Cycling UK Forum

How much are the airlines going to charge you ?
Some Airlines in the States are charging $130, one way for bikes.

Think about buying a bike here, serviceable hybrids are $400-$600
Bring your own pedals, saddle etc.

Google Tektro R-556 upto 73mm brake reach with a long throw q/r for wide tires.
Much more room for mudguards vs. the Shimano.

Or Tektro R-538 a 57mm reach brake with the same q/r as the R-556, a wider brake
than the Shimano, fits around stock narrow SKS mudguards better.

Or the money no object solution of Paul Centre Pulls using brazed on mounts, I have
those on a custom bike, excellent braking.

Try mounting the stays at mid fork, that changes the geometry of the fender collapse.
Berthoud stainless steel fenders are more rigid, they use one aluminum stay instead of
two steel stays of the SKS style fenders, so the weight is similar.

First choice; A Bagman saddle bag support with a Carradice Camper, hopefully you have steel seat rails.
The seatpost on a Madone 4.5 is carbon, not sure you want to be clamping things to it.

The Madone is designed to carry luggage in the team car.

Current production Pro Vis 5s have a new forging that spaces the arm out
for modern derailleurs.

Old Pro Vis 5s could use a Simplex derailleur, Velo-Orange has them NOS.

I think you want an All Rounder.

From the wrong side of the Atlantic here are three

http://www.rivbike.com/products/list/bi ... uct=50-700
http://www.rivbike.com/products/list/bi ... uct=50-650
http://www.jitensha.com/eng/aboutframes_e.html (check out the 'All Purpose' model)

I have a Bates BAR, 1940s vintage, lively handling, takes a 30mm tire.

Scott G.

http://jtekengineering.com/shiftmate.htm

ratio changing pulley gadget.

I use one with Campag 9 speed shifters and derailers, with Shimano hubs and cassettes.
Works very well, been using the shiftmate for about 3 years.

Scott G.

The sign posting was very good, except in town in towns were you'd have to make some educated guesses. I carried a compass and regular maps
along with cycle maps I ordered before I left on the trip.

Some of the routes are gravel or dirt with cobbles in towns.
The first trip I did used 27mm tires, second trip I went with
35mm, much better in the gravel.

Scott G.

Crumpton did a carbon rando bike, rack is titanium.

http://www.vintagebicyclepress.com/imag ... onfull.jpg

http://crumptoncycles.com/

Scott G.

Current production fenders.
I seen them in real life, very SKS like.


http://www.somafab.com/eurotripfenders.html

What ever bike you pick, try riding it with the rack and loaded panniers.
Depending on the bike/rack the handling may be much different vs.
the unloaded handling.

I've toured on 3 different bike.
Bike one felt a bit less stable loaded, but pretty good.
Bike two was great, handling stayed the same loaded or unloaded.
Bike three was sporty unloaded, something of a handful when standing
to climb when loaded. Bike three was a sport/tour with a dedicated
non-adjustable rear rack, you'd figure it would handle OK, it didn't.

Also check basic fit issues, do your heels hit the panniers ?

Scott G.

Some British made bags are at www.rivbike.com.

The boxy bags are really for French style bikes, different
front end geometry, decaleurs and racks to support the
bags. If the bike has the right geo the handling is the same
or better with a front load. The Ebisu in the Velo-Orange
picture has the geo for light front loads. Bike handles very
well with the front bag.

Scott G.
Milford, Oh, USA

[quote="andrew_sThe problem with the Cyclotourist is that the crank arm is too close to the big chainring for most modern front mechs[/quote]

The latest CycloTourist crank arms are a new forging, spaced
out for modern front mechs.

Scott G.
source Bicycle Quarterly crank review.

When you are on a bike people will talk to you, the bike itself
is good for starting the conversation. Roundabouts are a lot
easier on a bike, since I can pull to the side and puzzle out
the map. You see the country and you feel it, I love those
1 in 4 signs. The drivers in Britain are much nicer than the ones
at home, no one honked or screamed at me in 7 days, amazing.
I rode Manchester to Plymouth last June and had excellent time.

Scott G.
Yankee Tourist

The last run of the TA Pro Vis have a new forging that spaces
the arm away from the spider to allow using modern front mechs.