Topics

1

International / South Korean 700c?

« on: August 13, 2013, 10:47:49 pm »

Hey all,

I'm entertaining the idea of teaching abroad in S. Korea to store up for a touring epic (and since it's more 'careery' than my current job of pushing boxes I guess). My only question is if 700c tires are easy to find? I'm okay risking touring without replacements, but living somewhere for a bit would be a bit of a pain without the option to buy 700c bits.

Otherwise, I'm taking a vintage Stumpjumper to S. Korea and being a badass.

Anyone know? I figure like their fellow East Asianers, Japan, 700c is a safe bet, but I'm just curious.

Thanks!

2

Gear Talk / Mountain Touring Bike? (Troll v. Ogre v. 1x1 v. On-One?)

« on: July 25, 2013, 03:41:59 pm »

So recently I took my X-Check up to Lake Tahoe and was really utterly destroyed by the mountain bike trails there and it makes me just want a mountain bike, but I'm on the fence about what I want. Pros and Cons from bikes I've considered.

Troll
Pros - Built for touring, comes with all the touring bells and whistles, 26" wheels (meaning sourcing parts in Latin America would be easier, and where I am half heading next).
Cons - Pricey, plus it might be overkill for what I'm looking at.

Ogre
Pros - Same pretty much as Troll, but it's also a 29er which seems like a more enjoyable mountain bike ride.
Cons - Again price, and sourcing 29er parts in most places is not so easy (but at the same time there are options, like having a wheel mailed while I sit by the pool sucking on cheap drinks, this has become less of a thought to me lately).

1x1
Pros - SO VERSATILE. I really am falling in love with this bike, it can be a cheapo fat bike, for if I ever end up back in the snowy parts of the country. It seems to be less of a plush touring bike and more of a zippy mountain bike (this is not based on any facts, but it just seems that way, I hate the Long Haul Trucker because it feels like riding my grandmom's bike and I fear the Troll and Ogre are the same). Oh and it's cheap, used ones can go built up for around 500.
Cons - The obvious; it's not made for gearing, but there are ways around that and I've seen plenty of 1x9 or 2x9, 1x1s. The tough part now too is that the 2014 is not going to have disc brakes, so I'll have to keep my eyes open for the 2012 or 2013 (2011 and early only have short travel forks, I want that 100mm option).

On-One Inbred
Pros - Price, this is really what sells me on the On-Ones.
Cons - One trick pony? Possibly? It seems like if I'm going the cheaper route the 1x1 would be the go to, but the Inbred is actually made to be run with gears.

Thoughts? Ideas? Suggestions?
Any other bikes out there worth mentioning?
I also love the idea of the Salsa El Mariachi, but that too is pricey.

Or should I just suck it up and buy a Troll/Ogre (but hell which one?). I hate making these decisions!