Thorn could get some ideas from this

[onrbikes]

I suppose by gadgetry I meant the extra steelwork going up from the top rack to mount a single bell. Unless I see it wrong.

Why not have the top section of the rack built together with the rest of the rack.

[il padrone]

Aahah! I believe you're misconnecting the front rack (which has an upper bar to support a handlebar bag), the bell, and the silver handlebar mounted Garmin 800 GPS unit. Must admit that puzzled me too at first - an optical illusion.

The bell is mounted on the left rear section of the bars, near the grip.





As for the two front racks, that's a choice some make. Some like the advantage of a front racktop. He has a big French-style handlebar bag, which needs a platform rack, rather than an Ortlieb, as he cannot run an Ortlieb bar-mount with those Loop-bars.

[NZPeterG]

Whats  wrong with a belt drive.

Bob

Hi Bob,
Loads!

Pete 

[NZPeterG]

http://singletrackworld.com/2014/01/absolutely-gorgeous-shand-fat-stoater/

I think some of the ideas on the Shand could be adopted by Thorn.

Bob

Hi Bob,
I love this 

Pete 

[NZPeterG]

Never liked those funky 'half-dropped' bars - hoods are too narrow. Same goes for the forward 'bar-end' position on the Jones H-bars. When out of the saddle and climbing I will be either gripping the bar-ends or the hoods and they need to be wide and forwards.

Hi,
I have had the "Dirt Drops" and "Jeff Jones Loop - Bars" and have Sold the drop bars and my Jones bars are sitting in a box to be Sold one day...

Pete 

 

[bobs]

It's a pity you live in NZ , I would have bought them.

Bob

[il padrone]

Arguments in favour of belt drive argue around issues of strength, never needing to carry a spare chain, no maintenance requirement, and silent oil-free operation.

I will acknowledge, they are (allegedly) quieter in use. Steel is pretty damn strong and while my chain needs to be lubed, the Purple Extreme keeps the chain remarkably oil-free. On many long touring rides I have never needed to carry a spare chain, rarely needed to carry out any major maintenance, just re-lube every 600-1000kms. Belt-drive is a solution looking for a problem IMHO.