The Bike
Posted: by Kate Crinion in
"I'll take the white one"!
A bicycle for an around the world trip is naturally a very important decision. I was in Chengdu
due to work whilst I tried to get a permit. This gave me a day or two to inspect the vast selection
of unsuitable cheap and cheerful bikes that were on offer on "bike street". After some calling around to bicycle tour companies I did manage to find a bike shop which made custom made bikes. Bicycle touring is a new concept in China and as a result there are no touring bikes for sale. After a long game of charades I had a custom made mountain bike built in an impressive 2 hours. The only guy in the shop who could remotely speak english was more interested in selling me a "cheeeep priiice" bike that I was starting to get worried that he was only interested in my bike being able to get far enough away soI wouldn't come back for a refund!
In the end I was very satisfied with my white "missile" and she has been referred to on many an occasion as a "butiful cykle".
Frame: Missile (that well known chinese brand)!
Wheels: Got 2 of them.
Tyres: Kenda (spare Schwalbe folding tyre)
Tubes: Kenda
Gears: Shimano Deore.
Brakes: Shimano Deore.
Handlebars: Straight with bar ends.
Racks: No name aluminium chinese brands bought from internet...the weakest point in my equipment armour!
Panniers: Front: Vaude 30L
Rear: Ortlieb Classic 40L
Barbag: Taobao (that well known chinese brand from the internet!)
Pump: Merida
Odometer: Sigma.
Spares carried: 2 inner tubes, 6 spokes,1 gear cable, 1 brake cable,folding tyre.
Tools: Spanner, set of allen keys, puncture repair kit.
Insurance: Wing and a prayer!
