Drivetrain spare parts for a long tour

[ymakux]

Hello
I'm planning my "around the word" tour.
The first (and wildest) part will be about 12000 km before I get from Europe to Bangkok/Kuala Lumpur where I'll be able to buy/order quality components.

Currently I have the following drivetrain setup:

Crankset: Shimano Deore FC-T6010 (Hollowtech 2, all aluminium)
BB: Shimano XTR SM-BB93
Rear derailleur: Shimano Deore RD-M6000
Cassette: Shimano Deore CS-HG50-10
Chain: Shimano Ultegra CN-6701

As you can see, I was fooled by Shimano marketeners. Instead of using old good 3X9 Alivio, I decided to try something new.

My biggest fear is BB. Will it last for at least 12000 km or take a spare BB?
Chains. Suppose one chain lives for 2-3000 km, so I need up to 6 pieces, right? And one more cassette? I'll use paraffin as a lube
Chainrings. They're made of aluminium. I was told aluminum chainrings will die in 7-9000 km. Do I need a spare ring?

Thanks!

[John Nettles]

Welcome to the ACA Forums!  It looks like you have quite the adventure coming!

I would think the chains should last 3000-4000km assuming you take care of them.  If not, estimate 2000-3000km.  Typically the cassettes are switched about every 2 to 4 times the chain is switched, again depending on how well you maintain the chain.  While the chain ring may have a lot of "teeth" left, the wear from the chain will cause it to start to not mesh right.  The rest of your equipment is fine.

If I were doing this, I would consider a few things.  First is your route fairly set in stone?  If so, consider writing a WarmShowers host and see if you can mail them a package and have them hold it for you.  Better yet, ask them if their local bike shop can get the parts.  I would think so.  They may not be shimano but they should work. I would think the chains would be easily available.  Also, the same holds true for tires.  Again, they may not be top of the line Schwalbe tires but you should be able to get something that works.

A final suggestion is to check out a couple of other places for this information as ACA is more US-centric.  Ask over on CrazyGuyonaBike.com (CGOAB) as it is much more worldwide than ACA or any of the several Facebook "world wide bike tourists" groups. Some FB pages are not as good as others so do your research.  CGOAB has lots of journals.  You can post questions to the authors of journals that are similar to what you are doing to see what they suggest.

Hope you have a wonderful trip! Tailwinds, John

[ymakux]

Thanks for the links!

[John Nelson]

If you want to keep moving 100% of the time, consider carrying one spare. But I’m not sure I’d even do that. Anticipate your needs and order ahead and have it sent to where you’re going. I’d only carry spares if you’re in a big hurry or going through a 5000-mile long jungle.

[Inge]

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.

[ymakux]

"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."

Do you mean the covid situation? Yes, at this moment, EU is problematic, but everithing changes quickly. I'll start from Ukraine, then Romania, Bulgaria, Turkey, Iran, Pakistan, India, Nepal, Myanmar, Laos, Thailand, Malasia, Indonesia -> USA -> Europe

I still haven't got visas for Iran, Pakistan and India and don't know what's going on there in term of covid.
In my reality covid doesn't exist so I don't care too much about it.

[John Nettles]

"In my reality covid doesn't exist so I don't care too much about it."   

Well bless your heart.  Just remember the world doesn't revolve around your reality as much as the government's and society's reality so if they prevent you from entering their country because of their reality, then you will have to adjust your reality since regardless of whether you believe covid is real, most of the world does.

If you contact those riders who were/are on a world-wide tour as I previously mentioned, ask them if covid has influenced their reality to ride.  Many had to abandon their tours due to being forced to either stay in isolation (like everyone else) or return home.

[Inge]

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

[HobbesOnTour]

Have you cycle toured before? What has been your experience on the consumption of consumables on tour?
Drivetrain is only one aspect of the consumables on tour.

One of the great things about travelling (on a bike or otherwise) is that it opens our mind to so many different things and people.

I'd read John's advice above again and again until I drew out every bit of wisdom it contains.

You may not believe in Covid but I can assure you that large sections of the world do not share that opinion!

That can show up in many different ways - closed borders and no visas are the big ones, but the smaller ones are mandatory quarantines ($$), no accommodation, no access to food, water or bathrooms. Curfews are another problem. Believe me, you don't want to get caught in a foreign city going to the bathroom in a park during a pandemic.
Travel insurance and health insurance may not be valid in certain countries.

Just taking one example - a lack of hotel accommodation:
No washing/laundry.
No opportunity to recharge electronics
No internet for staying in contact/research
No shelter in foul weather

Poorer countries have suffered greatly and crime, especially against perceived "wealthy westerners" is more likely than before. Desperation.

Where borders have been closed, criminality is rife in border areas - much more than before.

In fact, any information you may have from previous tourers in an area is at great risk of being out of date. That store that you're depending on for food or water may be closed.

On the road there will be a significant difficulty in getting up to date information. How are you with languages?
Have you contacted your country's Embassies and Consulates in these countries and asked advice?

Even getting home in a worst case scenario can be challenging. Do you have any idea what proportion of flights get cancelled at the moment?

Whether you believe in it or not, the changes brought about by Covid are frequent, sudden and often significant. It is not possible to predict what may happen.
People who have been on the road for years have stopped or returned home.

I'm sure there's a great tour ahead of you with the right attitude, planning and preparation.

By the way, are you American? I ask because if not, you may have difficulties entering the US after visiting some of the countries on your list.

[TCS]

If you contact those riders who were/are on a world-wide tour as I previously mentioned, ask them if covid has influenced their reality to ride.

I was reading over on the CTC Forum and if I understand the story correctly, a couple was cycletouring west Africa when COVID restrictions hit last spring/early summer.  They were in The Gambia when the Senegal border was closed and flights out of Banjul International Airport were canceled. 

They're still in The Gambia.

[misterflask]

I usually have lots to say, but the epicness of this adventure leaves me with nothing to offer.

I would recommend this book by our hometown hero Fred Birchmore.  It probably offers little for planning in this century, but was quite the adventure as he made the trip in 1935.  He didn't carry a lot of spare parts and at one point had his chain held together with a safety pin.   
https://www.amazon.com/Around-World-Bicycle-Fred-Birchmore-dp-0820357286/dp/0820357286/ref=dp_ob_title_bk