Wanted: small / 50cm bikepacking rig for global adventure

Hello bike traveller friends! I am a kiwi that has just arrived in London, and the call to explore Europe by bike is STRONG. I now need a good setup as this might become an around the world bike adventure if I’m not careful.

I’m not from this side of the world though so I’d love some advice:

1) What is the best way to buy second hand bikes here? Facebook marketplace? Ebay? This site? Something else? What about bike bags? Ideally I’d want them second hand if there’s a market for it

2) I’m looking to buy a bikepacking / gravel bike with a small frame and ideally 27.5inch wheels because I’m not too tall (164cm). Anyone selling a surly?

3) I’d love recommendations for routes you’ve loved starting roughly in the west of France and going anywhere, I don’t like too much time on highways ideally. I have 2.5 months before I have to be out of the Schengen zone (most of the EU) but I am going to try and find a way to extend.

I have done tour Aotearoa in New Zealand so more than happy to share tips for that too! Or even bike swap for my bike in New Zealand if anyone is heading there for a trip soon, I would recommend the TA to anyone.

Thanks so much in advance!! 🚴‍♀️🥰

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https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/165571204905?hash=item268cd01729:g:jzYAAOSwT3Riysqn. These are great touring bikes. Hard to find in good condition. 700c tyres, you can fit 32mm tyres with no guards.

Sticking to 700c wheels would give you a good spare wheel and tyre source throughout Europe. I just built this up from a frame I bought last year. I intend to ride to Marseille at some point and the French love their old brands. Hence I have built a Gitane tribute bike.

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Welcome to the forum @Tessbikes!

Saw some bike bags listed here recently - https://www.lfgss.com/conversations/377925

In addition to the sites you've mentioned, there's also Gumtree (bit like Trade Me) and the Single Track World forum

Worth noting that Gumtree is also known as scumtree from the prevalence of goods of dubious origin, but I’ve used it to buy and sell without issues. Same with any online marketplace really, just have to stay mindful.

For bike bags and general outdoor/camping kit, Alpkit is very good value and has yet to let me down. UK-based as well to make life easy.

https://forum.cyclinguk.org/viewtopic.php?p=1709045#p170904https://forum.cyclinguk.org/viewtopic.php?p=1709045#p1709045
This might suit? Some quite nice people on that particular forum

Rigid, quality 26ers are a very capable and budget-friendly option. If you haven’t seen it already, definitely check the Eurovelo routes, I’d say they’re ideal if you want to cover large distances quickly without having to worry about traffic too much. I rode from Berlin to San Sebastian last year and can recommend the Vélodyssée Route along the atlantic coast. Unfortunately there are a lot of forest fires along that route atm. The basque coast with the pyrenees in the background is particularly picturesque. And the pyrenees are generally great for riding if you like climbing. There are a few impressions of the trip here.

Hey! have a look at my restomodded Specialized Rockhopper 17" with 26" tyres! perfect for your adventures and up for sale! let me know if interested

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*wheels

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/175341555942

Edit: I guess spending 3 months finding classy parts to build it up with isn't the best use of your time..

I have some nice routes round Catalunya though, if you end up that way.

Was going to link to this exact frame, I’ve exchanged a few messages with the seller about another bike he was selling and he’s a lovely bloke.(https://instagram.com/chrisplandrews?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=)
Make an offer, it’s been up a while.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/204042311716?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=3nq5QXXqS2C&sssrc=2349624&ssuid=MaFCgBB4Smu&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

Hey! I might be interested in the rockhopper where is it? And how much are you after?

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/225088514202?hash=item346852289a:g:JNUAAOSw76xi1GpT

Another Dawes.

Did a quick snoop on @debe26's profile and the bike sold two days ago.

To answer your Qs (for reference, I did a long trip 2018-2020, UK->Aus):

1) What is the best way to buy second hand bikes here? Facebook
marketplace? Ebay? This site? Something else? What about bike bags?
Ideally I’d want them second hand if there’s a market for it

Targeting all locations is a good shout - LFGSS, FB, eBay, Gumtree.
Bike bags - Would start with LFGSS and eBay as these tend to have the most listings out of the four. Decent brands to look for:

• Ortlieb
  
• Apidura
  
• Alpkit
  
• Wizard Works
  
• Miss Grape - special mention as they're especially good for smaller frames. I think some bags are on sale on freshtripe (sorry this isn't secondhand).
  
  

2) I’m looking to buy a bikepacking / gravel bike with a small frame
and ideally 27.5inch wheels because I’m not too tall (164cm). Anyone
selling a surly?

May be hard to find something with 27.5" wheels. Also might get into a pickle if something goes wrong (e.g. tyre tear, ran out of inner tubes/patches) however in Western and Central Europe, you shouldn't be hard pressed to find a decent bike shop. And even if you're way out east on a world tour, and something goes wrong (with anything on the bike), as long as you have the funds to wait out a few weeks while parts get posted out to you, you'll be fine.

3) I’d love recommendations for routes you’ve loved starting roughly
in the west of France and going anywhere, I don’t like too much time
on highways ideally. I have 2.5 months before I have to be out of the
Schengen zone (most of the EU) but I am going to try and find a way to
extend.

Like @Sig_Arlecchino mentioned, the Eurovelo routes are excellent, and well signposted in France and Germany. The canal system in France is great away-from-highways riding. I followed the Eurovelo 6 from the Tours in France to Lake Konstanz in Germany and it was really nice riding albeit a bit boring when flat (for me).

Croatia is a relatively close-by non-Schengen zone country and is also beautiful to explore, with many islands to go on. You could do a loop of the non-Schengen countries, going down the coast then back up inland and re-enter Schengen maybe in Hungary. Many possibilities for how you plan the route. Also - trains are a lot cheaper in continental Europe so don't be afraid to skip parts if it isn't as enjoyable, or if there's a more enticing place to be! Most generally need a bike ticket too but still way cheaper than the UK.

DM me if you have any further questions, I posted a fair bit on my IG accounts throughout (@groovyriderbikeninja and @ahahahayley).
Best of luck!

This could be worth looking at, however it's 700c wheels - https://www.lfgss.com/conversations/377393/#comment16583228