three valves get really gunky, but when they get that way I just pop in a new valve core. I know I'm taking a bit of a risk running these tires made for tubes as tubeless cross-country, but I think the benefits outweigh.

[@Bikepacking]

After many try’s with tubeless setup ..i got it right 100% perfect but then one thing happen and decide to go back to tubes .. 2 spokes broke trying to repair in the middle of no where ..it was like a a oil spill lol

[@marktgreene]

Whatever works for you!

[@mikebusick2606]

Just found your channel. Will be following your adventure. Did you ever consider Priority bike with pinion and gates belt?

[@marktgreene]

Considered, yes. And it I were to do it now, I'd probably go that (rathere expensive) route, along with a few other changes. That said, this drive train worked very well for me.

[@alexneumann9341]

But its fun when stuff breaks. That's when the adventure starts.

[@andyc8120]

About how much money do you have invested into this bike?

[@marktgreene]

I'm not sure exactly, there have been so many changes. Probably about $7K.

[@s.c.9107]

😮😮😮 WoW.... 7k!!!! OMG 😂😂😂

[@lv2keepfit493]

Personally I would have left it as a 3x especially for touring. Not a fan of 1x, mechanically it makes no sense unless you're riding a single speed fixie.

[@oliverfrench9656]

🙏 "Promosm"

[@AwesomeAngryBiker]

Please, please please don't start unboxing videos. YT is destroyed with them and they are absolutely plain stupid and pointless, stick with the buildings, rides etc

[@Johann-4354]

Fenders? Curses. Hate 'em. Loose the lights. Be off the road at night. That's me. Sorry.

[@catfishdog]

I’m off the road at night but have lights on my tourer for early mornings and overcast days.