Cycling UK Forum

All – Apologies wasn’t expecting this many responses and after working all week decided to check this morning expecting one or two. So thankyou all for all of your advice. I’ll try and respond to all questions below!

For the questions on size I am a slightly larger rider. 6’2 and around 105kg so not your typical cyclist frame but should be fine with a larger stock frame.

PH – Thankyou for the knowledge that British bike makers are still using non british hardware. It would still give me a sense of pride riding around on a British brand but makes me feel better knowing if I don’t go down this route I’m not giving up too much!

DJB – The low gearing advice has been fantastic and something that I hadn’t heard or thought about from cycling in central America. After reading a bit more into it using MTB gearing seems like a must for this section and some of the steeper sections of the trip. Thankyou for this and the advice of your heavy fellow and the sturdy 36 spoke wheels. May need to heed this advice. Lovely bike as well btw. In terms of going alone with others there’s no one else I know that would join haha but I prefer the challenge of going alone and getting it done solo.

Sid Aluminium – Thankyou for the bike suggestion and fun fact!

Mistik-ka – This was exactly what I’d posted this for haha Someone to gush about getting a custom fit. I would ask where you went to get this but posting in Canada might be a bit different. I’ll still ask though! What brand or company did you use?

Thehairs1970 – I haven’t heard about cyclingabout.com but will take a look now!.

Simonhill - Again thankyou for the advice. The plan is to get the rig setup and do a few test rides through Europe so buying in the US would save money but I don’t think will be an option. Thankyou for the advice on thefts. It’s not something that I want to be overly concerned about but it sounds like the concern will be there regardless of the cost of the bike so shouldn’t worry about it too much. The covid point is something I’ve ummed and arred about but I feel like this is going to be around for years either way you cut it. So if I don’t do it now I don’t know whether it will ever get done!

Haven’t had a chance to read through the other responses in depth apologies but I will come back.

Thankyou for all of your help so far it has really helped clarify a few things.

Hi all,
I'm currently in the market for a tourer for an Alaska to Argentina bike trip I am planning for next year. I have done a fair amount of research into which bike I think would suit my needs and I was aiming to spend in the region of £1250-2000. I had pretty much decided on going for a Surly Disc Trucker (after deciding disc would be personally better for me) when they announced the changes to the 2021 model and I wasn't so sure. The fact I'd like to take a British bike brand as well is adding to my uncertainty. I then spoke to a friend of mine who suggested going to a bike shop like Oxford Bike Works and getting a bike made to fit which would only cost marginally more.

So a few questions for the group
1. Does anyone have any experience with going for made to fit tourer vs off the rack?
2. How much does the cost of the bike weigh on your mind as you're cycling around? My friend who has cycled around 50,000km touring globally has only ever done it on bikes less than £1,000 so never had to worry about leaving the bike outside shops whilst touring etc. I'm worried that once the bike starts to get more expensive the more unnecessary worrying might creep in
3. With the above being said is it really necessary to spend this much and what are the advantages of spending that extra money?

FYI Bikes I've been looking into
Dawes Galaxy (before it got discontinued)
Surly Disc Trucker
Genesis De Fer range
Kona Sutra
Oxford Bikes Works Model 2/3