Touring Equipment

wild = where we belong.

indoor = where the lemmings belong.

Thumbs-only or DTM.

I like how you think it hurt your pride if you use a tyre levers.

I used to travel to French campings a lot when I was younger, so campings are what we're planning on, but the idea of sleeping in the wild seems idyllic. :)

Yeah I'm of the same opinion... I'd split it... if you can aim for where there are rivers/lakes so you can freshen up then it's ideal... parts of spain are pretty arid though wouldn't fancy squeezing a cactus to get water for a wash...

It's 2011 now, so everything that is current is future proof.

Like all those BB and headset standards that won't be around in 5 years..

5 years I can live with I don't care if I have to upgrade after that.

In 5 years I'll be into planes or whatever new fad appears.

There's bicycle component that still work after 50 years and still can be fitted on modern bicycles.

Square taper bottom bracket is highly unlikely to disappear anytime soon.

It will always be there, because it's primitive and commonly used.

precisely the point, sometime 'future proofing' doesn't necessary need to be getting the best equipment possible, just the most flexible.

It's actually the highly advanced equipment as used by the pros (or those rich designers) which is being updated most often. As with any technical progress it can be all miss and go - some things filter down to the mid range equipment and other are disposed of.

There's bicycle component that still work after 50 years and still can be fitted on modern bicycles.
Square taper bottom bracket is highly unlikely to disappear anytime soon.

They're not all the same square taper, Ed.
Which 50 year old cranks will suit my 600 BB?

I'm planning on leaving a trail of breadcrumbs this time.

That'd be cool, you can try and carry a lots of red ribbon and tie it to a inanimated object every 10 miles.

Just bring a load of candles and jam jars. :)

By the way, do you think it's smart to go on the DD with a single speed (low GI of 67)? I'm not sure I will get an internal gears hub this season and I'd really want to go this year.

You'll be fine.

does anyone know of anywhere in London I can get one of these light mounts, or something very similar?

http://www.paulcomp.com/ginolightmount.html

Small socket? May need a washer as well to bridge the square gap for the bolt

^charging 20 dollars for that takes the piss

cheap/free BMX pegs, cut in half, get large spacer, insert quick release.

Job done, although a bit labour intense.

ah, a socket. good thinking, I'll see what I can dig out. cheers.

Good thinking. I've got quite few sockets from a spare wrench set - some big.

105 triple shifters are here. Now to order the other bits and pieces and I'm ready to start building. It's all rather exciting!

I've got my eyes on this:

Tires, rear wheel, hub dynamo, chain and chainrings have been replaced recently (no idea on used groupset etc though)
Comes with better LED headlight and TUBUS racks.
400 pounds.

Unfortunately don't have the money for it right now, so I hope it'll still be there in a few weeks.
I guess it won't be any cheaper building something like this yourself?
Or is it overkill anyway?

http://tinyurl.com/6x4osma
This one's a little cheaper (currently)
It's a 54cm
Looks like a good touring rig, not overkill for me if I was going on a tour.
Not 100% on those butterfly bars though...

You'll be fine.

Not!

Thanks Ojaw, but I really need a 57/58cm.

does anyone know of anywhere in London I can get one of these light mounts, or something very similar?

http://www.paulcomp.com/ginolightmount.html

Film canister with a hole in the bottom.

What light goes in this here fork mount thinging?