Genesis Caribou

adebisi

My new British steed.

Main Specs:
Halo Tundra rims laced around Salsa Hubs
Surly Nate 60tpi tyres
Thomson Elite post and stem (70mm)
Gravity carbon bars (740mm)
Brooks saddle of real genuine leather
RF Turbine cranks w/ NoOne Ringmaster 30t
Formula Oro K18 brakes
Shimano XT mech
A two-leg engine w/ 4-point mounting and quick releases for stylish disengagement upon OTB
Supension by bending legs and arms (travel unspecified)






Edit: added tyres to the specs

mcnultycop

I love that.

The word "steed" to describe a bike, less so.

KevM

Lovely looking fat bike there pal, how's the grip on the Nates?

adebisi

KevM wrote:

Lovely looking fat bike there pal, how's the grip on the Nates?

Thanks mate.

For traction, Nate is like a gekko. Technical rocky ascents, that are a real struggle with my 29er, become like a Sunday afternoon audax with the Nates. Upon braking the tyre just generates so much torque that a180mm disc at front is barely enough to lock the wheel (provided that you can keep from OTBing). You can traverse sideways on slopes and dig your way up from ditches diagonally, and the side knobs still provide sufficient hold. Wet grass is no problem either. On descents the grip inspires so much confidence since you know that braking is always an option. This confidence actually results in less braking and more ramming. But I have to say that the feel is really sensitive to the pressure. An increase or decrease of 0.1 bar can make a huge difference when the initial pressure is somewhere around 0.6 - 0.7 bar.

Have no experience on autumn's wet rocks and slimy roots so far, but I guess all tyres are like soap in those conditions.

Disclaimer: I cannot compare with other fatbike tyres since this is the first fat ride of my own. As the reference point I am using 29er Schwalbe Hans Dampf (Trailstar compund), Nobby Nic (Pacestar), and Maxxis Ikon 3C tyres.

Edit: typos

KevM

Awesome, I may look into getting the Nates once my On-One floaters are shot. I love the look of the skin walls so that's just a bonus!

adebisi

A few thoughts after two and half months in life and several hours on bike.

The goemetry has proved agile and very playful. I suspected as much when I saw that the head angle was in between the traditional Pugsley and Mukluk frames, but never believed it to be this good. Having found myself launching into air from every single bumb I can find must be a proof. Furthermore, flat is no more boring. All trails at the local drained marshes and swamps have become my new playground.

As for the 4" Nates on 80mm Tundras, I start experiencing sluggish control and self steer when the pressure drops well below 0.5bar. Found the sweetspot around 0.55bar. Speaking of the Halo Tundra rims, they are the only part of the bike I might consider changing if you wanted to go tubeless. The channel in the center is very deep and the bead lock is non-existent resulting in a super loose fit of the tyre on the rim. I tried converting to tubeless with Gorilla tape with no success. Even with an inner tube it is quite hard to have the tyre pop into its place without falling off the rim. However, I reckon new rims is not going to happen in any near future. Currently I am quite happy with the Schwalbe 13F tubes weighing in at ~180g each.

The Brooks saddle was a miss. After a couple of rides I was on a search for a replacement. Borrowed Charge Spoon from a mate for a test and now I have one on three of my bikes. But that is pretty much the only thing changed since taking the pictures.

I am also happy with the 30t in front and 11-36t cassette in the rear. For loaded touring I might consider 28t in front but have not missed bigger cogs in rear. With the narrow-thin profile of the chainring and Shadow+ rear mech I have experienced no chaindrops and there is zero slapping of the chain on the chainstays, too. So, the marketing promises seem to have some truth in them.

mcnultycop

How does it size up; I'm looking at one of these for when my broken arm heals.

adebisi

mcnultycop wrote:

How does it size up; I'm looking at one of these for when my broken arm heals.

At 6'0 I am very comfortable with 19" frame, straight seat post and 70mm stem. When it comes to fatbikes, I reckon you want to use a short stem and still achieve as even weight fore-aft weight distribution as possible to keep one wheel from acting as plow. This usually requires a straight seat post. Hence, preference towards longer frames. If you are between sizes, I'd say, go for the bigger.

rockmonkeysc

mcnultycop wrote:

I love that.

The word "steed" to describe a bike, less so.

Steed isn't quite as bad as "rig".

Interesting bike. Not sure about fat bikes myself. Tried a couple fat birds in the past, very similar I would imagine. A squishy ride that's strangely enjoyable but you really don't want your mates to find out about it and you wouldn't do it sober, or would you......

@lexD

RockmonkeySC wrote:

mcnultycop wrote:

I love that.

The word "steed" to describe a bike, less so.

Steed isn't quite as bad as "rig".

Interesting bike. Not sure about fat bikes myself. Tried a couple fat birds in the past, very similar I would imagine. A squishy ride that's strangely enjoyable but you really don't want your mates to find out about it and you wouldn't do it sober, or would you......

such insight RockmonkeySC almost choked on my cornflakes when I read it!
Have to say to the op I like the build and would love to have a go.