Rogue Panda Blue Ridge Handlebar Harness

 The weather's been gorgeous, I need to get bike touring.

 I've had the itch to dump cash on something bike related.    Couldn't justify another bike, or another set of wheels for my current Salsa Fargo touring bike.  

 Even though I've lost a ton of weight, I'm still "Clydesdale" size for bike riders.    For wheels/bikes you often have to add your weight, the bike's weight, and the weight of stuff you're going to carry.    So the "heavy" rims I have are actually perfect for my 222lbs, 30lb bike, and 20-30lbs of gear when touring.

And at 222 lbs, I'm not sure there's a point in getting a fancy carbon fiber bike for faster rides.    The roads are awful near me.   Especially the road I ride on.   I'd just break the bike frame or wheels.    The potholes are horrifically bad.   I often stand on the pedals when I bomb down the hill and do my best to avoid the potholes, but I'm not always successful.     It's actually worse for the bike hitting a pothole at road speeds than if I was on a gravel road.

What I may do is just before Winter, buy a steel bike frame, like a Surly Straggler and build it out myself.  So many Youtube videos show how to install the shifters, pedals, brakes and rear derailleur.   I have a spare set of rims that would be great for it.    The Fargo is probably overkill for road touring.   The Straggler would be better for road. 

So...I spent a stupid amount of money for a better front harness instead (like $235 with shipping).   https://roguepanda.com/products/blue-ridge-handlebar-harness-v2

It only weighs half a pound because it's a mix of lightweight aluminum for the frame and it holds carbon fiber tubes to strap stuff too.   I also got their accessories mount, so I've actually made my current bike more comfortable because I've freed up handlebar space.    For faster riding I have my hands on the hoods/shifter/brake levers.    But for slow climbs I have my hands like you see in the photo below

 And I love the accessory bar brings the phone and GPS computer up closer.   Easier to see.

I'll be leaving the new front rack on the handlebars all the time, probably with the fanny pack I made strapped in place.  I like having the fanny pack when I go into stores; it makes it easy to carry my phone and bike computer in with me.