So China happened.. it was interesting, mind-opening, polluted, gorgeous, alive, raw, colorful. Ask me when I see you & I'll tell you all about it & show you the almost 1gig of photos i managed to take!
Back in NZ now. It is gorgeous. Green & lush & blue water reflecting wispy clouds. Fresh air. Feels weird to be here but good. I guess my soul is still stuck somewhere in the pacific & I keep calling Japan "home".
I'm on a quest for a bike now. Seems to be more difficult than i thought. Guys who work in bike shops are great though. I'm learning lots. Unfortunately there don't seem to be many touring-style bikes in existance in Auckland, esp as all the stock is changing over @ the moment! Still, have found a couple of maybe options & will keep looking for another few days. Wish me luck!
Like i said tho-learning lots. So far I know...
- better to get a bike with rigid forks-stronger to hold paniers & more efficient going uphill
- wheels with big diameter but reasonably thin tred are the way to go-they get you further with less friction for every push.
- Have to check that the frame/ derailer allows for the right size of wheel.
- chains need replacing every about 1000km (ie wellington).
- When you stand over a bike, the bar should be a couple of inches below your crotch.
- When you sit on a bike with feet on pedals, legs should extend to straight.
- I am going to have to learn a LOT about maintenance/ repairs. A guy showed me a flash little tool-kit tool today & the only thing i knew how to use on it was the bottle opener =) ...but that knowledge will be useful when my bike breaks..right?!
- Almost all bikes have aluminium frames these days. They're light.
- Fitting paniers can cost as much as a bike. Esp if you want waterproof ones!
7 Comments:
Good luck with the bike searching. I just looked through some of your pics - awesome!
Most important thing for touring is all impact points! arse, toes, and hands. Get a comfy seat and padded-bums.
Although most bikes are aluminum, a lot of touring bikes are steel; if the frame breaks, it can be fixed by any welder anywhere (if aluminium breaks, it's broke) this shouldn't really be a problem with the kind of riding you're doing though.
I've done about 1500 km just in the last 2 months (don't know before that) and haven't replaced the chain in a year. If it's a good bike you really shouldn't need to replace it during your whole trip.
Even in 'water-proof' panniers, anything you want dry, pack in bin-liners. And if you're going to do that, you don't need super expensive panniers! Bonus.
Don't worry too much about the maintenance/repairs. Just make sure you can fix a puncture and carry a bit of tough rubber (a cut-off of used tyre is perfect) to stuff inside your tyre in case you slash it (just to get you to the next town).
Apart from that keep all your nuts nice and tight and Bob's your uncle.
Ganbarre!
Good luck with the bike searching. I just looked through some of your pics - awesome!
Most important thing for touring is all impact points! arse, toes, and hands. Get a comfy seat and padded-bums.
Although most bikes are aluminum, a lot of touring bikes are steel; if the frame breaks, it can be fixed by any welder anywhere (if aluminium breaks, it's broke) this shouldn't really be a problem with the kind of riding you're doing though.
I've done about 1500 km just in the last 2 months (don't know before that) and haven't replaced the chain in a year. If it's a good bike you really shouldn't need to replace it during your whole trip.
Even in 'water-proof' panniers, anything you want dry, pack in bin-liners. And if you're going to do that, you don't need super expensive panniers! Bonus.
Don't worry too much about the maintenance/repairs. Just make sure you can fix a puncture and carry a bit of tough rubber (a cut-off of used tyre is perfect) to stuff inside your tyre in case you slash it (just to get you to the next town).
Apart from that keep all your nuts nice and tight and Bob's your uncle.
Ganbarre!
Good luck with the bike searching. I just looked through some of your pics - awesome!
Most important thing for touring is all impact points! arse, toes, and hands. Get a comfy seat and padded-bums.
Although most bikes are aluminum, a lot of touring bikes are steel; if the frame breaks, it can be fixed by any welder anywhere (if aluminium breaks, it's broke) this shouldn't really be a problem with the kind of riding you're doing though.
I've done about 1500 km just in the last 2 months (don't know before that) and haven't replaced the chain in a year. If it's a good bike you really shouldn't need to replace it during your whole trip.
Even in 'water-proof' panniers, anything you want dry, pack in bin-liners. And if you're going to do that, you don't need super expensive panniers! Bonus.
Don't worry too much about the maintenance/repairs. Just make sure you can fix a puncture and carry a bit of tough rubber (a cut-off of used tyre is perfect) to stuff inside your tyre in case you slash it (just to get you to the next town).
Apart from that keep all your nuts nice and tight and Bob's your uncle.
Ganbarre!
Good luck with the bike searching. I just looked through some of your pics - awesome!
Most important thing for touring is all impact points! arse, toes, and hands. Get a comfy seat and padded-bums.
Although most bikes are aluminum, a lot of touring bikes are steel; if the frame breaks, it can be fixed by any welder anywhere (if aluminium breaks, it's broke) this shouldn't really be a problem with the kind of riding you're doing though.
I've done about 1500 km just in the last 2 months (don't know before that) and haven't replaced the chain in a year. If it's a good bike you really shouldn't need to replace it during your whole trip.
Even in 'water-proof' panniers, anything you want dry, pack in bin-liners. And if you're going to do that, you don't need super expensive panniers! Bonus.
Don't worry too much about the maintenance/repairs. Just make sure you can fix a puncture and carry a bit of tough rubber (a cut-off of used tyre is perfect) to stuff inside your tyre in case you slash it (just to get you to the next town).
Apart from that keep all your nuts nice and tight and Bob's your uncle.
Ganbarre!
Good luck with the bike searching. I just looked through some of your pics - awesome!
Most important thing for touring is all impact points! arse, toes, and hands. Get a comfy seat and padded-bums.
Although most bikes are aluminum, a lot of touring bikes are steel; if the frame breaks, it can be fixed by any welder anywhere (if aluminium breaks, it's broke) this shouldn't really be a problem with the kind of riding you're doing though.
I've done about 1500 km just in the last 2 months (don't know before that) and haven't replaced the chain in a year. If it's a good bike you really shouldn't need to replace it during your whole trip.
Even in 'water-proof' panniers, anything you want dry, pack in bin-liners. And if you're going to do that, you don't need super expensive panniers! Bonus.
Don't worry too much about the maintenance/repairs. Just make sure you can fix a puncture and carry a bit of tough rubber (a cut-off of used tyre is perfect) to stuff inside your tyre in case you slash it (just to get you to the next town).
Apart from that keep all your nuts nice and tight and Bob's your uncle.
Ganbarre!
oops.
sorry about that.
Cheers Jon!
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