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) |
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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:
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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 →