'Making' a touring bike

[Blue Hills]

- it may be me but I also don't want to go the hand built route as they don't get used that often.

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I would though consider spa handbuilt wheels. If not, I gather that Rose Bikes machine built wheels have a good reputation.

 

[uphillstruggler]

I would though consider spa handbuilt wheels. If not, I gather that Rose Bikes machine built wheels have a good reputation.

thanks for that.

I have heard and read that the spa handbuilts are excellent quality but at the moment, Im erring toward about £100 mark as the bike wont be used for much else after a week long tour and the shopping trips that I cant be arsed to open the car for.

I could spend more on a new bike if I fancied one but I am attached to this one for some reason and I hate getting rid of stuff for the sake of getting new.

 

[Blue Hills]

Makes sense to hang on to it if you like the feel of it - after all you would have to replace the bits on any new bike.

 

[Gravity Aided]

I finished my Trek 720 conversion, just have a little yet to do here and there.

 

[mickle]

I finished my Trek 720 conversion, just have a little yet to do here and there.

This post is useless without pics!

 

[Gravity Aided]

I need to soak out a mounting bolt for the the rack, and attach some fenders I just got at the co-op(SKS Chromoplastics) .

 

[SkipdiverJohn]

I always wonder how these companies sell enough Expedition bikes to make it worthwhile?

They probably make a sufficiently large profit on each sale, to make up for the low volume. The budget mass-market works in the opposite way; small profits but much bigger volumes.
There is a certain type of customer, if they want something to do a specific job, they will buy the best they can find and they will always buy new. They don't like getting their hands dirty fixing up old stuff, and they keep the small specialist outfits in business.
Then, at the opposite end of the scale, you've got tinkerers like me who will see a need for something, then start looking around for something unloved & unwanted but suitable that I can use as a basis to improvise and modify DIY, in order to end up with what I want.

 

[Blue Hills]

I always wonder how these companies sell enough Expedition bikes to make it worthwhile? I mean how many people actually need an Expedition bike? Most people have jobs and of those retired, I'm sure not that many of them go off on solo Expeditions.

Well there's expeditions and expeditions. Have done weeks on mine (one or two saw me at beginning of a 10 day trip on last year's dynamo) . You don't necessarily have to want to go across deserts or frozen wastes (I have no wish) but the 26 inch wheels are handy for varied terrain. I use the excellent http://cycle.travel/ for many long routes and that can route you over some odd terrain, tracks across fields etc. Mine is also now my favourite bike for expeditions to the shops - it's an excellent load lugger. And you don't have to spend 2 grand plus.

 

[Gravity Aided]

Bolt wound up having a slot cut into it with a grinder. Removed by a screwdriver turned by a large adjustable wrench. All done now, but I'm at a soiree. Pictures soon.

 

[Gravity Aided]

This post is useless without pics!

 

[Blue Hills]

Oo like it - big scary bell.

 

[mickle]

I think it looks rather smart if you squint.

 

[uphillstruggler]

View attachment 405580

I think it looks rather smart if you squint.

So all in, rough cost.

Looks good. Aren't bikes great ?

 

[uphillstruggler]

[QUOTE 5222210, member: 43827"]No need for any drilling. If you are using dual pivot brakes you can as you said, use the front on the rear, then buy a converter bolt as below to make the rear into a front brake. I've just done it on my bike and it works perfectly.


https://www.sjscycles.co.uk/brakes/...ual-pivot-brake-bolt-crmo-for-nut-conversion/[/QUOTE]

Many thanks

 

[mickle]

So all in, rough cost.

Looks good. Aren't bikes great ?

Thanks. Cost? The Tifosi was £300, the marin was £35. I spent another £100 or so on front rack, shifters, bars etc. And then another bunch of parts came from the pile in the garage, saddle, tyres. Now of course I have the Tifosi frame and I've probably got enough spare parts to get that rolling, powder coat it and sell it.

I like that this is a bit of a hack rather than get too precious about it. So the crappy steel headset will do until /unless it needs replacing etc.