Circumnavigating Britain

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Comments

  • ugo.santalucia
    ugo.santalucia Posts: 28,313
    fixcef wrote:
    Hi guys,

    Thanks for the bike recommendation unixnerd, it does look like a good option and I've heard it's a good deal at £500 so £379 is a bit silly. Still out of my price range though sadly! Ugo that looks like exactly what I'm going to try and do...only with my pre-existing wheels...no money to replace them! Thanks for the reassurance that axle mounts and seatposts collars will work though.

    Cheers guys,

    Charlie

    What wheel do you have as a back wheel at the moment?
    left the forum March 2023
  • fixcef
    fixcef Posts: 15
    http://velospec.com/components/alexrims/r500 - basic wheelset that came with the bike. Seemed to have some problems a couple of years ago with durability but not recent complaints from a quick trawl of the internet. still....
  • apreading
    apreading Posts: 4,535
    Rack can be sorted - go for axle mounts if you can rather than P Clips though.

    I would give some real thought to wheels - how many spokes do you have, are they normal spokes that any bike shop should carry and can the hubs be serviced easily? If it needs special spokes then dont use it, if it needs special bearings then maybe consider carrying a spare in case needed. Parts will be more of an issue than finding someone to fit them. If you do it with special spokes then maybe get a couple of spares and gaffa tape them to the frame.

    I would also recommend 28mm tyres due to the weight you are carrying, the amount of time on the bike and the sometimes poor roads you will face, and the fact that you want to minimise punctures and maximise comfort.
  • ugo.santalucia
    ugo.santalucia Posts: 28,313
    fixcef wrote:
    http://velospec.com/components/alexrims/r500 - basic wheelset that came with the bike. Seemed to have some problems a couple of years ago with durability but not recent complaints from a quick trawl of the internet. still....

    It seems work-able. How many spokes are at the rear wheel and do you have J bend spokes? meaning traditional spokes that go through the holes in the hub flange?
    left the forum March 2023
  • fixcef
    fixcef Posts: 15
    They go through the holes in the hub flange so I'm guessing they're J bend spokes (so out of my depth!). 32 spokes on rear. work-able sounds good!
  • ugo.santalucia
    ugo.santalucia Posts: 28,313
    fixcef wrote:
    They go through the holes in the hub flange so I'm guessing they're J bend spokes (so out of my depth!). 32 spokes on rear. work-able sounds good!

    You should be fine then... only problem is often these wheelsets are built with crap spokes that tend to fatigue and break quickly.
    If you drop me a line closer to the time, I'm happy to replace your rear spokes with some good quality plain gauge stainless steel ones free of charge... as long as you keep a record of your trip to upload on my blog... if I got this right you live locally. Call it a mini-sponsorship... :wink:
    left the forum March 2023
  • fixcef
    fixcef Posts: 15
    Ha amazing. Definitely calling it mini-sponsorship! Thanks so much mate, really kind of you. Yep, I'm in Bow but I'm in SW London quite often on the bike anyway as I've got family that way. I'll definitely be in touch!

    Charlie
  • mercia_man
    mercia_man Posts: 1,431
    Great gesture by ugo. Good on you!

    Will look forward to reading Charlie's account on ugo's blog.
  • alan_sherman
    alan_sherman Posts: 1,157
    Blackburn EX-1 disc rack will sort you out. Replaces the rear wheel QR with a long one. Will need either clamp at the top or p clips to the seat stays. I rode London to Lands End with one of those and a compact just fine. You'll be carrying more weight as you'll be camping.

    One consideration is that the coast roads get very hilly in places, a lot of the south west has 1 in 5 gradients as you enter or leave the sandy bays. Wales would be the same I assume.

    Campsites will be pricey as it is peak season. It may be worth your while joining a camping club to get discounts.

    Good luck
  • bianchimoon
    bianchimoon Posts: 3,942
    ugo.santalucia wrote:
    fixcef wrote:
    They go through the holes in the hub flange so I'm guessing they're J bend spokes (so out of my depth!). 32 spokes on rear. work-able sounds good!

    You should be fine then... only problem is often these wheelsets are built with crap spokes that tend to fatigue and break quickly.
    If you drop me a line closer to the time, I'm happy to replace your rear spokes with some good quality plain gauge stainless steel ones free of charge... as long as you keep a record of your trip to upload on my blog... if I got this right you live locally. Call it a mini-sponsorship... :wink:
    Nice gesture/offer Ugo! good to see people pulling together
    All lies and jest..still a man hears what he wants to hear and disregards the rest....

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