cross-posted from: https://lemmy.dbzer0.com/post/71252573

Frannie is a 2019 Salsa Vaya.

Steel frame with a Shimano 105 drivetrain. We roll tubeless. She typically hauls between 20 and 40 pounds of gear depending on the season. I used to ride carbon, but once I hit my 40s every ride started to hurt a little more, so I moved to steel. Unloaded, the frame weighs about 19 lbs, but it handles smooth as silk.

I would spend 8 hours a day on this thing if I didn't have a job.

Dat azzzz

Love those Arkel bags!

What's the tube thing on the right side of the fork?

Those front bags were a game changer. Love how sturdy they are and how well they grip the rack. No rattle at all.

That's a speaker on the fork! I can hear it a lot better there than on the tube.

I only tried front bags on a friend's setup briefly but don't they ruin the handling, especially those big and heavy ones?

Nice bike!

My understanding is that touring bikes are designed to handle well with a load on the fork

I’m not surprised you get compliments. Before I even read the title, I was thinking “I love those googly eyes!” lol

Less than I expected them to, but I definitely take tight turns more slowly when they're on.

It's more a weight distribution thing than anything; if I've got 30 lbs of gear in those rear bags and nothing up front, handling gets super hairy on hills, gravel, or rain/snow. Fishtailing on a bicycle at 20+ mph is fucking terrifying.

If the weight is spread out, it's significantly smoother. And the low center of gravity is great for gravel.

Ok I'm sorry but the googly eyes are darling!

Those were my wife's addition, she puts them everywhere🤣
It makes it look so happy

Nice bike! Nice bags! You should consider crossposting to !micromobility@lemmy.world

Further proof that googley eyes make everything better.

She's a beauty!

Interesting kickstand

What you got on the front brake to hold her still?

:(

An elastic band, pretty much the same thing as a hair tie. I actually need to order a couple more, a pair of them came with the click-stand and I lost the other one.

That's a Click-stand, they're great if you haul a lot of weight. He makes them to order and is also a bagger, seems like a legit dude

Link?

It's a little sad to see her so clean. Do you have photos showing the daily dirt?

This is probably it

https://www.click-stand.com/

RAGBRAI!! :D