Marin Nicasio+ bikepacking and touring set up, first thoughts and a problem.

[@jsca470]

Fork on my one weighs 1.4kg. From a 2020 58cm. It’s a very heavy fork. A cut surly gravel fork would come close to 1kg.

[@W1DO]

This might be the only bike I own where I don't modify it much. I'd be tempted to add a rigid carbon MTB fork if I did though. Are you going to swap forks?

[@Naptime48]

I want one but, with flat bars. Easy to convert?

[@W1DO]

Easy-ish to convert, but I'd make sure there isn't a similar flat bar bike on sale first. There are some wildly varied prices at the moment (12k treks setting beside similar spec 6K alternatives in a shop I looked at today). If you want this bike and are happy to convert it then there is no reason it won't be awesome.

[@williamfrom6021]

Do you think it would be possible to swap a SRAM apex set on to this bike?

[@W1DO]

Yes, I haven't looked at what the bike would need to swap over or what cassette body is on the bike (the bike is still in Scotland and I'm not). I expect you can get an 11 speed cassette to fit the bike as it is (even if it's not a sram made cassette), but you might need to swap the rear wheel if going 12 speed. There will definitely be a way to fit it, even if it needs a few extra parts, I will probably swap mine to whatever is good and cheap next time I'm in Scotland. The gears were the only thing on the bike that I noticed not being great while riding.... they were OK though.

[@williamfrom6021]

@@W1DO from what I saw in your Scotland video you would be wishing for good gearing on some of those climbs. What group-set would you put on it if you had the choice or slap together out of bits?

[@MichaelB-YT]

Is the wobble in the cassette causing some issues? How is the shifting?

[@W1DO]

The shifting is OK, it's not crisp and perfect, but it has worked well enough to not get in the way of riding so far. I would take shimano 11 speed over it any day :) I left the bike in the UK so I will ride it again in Northern hemisphere summer and see how it goes.

[@VoltageLP]

Why are the cables outside the frame? And that doesn't look like a conical fork too

[@W1DO]

They probably used external routed cables because they are easier to work on and build. I prefer them on all but the fanciest of bikes because it might save me 15 mins here and there

[@lluubbooo]

What is your height? Does 58 cm fit you well? The bike looks gorgeous.

[@W1DO]

I'm about 6 feet tall or 183cm. Bike was a good fit for me. Was going to do another update on the bike after I rode it on my trip to Scotland (including one 10+ hr day). It's a good bike, I would/will upgrade the gears when I find something better on sale (no rush as they are ok). It was a surprisingly good bike for the money. Not perfect but worth the money it costs.

[@lluubbooo]

Thanks! I'm looking forward to the update!

[@zerog4261]

​@@W1DOvery enjoyable video. I ride a 54 cm Specialized Allez elite just now and was looking at the 54cm Nicasio plus. But compared to the Allez and even Mirans other range of gravel bikes, the Nicosia has smaller geometry. Are you normally in a 58cm bike?

[@davidstephen1753]

i dunno man, i would get annoyed saying 'excuse me' every time a pedestrian is in the way!

[@W1DO]

I'm scottish, maybe its a cultural thing. It feels kinda rude to me to ping my bell at people - like using your horn in a car.

[@dirkdiggler6230]

people who ring bells are wankers

[@rowerowyja9982]

#1. The laws / principles of mechanics and physics cannot be cheated. #2. This rack is a bad design, it's a cheap, unfinished construction. Lower, screwed flat bars - this is a construction: inadvisable, undesirable, inappropriate. This is an additional threaded connection (using screws) - this should be avoided. Steel flat bars are screwed to delicate aluminum tubes (vertical supporting structure) - the stand is made of aluminum. Over time, the screws will loosen. This is an unstable connection. The flat bars are made of thin carbon steel. They bend and twist under heavier loads. Flat bars and screws rust. Here I use my own solution (AISI304 / AiSI316 / 316 TI - thickness 3 mm) - MYOG / DIY. Even if there are two top bars (recommended), when there is a greater load, everything bends like a shark's tail. You only installed one top rod - that's wrong. Unfortunately, it is bent and, moreover, without heat treatment. This stand is mounted too high. If there is any structural play in the clamp, the rack will move forward and damage the lower triangle of the bicycle frame. #3. Brand new rear hub - has a poor design. High friction, high noise, high vibration on the bearings. #4. The steel, integrated derailleur hanger is factory crooked. Good luck.

[@W1DO]

I mostly agree with you, but it's cheap and it has allowed me to go on adventures in the UK without taking one of my good bikes with me. I can also leave it outside shops without too much worry (if someone smashes it or steals it, it will ruin my day, not my month. I kinda enjoy making cheap stuff work well enough to enjoy my time using it. If I had loads of time I'd braze up a perfect fit steel rack for it. Thanks for watching the vid :)

[@marcusaurelius8721]

No, Axis... very bad in 2023!

[@MichaelB-YT]

what?

[@MichaelB-YT]

@@marcusaurelius8721 Cmon, I just asked, what you mean. Axis?

[@MichaelB-YT]

@@marcusaurelius8721 You mean the QR instad of thru-axles? This is because of the price range I guess. I very much prefer the QR over other systems because I dont need tools for it and 135mm QR hub replacement is dirt cheap.

[@MichaelB-YT]

@@marcusaurelius8721 „Old tech“ lasted much longer than new standards, didn‘t it? Why do you have problems accepting other peoples opinions? Your „is very bad for wheels bike“ shows little expertise in bike tech and/or knowledge of the English language. Nobody is forcing you to buy this bike, so why don't you just leave, Mr. Expert?

[@MichaelB-YT]

@@marcusaurelius8721 talk to the hand. 🤡