Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Bicycles > Overland Bicycle Travel
bicycle equivalent of an XT (in your garage?) bicycle equivalent of an XT (in your garage?)
Register FAQ Calendar Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read
Overland Bicycle Travel Overlanding questions for two wheels, no motor!
Photo by Carl Parker, Always curious Tibetans, Tibet, China

Destination ANYWHERE...
Adventure EVERYWHERE!


Photo by Carl Parker,
Always curious Tibetans,
Tibet, China



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 3 Jan 2008
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Edinburgh
Posts: 762
bicycle equivalent of an XT (in your garage?)
Seems the same sorts of problems (should that be progress..?) are happening in the cycling world, as in motorbikes. Steel bikes are becoming a thing of the past, as aluminium is everywhere. Not good for travelling far away from a modern bike shop.

I am looking for old steel mountain bikes, around 19" frame or for a 6ft'er. If you've got one you no longer want (in the UK/or Spain), let me know. Make, model, age, condition.

Give your old bike a new (recycled!) lease of life as a Southern & Central America tourer.

gracias...

Doug
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 4 Jan 2008
Vaufi's Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Munich, the beer capital
Posts: 1,063
Wink What's wrong with aluminum?
I'm travelling for 20 years and thousands of kms on alu bikes, much of the time on gravel roads. Iceland, Patagonia, Canada, Alpine tracks etc. Didn't come across any probs up to now.

Admittedly the first frame broke after jumping from a loading ramp, but that was more than 15 years ago. Materials have improved considerably since then. The frame I bought after that (Kettler) seems to be indestructable ;-)

Hans
__________________
Only when we pause to wonder
do we go beyond the limits of our little lives.
(Rod McKuen)
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 5 Jan 2008
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Edinburgh
Posts: 762
yep, true, alu has come along way. but I'd prefer steel because

a) I'm not a light-weight, so a frame that has some give in it is a good thing for me.
b) I prefer the more compliant, and less stiff, ride of steel.
c) I do tend to do things like jump off loading ramps, so repairability is in my mind.
d) if I do c) the frame may bend (and can be un-bent) rather than break.
e) if the frame breaks there's a chance of welding it.

Having said that, modern steel bikes over the past few years have been getting lighter. So, with those very thin gauge steel tubes, I'm looking for an older steel bike.

I also don't want to spend much money, and I think cheap steel is better than cheap alu.

Which frame are you using?

cheers
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 13 Jan 2008
Vaufi's Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Munich, the beer capital
Posts: 1,063
Bike Frame
I've got a German frame (KETTLER Bike - unfortunately no translation).

They used to have real good mountain bike frames somewhere inbetween trekking and race bikes. Perfect for travelling on bad roads. But I agree - it doesn't flex, but it is stiff enough to carry my weight plus heavy luggage summing up to about 110 kgs.
__________________
Only when we pause to wonder
do we go beyond the limits of our little lives.
(Rod McKuen)
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 24 Jan 2008
stuxtttr's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Lutterworth,Midlands, UK
Posts: 574
good steel frames can be sourced from ebay if you are uk based have a look at Genesis bikes they do some lovely steel frames and they also do a nice 8 speed hub geared mtb for around £800. Maybe a bit pricey but should go on forverer.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 27 Jan 2008
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Whistler, Canada
Posts: 1
It may require shipping but surlybikes.com make some very simple steel bikes that are used frequently for expedition riding.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 8 Jul 2009
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 55
Quote:
Originally Posted by DougieB View Post
I also don't want to spend much money
So I guess you had a change of mind then! (or won the lottery)

Nice bike though.
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 8 Jul 2009
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Edinburgh
Posts: 762
not exactly, I still don't want to spend much money...

all the bikes were second hand. the LHT frame was new, £300. but the second hand bikes I went through left me with a haul of spare parts, which went to make up the complete Surly.

well worth spending the money, to get the experience though. I'd be gutted to have missed out on that, and taken random advice and bought a new Dawes Galaxy with full front and rear panniers; 'cause that is what you absolutely must have to travel'.

all in I've spent less than a pair of Touratech's metal panniers. it's taken a while (a year and a half?), and I've done many 1000's of kms to work out what fits me.

one thing I've noticed, switching from motorbikes to pushies, is the stench of road-kill.

cheers,
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 12 Jul 2009
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Norfolk/Suffolk border
Posts: 178
Hi D where did you get the frame from?

atb
Reply With Quote
Reply

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools
Display Modes
Hybrid Mode Hybrid Mode

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Bicycle Travel Grant Johnson Overland Bicycle Travel 17 9 Jul 2015 14:28
Tunisia by bicycle Rafke North Africa 0 13 May 2005 19:01
bicycle speedo as cheap IMO? mattmbishop Equipment Reviews 6 28 Dec 2004 04:29
Bicycle on roofrack mertens_k 4 wheel Overland Travel 5 7 Jul 2004 19:20

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

25 years of HU Events
Be sure to join us for this huge milestone!

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

Virginia: April 24-27
Queensland is back! May 2-5
Germany Summer: May 29-June 1
Ecuador June 13-15
Bulgaria Mini: June 27-29
CanWest: July 10-13
Switzerland: Aug 14-17
Romania: Aug 22-24
Austria: Sept. 11-14
California: September 18-21
France: September 19-21
Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes.
(ONLY US RESIDENTS and currently has a limit of 60 days.)

Ripcord Evacuation Insurance is available for ALL nationalities.


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Every book a diary
Every chapter a day
Every day a journey
Refreshingly honest and compelling tales: the hights and lows of a life on the road. Solo, unsupported, budget journeys of discovery.
Authentic, engaging and evocative travel memoirs, overland, around the world and through life.
All 8 books available from the author or as eBooks and audio books



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

Your ad could be here, on EVERY page of the HUBB, or the whole website, or as many as you like!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.



All times are GMT +1. The time now is 02:17.

Contact Us - Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Website - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top