This page describes the design and specification of my current expedition and mixed-terrain touring bike, a custom-built Oxford Bike Works Expedition, or, as it was originally named at the prototype stage, ‘Tom’s Expedition Bike’.
There are a lot of detailed component listings and links coming up. While I’ve no doubt they’ll be useful in their own way, for a much more in-depth account of the design, part selection and build process you should check out my Touring Bike FAQ blog series or my illustrated thesis on building the ultimate expedition bike.
About The Bike
I collaborated over several months with Richard Delacour from Oxford Bike Works to design and build this bike from the ground up, after years of touring all over the planet and advising hundreds of budding cyclists on trip planning and bike selection.
Now the flagship model in Oxford Bike Works’ range of touring bikes, the Expedition was conceived as the last expedition-grade touring bike I or anyone else would ever need – a true bike for life, and the summation of everything I’d learned during more than 20,000km of riding on five continents.
Tom’s Expedition Bike: Complete Specifications
Here is the original component listing of the bike, should you wish to draw inspiration from it when designing/building your own expedition bike.
Where appropriate, I’ve included links to reputable online retailers from whom you can order the components.
(Please be aware that Richard updates the base specification of his Expedition on a continuous basis in response to component availability and rider feedback, so you should always consult the Oxford Bike Works website for the latest changes.)
| Frame: | Oxford Bike Works 26” cromoly touring/expedition frame (Reynolds 525) Buy: direct from Oxford Bike Works |
|---|---|
| Forks: | Oxford Bike Works cromoly touring forks Buy: direct from Oxford Bike Works |
| Colour: | Desert Sand (custom colour) |
| Headset: | Chris King NoThreadSet 1 1/8”, black Buy: Chain Reaction | Wiggle | Evans Cycles |
| Rear Derailleur: | Shimano Deore RD-M591, top normal, long cage, black Buy: Chain Reaction | Evans Cycles |
| Front Derailleur: | Shimano Deore FD-M590, low clamp, dual pull, black Buy: Chain Reaction | Wiggle | Evans Cycles |
| Cassette: | Shimano CS-HG41-8ao, 11–34T, 8‑speed Buy: Chain Reaction | Wiggle | Evans Cycles |
| Shifter Levers: | Shimano Ultegra SL-BS64 bar end, friction front, 8sp indexed/friction rear Buy: Chain Reaction | Evans Cycles |
| Shifter Mounts: | from SunRace M96 thumbshifters Buy: Ison Distribution Alternatives: Paul | SJS Cycles |
| Chainset: | Shimano FC-M361, 170mm, 22–32-44T Buy: Chain Reaction |
| Middle Chainring: | Middleburn Hardcoat 32T (CR-104–90-32) Buy: Chain Reaction |
| Bottom Bracket: | Shimano UN55, 68mm, British thread Buy: Chain Reaction | Wiggle | Evans Cycles |
| Chain: | Wippermann Connex 808s 8‑speed with connector link Buy: Wiggle |
| Rims: | Rigida Sputnik 26” (559), 36H, silver, Schrader valve Buy: Spa Cycles | SJS Cycles |
| Front Hub: | Shimano Deore XT HB-T780‑S, 36H, silver Buy: Chain Reaction | Evans Cycles |
| Rear Freehub: | Shimano Deore XT FH-T780‑S, 36H, silver Buy: Chain Reaction | Evans Cycles |
| Spokes: | Sapim Race double butted (front, rear non-driveside), Sapim Strong PG (rear driveside) Buy: Spa Cycles (Race) | Spa Cycles (Strong) |
| Rim Tape: | Velox 19mm cloth Buy: Chain Reaction |
| Skewers: | Allen/hex key (non-QR) Buy: Chain Reaction | Wiggle |
| Tyres: | Schwalbe Marathon Plus 26x1.75” with SmartGuard Buy: Chain Reaction | Wiggle | Evans Cycles |
| Innertubes: | Schwalbe AV13, 26”, Schrader valve Buy: Chain Reaction | Wiggle | Evans Cycles |
| Brake Levers: | Shimano Alivio BL-T4000, silver, pair (mmm… BLT) Buy: Chain Reaction | Evans Cycles |
| Brake Calipers: | Shimano Deore BR-T610‑L, black Buy: Chain Reaction | Evans Cycles |
| Brake Shoes: | Shimano S70C with cartridge shoe inserts (re-order code Y‑8A2 98030) Buy: Chain Reaction |
| Pedals: | Shimano PD-M324, combination SPD/flat Buy: Chain Reaction | Wiggle | Evans Cycles |
| Saddle: | Brooks B17 Champion Special Buy: Chain Reaction | Wiggle | Evans Cycles |
| Seatpost: | Humpert |
| Handlebars: | Deda |
| Stem: | Deda |
| Grips: | Ergon GP1 BioKork lock-on, standard diameter, large size Buy: Chain Reaction | Wiggle |
| Bar-Ends: | Oxford Bike Works rubberised anatomical bar-ends (unavailable to purchase) Alternatives: SJS Cycles |
| Rear Carrier Rack: | Tubus Cargo (Classic) 26“ Buy: Wiggle | Evans Cycles | Spa Cycles |
| Front Lowrider: | Tubus Tara Buy: Wiggle | Evans Cycles | Spa Cycles |
| Mudguards: | Axiom Rainrunner LX Reflex, 26″, to fit 1.5–2.2″ tyres, with rubber mudflaps |
| Extras: | Marine-grade stainless steel bolt replacements, steerer tube spacers, Pletscher centre kickstand, System EX steerer-tube bell. |
Full disclosure: Some of the links above will earn me a small commission when you use them to purchase parts. Please consider doing this if you’ve found my blog useful – it’s a great way to say thank you and to help me continue running the site.
If you’re interested in getting a similar bike custom built for your specific needs, get in touch with Richard at Oxford Bike Works. He’ll be happy to discuss your individual requirements, by phone or email, free of charge and without obligation.
(He’s nice like that, which is why I work with him.)
5 replies on “Tom’s Expedition Bike: Complete Specifications & Image Gallery”
[…] That said, if I were to go in for a replacement, there’s a good chance I’d go for the Surly Troll*. I rode a friends custom build recently and it felt very comfortable and had the benefit of a flexible frame / wheel / tyre size and stays options. Either that or Toms Expedition Bike. […]
[…] I’ve worked my way through quite a fleet of bikes over the last few years, I’m not a bike nerd – I see the bicycle as little more than a tool to […]
[…] Toms Expedition Bike […]
[…] Toms Expedition Bike […]
[…] but needing something myself I did a bit of research and found Oxford Bike Works (namely through Tom’s Bike Trip.com) and bought from there. I’ve was very impressed, Richard the owner was a top bloke and we […]