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Which Bike? Comments and Questions on what is the best bike for YOU, for YOUR trip. Note that we believe that ANY bike will do, so please remember that it's all down to PERSONAL OPINION. Technical Questions for all brands go in their own forum.
Photo by Hendi Kaf, in Cambodia

I haven't been everywhere...
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  #1  
Old 15 Feb 2006
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Postie bike
I am currently planning an African trip, and the usual story, I am little short on cash. So I am looking for ways to cut down costs. I am planning on buying a bike in South Africa.

At an HU meeting, someone told me that I should do my trip (Cape Town to Europe via the east coast) on a postie bike. He'd done a similar trip on a bicycle.
Grant, in one of his posts, talked about a woman travelling on such a bike.

What would be ups and downs
Are postie bikes available in RSA
What other cheap alternatives could do the trick?


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  #2  
Old 15 Feb 2006
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yes, go for a postie bike. you can buy them in RSA, as far as I know. I dont think you can find a cheaper way riding up the east coast on a bike.

but dont buy the cheap chinese 125 cc courier bike. I met a guy in mozambique and he had bought one in joburg, not the best bike for african roads, the quality is not good enough. he was next to the road with nearly all spokes broken on the rear wheel on a pave and a little bit potholed road.

the postie bike is a honda made in japan, you should be able to find parts in all bigger cities.

travel light and enjoy

mika
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  #3  
Old 16 Feb 2006
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Albert

If you are serious about using the postie bike (I presume you are referring to the Honda CT 110), check out the Postie Bike Challenge in Oz. 3,000 - 4,000 km in 10 days through central Oz on postie bikes.
Their web site is www.postiebikechallenge.org
On the site you will find various tips for long distance travel by postie bike.

Please let us know how you go. I, for one, am contemplating a round Oz trip on one (once the wife gets her licence and I can convince her that watching the secnery at 70 kph is better than blasting along at 100+).

John

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  #4  
Old 16 Feb 2006
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Mika,

will be watching out for those Chinese bikes. Did you see anyone on Postie bikes in Africa? They are quite common here in Australia. If they aren't easy to find in Africa, that is one of their advantages gone.

John,

thanks for the site. That's one expensive ride! But they have some good tips in a word document. I don't know yet whether we will be doing our trip on postie bikes; really depends on availability, price, durability and ease of maintenance. If other bikes better fit that bill, then I'll want them instead. If we use them, I'll let you know.

Any other suggestions, advice, ideas, comments, or even rambles?
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  #5  
Old 24 Feb 2006
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Use the mother of all postiebikes: the Honda Super Cub. Available in all kinds of engine sizes, but in one shape only: the step through.

Indestructible and with parts everywhere. Parts are so cheap, they nearly give em away. In the unlikely event it does stop running and you really can´t find parts you can fix the bike with chicken wire and a paperclip most of the time.

I rode my Honda C50 (with a 110cc Wave engine) from Alaska to Ushuaia with a role of duck tape and some tie wraps as parts back up. The engine was brand new when I started in Alaska and when I was in Mexico (after 11.000 miles) it stopped. This is when I found out valves need adjusting every now and again. After that the bike ran absolutely trouble free for more than 25.000 miles. All the way down to Ushuaia and up again into Brasil. Dirt, mud, water, rain, snow, ice and scorching heat: no problem.

The bike is recommended highly by a tool fool like me. It doesn´t go fast, but hey that´s part of the fun isn´t it? Getting to see stuff along the way!

Check www.honda50.cc for more info on the ultimate travelbike (well for me anyway).

Have fun!

Dirk

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  #6  
Old 3 Mar 2006
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A postie bike!!! Wow, that sounds like so much fun. It makes me want to trade my bike in for a postie, but I'm going to stay with what I have for now. I'll think about a postie though for my Alaska to TDF.

--Dave

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  #7  
Old 3 Mar 2006
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Postie bikes! all this time I have been calling them trail 90s and trail 110s. All summer long we have these bikes in the shop here in Montana. The last ones were imported into the states in 1986 but they look just like the Austrailia ones. These bikes have attained a higher value than when they were new. Anywhere from $500.00 to $1200.00 for a 20 to 30 year old bike. They are tough and very good on gas. Most all of the ones in the states have a high and low transmission that gives you 4 high gears and 4 low gears. I have repaired just about anything that goes wrong with these as they get used on ranches here and run in continuous water or mud or dust and sometimes on cattle drives. Long ago I drove one to tech school for a year and got 100 MPG running it wide open with a windshield on it. We still get tires in the states that say "Australian postal approved".
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  #8  
Old 4 Mar 2006
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Albert
I recomend you the C-90 econopower!That thing is reliable 100%,strong enough and handy!!!!
I own one from 1992 and use it only in mountain tracks!Yes,and its amazing in this job.
Here a few pictures from a few days in Cordoba ARGENTINA.
http://community.webshots.com/album/548078523kbvuKv
Good luck
KH

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  #9  
Old 4 Mar 2006
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Quote:
Originally posted by BTO APAW:
Albert

If you are serious about using the postie bike (I presume you are referring to the Honda CT 110), check out the Postie Bike Challenge in Oz. 3,000 - 4,000 km in 10 days through central Oz on postie bikes.
Their web site is www.postiebikechallenge.org
On the site you will find various tips for long distance travel by postie bike.

Please let us know how you go. I, for one, am contemplating a round Oz trip on one (once the wife gets her licence and I can convince her that watching the secnery at 70 kph is better than blasting along at 100+).

John
Quite right BTO - and 70kph X 6-7 hours a day is hell of a lot of klicks! Go for it. I've always fancied the Honda 90 for RTW myself...
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