I don't understand why you would want to move away from a proven expedition bike to an unknown new bike just because tyres might be hard to come by. The tour you have described perfectly suits the strong frame and the rohloff internal gear hub your existing bike already has. Swapping to another bike probably means swapping the rohloff gear box for a derailleur, which in my opinion requires more maintenance and is more likely to suffer damage than the rohloff.
In my limited experience of travelling in South America by bike, I think you will always be several days cycle ride between bike shops and those bike shops won't have what you need in stock anyway so as suggested up thread carrying a spare or two is a good idea.
I would ride the bike you already have and carry a spare tyre, keep the new bike money in the bank and then in the event you need a new tyre and can't source one locally then you have all that money in the bank to get one shipped to you.
Good luck with your trip, it sounds a right good adventure.
Spa Cycles Rove for Touring
Re: Spa Cycles Rove for Touring
I agree with Mr Benton above.
Ian (OP) already has a couple of bikes, one of which is eminently suitable for such a ride. Are 26 tyres so hard to get and are local 700 good touring quality ones widely available. I haven't been to SA for a long time, so can only assume that research shows so. I suspect tyres will be a minor problem on such a trip and one that can be fairly easily coped with by fitting tough and carrying a spare and arranging a mid route pick up.
Although a long and daunting ride, it is fairly well cycled route. My guess is that there will be shops along the way that are frequented by top to toe cyclists. These could be contacted for options and possibilities.
My longest trips are probably a ¼ of this one, but I like to have a proven bike and gear. Buying new before such a major trip could be risky. Plus I like the idea of a few extra quid in the bank for emergencies and luxuries.
Ian (OP) already has a couple of bikes, one of which is eminently suitable for such a ride. Are 26 tyres so hard to get and are local 700 good touring quality ones widely available. I haven't been to SA for a long time, so can only assume that research shows so. I suspect tyres will be a minor problem on such a trip and one that can be fairly easily coped with by fitting tough and carrying a spare and arranging a mid route pick up.
Although a long and daunting ride, it is fairly well cycled route. My guess is that there will be shops along the way that are frequented by top to toe cyclists. These could be contacted for options and possibilities.
My longest trips are probably a ¼ of this one, but I like to have a proven bike and gear. Buying new before such a major trip could be risky. Plus I like the idea of a few extra quid in the bank for emergencies and luxuries.
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Dave Richmond
- Posts: 1
- Joined: 18 Jan 2025, 10:29pm
Re: Spa Cycles Rove for Touring
Just wondering if you went with the Rove? My wife is looking at the same for loaded European touring and the confidence it will give on gravel and dirt paths, along rougher eurovelo routes. As someone suggested we are aiming to take the tyres down to probably 45mm marathon pluses, plus adding a dynamo, lights and power pack. It looks a really well species bike for the money and very stable with a. Sweeped back flat nar. I'd be interested if anyone else has experience of using it for 4 pannier touring?
Re: Spa Cycles Rove for Touring
I am currently touring in India on a Sherpa with 3x9 gears and V brakes and in Indian conditions that equipment is OK.
In UK I ride a Rohloff geared OxfordBikeWorks machine with disc brakes. Had it 2 years / 5000 miles and it is ridden on roads and tracks. It might be worth looking at their web site (no connection, just a happy customer) and they can taylor a bike to suit the customer
In UK I ride a Rohloff geared OxfordBikeWorks machine with disc brakes. Had it 2 years / 5000 miles and it is ridden on roads and tracks. It might be worth looking at their web site (no connection, just a happy customer) and they can taylor a bike to suit the customer
Re: Spa Cycles Rove for Touring
Maybe a topic veer/swerve but can i ask why on your india tour you took the mech-geared V brake bike rather than the Rohloff disc braked bike? Honest question.AndyB1 wrote: 19 Jan 2025, 1:43pm I am currently touring in India on a Sherpa with 3x9 gears and V brakes and in Indian conditions that equipment is OK.
In UK I ride a Rohloff geared OxfordBikeWorks machine with disc brakes. Had it 2 years / 5000 miles and it is ridden on roads and tracks. It might be worth looking at their web site (no connection, just a happy customer) and they can taylor a bike to suit the customer
Sweep
Re: Spa Cycles Rove for Touring
Both bikes would have been fine for this trip (1000 miles, dry conditions) but the Rohloff geared bike is only 2 years old and worth a lot more than the Sherpa, and there is always a chance of damage in transit and while in India. I think it is much better than the Sherpa in wet uk conditions where I find the benefits of the chainglider really worthwhile.
Having the Rohloff bike to ride in UK gave me time to set up the Sherpa for this trip so it has MTB gear ratios, wider handlebars which are also higher than the ones I would use in UK, and a sprung saddle.
The brakes got tested yesterday riding down the Western Ghats to the coastal area. I could slow the bike but not always stop it! But that descent was a one off and in normal use they are adequate, but not as good as mech discs (and need more of a pull).
Having the Rohloff bike to ride in UK gave me time to set up the Sherpa for this trip so it has MTB gear ratios, wider handlebars which are also higher than the ones I would use in UK, and a sprung saddle.
The brakes got tested yesterday riding down the Western Ghats to the coastal area. I could slow the bike but not always stop it! But that descent was a one off and in normal use they are adequate, but not as good as mech discs (and need more of a pull).