Why this is The Ultimate Bikepacking Bike! Velotraum Finder with GearBox & Belt Drive
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- čas přidán 7. 06. 2024
- 💥 I believe Velotraum Finder is the Most Versatile, Durable and Comfortable Bikepacking bike with Gates Belt drive train and Pinion Gear Box. After watching this video, let me know if you agree with me or not and WHY?
💥 Note that this is not an out of the box video, until now I have cycled more than 10,000 km with Finder!
💥🚴🏼♂️ Velotraum’s website: www.velotraum.de
Timecodes
00:00 intro
01:44 All you need to know about Finders Frame and frame material
03:04 Compatibility with suspension and rigid fork
04:00 Color
04:41 Drivetrain/why I chose Pinion Gearbox
06:57 Transmission/why I chose Gates belt drive
08:00 Front and rear sprocket sizes
08:18 Belt tension
08:59 Is it belt always quiet?
10:06 New sprocket design from Gates
10:39 Wheels
11:47 Handmade vs Machine made wheels
12:48 Rear hub/Pinion H3R
13:20 Spokes/Sapim force
13:24 Nipples/Sapim polyax 16mm
13:46 Rims/DT Swiss H 612
14:22 Front wheel
14:31 Front Hub/Son 28
14:56 Coaxial connector for hub
15:41 Tires
16:21 Front and rear lights/SON Edelux
17:07 USB charger/Appcon 3000
18:05 Mud guards
18:28 Handelbar
19:04 Grips/Ergon GP5
19:32 Phone mount/Quad Lock
20:26 Stem/Vecnum
21:14 Seatpost/by.Schulz G.2 ST
22:12 Saddle/Selle San Marco, Model: all road super comfort
22:54 Brakes/Paul components: Klampers and levers
23:58 Bottle cages/myFixPlus
24:36 Pedals/Shimano XT
24:57 Racks/Tubus
25:44 Stand/kickstand or Click Stand
26:12 Why versatility is important
26:54 Visiting Velotraum in Germany
28:14 Update about NomadsTrails
I am Peyman, I've been riding different biketouring adventures with different bikes for more than 12 years and I have cycled more than 55,000 km in 3 continents. After all these years I find myself more and more wanting to go off the main roads and explore more nature and remote parts of this World. I needed a bicycle which can handle any kind of terrain I want to cycle, with no hesitation.
I've been looking for such a bikepacking bike for a long time and here it is: My "one bike to do it all" rig , Velotraum Finder.
In this video I deep dive into all components of this bike and I explain to you why each components has been chosen.
💥 Feel free to comment below if you have any questions regarding Finder or any components!
💥 Next video will be published next week. Also from now on you will see weekly videos!
⚡️If you find the video useful You can support my content by:
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🎉 Join my never ending adventures around the world and more frequent update and stories
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Email me : nomadstrailinfo@gmail.com
💥🎥 Other videos:
🌍 The latest Movie: • Cycling in Far North -...
💥 Belt vs Chain: • Belts Are BETTER Than ...
💥 Comparing Rohloff and Pinion: • First 1200 km! - Pinio...
🎬 How to dress for a winter adventure: • How to LAYER UP for Wi...
❄️ Winter Gear List: nomadstrails.com/winter-gear-...
🔥 Solar Charger Review: nomadstrails.com/the-best-out...
/ carbondrive
www.gatescarbondrive.com/
/ gatescarbondrive
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See you in the next video in few days! - Jak na to + styl
Tell you what: When I ordered my Velotraum Finder in late summer 2022, I asked if instead of waiting months I could just take this gorgeous orange model that stood there, ready to ride. They told me that this bike is going to a person cycling Africa and that it is urgently needed there so no chance to buy it right now. Later I found out that it was Your Finder; I got mine a few weeks later and I am cycling the carpathian region with it since then, one month every year, mostly off-road. This bike takes you everywhere, through everything.
This really seems to be the top adventure bike but ..... having a simple bike should nobody dissuade from doing such adventures, I really liked your video about the budget expedition bike
I've also been riding a Velotraum for almost one year now; I can cycle +200 km/day with it, +70 km/h feels rock solid even when loaded, and with a weight of 13 kg it is downright light for such a solid bike. Like every Velotraum it is specially customized for me, all my special requests were no problem, and the bike fitting included with the purchase turned out to be perfect even in the long term. Unreserved recommendation, they know what they are doing & selling! I wish you lots of fun and adventures with your Velotraum in the future too!
This dude is the ultimate traveller....my respect to you!
great video ! thanks a lot for this complete review
Brilliant bike review. I definitely want one although my wife might disagree! Inspirational as ever. Safe travels to you and Sailor.
😅 , Thank you!!
Very well made video! Your passion and experience really shows and I learned something from every segment. You're very good at covering every single aspect while keeping it quick and relevant (30 minute video went by so fast). I've never heard of the Velotraum brand, but they sound perfect for what I'm looking for and your explanations have me excited to learn more about them. Thanks and happy riding!
I kept watching for something to be missed or wrong but everything was great from my view. :)
Great videos .loved it👏🏻
Recommendations by your very impressive experience are very helpful. Thank you for the detailed review of your bike and for sharing your experiences.
Most welcome, happy to hear of it was usefull :)
@@NomadsTrails Very useful to me 👍👍👍. Actually I plan to switch from my Bike with rohloff gearhub with Chain to a new bike with pinion with belt drive.
Subscribed! Enjoying your adventures bruddah! Venture on!
Awesome, thank you!
Thank you for your very video about why you chose that bicycle.
Great video, love what you do
thank you! :)
thank you so much . super nice video and useful .
Spot on,U nailed it❤
🙌🏼
Enjoyed this video. You know your stuff about bicycles. I have my own hand built wheels that are over 50 years old and going strong on my track and road bikes.. However for the first time ever, I now ride a Surly fatbike with wheels that I have not built myself (5 years now and counting, 4.8in width tires). The Velotraum I have not heard of before, but more bikes are being made with the Pinion gearbox and Carbon belt drive, which is now on my wish list. Of course TI would be on my wish list too, lol. More and more of the utubers that ride off road long distance are switching to Pinion/Belt drive bicycles from what I see. The only way I can get a bike of my dreams is to get one for the wifey as well, who also bikepacks with me. Of course now it is far harder for me to get in and out of a small 2 man tent, etc. Keep up the great videos!
thank you so much for your effort !
most welcome❤️
Great review! I love seeing the choices you’ve made over time, there’s so many things about your setup that I want in my next build:
✅Pinion gearbox
✅Son dynamo hub/electronics
✅suspension seatpost/stem
I rode 6,500km across the US in ‘22 on a Kona Sutra, which was a grand adventure bike, but the two issues I had were
1. Not being able to charge my phone/electronics (ultimately I’d stop at gas stations and restaurants to recharge). Being able to charge as you go via a super durable Son hub would be ideal.
2. Having drivetrain issues- I had to get tuned up a few times (Utah, Colorado, Iowa, NY) and for my next bike I’m sold that a pinion & Gates belt drive is the way to go for the longevity and durability. Im tempted by the new e-shift system, but considering the grip shift for the sake of not having to charge another thing. (Would love to hear folks thoughts on that)
I also love the idea of a jones bar setup. I used the gravel bars that my Sutra came with, and I found myself gaining efficiency by grabbing my front bag in a funny pseudo aero tuck, resting my forearm on the handlebars. I’m going to try for a jones setup and see how they suit me, I think they’ll let me do lots of hand positions.
I also agree with the notion of suspension seatpost, I had a Kinekt, using one is a game changer. I’ll have to try out a stem setup next.
I’m so many ways I feel your setup is affirming my ideas for my next bike build, but if there’s one thing I think I can suggest to you, I would recommend you try out the Peak Design bike mount and case. I had a Quad Lock case years back, it’s super durable, but it takes a bit of learned habit to get it clipped in. The key advantage that the Peak case has is the magnetic clip in, you can kind of place your phone in proximity and the mount pulls it securely in place. It makes grabbing for phone on the fly super easy.
Hope to come across you on the road someday, cheers my friend! ✌🏽
Hi, you are most welcome
1. charging with dynamo is really nice if you cycle with average speed of over 14km/h and you will cycle over 50 or 60 km daily. if you are going some where you got SUN the solarpanels are more efficient. charging with dynamo needs GOOD converter.
2.Pinion and belt is a great option. Pinion c1.12 also is a fantastic option if you want to save some €. P and C line basically has are the same.
jones bar is really comfy but also personal preference. best to test it out.
Kinekt is super good and is really soft and springy.
never tried the peak design, but thanks for the tip. will check those out 🙌🏼
If you want low maintenance look at titanium frames also ,I have an Olsen the prices are very reasonable.
Thanks for the inspiration . i was using 2.8" tyres but found them a bit to much hard work on road sections , I've settled on 29 x 2.35 . The pinion is amazing & I agree with the suspension seat post & Stem as I'm 60 .ref the frame ,a steel frame is easier to repair if it cracks having said that I use titanium.
I was thinking 29 x 2.6 might be a good balance.
great review
🙏
Lovely video
Thank you!
question price how much does this pretty jewel cost
Just a little note, SKF stands for Svenska Kullager Fabriken 😊
🙏🏼
Thank you Peyman for this precious sharing! I have one of the first belt-driven bikes and since that day, I have understood the scam of chain and derailleurs bikes which require so much maintenance and repair = $$$
I am delighted to know more about this latest version of the belt which does not get stuck and which is quieter (like all lovers of beautiful mechanics, I cannot stand even a little noise when I do not understand the 'origin;). It’s fascinating to listen to you share so many experiences with us. Wow, what great energy! I'm so glad to know that you're going to be sharing long videos again! Strength to you and happy holidays^^
❤️ love to have your support with NT!
Very interesting bike you have there. And I agree on the alu frame, I rode a bike with aluminium frame for ten years and even crashed a couple of times, one seat was destroyed and some other stuff on the handlebars but the frame lasted. The paint did chip from few places but since aluminium does not rust I just carried on without worry.
That Pinion box and belt drive interest me as well as the suspension stem and seatpost which I need to look into. Also the dynamo hub. Lots of nice things.. But I do have a good bike now so I don't need a new one. Then again needing and wanting are two very different things and I definitely do want a Finder now. :)
Very good and thorough review, thanks for sharing. And good to have you back!
I already broke 2 Alu-Frames and 1 steel frame. Since the first issue, my right Hand is disabled. Velotraum is a company I would trust all the time, but never cheap aluminium frames anymore.
Hi Juha, thank you. happy if the video was useful. great to be back and will keep posting weekly from now on🙌🏼
I know you like the Ortleib handlebar bag; which models of bags do you use for your panniers?
Lovely bike. I've go pretty much the same setup, but with a Rohloff.
awesome, this setup really rocks! 😁
Hey Peyman, great Video. Is there somewhere a list, where all your component choices are written down?
Thanks so much!
Yes they are all written down in the video subscription.
Yeah this Bike ist awesome. Have the Same one😊
Nice video! Just one question: why did you leave the tout-terrain silk road you were touring on before the velotraum? Did you have any issues with that bike?
Hi, thank you. no i didn't. the main reason i changed the bike was i needed a bike which can accommodate 27.5 " X 2.8" tires. i could't fit those tires on the TT Silkroad. Also i wanted a stiffer frame for off-roads.
Do you have any experiences with a Randonneur handlebar? Suited for bike touring?
Thanks for the review. What's the lowest gear ratio in inches on your bike? How does the pinion gear box compare to the rohloff hub? What is the maximum weight that the bike can carry?
Hi, The official weight bike can carry is 150kg, i haver carried around 190kg ( rider+ luggages) no issues.
Finder might have fork Update in 2024 with this can increase the official weight up to 180kg if you choose to have DT Swiss U638 as RIMS ,But for proper information regarding this update please ask Velotraum. comparing Pinion to Rohloff: Indeed i have made video about this:
czcams.com/video/Rg8wh5qlHlk/video.html
the secound episode of this comparison will drop in 2024
With the pinion 18 speed, what is it equivalent to in a normal gear ratio? I want to get one but not sure if the gearing is high enough for the flat straight aways. Do you find yourself out peddling the gear box?
with the new pinion e-thumb shifter, and your load of electronics, I'd go for the new shifters! thanks for your work here, on this sponsored bike.
never have tested the new shifter. maybe in the future 😁
The problem with that might be that the shifter battery requires an AC converter to recharge. Another thing to carry on long distances. You can’t swap out batteries I was told by a tech at Priority a similar bike company. Another reason to stay with the manual pinion is that you can flip from and to any gear .. I believe the thumb shifter is like traditional shifter in that you have to go through each gear. He said he likes to go from a hard gear to easy on sudden up hills. I have the manual pinion and love this feature .. actually it’s the absolute best part about it. For example I’ve many times come down a hill and around corner it’s a huge uphill. I can stop , shift down to easier gears and start up. In the past I’d need to figure out how to change gears … maybe turn around and shift through gears on downhill and turn back or pull up my back wheel and manually turn cranks to shift down
Some things to keep in mind -)
My research, as a small frame buyer, has led me to the Salsa Fargo. Did you look at Salsa? Can only take Rohloff + belt. I shall look at the Finder. Thank you.
Yes i did, i find surly and Salsa frames very flexible for my like. I like the Finder frame alot, since it is incredibly durable but very comfortable at the same time and since it is from aluminium, it is very stiff. stiffness is very important for me, since bike is much more responsive under the load also with Belt drive you need particularly stiff frame. You can ask Velotraum regarding the Small frame size. according to my knowlege they will have Small Frame Finder in 2024. Most welcome 😊
Great video and amazing bike! But the video makes me almost not go out into the wild with anything less than a bike like yours!
Hi Peyman! How did you install the Front light when using the suspension fork? (15:49 min in the Video). I‘m looking for a Solution for my front Lampe, because it always collides with my handlebar bag and I want to avoid installing a front rack. Thank you!
Hi Stefan, In min 15:49 i have installled the front light using my own hand made bracket. I made that bracket specifically to be used with suspension fork + tubus grand expedition rack. But if i don’t use the expedition rack Then the brackets which comes with SON light dose the job and for me it doesn’t collide with regular Ortlieb handelbar bag. But if i use the bikepacking handelbar bag from ortlieb, that is really annoying. I have’t find a good solution for that. Greetings Peyman
Have a good ride!
Good bike but did you check out Santos bikes from the Netherlands?
Hi Peyman! I dunno if I missed it or not. But have you made a video of your adventures in the Philippines? If yes, can you share the link please?
hi , those will be published in 2024 after my Solo ride across East Africa series is published.
Alright i guess i have to wait then.
if you compare the Pinion P18 with the C12 you only have a finer transition and more gears in the high range, right? More small gears are not there? Do you really think it's worth the 800 € + weight penalty
It’s impressive but I still prefer my Trek 1120. You should try one. If a pinion drive was a must have I would buy this bike. However it just isn’t what I need. 1120 has everything else this bike has and then some !
Impressive. How do I get one shy of flying to Germany?
Thanks -An American
This bike ticks so many boxes. What a beast. I even agree with you on the mechanical brake choice. Pinion is a no-brainer. One question, do you feel the geometry is slack enough to be comfortable going downhill on very rough terrain?
ineed it dose , i been looking for such a bike for so many years 😁, i did ride some pretty rough terrain and it was comfy. actually during the last 3 days i been riding some cool off roads in Kenya 😁
How do you make a living on the road if you don't mind? Any good ideas?? Just save prior to trip??@@NomadsTrails
I would love to be a Dealer for this bike in the USA !
email Velotruam 😁
did you used/ tested any height adjustable stem?
i have used for a short while, can't say about the durability. but i really love the comfort of suspension stem.
I don't have a dealer near me to try a bike but I'm always riding medium. What size do you have and how tall are you?
Hi 180 cm the frame size i have is L :)
Hello Peyman, Does the Velotraum Finder have a distributor in Canada, I can"t find one, can you?
Hi Sally, they have dealers in Europe buy since each bike is being hand built indivitually for the riders need it might be possible they send a bike outside of Europe. The best if to send Velotraum an email. Here is their email: info@velotraum.de Greetings Peyman
Thank you Peyman, I will email today
Mechanical disc brakes FTW. Would like to have some mud guards though.
I’ve just checked the price of the apcon charger,£400, for a charger,that is unreal,I’d want it to be fully charged for life and to power my car for that money,crazy shit,
How’s your Schultz seatpost compare to your friends kinekt seatpost? Which is preferable?
Hi, well depends on you in a bit let’s say like that. The kinekt is super soft but Schultz (she ST) is slightly harder but you can adjust the spring 😊
@@NomadsTrails the Schultz you can “replace” the spring with one of different resistance to suit your weight I think you mean. But the kinekt has adjustable spring preload. ok, thanks. I think I will just buy the Schultz because you said on the video you use it, and you have lots of experience.
And how do you like the handlebar stem on your bike after your experience in Africa? Good or any issues?
@@superwag634 nonworries ! handelbar stem is absolutely a money well spend. In ine of our bikes we have kinekt which is very springy and in other one we have the Vecnum suspention stem which is really good and well made but much harder compare to kinekt. Also kinekt had makes small sound with you lift the bike from handelbar, but Vecnum dosen’t. It is nit a mechnical issue but just you know. You can also adjust the sorings in Kinekt , the hardest spring they got still is pretty springy compare to Vecnum 😊
I ride a 10 year old Surly Troll with a Rohloff hub. The Troll has since been discontinued. This bike is even the same colour as my Troll ! I don't really know what my point is, but just saying.
❤️
The Surly Troll (26" wheel bike) was replaced by the Surly Ogre (650B/700c). The Troll and Ogre frames are completely identical except for the tire sizes they were designed for.
How do you make a living on the road if you don't mind? Any good ideas??
Does it support 29r wheel sets with 3 inch tires
No, it fits 27.5" :)
@@NomadsTrails shame
Hello, I've heard that inverted forks are inferior to traditional forks.
Looks like the only thing you forgot to take was your fridge freezer,or is it underneath the wardrobe 😂
If you make and fit a suspension fork looker ??? You can use it all the time and by removing the looker very quickly you get the best of both worlds…. The suspension looker will stop the forks going down (Not up). But I’m thinking I could make it do both.. Just something I came up with watching this video.
The issue is i often need to have front panniers. fitting panniers on the bike with suspension still is an issue :)
@@NomadsTrails I see what you’re saying. I didn’t think of that..
How do you finance your adventures?
i do work on the videos and content you see across 3 social media channels ( Instagram, youtube, facebook). i record the videos in some of the harshest conditions you can imagine and the spend hours and hours on editing. nothing is for free :). during last 6 years i worked at leats 10 hours a day and had 6 months on brake. that is all, so welcome to the traveling for free lifestyle 😅
Do you know what else stops squeaking of the belt? Soap! Just clean off your belt, then rub dry bar soap in all of the belt's crevices (just cut a sliver off of a bar of soap). It stops the squeaks. I learned this trick from Ryan Van Duzer and it works.
Thanks, also dish washing liquied did a great job. I did test other day in Kenya 😁👌
Anybody see a price for this bike? I cannot find the price.
Hi, Price will change according to the components you choose to have on the Finder. Velotruam builds each bike for the need of individual rider so the price change for each bike . there is a section on their website where you can choose each components for your bike. but starting point is some where around 3500 if i remember correct, but please contact Velotruam regarding this. for English info you can just use google translate 😊
The model Finder with Pinion gearbox starts at 4300 €, so I guess the described version with 2 forks and top components might be between 5000 and 6000 or even more 😢
It's a pity, Velotraum website is only in German. So you cannot get any information from them if you're not a german speaker. Guess their bikes are only for german speaking people 😢
That's fine, I buy American...Surly Long Haul Trucker👍🏻😊
If viewing on an iPad tap the “Aa” next to the url and 2 down from the top you’ll see “translate to English.” On a desktop or laptop google chrome will automatically translate. Worth giving a try. They are sweet bikes even if you’ll never buy one.
Hi, Please use the google translate for the website also i am sure they will answer your questions in english very happily. I talk with them always in English 😁
@@NomadsTrails Thanks. Sure I know I can translate website with Google, Apple or whatever. I just don't feel as a desired customer by a company that does not even bother to make english website 😅. Don't feel like "doing whatever it takes" to get their bike 🫣 There's too many quality alternatives like Surly or Salsa or Koga or whatever. If they are focused on german speaking customers only - I'll leave them with german speaking customers only. No problem. Maybe they don't have as big output to go international. That's fine.
@@SuperAti15 most welcome :) i guess It is not about desire, a small company which basically built each bike by hand in their workshop in Germany have limited resources :)
Velotraum would help us out if they had a web site based on the English language. this presentation is in English for a reason. I assume? ; ),
Hi, you can use google translate on the website and you can email them in english if you got question they will be very happy to answer. I personaly have visit the Velotraum. They are a small company and all of their bikes are hand built in their work shop. They have limited resources so this might be the reason their website is not avalible in english 😊
@@NomadsTrails thank you for sharing your passion for bike travel with us. you give a lot more info on belt drive's than anything I have viewed. many of the belt drive pinions I have seen are very noisy. I thought it was the gear box, but it was an unmaintained belt making the noise. no one should buy a product being motivated by " maintenance free". it not too hard to clean the belt when its noisy. great work. safe travels.
Getting old at 40 is only possible if you ask for it, forget the number that the year counters have labeled you with.
Be true to your soul, not the costume that the world sees you wearing.
Appcon dynamo battery $400!!!!
someonebuymeoneplease
Ska is swedich
Nah too much carry space
If it had a dedicated instrument holder for larger instruments, maybe we can talk
Try to improve your accent😂😂😂
I don’t need to 😂
What is the flannel you are wearing at the end?
It’s Garphyttan Crafter ✌️
ДА техника классная но интересно ЦЕНА у тебя то спонсор а остальным .............
Absolutely a good choice of frame and komponents. ✌🏽🚵
🔥🙌🏼