Round the world Retro ride trip, bike set-up advice

[Easy_Rider]

Ever since i was thirteen (many moons ago) I’ve held on to a dream of cycling round the world, I used to love the travel sections in MBUK. I'm still not really in a position to do it but there's no harm in setting up a bike to do the job! Although it will be mainly road, i would like to do some off road too.

Frame:- I guess it has to be steel, light and strong with not much chance of fatigue cracks. Pannier mounts are a must. I think my Parkpre Scepter Comp fits the bill? --> Parkpre scepter comp

Wheels:- I think strength is a must here, my Mavic 121 Sups? A little heavy maybe. Straight (no butted) spokes. Deore LX hubs. -->Mavic 121 LX Hubs

Brakes:- I don't see any need for discs, so a decent set of V's. Easy to set up and adjust. Decent cable and well greased. I have a NOS set of STX RC. -->Probably go for Magura's, i don't think discs and panniers go together, especially front, could be wrong though and finding disc pads in the back and beyond?

Forks:- I think it would be nice to have suspension up front to take the sting out, no need for mega travel though. My MAG 21's i don't think will be reliable enough, my Quadra 21's should be but i'm not sure about fatigue (I have had another set of MAG 21's crack on me). My MOZO pros are light and have are elastometer converted making them quite reliable. Any others? --> Rigid with pannier mounts

Saddle & Seatpost:- Haven’t a clue here, i wouldn't use any of my current ones :? --> Suspension post, would need to try a few saddles out

Shifters:- Deore thumbies, simple and light, don't think there's anything to beat it! --> Deore thumbies

Derailleurs:- Not sure, a set of XT's --> Rohloff would be good but i think a little too expensive for me

Chainset:- Again not sure here?

Stem and bars:- I think riser bars and certainly bar ends. I have a steel Ritchey forcelight stem that should do the trick.--> Flexistem and butterfly handlebars

Pedals:- Flat with toe straps or my XT spuds?

Tyres:- Schwalbe Marathons or DMR Motos

Panniers:- Ortlieb panniers, tubular steel racks



Have I missed anything? Any input would be appreciated

 

[Huntso]

Forks
Think I would go for older Bombers, not much maintaining for them.

 

[Iwasgoodonce]

Great idea. I'm going to do an end to end sometime around my fortieth year. I think you'll need front panniers too and therefore rigid forks or else you will end up with too much over the back. I'm going to get braze on mounts attached to my old tange big forks and then run a Flexstem. I don't know if you can still see Mark Beaumont's (Spelling!!) record breaking trip on BBC iPlayer or if you caught it when it was on but it made excellent viewing.

 

[Easy_Rider]

Forks
Think I would go for older Bombers, not much maintaining for them.

Good call

 

[al]

I was going to say an engine, but i may be black balled!

Al.

 

[kaiser]

Brooks saddle?

What about a Roholff speed hub?

Forks wise wouldn't rigid be better, no matter how bomb proof they are your fecked if they go.

Semi drop bars too like some of the on-one ones. midge maybe?

 

[yo-eddy]

Second the front panniers, gives you more storage and a better balance. Suspension is not really a "must" IMHO
Magura rimbrakes are hussle free and give you the stopping power when you go down a wet muddy road with a fully loaded bike
If money isn't an issue, go for a Rohloff speedhub
Be sure to find good racks also (steel that is) like tubus etc.
Strong wheels with ceramic rims are also nice.
A more upright position on the bike (higher stem) and multiple position bar-ends are nice too.
Good luck!

 

[Easy_Rider]

Great idea. I'm going to do an end to end sometime around my fortieth year. I think you'll need front panniers too and therefore rigid forks or else you will end up with too much over the back. I'm going to get braze on mounts attached to my old tange big forks and then run a Flexstem. I don't know if you can still see Mark Beaumont's (Spelling!!) record breaking trip on BBC iPlayer or if you caught it when it was on but it made excellent viewing.

Oops, you're right, front panniers are needed. I was thinking back to my DofE days when we only used rear panniers. I also have a tange big fork, although it's quite heavy. Got some spinner triple butted things that came with my Pro 825, just had alook at them at they have pannier mounts :shock: Great idea about the flexistem.

Not seem Mark Beaumont's trip, i meant to watch it, but missed the first one so didn't want to watch half way through, i'll wait for a repeat.

End to end, you talking UK? How long would that take? It's probably something I could manage quite soon!

 

[yo-eddy]

Great idea. I'm going to do an end to end sometime around my fortieth year. I think you'll need front panniers too and therefore rigid forks or else you will end up with too much over the back. I'm going to get braze on mounts attached to my old tange big forks and then run a Flexstem. I don't know if you can still see Mark Beaumont's (Spelling!!) record breaking trip on BBC iPlayer or if you caught it when it was on but it made excellent viewing.

Oops, you're right, front panniers are needed. I was thinking back to my DofE days when we only used rear panniers. I also have a tange big fork, although it's quite heavy. Got some spinner triple butted things that came with my Pro 825, just had alook at them at they have pannier mounts :shock: Great idea about the flexistem.

Not seem Mark Beaumont's trip, i meant to watch it, but missed the first one so didn't want to watch half way through, i'll wait for a repeat.

End to end, you talking UK? How long would that take? It's probably something I could manage quite soon!

Keep in mind the weight of your fork (or any part) isn't really an issue when your bike's loaded with gear and food, go for strong stuff

here just a little one for motivation

 

[al]

If you are going to do lands end to John 'o' Groats then i live 8 miles from lands end. If you want to pop in for food or even a floor to kip on give me a shout.

Maybe others around the country are on the way? would be a cheap way of doing it.

All the best,Al