Messages

16

Gear Talk / Re: Rohloff SpeedHub

« on: January 25, 2021, 01:17:42 am »

Rohloff has reasonably recently agreed that the gear ratio is allowed to be lower than before - do not know what mine works out to be but 48t + 22t is now allowed by rohlof. using gear calculator it  shows; https://gear-calculator.com/?GR=DERS&KB=48&RZ=22&UF=2240&TF=90&SL=2.6&UN=KMH&DV=teeth&GR2=RLSH&KB2=42&RZ2=22&UF2=2240

17

Gear Talk / Re: Rohloff SpeedHub

« on: January 24, 2021, 02:57:33 am »

j1of1 - You mention: I wish I had Gates drive - is that not possible on the Nomad?

I know I am really glad with my Gates. No more oil chainges. Just hosing it down with water and ready to go  .

18

Gear Talk / Re: Rohloff SpeedHub

« on: January 15, 2021, 02:15:30 am »

I like my Rohloff, have had it for a bit over a year now, because of Covid I have only used te bike on short day trips around the house. But I would not want to go back to a derailleur set up - have that still on my gravelbike now functioning as training bike on my indoor trainer. Hopefully coming summer, if and when Covid has become a bit less off an issue, I will be able to take the bike on a proper tour.

Things I like are that I no longer have to think when and which gear to shift (front or back or both), I really like the fact that I can shift when at a standstill + that I now have a lower gear than is possible in the gravel bike (24T x 36T). Also I have a belt drive and like that maintanance takes a lot less + is a heck of a lot less dirty of a job. Cleaning the chain has never been my favourite part of maintanance.

19

General Discussion / Re: Alernate bicycle seat to a racing bike. More comfortable.

« on: January 06, 2021, 02:33:39 am »

I also can advise the Selle Anatomica for comfort however I found that for me they do not last long enough - in other words I find them too expensive for the about 6000km they lasted me.
I have since moved to a Gilles berthoud Mente saddle - which I find now that I have broken it in equally comfortable.

Just glanced thru the saddles mentioned on https://bikesreviewed.com/gear/most-comfortable-bike-seat/ but find that these gel saddles get very uncomfortable when the temperature gets warmer and get, at least for me, uncomfortable on long 6+ hours of riding - for me a reason to stay clear from them.

20

General Discussion / Re: Newbie bicycle tourists, Don't get fooled.

« on: December 21, 2020, 02:42:16 am »

One comment on your OP, item #2.  Converting an MTB to a more tour-friendly rider position requires much more than just switching handlebars and cable lengths.  To fit drop bars to an MTB also requires new brake levers and shifters and probably a new stem.  Replacing the knobby tires with more roadworthy tires is also a highly recommended change.

.

DaveB - you say that - to get a more friendly rider position you need to replace the bars for drop bars. I disagree with that. There are very comfy MTB bars that function very well for touring. Me for example have taken the reverse route and have gone back from dropbars (Salsa cowchipper) to a Jones h bar on my touring rig. Still use the cowchipper on my my gravel/ touring bike (M-Gineering) - now in use as indoorbike. On my Santos 3+ I have the Jones bar and they are equally as comfortable as the Salsa - just for use in different terrain.
In other words if you have a comfy mtb bar on the bike I do not see the need to swap - you can simple create some extra handpositions by using bar ends and/ or inner bar ends.

21

Gear Talk / Re: Salsa Cutthroat vs. Co-Motion Cascadia

« on: November 13, 2020, 12:36:55 am »

pat

First, I have to smile when I read something like "I wouldn't ride a bike that can't take a size X tire."  To some extent, I think tires are like gears.

. You are very likely right about this. Though I have had bikes with tyres varying from 28mm till 70mm and I have noticed that no matter the terrain I tend to like the fatter tyres way better.

But in the end like with all things it is a personal preference.

22

Gear Talk / Re: Salsa Cutthroat vs. Co-Motion Cascadia

« on: November 12, 2020, 12:52:53 am »

I do not know what max tyre both bikes take but I would not go for a bike that can not at least take a 50mm tyre. I like this for comfort a lot and gives better grip/ handling on gravel. On my bomb tour proof bike I currentkly have 70mm tyres which gives even more grip/ comfort

23

Gear Talk / Re: How much does your sleeping gear weigh?

« on: November 05, 2020, 01:31:48 am »

For me at the moment - things weigh around 4 kg. I have a Tarptent SS2. Because just like you the height in a tent for me is important as well. I have a mat from Thermarest NeoAir - Xtherm - and a sleeping bag made by Cumulus (a company in Poland).

Suggestion from John to see if you can score things used sounds like a good idea considering your budget. Or otherwise maybe an older season tent with a good price.

With the sleeping bag make sure you get a liner so that the actual bag stays clean and you only have to wash the liner.

Have fun planning your trip in the meantime.

24

General Discussion / Re: Newbie seeking advice

« on: November 01, 2020, 02:03:00 am »

My experience is that I have been cycling for the past 50 years or so - grew up on a bike and moved to a racing bike when I was 16, transformed that into a touring bike and continued from there. The bigger the mileage the more you realize what you like/ dislike. I do dislike eg shimano spd pedals - hurt my feet. Like big fat tyres for comfort etc.. And obviously reading a lot on blogs, forums before buying helps a lot so you learn from other people's experience.
Curently I own 2 bikes - gravelbike 29er (custom built (derailleur), and a heavy duty touring bike (Santos 3+ - Rohloff). Both bikes will last me for the rest of my life.

25

General Discussion / Re: Newbie seeking advice

« on: October 31, 2020, 05:53:42 am »

Just start riding it!

Why wanting to upgrade a new bike? You might as well have forked out the dollars to start with for a more expensive bike.

For now just start enjoying it and find out what your wishes are for a maybe future bike - only with experience you gain insight in what you like or dislike.

26

GPS & Digital Data Discussion / Re: iPhone as only GPS device

« on: October 21, 2020, 02:38:01 am »

Why not get something like a: Forumslader http://www.forumslader.de, Cinq Plug5 https://cinq.de/de/stromversorgung, Cycle2charge https://www.cycle2charge.de and a test https://fahrradzukunft.de/28/steckdose-unterwegs-7/. I know this is all in German but Google is you best friend here.

I have the Forumslader and it does a goed job at keeping my phone fully charged. And if you would like to it can also charge a small powerbank.

27

Gear Talk / Re: Drivetrain spare parts for a long tour

« on: September 27, 2020, 02:53:09 am »

Thinking of Pakistan, India, Iran - Covid is full force there as well. Would personally not like to go there at the moment.

28

Gear Talk / Re: Drivetrain spare parts for a long tour

« on: September 26, 2020, 01:54:30 am »

I do not know when you plan your RTW tour but pretty much every country in Europe is code red, currently - keep in mind that if something happens your insurance will not cover you.

As for spare parts you can always ship them to a larger place  you tend to stay at for a few days. My chains easily last 6000/ 7000 km if you take care of them.

As for a BB I can advise you the Shimano UN55 which is a square tapered one - and can be serviced on the road - check out youtube. Do not know what your intended route is but you should also be able to get a BB replacement if needed on route.

Johns tip to ask warmshowers hosts if you can ship things to them is very good, but also think of hostels you might be staying at.

29

Food Talk / Re: thoughts on Evernew titanium pots

« on: August 11, 2020, 01:30:47 am »

yep, you are right - it is the hardanodized version. I have not really put it to the test yet - corona messing things up this year. But according to all reviews I read the non-stick part works pretty well. When something is stuck to the bottom I ussually try to soak the pot for a while with slightly hot water and some soap. And if need be I use something to scrub it with like Coghlan's camp scrubber.

30

Food Talk / Re: thoughts on Evernew titanium pots

« on: August 10, 2020, 02:35:47 am »

I haven't got a clue - was wondering the same thing.

Have moved on to Trangia annodised steel. Use it with metho or a gasburner and will in the foreseeable future use it with a Primus Omnilite adapted to fit the Trangia for my RTW tour.