this post was submitted on 26 Jun 2026
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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

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[–] magnetosphere@fedia.io 12 points 2 months ago

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

[–] No_Maines_Land@lemmy.ca 4 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago) (1 children)

Love those Arkel bags!

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

[–] Throbbing_banjo@lemmy.dbzer0.com 4 points 2 months ago (2 children)

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.

[–] Bademantel@lemmy.world 2 points 2 months ago (2 children)

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!

[–] Throbbing_banjo@lemmy.dbzer0.com 3 points 2 months ago

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.

[–] bathroomconnoisseur@lemmy.ca 1 points 2 months ago

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

[–] Malyca@lemmy.zip 3 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago) (1 children)

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

[–] Throbbing_banjo@lemmy.dbzer0.com 3 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago) (1 children)

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

[–] _haha_oh_wow_@sh.itjust.works 1 points 2 months ago

Further proof that googley eyes make everything better.

[–] inari@piefed.zip 2 points 2 months ago

She's a beauty!

[–] quick_snail@feddit.nl 1 points 2 months ago (1 children)
[–] Throbbing_banjo@lemmy.dbzer0.com 2 points 2 months ago (1 children)

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

[–] quick_snail@feddit.nl 1 points 2 months ago (1 children)

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

[–] Throbbing_banjo@lemmy.dbzer0.com 2 points 2 months ago

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.

[–] d_a_n_a@mstdn.social 1 points 2 months ago

@Throbbing_banjo

Love the googly eyes!

[–] Pans4hands@urbanists.social 1 points 2 months ago
[–] _haha_oh_wow_@sh.itjust.works 1 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago)

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

[–] quick_snail@feddit.nl 1 points 2 months ago

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