third party racks, tyre choices et al for S40

[bromclist]

Hi Folks,

I have been riding an S40 (put in close to 500 kms now) and its been really fun.
I ride during the mornings (from 6 to 8:30) for about 50-60kms loop.
I would like to know the following:
1) Are there any 3rd party racks available that will fit the S40 directly? e.g. from decathlon or anywhere else as well.
2) My S40 front fork has barely enough space for the tyre to go through. (700x32). How do you guys put fatter tyres?
3) Which is the best puncture protection tyre that you recommend? (schwalbe marathons / continental contact / others ?)
4) Is there ways to make the front end a bit more lighter? e.g. Anyone tried marrying the v20c frontend with the S40?
5) I dont like the looks of full fenders on the S40. What are the fender options.
thanks in advance.

 

[Mathew Fy]

My S40 front fork has barely enough space for the tyre to go through. (700x32). How do you guys put fatter tyres?

The newer S40s have a wider fork. If you want wider tyres, you’ll need to go to 26” or 650b. Maybe get a new (wider) fork.

 

[Mathew Fy]

Anyone tried marrying the v20c frontend with the S40?

V20c forks require a wider head tube, so it’s a no go.

 

[chicorider]

4) Is there ways to make the front end a bit more lighter? e.g. Anyone tried marrying the v20c frontend with the S40?

I went from a V20, which has basically the same front end as your S40, to a V20c. While the V20c maybe has a slightly smoother ride with its carbon fiber front end, the weight difference between the two is negligible. I imagine they had to use a fair amount of carbon fiber to create enough strength to handle the forces applied to the mbb design (I believe I remember Robert H. saying once that building the main frame out of CF would require enough CF that the frame would come out heavier than the aluminum frame). I also ride an S30, which again, has basically the same front end as your S40, and I really can't feel the difference between it and the V20c in terms of front end weight. I run identical wheels and tires on both bikes. I hope this helps.

 

[Tuloose]

Are you referring to a rear rack that could carry panniers or a bag? I ask because you mention a decathalon rack which is something I have never heard of.
I found the best rack for my T50 and my S40 is the Blackburn Local Deluxe, a compact, inexpensive and highly adjustable rack that sadly is no longer made.

 

[bromclist]

I went from a V20, which has basically the same front end as your S40, to a V20c. While the V20c maybe has a slightly smoother ride with its carbon fiber front end, the weight difference between the two is negligible. I imagine they had to use a fair amount of carbon fiber to create enough strength to handle the forces applied to the mbb design (I believe I remember Robert H. saying once that building the main frame out of CF would require enough CF that the frame would come out heavier than the aluminum frame). I also ride an S30, which again, has basically the same front end as your S40, and I really can't feel the difference between it and the V20c in terms of front end weight. I run identical wheels and tires on both bikes. I hope this helps.

Thanks. this is good info. So basically wheels / tyres are where I could invest more to possibly reduce the weight a bit

 

[bromclist]

Are you referring to a rear rack that could carry panniers or a bag? I ask because you mention a decathalon rack which is something I have never heard of.
I found the best rack for my T50 and my S40 is the Blackburn Local Deluxe, a compact, inexpensive and highly adjustable rack that sadly is no longer made.

What I meant was a general off-the-shelf rack that fits regular DF bikes.
Are there any such racks that are a direct fit to the S40.?
I remember seeing a thread where someone had modified a rack to fit the V20. Will dig it out and post here later.

 

[McWheels]

I think I can help you out a little bit here. I've done most of the things you're asking about.
1. I use the Tortec Velocity hybrid. It's nice and narrow and looks good, but assumes you're not going to use a racktop bag. Or if you are it's a re-purposed frame bag. I very nearly went for the Tortec Velocity on its own, which is even narrower, but I wasn't totally convinced it would work with the mudguards. The other benefit of the hybrid is that it's (just) wide enough to get a small rear light on it from Busch & Muller.

Now to the fitting of it. You'll notice I had to use a pair of 10mm standoff or connector nuts otherwise it won't reach around the brake caliper fastners. And since then I've carried some unadvisedly heavy single-sided loads and all is well. So they're not a limitation to capacity.

Now you'll no doubt have noticed that there's another boss on the frame a little further fwd and up. I didn't go with this for two reasons. One that it would place the rack too high, looking a bit out of sync with the bike, and second that it would be really hard to level the rack and be able to place bags on it from interference with the seat.

2. I run 650x42 on the front, and 700x32 on the rear. This is because the front came like that from it's previous owner, and then to build the dynamo rear wheel I wanted, it was just simpler to get a 700c rim.

3. Related to this, both tyres have been remarkably good at avoiding visitations over a few thousand miles now. Rene Herse Babyshoe Pass on the front and Pirelli Cinturato Velo TLR on the rear. The front has been the most surprising since it scores so poorly on the RollingRoad online website. But because you don't run it at high pressure - 40 - 50psi - it just seems to deform nicely over things rather than be penetrated by them, and that was the ultralight version which I've only now just replaced as it was wearing out.

4. Haven't tried. This is a quick commuting bike mostly. The raw bike is very light, it's just things that go on it make it heavy.

5. I don't mind mudguards, in fact I see them as essential. SKS Longboards adorn my machine. And to deal with wet and skog, I've actually rotated the front one forward to the bottom bracket, hence the normal fork crown attachment is seemingly loafing. A couple of additional spiders to hold the mudguard and all is well. There's just too much gunk being thrown at the chainring, chain, and my feet otherwise. I've since trimmed off the mudguard stays too.

 

[kizarmynot]

I use an Old Man Mountain rack on the rear. It uses a thru-axle mount and a connection to the upper stay. As for tires, I can fit 700x40 up front.