Category: Bikes
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No Stupid Questions: Can I Still Cycle Tour With An Enlarged Prostate?
A reader writes: I, like many men of my age, suffer from an enlarged prostate. When I was diagnosed with this a few years ago I asked if I could still cycle. Needless to say [the doctor] advised against it other than occasional short runs. Straight after diagnosis I bought suitable saddles (those with a significant […] Continue reading →
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No Stupid Questions: What’s The Most Likely Thing To Go Wrong On A Bike Tour?
A reader writes: Planning a long tour next year*. Europe mainly right now. What are the most common bicycle parts to repair on such a tour? Not flats, but other problems. * when the question was asked, “next year” referred to 2024. Thanks for the question! It sounded vague at first, but on second reading I […] Continue reading →
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No Stupid Questions: Will I Be Able To Fix My Broken Touring Bike?
A reader writes: Will I be able to repair all what could happen to the bike? Thank you for this wonderfully simple question! It encapsulates one of the biggest fears for newcomers to long-distance cycle touring and bikepacking: roadside mechanical catastrophe! Fortunately, I have an equally simple answer for you: No. You will not be able to […] Continue reading →
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No Stupid Questions: Tyre Pumps, Wheel Size, Tubed Vs Tubeless, & More
A reader writes: Thanks for the questions! Let’s take them one at a time. Forgive me if I simplify each question into a neater, easier-to-read heading! How To Choose A Portable Tyre Pump For A Cycle Tour? It sounds like you’ve already noticed that portable, hand-operated tyre pumps for bicycles come in an assortment of shapes […] Continue reading →
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No Stupid Questions: How Can I Avoid Neck, Shoulder & Wrist Pain On Long Gravel Rides?
A reader writes: My biggest question/concern about my upcoming ride of the Carretera Austral (south to north, beginning in El Chaltén in 2.5 weeks) is: how do I deal with the jarring feeling of riding on packed gravel with my Surly LHT? In other words, without front suspension, what’s the best way to cushion my […] Continue reading →
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No Stupid Questions: Should I Buy Touring Bike X Or Touring Bike Y?
Roughly ten thousand* people have written to me over the years with some version of the following question: Hi Tom,I’ve been researching touring bikes, and I’ve narrowed my choices down to Bike X and Bike Y. Both look perfect on paper, have great reviews, and fit my budget, but I can’t figure out how to […] Continue reading →
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No Stupid Questions: Do I Need Special Hydraulic Brake Fluid For Winter Touring?
A reader writes: Thank you for bringing up these timely questions on the subject of winter cycle touring in sub-zero conditions! I myself rode to the Scandinavian Arctic back in the winter of 2011. It turns out that winter can be a source of fun and novelty for adventure cyclists, so it’s great to hear […] Continue reading →
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Oxford Bike Works Expedition: New Upgrades For 2023
Before my recent Australia tour, I took Tom’s Expedition Bike back to its birthplace in the UK for a tune-up and a few experimental upgrades. This post details what’s changed, explores the thinking behind the upgrades, and goes deep into the specifics of why they were made. (Warning: it’s a 5,000-word long read, so maybe put […] Continue reading →
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3 Critical Questions To Ask Before You Choose A New Touring Bike
When you’re in the market for a new touring bike, it’s important not to dive too deep until you’re clear about what kind of cycle tour you actually want to go on. Especially with the current trends towards ultralight bikepacking, gravel bikes, touring e‑bikes, etc, manufacturers will work extremely hard to sell you something you never […] Continue reading →
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A Massive List Of Expedition Touring Bikes For Round-The-World Rides
Last updated on , removing the discontinued Vivente Anatolia and adding the Vivente Gibb in its place. After an irritatingly large amount of research, I’m happy to present to you a tabulated list of expedition-grade world touring bikes being built around the world, featuring bicycles from 43 manufacturers and small-scale makers in 9 countries on 3 continents. The list below […] Continue reading →