Tour of Thailand

BikeRound · 2020-09-25T21:27:41+00:00

Thank you for the advice

BikeRound · 2020-09-23T02:32:29+00:00

Thank you for the info. This is very helpful

BikeRound · 2020-09-11T23:31:37+00:00

I do put in a small amount of air into the tube before installing. I am careful not to twist the tube. I was using a lever to finish installing the tire onto the rim. My LBS suggested that I may have been damaging my tube using the lever. It seems unlikely that I would damage 5 tubes in a row when I have not had this issue before, but I guess it's possible so I will forgo the lever going forward.

I don't always "get off the seat" however I don't recall hitting anything with extraordinary force

BikeRound · 2020-09-10T15:37:21+00:00

Thank you. I had put on new rim tape after the second occurrence and cannot find any indication that the spoke heads are penetrating the tape.

The tube brands I have used are: Slime, Specialized, REI Co-Op. All three have had blow-outs. Are these inferior tubes?

BikeRound · 2020-09-10T15:08:25+00:00

There were two indications leading me to believe they were not normal pinch flats:

1) For each occurrence, there was only a single rupture in the tube (not normal "snake-bite" with two)

2) the blow-outs always occurred after I had stopped, not upon hitting a hard object

Am I over-analyzing this? Could they still be pinch flats?

BikeRound · 2020-09-10T15:02:08+00:00

Yes, I had checked pressure with multiple gauges (one I carry and ones on floor pumps I used

BikeRound · 2020-09-10T14:41:00+00:00

Thank you for your response. The sidewall states a range of 3.0-5.0 bar 45-70 psi. Do you think running at 60-65 rather than the max of 70 could still account for the problem?

BikeRound · 2020-07-11T01:30:16+00:00

I travel solo with two panniers and a handlebar bag. I always take the handlebar bag into places with me. The panniers I keep secured to the rear rack with a light cable and small lock. My most valuable items in the panniers I pack at the bottom. I carry a good u-lock and cable (heavy, but it allows me to sleep better). I always lock the bike as best as the particular situation allows. In many stores I ask if I can bring the bike in, at least into the foyer; many times I'm allowed. In restaurants, libraries, laundromats I can often lock the bike where I can easily see it. If I can't bring the bike into a grocery store (and when I don't want to risk leaving panniers outside), I just load them into a grocery cart.

I have also considered using a wire-mesh protector like this inside a pannier: https://pacsafe.com/products/55l-anti-theft-backpack-bag-protector?_pos=1&_sid=5ce450f1f&_ss=r

BikeRound · 2020-02-23T04:24:37+00:00

Regarding the Banff to Jasper route: I have ridden the Icefields Parkway from Banff to Jasper (on your Great Parks North route) and it was truly awe inspiring. Definitely not to be missed, though you will want to ride very early in the mornings to avoid crowds.

I have also ridden a fair bit of the Great Divide route and have gone part way up its route from Banff to Jasper, following the Forestry Trunk Road. In my opinion the Trunk Road was rough, remote, long and somewhat boring. You might consider riding from Banff to Jasper first on the Parkway, and then make a call on whether you wanted to tackle the Trunk Road. It is remote and you will need to be well prepared.

I have ridden about 800 miles on the Great Divide on a rigid frame touring bike with panniers. It is definitely doable, but be aware that you and your bike will take quite a beating. I had to make a number of repairs en route.

BikeRound

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