-
What Kit Do You Need To Go Adventure Cycling?
October 28, 2013
This post is one of a series about Adventure Cycle Touring that formed part of the foundation for my ebook Prepare Pack Pedal. It is ideal if your bicycle touring equipment kit list contains only what is needed so that you don’t even need to think about your gear on your cycle trip. A good kit selection will allows you to concentrate on the experiences of traveling by bike without your equipment being a distraction or frustration.
Tags: Bike touringEquipmentKitCycle touringGearTravelAdventure
-
What Should I Do For My Gap Year?
October 26, 2013
Hello! You have probably got here searching for that exact question. That’s great, because I have some good information for you to help with your quest to find the ideal gap year. Are you sick of the lack of original ideas for your gap year? Do you wish that you could guarantee yourself a really authentic travel experience? Is the blue branding of STA travel in your university travel agent starting to get kind of sickening?
-
Which Tyres? Schwalbe Marathon XR Tyres Review
October 25, 2013
The Schwalbe Marathon XR was the obvious choice for a long distance tour (at the time of choosing in 2007), used by most other adventure cyclists to universal critical appraisal. Schwalbe says: The Marathon XR is the true expedition tyre. It was conceived and built to withstand both extreme loads and uncompromising terrain. It provides unsurpassed puncture protection with TravelGuard technology. This progressive technology offers excellent puncture protection with extremely low weight.
Tags: MarathonSchwalbeBicycle touringMountain bikeBike designBikeBicycleTyres
-
Sun-Ringle Rhyno Lite Wheel Rims Long Term Adventure Cycling Review
October 26, 2013
The Sun-Ringle Rhyno Lite rim (my version built in 2007) is a heavy duty mountain bike rim. I researched these rims before leaving on my first bike tour in 2007. I had heard about them because they came recommended by some mountain biking friends in the York Uni bike club and from fellow guides when I worked as an mtb guide in Croatia. Pre 2007 they were on my radar as a rim that would survive practically anything you threw at it.
Tags: Heavy duty rimTouring rimTouring bikeRhynolyteSun rimsSun rimMountain bikingWheelsRims
-
Magura Odur Suspension Forks Adventure Cycling Long Term Review
October 26, 2013
Magura are not the longest players in the mountain bike fork market but in recent years, their models are at the forefront of the competition. I’ve used them throughout my travels and recent mountain bike excursions. The fork works how it should; call it reliable German engineering, call it what you like. I’ve done the minimum fiddling and servicing with these forks for the maximum use. The forks are strong and stiff with a smooth action.
-
Kona Explosif Mountain Bike Frame (2007 version) for Adventure Cycling
October 26, 2013
Are you looking for a mountain bike frame that you can use for adventure cycling? Do you like Kona bikes? Do you have a penchant for niche steel frames. If so read on. However, modern versions of this frame no longer exist in a 26” wheel version, only 27.5 so you will have to look for old ones on eBay and forums. I have a soft spot for this frame. It was given by Kona to me for the round the world trip.
Tags: TouringExpeditionFrameSteelKona ExplosifAdventure cyclingMountain bike frame
-
Kona Caldera Frame Review (2008 version) Can Aluminum Stand Up To Adventure Cycling
October 26, 2013
The Kona Caldera (2008) is a strong cross country frame with good handling. I hadn’t heard of the Kona Caldera before I picked this frame up. It was suggested as a replacement for my Kona Explosif frame which cracked after riding 10000kms. I wasn’t that happy about taking an aluminium frame on my trip to Mongolia but at the same time I had no reason to suspect that it wouldn’t be strong enough for a 1000kms… trip off road across the Steppe.
Tags: 2008 versionRedGreenMountain bike frameKona calderaBike
-
Is The Brooks Champion Flyer Leather Saddle Ideal for Adventure Cycling?
October 26, 2013
The Brooks Chamption Flyer Saddle is a leather, steel sprung saddle from Brooks. It is meant for touring and trekking use. Features Length: 275mm Width: 175mm Height:87mm Weight: 860g The Flyer and its ladies model Flyer S are classically sprung saddles for long distance trekking and touring. It is directly descending from the B66 Champion, first featured in the 1927 catalogue. Sharing the same leather tops of the B17 models, they combine the comfort of these popular models with the extra suspension granted by two rear springs.
-
How are Magura Louise Disk Brakes (2007 model) For Stopping a Loaded Touring Bike?
October 26, 2013
The Magura Louse disc brakes were a high end disc brake that came out around 2007. Brakes are what the German company’s speciality with a good reputation for performance and reliability. Magura’s five-year no-leak guarantee was at the time unique showing confidence in the product. Based in Bad Urach, Germany, Magura has been a leader in hydraulics engineering and technology for over 100 years [Magura was established in 1893]. Magura innovations have included the first ever hydraulic mountain bike brake [1987] and the first “adjust-on-the-fly” motorcycle clutch lever for off-road racing legend Malcom Smith [1968].
-
Extrawheel Single Wheel Trailer to Carry Your Gear Safely and Conveniently
October 26, 2013
The Extrawheel single wheel trailer (Voyager Model - in the shot below) is a bicycle trailer from polish manufacturer Extrawheel. It features a welded steel tubing frame with steel racks to fit panniers. It attaches to the bike via a sprung steel fork which clips onto the trailer and a custom real wheel axle. Pros: The design is simple. It is relatively light (particularly compared to a competitor such as ‘BOB’).
Tags: Bicycle trailerBike trailer26 inchSingle-wheelTrailerExtrawheel
-
Chris King Headset Long Term Adventure Cycling Kit Review
October 26, 2013
The Chris King Headset is well-regarded as one of the best on the market. I bought a Chris King Headset because of the rave reviews and general consensus that it was the best headset on the market. It has worked without a hint of reduction in it’s silky smoothness for the duration of the journey. In the past each headset I owned has shown signs of wear over the period of a year, but the King headset is as new, and I expect it to stay like that for a long time with a 10 year guarantee!
-
Carradice Super C Bicycle Touring Panniers to Keep Your Kit Safe and Dry
October 26, 2013
The Carradice Super C panniers are well-regarded as being long lasting and reliable and are a common choice for the long distance cyclist. Features: Weight (grams): 1150 Capacity: 54 litre capacity per pair Dimensions: 33cm wide x 40cm high x 22cm deep Fixing system: Carradice Quick-clip pannier hooks will fit racks up to 13mm in diameter No of Pockets: Large external pocket on rear Materials: Cotton Duck Other features: Two panniers can be fastened together for easy off-the-bike carrying