{"product_id":"titanium-frame-built-touring-setup-or-gravel-2026","title":"Titanium frame built Touring setup or gravel 2026","description":"Used \nAfter solo bikepacking through South East Asia, I decided to make several changes to this new setup. These include adding mudguards and a dropper post, using a different frame, handlebars and fork geometry, and switching to lighter, narrower tyres.  \n\nThe front wheel set has a Mountain bike Rockbao hub with a 25mm Sunringle silver rim and 32 spokes using a 100 × 12 mm thru-axle  \n\nThe rear wheel set has the same with 32 spokes using a 142 × 12 mm thru axle.\n\n So they should be durable enough for touring \n\nThe tyres are lightweight Continental touring tyres, measuring 700 × 45 mm, with puncture protection. \n\nI'm using two Specialized inner tubes, sized 700 × 1.8 inches, these are the most durable tubes available.\n\nThe Clarks brake rotors are 6-bolt, with a 203 mm rotor on the front and a 180 mm rotor on the rear. Both are 1.8 mm thick. For braking, I'm reusing my Shimano Deore XT four-piston hydraulic brakes together with the brake adapters from my  previous setup.\n\nMost of all the parts were purchased online, while some have been reused from my previous setup.\n\nThe bike uses V12 flat pedals with a 170 mm crank arm, which I bought second-hand.  Some of these brand new pinion parts are ridiculously expensive. \n\nI've also chosen to keep most of the bike in a natural metal finish, so I won't have to worry about paint chips in the future.  \n\nMudguards are definitely essential. On my last tour, mud and dirt ended up everywhere.\n\nAfter trying many different saddles and suffering from saddle blisters, I now use an old brooks saddle. I am still trying to find the perfect saddle.\n\nThese are the handles for the custom handle bars and bottle cages for frame.\n\nFor luggage, I'm using standard rear racks for clip-on panniers. I previously used an aero rear rack\n\n I wasn't happy with it because the bag occasionally came loose, which was dangerous, especially on fast downhill sections. Clip-on panniers are much safer and more convenient. \n\nFor lighting, I'm using rechargeable front and rear battery-powered lights. Plus the stem mount\n\nThis is the 11-degree Atran Velo kickstand from my original Pinion bike. It's proven to be a reliable, high-quality kickstand.\n\nThe drivetrain features a Pinion P1.9 gearbox with the shifter and cable.  This is one of the trickiest parts to install. I'm also using a Gates CDX belt drive with a Carbon Gates T39 front sprocket with the proprietary blue Pinion tool needed to install it. The T32 rear sprocket with rear hub spacers and a lockring will need a lockring tool tightened to around 35 newton meters. Important, have a spare t115 Carbon belt belt drive.\n\nFor the dropper post, I've chosen the Ascent dropper post with a Shimano remote lever, which was rated by Google as being one of the best value-for-money options.  In my opinion, going down hills using a dropper post is very practical. It is safer, your centre of gravity is lower and you more streamlined. Changing your seat position every so often is also beneficial.\n\nThe headset is the only component I've already started to install. To fit it, all I did was gently tap the upper and lower headset cups evenly into the head tube using a hammer.\n\nOnce the headset has been completely fitted, I'll fit the star nut on top of the fork ,using the setting tool ,also with a hammer ,then I can fit the stem and spacers on the fork.\n\nFinally, these are the tools I'll be using to assemble and complete this Pinion touring bicycle. These are some other things needed like cable ties, washers, grease and lock tight glue.\n\nIt's better to build your own bicycle , it gives you a much better understanding of how everything works and makes it easier to fix problems when they arise. It also saves money. I've come to realise Bicycle touring is the ultimate form of freedom for me.\n\nHere is the complete Pinion touring bike. It weighs 15.5kg including rear rack\n\nThis is my dream titanium setup. All I have to get  is the rear panniers, a frame bag and most importantly ,loads of handlebar storage. I will buy them in the destination country, where I will start touring. The main reason I like the Pinion belt drive system, is it's durability for touring,putting your mind at ease with almost zero maintenance.\n\nI started by fitting the headset with grease. Then the star nut in the top of fork . Fork with Spacers,stem and handlebars. Pinion gearbox with front  sprocket ,crank arms, cable and shifter,dropper post with cable and lever. Then put the six bolt disc rotor on both wheel sets. The rear sprocket and  hub spacers on the back wheel set. Front and back Deore xt brakes with adapters. Front and back puncture guard continental tyres with tubes on the wheel sets. Then fitted wheels on frame. Lastly the mudguard and rear rack.","brand":"25814302556536","offers":[{"title":"Titanium frame built","offer_id":55619146350968,"sku":"e2af051c-63e0-44d9-afda-605b2a181871","price":1998.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0684\/9776\/8734\/files\/media_additional_w6rz51vx.webp?v=1785231709","url":"https:\/\/mynextbike.co.uk\/products\/titanium-frame-built-touring-setup-or-gravel-2026","provider":"MyNextBike","version":"1.0","type":"link"}