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Bicycle Travel

Bicycle Touring: Spec

This is a post about the bicycle spec. To see more about other touring gear and equipment, see this post.

The bike is finally sorted. It’s changed a lot in the last few weeks, from something which was more ‘cycle-to-the-shop’ than ‘cycle-round-a-continent’ to something, I hope, a little more robust and up for the job.

It’s had a revamp: upgraded wheels, upgraded saddle, upgraded pannier rack.

Took it out for the first time fully loaded yesterday. It’s, umm, quite a shock to the system when it comes to ascending. Down hill and flat, it really doesn’t feel so bad at all. It was surprising how nimble and controllable it is. Up hill is a different kettle of fish altogether though, so that’ll be interesting.

Anyway for those into their gear specs, here it is:

Accessory wise, there’s:

16 replies on “Bicycle Touring: Spec”

I just found your site through ACA. Wishing you well and look forward to your story. Hoping the noreaster hitting the coast won’t make the beginning of the trip impossible. Stay safe. Writing from Colorado.

Thanks Deborah.

It’s not too bad in NYC right now. A bit chilly but nothing a few layers won’t fix!

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Thanks Rob! Looking forward to Seattle, been on the go-to list for a few years now.

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Hello Dave. Just saw you outside the Family Dolar in Ft White Fl. I was being nosey and asked you what you were doing. Good luck and best wishes.
I wish I was brave enough to do what you are attempting.

Why not use a “touring” bike like the Trek 520, Surly LHT? BTW – what’s your crank/cassette gearing?

I had a week to buy a bike, it needed to be used, and this was the only one I could find that was the right size. Not perfect, but adaptable enough to get by. As for the gearing, not sure – standard cassette that came on the spec bike.

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Hi. Any issues with front carbon fork and Tubus Smarti rack? Is your fork build for stress that front panniers do? I have CAADX105 and would like to fit Tubus Smarti on UltraX carbon blades but not sure if that is appropriate. :)

Hi Treeninja. How is being a tree ninja? That is pretty cool.

No issues with the carbon fork at all. Although I spoke to someone who knows a lot more about this kind of stuff and he told me that the ‘carbon forks’ I had actually had a steel/alu rod in them which provide the real strength. The carbon fibre is more of a wrapper and isn’t structurally important.

So if you’re forks have steel or alu in them it should be fine. If 100% carbon it could be an issue.

Other than that the Smarti held up brilliantly – no issues whatsoever.

Cheerio!

Hi Dave!

Sorry for my late reply, i did not get any alerts you replied to me. I am fine thanks! :D

I’ve bought smarti and the front bags. I think you are right. Forks on CX bike contain aluminium in some way and for light touring should be fine. I am focusing on putting max 15-20 kg of cargo (including bags) to front and back panniers.

Thank you for your reply!

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