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Search: Posts Made By: smilyanp
Showing results 1 to 44 of 44
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Forum: Touring
10-04-17, 07:58 AM
Replies: 29
Views: 7,705
Posted By smilyanp

Haha, awesome, I saw you added me. I am planning...

Haha, awesome, I saw you added me. I am planning to do a longer trip this weekend, but not overnight yet. Don't have the two days yet and am still adjusting the setup, but it will come.
Forum: Touring
10-02-17, 01:08 AM
Replies: 29
Views: 7,705
Posted By smilyanp

Yeah, still on, but I did conaider changing the...

Yeah, still on, but I did conaider changing the front two maybe with a new crankset. At the moment it is fine if I just do long distances light, but if I were to load it for full touring I wouldn't...
Forum: Touring
09-25-17, 09:49 AM
Replies: 29
Views: 7,705
Posted By smilyanp

Awesome, these are the ones I was looking at as...

Awesome, these are the ones I was looking at as well because of the extra adjustability. Can you send a photo of your setup?
Forum: Touring
09-25-17, 03:41 AM
Replies: 29
Views: 7,705
Posted By smilyanp

Will do! You can follow me on Strava as well:...

Will do! You can follow me on Strava as well: https://www.strava.com/athletes/24995143

I am training for a 300km (~185 miles) on my birthday next April. I am an amateur and am learning a lot by...
Forum: Touring
09-24-17, 10:35 AM
Replies: 29
Views: 7,705
Posted By smilyanp

Hahaha :)) Which aero bars are you using?...

Hahaha :))

Which aero bars are you using? And do you like them?

I am considering getting them as I am into longer distances (aiming to do over 200km days) and I can feel how my hands are...
Forum: Touring
09-23-17, 01:09 PM
Replies: 29
Views: 7,705
Posted By smilyanp

Hey Timequake, this one is Specialized AWOL Elite...

Hey Timequake, this one is Specialized AWOL Elite 2016. I think it was a limited batch, the others are more common, you're right, but I got this one as an ex-display with about 40% discount and...
Forum: Touring
09-23-17, 12:29 PM
Replies: 29
Views: 7,705
Posted By smilyanp

Hey BigFinner, The pack gets quite big, I...

Hey BigFinner,

The pack gets quite big, I think it's about 8L or a bit more. I have never actually filled it to capacity, but will be doing so in the coming trips as it will be part of the setup...
Forum: Touring
09-22-17, 10:47 AM
Replies: 29
Views: 7,705
Posted By smilyanp

Awesome info, thanks for that! Recommendations on...

Awesome info, thanks for that! Recommendations on dynamos?
Forum: Touring
09-22-17, 10:47 AM
Replies: 29
Views: 7,705
Posted By smilyanp

Just haven't gotten to it yet and use it to hold...

Just haven't gotten to it yet and use it to hold the lock on rides around the city.
Forum: Touring
09-22-17, 02:17 AM
Replies: 29
Views: 7,705
Posted By smilyanp

No panniers for now (if I'm going on a longer...

No panniers for now (if I'm going on a longer winter-ish trip I can add the smaller 12l front panniers).

The handlebar harness holds a quilt, sleeping matt and a tent + a warm jacket.

The...
Forum: Touring
09-22-17, 12:55 AM
Replies: 29
Views: 7,705
Posted By smilyanp

Yes, I don't like to have stuff on my back. I try...

Yes, I don't like to have stuff on my back. I try to put everything on the bike to carry the weight.

Thanks for the commenta, I am very excited ro give it an overnight ride in the next few...
Forum: Touring
09-21-17, 04:03 PM
Replies: 29
Views: 7,705
Posted By smilyanp

Specialized AWOL with a new bikepacking setup - sharing as promised

Hi everyone,

I promised to share some photos once I improve my setup on the new Specialized AWOL that I got sometime ago.

I've used ALPKIT dry bags and a framebag and handlebar harness from...
Forum: Touring
07-03-17, 03:48 AM
Replies: 54
Views: 28,509
Posted By smilyanp

Thanks! Really loving the bike! I will add some...

Thanks! Really loving the bike! I will add some photos as I clean up the setup. I had a test ride this weekend and the gears are definitely on the high-end. I will be changing the front 2 chainrings....
Forum: Touring
06-26-17, 06:20 PM
Replies: 54
Views: 28,509
Posted By smilyanp

You have confirmed my own worries. I have finally...

You have confirmed my own worries. I have finally made my choice, I've ordered the Specialized AWOL Elite 2016. I found it at a great price with warranty as it was an ex-display. The groupset is...
Forum: Touring
06-25-17, 06:00 PM
Replies: 20
Views: 1,827
Posted By smilyanp

Haha, cannot deny the similarity when you put it...

Haha, cannot deny the similarity when you put it like that :))

Also, I've released another post for anyone interested:

Cycling around Iceland - Part 9 - Smilyan Pavlov...
Forum: Touring
06-24-17, 05:04 AM
Replies: 54
Views: 28,509
Posted By smilyanp

I think the Fargo sounds perfect for more...

I think the Fargo sounds perfect for more challenging trips and the occasional long-distance on tarmac, but probably not it's main purpose. I was just trying to find one bike that "does it all" and...
Forum: Touring
06-24-17, 03:50 AM
Replies: 54
Views: 28,509
Posted By smilyanp

I've found a better way to make my decision -...

I've found a better way to make my decision - pricing and what's available around me. I've narrowed it down to 2 options (and will test ride them this week).

First one is the Jamis Renagede Expat:...
Forum: Touring
06-21-17, 02:02 PM
Replies: 54
Views: 28,509
Posted By smilyanp

Thanks everyone. I consider myself rather a...

Thanks everyone. I consider myself rather a newbie when it comes to touring, just a few trips behind the belt, so I am listening and reading attentively everything you're saying.

Regarding the...
Forum: Touring
06-21-17, 04:01 AM
Replies: 54
Views: 28,509
Posted By smilyanp

Thanks guys, those are all fair points. The main...

Thanks guys, those are all fair points. The main question I am asking in this thread tough is:

I am turning to you to tell me if you have had any of these bikes and what is your experience with...
Forum: Touring
06-20-17, 05:37 PM
Replies: 54
Views: 28,509
Posted By smilyanp

Choosing a touring all-around bike - Fargo, Vaya, Bombtrack or AWOL?

I few weeks ago I've started this thread: http://www.bikeforums.net/touring/1106531-getting-faster-better-touring-bike-suggestions.html#post19556788

After reading through all the comments I...
Forum: Touring
05-08-17, 06:11 AM
Replies: 12
Views: 2,962
Posted By smilyanp

Bikepacking setup - what worked for you?

I am not sure if this is the best place to post, but I want to use a bikepacking setup for touring. What have people used and works for them - bags, weight, equipment, any recommendations?

I am...
Forum: Touring
05-08-17, 01:41 AM
Replies: 20
Views: 1,827
Posted By smilyanp

Thank you! It is quite hard, especially because...

Thank you! It is quite hard, especially because of the weather. I also carried more gear as I had no experience and then you have the mountains... :) But I loved every bit of the trip and it made for...
Forum: Touring
05-08-17, 01:27 AM
Replies: 20
Views: 1,827
Posted By smilyanp

Yes, they did cost, but I found the days quite...

Yes, they did cost, but I found the days quite hard and just wanted a warm shower at the end of the day. But you can wild camp as long as it is not on farm land. In the south it is more difficult as...
Forum: Touring
05-08-17, 01:19 AM
Replies: 20
Views: 1,827
Posted By smilyanp

Hahaha, that's amazing and inspiring that someone...

Hahaha, that's amazing and inspiring that someone even found my little blog. I will finish thr other posts too, stay tuned!
Forum: Touring
05-08-17, 01:18 AM
Replies: 20
Views: 1,827
Posted By smilyanp

Thank's so much, this motivates me to finish the...

Thank's so much, this motivates me to finish the other posts!
Forum: Touring
05-05-17, 04:20 PM
Replies: 20
Views: 1,827
Posted By smilyanp

That's awesome! I am still writing it, another 17...

That's awesome! I am still writing it, another 17 to go :)
Forum: Touring
05-05-17, 03:25 PM
Replies: 67
Views: 8,597
Posted By smilyanp

I did look at the Sequoia, but I think I need to...

I did look at the Sequoia, but I think I need to decide if I am comfortable to go just for speed and tarmac. At the moment I feel more comfortable with something more versatile. I guess most of the...
Forum: Touring
05-05-17, 03:22 PM
Replies: 20
Views: 1,827
Posted By smilyanp

I was actually a freelancer at the time and quit...

I was actually a freelancer at the time and quit all my projects :) Quite risky in fact. But totally worth it!
Forum: Touring
05-05-17, 02:43 PM
Replies: 67
Views: 8,597
Posted By smilyanp

Thanks Lee, I think based on everyone's wise...

Thanks Lee, I think based on everyone's wise comments and suggestions this is basically what I'm planning to do now.

I will keep using the current bike, reduce the load and try to go as minimal as...
Forum: Touring
05-05-17, 02:38 PM
Replies: 20
Views: 1,827
Posted By smilyanp

Cycling around Iceland - the story

Hi everyone,

In the introduction threads I posted a bit about my last trips, one being around Iceland last July. The people on there got excited and suggested I make a thread on here as well for...
Forum: Touring
05-05-17, 08:20 AM
Replies: 67
Views: 8,597
Posted By smilyanp

It looks like an amazing setup, but it's way out...

It looks like an amazing setup, but it's way out of my budget :)
Forum: Introductions
05-05-17, 07:18 AM
Replies: 10
Views: 696
Posted By smilyanp

Actually, I've started writing articles about...

Actually, I've started writing articles about each of the days, you can read here if you're interested:

Cycling around Iceland - Part 1 - Smilyan Pavlov...
Forum: Touring
05-05-17, 07:02 AM
Replies: 67
Views: 8,597
Posted By smilyanp

Thanks DJB, I've considered the Troll before as...

Thanks DJB, I've considered the Troll before as there's one for sale here in the UK, but a bit too much for me at the moment. Will try to experiment with what I have and maybe the AWOL will my next...
Forum: Touring
05-05-17, 07:00 AM
Replies: 67
Views: 8,597
Posted By smilyanp

Oh right, here's our initial route plan. It's...

Oh right, here's our initial route plan. It's flexible, you can get on parallel smaller roads if you want. It was largely based on distance vs days available:
...
Forum: Touring
05-05-17, 06:24 AM
Replies: 67
Views: 8,597
Posted By smilyanp

Do you use the Troll just off-road, have you...

Do you use the Troll just off-road, have you tried it with slicks on road and how do you think would it perform?

The AWOL seems to have the flare out types and people say you can move the bar up...
Forum: Touring
05-05-17, 05:43 AM
Replies: 67
Views: 8,597
Posted By smilyanp

Brilliant points, thank you. My budget is around...

Brilliant points, thank you. My budget is around £600. I think I can find a well preserved, second-hand bike for that much. But before that I am planning to follow your advice.

My current bike...
Forum: Touring
05-05-17, 05:38 AM
Replies: 67
Views: 8,597
Posted By smilyanp

Thanks DJB, yes I live in the UK, Sheffield more...

Thanks DJB, yes I live in the UK, Sheffield more specifically. I saw some for sale a few months ago on eBay (which is how I got my current bike for £200 - new it was £600).

I saw some with...
Forum: Touring
05-05-17, 05:32 AM
Replies: 67
Views: 8,597
Posted By smilyanp

The Baltics are definitely worth visiting. Mostly...

The Baltics are definitely worth visiting. Mostly flat (exception is around Vilnius and Kaunas in Lithuania with some rolling hills). Generally very pleasant for cycling (I can imagine even more in...
Forum: Introductions
05-05-17, 04:17 AM
Replies: 10
Views: 696
Posted By smilyanp

Hi everyone, thanks for the warm welcome. I have...

Hi everyone, thanks for the warm welcome. I have a lot of photos, but am not allowed by the forum rules to share links yet, but soon!

Iceland is highly recommended, it is an absolutely gorgeous,...
Forum: Touring
05-05-17, 02:34 AM
Replies: 67
Views: 8,597
Posted By smilyanp

Thank you Brad, I agree. I felt that my current...

Thank you Brad, I agree. I felt that my current bike has a very upright position and in the situations / places where I've ridden it was always quite windy (i.e. Iceland). I agree about the strength,...
Forum: Touring
05-03-17, 03:30 PM
Replies: 67
Views: 8,597
Posted By smilyanp

I can't post images yet, but maybe this will show...

I can't post images yet, but maybe this will show you my current setup:
...
Forum: Touring
05-03-17, 10:23 AM
Replies: 67
Views: 8,597
Posted By smilyanp

So much good info! Thank you! The bottom...

So much good info! Thank you!

The bottom bracket position and the gears is a great point. I loved the lower bottom bracket and the 3 front rings on the current bike. Especially up the hills.
...
Forum: Touring
05-03-17, 08:37 AM
Replies: 67
Views: 8,597
Posted By smilyanp

Getting a faster and better touring bike - suggestions?

I have recently completed two touring trips. One around Iceland last July and just came back from cycling around the Baltic states (interesting weather).

I've used what I see as a "traditional"...
Forum: Introductions
05-03-17, 08:28 AM
Replies: 10
Views: 696
Posted By smilyanp

Hi I am Smilyan from the UK

Hi, I love bikes!

I have recently completed two touring trips. One around Iceland last July and just came back from cycling around the Baltic states (interesting weather).

I am excited to join...
Showing results 1 to 44 of 44


 
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