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.
Where appropriate, I’ve tried to include links to reputable online retailers from whom you can order the components. Some of these are affiliate links; read my full affiliate policy here, and be aware that such links tend to go out of date quite quickly (sorry!).
Frame: | Oxford Bike Works 26” cromoly touring/expedition frame (Reynolds 525) Buy: direct from Oxford Bike Works |
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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. |
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:
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What Name Would You Give A Heavy-Duty World Touring Bike?
After last week’s rather vocal debate on the ethics of commercialism in adventure, I figured it was time to get firmly back to what we all love: travelling the world on two wheels. (Less talk, more action, and all that.) Now, as long-term readers will know, I’ve never had any particular fascination with touring bikes themselves. Though […] Continue reading →