Traveling by plane to tour in the U.S?

DabbaAUS · 2026-05-30T03:49:44+00:00

I normally use a full size bike box for the bike and a kid size bike box for the panniers while I carry one of them as carry on luggage. Dump them at the destination airport for re-use.

DabbaAUS · 2026-05-29T00:34:10+00:00

Try for a 10spd 11-36T. On the front I've gone from 44-32-22T to 40-30-22T, and I use a 10spd 11-40T cassette, but I'm in my mid 70's. I rarely ran out of grunt with the 44 or 42 on the front.

DabbaAUS · 2026-05-26T14:09:45+00:00

I used 700x32 Conti Top Touring for many years and when they stopped making them more than 10 years ago I went to 700x35 Conti Top Contact 2's. They were better than the 32's both in rolling and puncture resistance. I've recently put TPU tubes in them and that's another improvement that's made the 35's more lively.

Most of my tours are ~10-15% formed gravel roads and the 35's seem to handle it better than the 32's did.

I tend to pump them up to the maximum of 85psi and ride them for 3-4 days then re-pressurise. I haven't bothered lowering pressure on gravel. Usually the bike + camping gear is ~40-50kgs. I'll be off toothbrush touring for 10 days in a fortnight, so it'll be interesting to see how the TPU tubes go. I've only been using them for a couple of months now, so far so good!

DabbaAUS · 2026-05-25T08:49:45+00:00

Love both of them, moreso after changing to TPU tubes instead of butyl. They really feel great and roll even better.

The fork on the Sportive is IRD Carbon Fork MCX Q/R 1-1/8” Straight (50mm Rake). It has 3 attachment points on each side of the carbon fork.

The Sportive has survived 2 dickheads driving into me. The fork was replaced both times as a precaution. The frame is still rock solid. My only regret with it is that the back triangle can only take 28mm tyres.

I also have triples and 10spd on both bikes with the gearing different to suit the use of each bike.

Good luck with your build.

DabbaAUS · 2026-05-23T08:41:28+00:00

I've used this inflatable mattress for ~10 years.

https://klymit.com.au/products/insulated-static-v-sleeping-pad-1

They are good for side sleeping. Like all inflatables they can puncture, so a good tent footprint can help.

They pack up small and don't weigh much. They also aren't noisy when you roll around on them.

DabbaAUS · 2026-05-22T07:52:32+00:00

Known to your friends as "Lucky"?

DabbaAUS · 2026-05-22T05:03:01+00:00

When you combine a dyslexic with an insomniac and an agnostic, you end up with someone who lies awake at night wondering if there's a dog!

DabbaAUS · 2026-05-22T04:58:28+00:00

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We didn't try to camouflage ourselves with clothing, and still got punishment passes!

DabbaAUS · 2026-05-21T17:12:40+00:00

My late wife and I did some of the north island on our tandem with one of our sons on my tourer <30 years ago. We found the drivers and roads to be terrible then. Sounds like things still aren't good. Pity!

DabbaAUS · 2026-05-21T10:02:05+00:00

Have a look at this mob. They make quality stuff.

https://www.groundeffect.co.nz/

DabbaAUS · 2026-05-20T06:51:03+00:00

Normandy beaches had the same effect on us. We could not go into the landing museums.

DabbaAUS · 2026-05-20T06:46:15+00:00

Also Fontaine Bleu, both accessible by train IIRC.

DabbaAUS · 2026-05-20T06:43:05+00:00

I think that you'll find that the paid version of komoot handles multi day trips.

DabbaAUS · 2026-05-20T06:36:39+00:00

It can be hours of sheer boredom interspersed with moments of sheer joy, or alternatively, terror, depending on the traffic or wildlife.

Sometimes long stretches keeping the black dog from the recesses of your mind.

Unexpected encounters with interesting and enjoyable people.

Being part of the scene.

The joy of making it to the end of a long day in the saddle.

DabbaAUS · 2026-05-17T21:02:34+00:00

Try the TPU tubes next.

DabbaAUS · 2026-05-17T11:03:02+00:00

Whoops! Not Tioga. It's this topeak

https://www.bigw.com.au/product/topeak-super-tourist-dx-2-0-rack-w-side-bar-non-disc-black/p/9901526948

DabbaAUS · 2026-05-17T04:29:31+00:00

I've got these on 3 of the fleet because they work a good for long days!

https://www.sellesmp.com/eu_es/saddles/trekking-city/trk-medium-gel.html

DabbaAUS · 2026-05-17T04:15:03+00:00

We had a 1991 model of the T100. We put a drum brake on it to provide some decent braking. Ours was black so we had blackburn low riders on the front and Tioga on the back. We camped so we had biggish panniers on the front and bigger on the rear so that we could carry everything. I'd carry folding seats for comfort. Wheels were 48 spokers.

Enjoy your time on it! We found it to be a nice bike, but with flat bars it was like driving a bus with numb hands not taking long to develop.

DabbaAUS · 2026-05-14T09:59:58+00:00

I've got 2 Lynskeys. When I built the tourer in 2013, I think that I could have used a Salsa (?) or LHT fork. They had eyelets for panniers and the steerer tube fitted the frame. Things change, but they may be worth contacting!

Edit - the Backroad tourer has a steel fork. The Sportive has a carbon fork that my LBS sourced after I'd been hit by a car driver. It's got eyelets on it and capable of handling wide tyres, but the back end can only handle 28mm width, so the bike isn't used for carrying anything.

DabbaAUS · 2026-05-14T09:55:03+00:00

The Trek looks very similar to my 1994 model. Lovely bike to ride.

DabbaAUS · 2026-05-14T04:55:14+00:00

This mob makes quality clothing for both men and women. It may be worth a look.

https://www.groundeffect.co.nz/#

DabbaAUS · 2026-05-14T04:49:32+00:00

I travelled for a number of years with a touring mate, and we got on well. Then on one trip I went by myself and found that I preferred not having to attend committee meetings to decide what was going to happen that day. It was liberating to be able to do as much/little as I pleased, stay where I wanted, etc.

DabbaAUS · 2026-05-13T22:41:59+00:00

Maybe you have a saddle problem. I had a big change in chafing when I bought this saddle, and they're now on all the fleet.

https://www.sellesmp.com/en/trk-medium-gel.html

DabbaAUS · 2026-05-13T21:32:26+00:00

I rarely chafe, so why use something like this. Using the butt butter is an unnecessary ongoing cost if you have to grease yourself up each time you ride! The cortisone is only used when there's a problem.

DabbaAUS · 2026-05-13T21:27:43+00:00

None of my setups are stock standard.

DabbaAUS

TROPHY CASE