Another Fargo Build - Trekking Bar style

[EnduroDoug]

Finally got the time to build up my Fargo yesterday with the help of a friend who patiently instructed me on the finer points of bicycle assembly and tuning.

I included a relatively detailed write-up about parts selection, why I bought a Fargo, and my thoughts on touring with disc brakes/29er wheels.

Included a price-list for the parts and a few photos as well.

Perhaps it can be of some use to someone contemplating a mixed-surface touring bike?

http://randomlygenerated.blogspot.com/2010/12/fargo-build.html

[alfonso]

Looks great, Doug: congratulations. Fascinating blog.

[EnduroDoug]

Thanks Alfonso. Just gave the blog a bit of a dusting off and redesign. Just saw that Planet Bike has finally come out with full-length 29er fenders that accomodate up to 2.3" tires. Very excited!

[popeyespal]

Beautiful bike. If I hadn't just bought my LHT? Nah......I'm happy

[GCharles]

Great looking bike.  I love my Fargo, enjoy yours!

[EnduroDoug]

Thanks! Finally got the gel padding that goes under the handlebar tape and was able to wrap it up. It looks a little odd, but I ended up doing the electrical tape wrap down by the grip shifters too since I couldn't just hang some off the end and tuck under a bar plug.

I was really worried that I was going to feel really cramped and that the handlebars, particularly the controls, would be right in my lap and that the frame was too short. Fortunately it felt great when I took it out for a test ride (and no front-wheel shimmy at high speed, by the way.  ) as there's no way I'd have enough stand-over clearance for the XL.

My wife ordered the 2011 Fargo size small. I was hesitant to put her on a 29er, but after test riding a couple of Vayas, she hopped onto the Fargo and just loved it. Anything that helps her feel more confident on the bike is fine with me. Super glad they changed the color for next year -- I'd hate to be that couple with the matching bikes. No offense, of course, to those with his/hers matching bikes. LOL!

[sackcycle]

Doug have you used the Trekking bars alot, and do you need a longer stem to mount them on? because I'm on the verge of taking off the set that came on the LHT, Nice looking bike! Congrats, and Happy New Year.

[TimTyler]

Good luck with the new bike, Doug.

SackCycle,

I enjoyed trekking bars on an REI bike I owned several years ago. I swapped out the road bars on a new LHT with trekking bars last spring for a while. The bars felt too wide and I replaced those with Nitto Noodle bars that I fell in love with. In comparison, the LHT feels svelte with nice road bars.

I found some narrower trekking bars last fall and put those on the LHT for a few short tours where I was towing my 5-year old on a trailer bike. With his weight + the trailer bike, plus enough gear for us and my two other sons, the LHT was H E A V Y and the trekking bars made the load a lot easier to handle IMO. I went through probably three stem sizes before I finally found the perfect size. Your local bike shop might loan you a few to try before you buy.

I still keep the dressed Nitto bars (with brakes) attached to a stem on the shelf. It's easy to swap bars since my shifters are on the downtube. It takes 5 or 10 minutes to make the switch.

[sackcycle]

Thanks for the reply Tim. best regards George

[EnduroDoug]

Just got back to this thread (work this time of year sucks). I haven't had any experience with the trekking style bars yet. This is a totally new concept for me, but I saw them on a Safari at REI and just had to have them.

That said, I'm primarily a mountain biker and it took a little getting used to how "narrow" they are, but I use the air-quotes because the bars are several inches wider than drop handlebars.

I did go with a slightly longer stem than I would have otherwise.

[Macbeth]

Congratulations man, that is a nice bicycle....

 I've had my Fargo for almsot 2 years, and it has been rock solid. Easily my favourite bike. Don't worry too much about part in compatibility. Pads last for ages with disc brakes (i have changed once in the whole time I have had the bike) and there have been a few times when I have needed to stretch a 26 inch tube into my tyre as a spare (it's MUCH easier than you think). Tape a spare rotor to the inside wall of your pannier bag and you're good....

 Have fun

[EnduroDoug]

Thanks MacBeth. I should have mentioned that I've been running discs and 29er wheels on my mountain bikes exclusively for 4 years now.

[cyclesxp]

Very nice build
Makes me wants to build a new one now lol

Love the blog as well!