Comments on: Talking gear: 10,000km in

By: Talking gear: 20,000km | Big Africa Cycle

Talking gear: 20,000km | Big Africa Cycle — Sun, 22 May 2011 11:08:07 +0000

[...] another gear review as my cycle computer approaches the 20,000km mark. Some 10,000km ago I wrote this as I waited for the uncertainty surrounding the Presidential elections in Guinea to pass over. Now [...]

By: David Hau

David Hau — Wed, 16 Mar 2011 08:23:12 +0000

sweet! thanks for the gear breakdown.

By: Peter

Peter — Fri, 29 Oct 2010 13:27:59 +0000

Hi Rob,

I’m using the 26″x2″. If I used the 2.25″ it would leave less clearance for mud between the mudguards and the tyres. To be honest I don’t think there is a need for 2.25″ unless you were going to do all your riding on sand tracks

The shock absorption of the forks are fine. I rode an Aluminium bike on the Japan-UK journey, which was much more brittle and absorbed shocks less well. I have never ridden a loaded bike with suspension to know how it is

I think the Nomad is the model that comes with S&S couplings right? So that you can take it apart on planes. This adds about £300-£400 to the value of the bike. The Thorn Raven is robust enough I find.

Hope this helps

By: Robert

Robert — Tue, 26 Oct 2010 23:07:19 +0000

I’ve read your Japan to England blog and really enjoyed it, and now I’m trying to get up to speed with this one. What a trip! I’m full of admiration for your ‘get on and do it’ attitude, and like the way you spend plenty of time on small routes and make interesting deviations – it does seem to be the best way to see the world. It all makes my rush across Europe by bike to Ankara all seem a bit of blur.

Just a few gear questions:
1: Are you using the widest 2.25″ XR tyres or the 2″?
2: How do you find the shock absorption in the Thorn forks? Do they give you a decent enough ride over bad roads?
3: What made you choose the Raven Tour rather than the slightly more robust Nomad?

I look forward to following your ride further, and the very best of luck,

Rob

By: Joerg

Joerg — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 11:32:27 +0000

Hi Peter,

Yes you are right, it’s a shame that they stopped producing the Schwalbe Marathon XR tyres. I’m cycling in France at the moment. I have to change mine soon because of a split in the wall… disapointed to here that you can’t get them anymore. So I have to try something else.I’ll try the schwalbe marathon-plus-tour. Right now waiting for it at the atlantic coast before I’ll start for the Pyrenees.

I continue wishing you a great tour, it’s great and interesting to read.

PS: Yes I enjoyed my trip in Morocco and probably will return to this fascinating country.

By: Peter

Peter — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 10:07:23 +0000

Both the hat and glasses do remarkably well at staying on my head, even when flying down hills at 40-50km/hr. The hat is a very good fit and the glasses sit well on top.

By: John

John — Sun, 11 Jul 2010 23:15:36 +0000

@Peter,

How do you keep your sunglasses from falling off that hat?

By: Peter

Peter — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 18:08:54 +0000

@Henning, Thanks – Larium seems to be OK for now.

By: Peter

Peter — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 18:02:49 +0000

@manu, I’m happy to be seen as Indiana Jones on wheels, less so a mercenary, as someone else said recently

By: Peter

Peter — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 18:00:40 +0000

@Shane, Next time I’m somewhere that I can get my hands on one would be South Africa. I don’t think there is any danger in it breaking yet.