A profile photo of the Oxford Bike Works Expedition touring bike in 2015

Tom’s Expedition Bike: Image Gallery & Specifications


Here you’ll find photos and details of my main touring bike: a custom-built Oxford Bike Works Expedition (or, as it was originally named, “Tom’s Expedition Bike”), which I’ve now had for 10 years.

I collaborated (in real life, not online!) with Richard Delacour from Oxford Bike Works to design and build this bike back in 2014. This was after many years of touring all over the planet, advising an increasing number of of budding cyclists on trip planning and bike selection, and finally deciding to take my own advice!

Now the flagship model in Oxford Bike Works’ range of touring bikes, this prototype for the Expedition was conceived as the last touring bike I would ever need – a true bike for life.

This page is a brief summary for the casual reader. For an in-depth discussion of the complete design and build process, check out this extremely detailed, full-nerd essay on how I built my “ultimate expedition bike”.


Full-Size Image Gallery


Specifications & Components

Below is the original component listing of the bike as it was built in 2014, should you wish to draw inspiration from it when designing/building your own. Please note that it has been tweaked and upgraded many times since, most recently in 2023 as detailed here.

Frame:Oxford Bike Works 26” cromoly touring/expedition frame (Reynolds 525)
Forks:Oxford Bike Works cromoly touring forks
Colour:Desert Sand (custom colour)
Headset:Chris King NoThreadSet 1 1/8”, black
Rear Derailleur:Shimano Deore RD-M591, top normal, long cage, black
Front Derailleur:Shimano Deore FD-M590, low clamp, dual pull, black
Cassette:Shimano CS-HG41-8ao, 11–34T, 8‑speed
Shifter Levers:Shimano Ultegra SL-BS64 bar end, friction front, 8sp indexed/friction rear
Shifter Mounts:from SunRace M96 thumbshifters
Chainset:Shimano FC-M361, 170mm, 22–32-44T
Middle Chainring:Middleburn Hardcoat 32T (CR-104–90-32)
Bottom Bracket:Shimano UN55, 68mm, British thread
Chain:Wippermann Connex 808s 8‑speed with connector link
Rims:Rigida Sputnik 26” (559), 36H, silver, Schrader valve
Front Hub:Shimano Deore XT HB-T780‑S, 36H, silver
Rear Freehub:Shimano Deore XT FH-T780‑S, 36H, silver
Spokes:Sapim Race double butted (front, rear non-driveside), Sapim Strong PG (rear driveside)
Rim Tape:Velox 19mm cloth
Skewers:Allen/hex key (non-QR)
Tyres:Schwalbe Marathon Plus 26x1.75” with SmartGuard
Innertubes:Schwalbe AV13, 26”, Schrader valve
Brake Levers:Shimano Alivio BL-T4000, silver, pair (mmm… BLT)
Brake Calipers:Shimano Deore BR-T610‑L, black
Brake Shoes:Shimano S70C with cartridge shoe inserts (re-order code Y‑8A2 98030)
Pedals:Shimano PD-M324, combination SPD/flat
Saddle:Brooks B17 Champion Special
Seatpost:Humpert
Handlebars:Deda
Stem:Deda
Grips:Ergon GP1 BioKork lock-on, standard diameter, large size
Bar-Ends:Oxford Bike Works rubberised anatomical bar-ends (unavailable to purchase)
Rear Carrier Rack:Tubus Cargo (Classic) 26″
Front Lowrider:Tubus Tara
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.

In the decade since the bike was built, Richard has continuously developed the base specification of his Expedition in response to rider feedback. Check out the product info page on the Oxford Bike Works website for the current specification and build options.


Latest posts about this bike: