Africa - and Hi!

[srmex]

Hi,

I'm new here so be nice! Basically I'm hoping to cycle through Africa in October. I have no bike up to the job as yet. What I want is a 26inch wheel, steel touring/expedition bike. The only problem is i'm 120kg (I play rugby, it's not all bad!) and will need a lot of equiptment. I'm a recent graduate so money is limited. I want a trailer as well and am thinking of this one http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/ebw...f_SupersetQRY=Ktrailer&f_SortOrderID=-1&f_bct= The bike i'm thinking of is the VSF T400 for roughly £1000 as it comes with a lot of equiptment. I thought if I bought this I could keep costs under £1500. But if anyone knows of any cheaper bikes that would really help. Also does anyone have a minimum recommended spares list?

thanks very much (also please donate to my charity!)

Sean

www.cornwall2capetown.moonfruit.com

 

[hubbike]

I'm in a similar position hoping to do a long trip in South America. I'm leaning more in favour of the Thorn Raven (or Sherpa) at the moment... You have probably seen these sites, but if not
http://www.adventure-cycling-guide.co.uk/
http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/
http://petergostelow.com/ good links page
http://www.tour.tk/
http://www.alastairhumphreys.com/
http://www.lonelyplanet.com/thorntree 'on yer bike' section

your website looks nice I'll follow your progress.
Good Luck

 

[srmex]

Thanks, I looked at Thorn but I have just graduated and have no money! A thorn with all the equiptment I need will be over £2000 which I just dont have.

I'm thinking of a surly long haul trucker from Jenson USA which is £820ish. My only concern is the wheels are 700cc but i've read in lots of places that 26 inch wheels and tyres are easier to find if anything happens.

Thanks for the links and the website comment!

 

[Randochap]

Good luck, Sean.

The LHT has 26" wheels in smaller sizes ... but sounds like you need a big bike.

You might consider converting a hard tail MTB. I've used such a machine for expedition cycling. Don't skimp on top notch, hand-built wheels -- most important component -- or you'll regret it later.

 

[srmex]

Thanks randochap.

What about this website http://www.jakesbikes.co.uk/content/154.php. They make bespoke bikes out of second hand parts. Would this be better than the new T400 from bikefix? Maybe i'm a bit snobby but i'd like a new bike - equally though I want one that won't let me down.

Thanks guys.

 

[Riverman]

Good luck and hats off to you for taking up the challenge.

Just out of interest, how much experience do you have of touring? It's a long way

I'm a bit of a novice. I have a friend who is currently cycling around Europe for two years, he seems to be getting by without a trailer, so do you really need it? It's only going to weigh you down.

He's in Spain at the moment heading South so when you leave he'll probably be be in somewhere like Eastern Europe otherwise you could have met up along the way.

 

[srmex]

no experience whatsoever. I have lots of time on my hands though and I cycle 20 miles to and from work everyday in the holidays. That will be my training plus 12 hours a day of labouring and conditioning sessions in the gym. Then I hope Europe will ease me into it and I can have a break before Africa.

I think a trailer could be useful, then again it could weigh me down, i just don't know how much stuff i'll need. I'm basing my estimates on things i've read on other forums and other peoples advice.

 

[Riverman]

srmex here is my friends website. I'm sure he'd love to hear from fellow cyclists embarking on long adventures.

http://onemanbiking.com/

http://onemanbiking.com/equipment/

That's his equipment list although he's sent a lot of gear back home. he simply didn't need it.

I think you should try a few UK routes with camping before you go. Seeing as you're going all that way I'd make sure you get abit of experience going up steep hills, maybe go to exmoor or mendips because as you can see from his newsposts when you hit Northern Spain it's going to hurt!

This is a website that allows you to view the elevation of a given route.
http://www.bikehike.co.uk (UK only for elevation data)

Good luck

 

[srmex]

Unfortunately hills are my speciality! I live in Cornwall in a valley and every cycle I go on seems to be uphill/downhill. I'm quite worried about long stretches of cycling as I have never never done more than 50 miles in a day.

 

[Riverman]

I know how you feel, I used to live in Devon although Wales and I hear Scotland are a lot worse.

RE distance in a day: You will get used to this. The guy I mentioned above does about 100k a day at what he said was a relaxed pace. Not so sure about that

I think there are some guys on here that have done 175 miles + in a day

 

[mickle]

Thanks for the link to Jakes Bikes, I didn't know they existed but I like the cut of their jib (gib?). Must visit next time I'm in Bris.

 

[Riverman]

Out of interest what do you think of the place that made his bike?
http://www.robertscycles.com/

pricey or well priced?

soz to hyjack the thread a little.

 

[mickle]

Out of interest what do you think of the place that made his bike?
http://www.robertscycles.com/

pricey or well priced?

soz to hyjack the thread a little.

Very highly indeed.

 

[Riverman]

bit confused by the frame sizes on that website. As I said I'm a novice. A 27" frame size is described as "gents small"? I take it they're referring to wheel size.

 

[chris667]

Roberts are very, very good, but you're paying more for the name. Lots of custom builders can equal their work, but do it for less. Eddison's springs to mind.
Riverman, I haven't looked at the website but I imagine 27" as a gents small is a typo. They probably mean 17".
Srmex, credit crunch busting PM for you.