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kit list queries for mountain bike touring

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Started 6 years ago by unhurt
Latest reply from I were right about that saddle
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unhurt
Member

In August I'm off to cycle 600km of the T'Railway Park plus a bit more on the road (basically this and then this - with optional detour to Red Bay, Labrador if I make really good time).

Taking this bike:

Spare spokes, tube(s), chain links and bolts (various) plus duct tape and cable ties are all no-brainers, but having mostly toured on indestructable Schwalbe Marathon Pluses, I'm not sure if a tyre boot and lots of glue / patches is sufficient, or if this is the sort of enterprise that calls for carrying a spare tyre. No bike shops en route, just one sporting goods store (with no website) vaguely on the way, and then a place in Corner Brook (past Deer lake and after I'm done with the trail part). Feels like a "yes".

Thoughts/opinions/other spare parts mountain bikes might demand that indestructable Surly tourers generally don't? Wondering about brake pads, even if I stick new ones on just before I go.

I have also acquired a (really cool) little MSR bulb pump water filter and plan to excavate my embarrassing midge jacket. Trail goes through lots of places with shops, so everyday supplies not an issue, though I plan to check out what kind of camping gas is on sale at key points (having been caught out before when they only had calor type refills noooooo. Cold food is OK, but nae coffee is not).

What am I forgetting? (Will be buying new bearspray in St John's before I leave.)

Posted 6 years ago #
I were right about that saddle
Member

You'll have a hard time killing one of these tyres in a few weeks. Unless you're doing technical MTB stuff they are excellent. I've worn out two pairs with only two p*nctures.

My bearspray is in my auntie's garage in Vancouver if you want to pick it up?

I plan to check out what kind of camping gas is on sale

Oh ye of little Trangia faith.

Considered a bripe for coffee? Let's hope not.

Posted 6 years ago #
unhurt
Member

Too narrow sir. Current tyres are 2.4".

I'm concerned this auntie garage bearspray might be out of date. Other than that obviously I'd just swing by.

I like my coffee less... complicated. (Filter + mug + gravity, then add a shovelfull of creamer, as the good goddess surely intended.)

Posted 6 years ago #
unhurt
Member

Re: trangia: But it takes so LONG! And meths is heavy. And if you don;t have the enormous outer shell part and the wind gets up it hardly works at all.

Maybe I should take my woodgas stove?

Posted 6 years ago #
I were right about that saddle
Member

The energy density of methanol is 60% that of butane but you don't need a metal can for it and Trangias can burn any liquid, even petrol with precautions.

You are correct that Trangias don't work if a vital part is missing.

If you're concerned about weight why are your tyres so wide?

(CCE will always argue you into staying at home eventually.)

Posted 6 years ago #
paddyirish
Member

@unhurt, sounds a wonderful trip. Look forward to eading how it went.

My folks sailed up the W coast of Newfoundland about 4-5 years ago and had an amazing time. Virtually the only people they met were customs officers - who kept coming on board for tea and cake and eventually something stronger. Really warm and welcoming compared to there southern counterparts...

Would share @IWRATS views on the indestructibility of the marathon plus. Lee Craigie and Ricki Cotter also used a sewing kit to do a tyre repair on the Tour Divide. Can imagine a sewing kit of industrial strength would be useful and not take up much room. Some sort of folding tyre would make sense if the added security is more important than the weight penalty.

A bottom bracket would be a (small-ish) potential ride- ender, but I wouldn't have a clue how to replace one.

+1 for the trangia. I've had mine for almost 30 years and it is wonderful.

Good coffee would be my one luxury - would use something like this worked so well I now use it in the office.

Posted 6 years ago #
Cyclingmollie
Member

That front bottle arrangement looks familiar. Did I meet you near Roslin Glen a few weeks back?

Posted 6 years ago #
unhurt
Member

@iwrats "Trangias can burn any liquid" - Hmm. I'm prepared to have a go with some liquidised & diluted slugs and report back.

I suppose it's BULK not weight I was concerned about more. Better?

@paddyirish thanks - I suspect I might go for a folding tyre. And indeed, a failed botom bracket will mean getting the bus, as I'd have to reach a mechanic to fit a new one. So, just going to ignore that possibility...

Posted 6 years ago #
unhurt
Member

@Cyclingmollie - haven't been out to Roslin - but in the Bush Estate maybe?

Posted 6 years ago #
minus six
Member

trangia is best for silent stealth operations

also easy to leave unattended while setting up / striking camp

trangia kettle also a godsend

Posted 6 years ago #
I were right about that saddle
Member

Listen to @bax. That is all.

Posted 6 years ago #
fimm
Member

I would take brake pads. (Not that I've done anything like this.) I understand that disk brake pads are rather varied so there's a change that any given bike stop won't stock your kind. They're not very big, are they?

Posted 6 years ago #
unhurt
Member

Not very - on the list now.

Q:
synthetic women's spec bag rated down to +2 centigrade (wee bit bulky)
OR
small & light down* bag that's a bit too long rated down to +5 centigrade plus a Thermolite liner
?

Synthetic bag comfy but gets v sweaty v fast if it's even a hair warm. NF temps are.... variable, so hard to predict. Leaning towards the latter as more flexible, and spacious enough to wear all my clothes inside it if neccessary. But then again, suspicious of rating on the Tundra bag as women's specced bags tend to rate comfort temp ranges for women better (who knew!)...

*from happy ducks apparently

Posted 6 years ago #
steveo
Member

I've got two down bags, only used the 3 season one. Hoping to break out the summer one at the weekend.

Generally get the lightest bag you can get away with and plan to wear warm clothing to bed, you can always wear the warm clothing it's more difficult to wear a heavy sleeping bag.

Posted 6 years ago #
paddyirish
Member

what @steveo said.

A thermal top and long johns (merino if you have them) + a hat can add half a season to a sleeping bag.

Liner can be used on its own with bag as a blanket on those balmy Newfoundland nights.

Posted 6 years ago #
unhurt
Member

Sort of looking at folding locks (as a compromise between a D-lock & an ancient cheap cable lock) and stumbled across this bit of bizarre logic in a review for a Hiplock:

What sets this lock apart is that it’s deigned to be worn around the hips – meaning you don’t need to add weight to your bike or luggage.

Yes, but...

Anyway, has anyone got opinions on the likes of the Abus Bordo? (Or want to lend me one for a month?!)

A folding tyre is definitely coming with me after @Iain McR's Incident on Sunday (not enough goo for a nasty wee tear).

Posted 6 years ago #
gembo
Member

A month? Seems very short time to form a lasting opinion?

Posted 6 years ago #
I were right about that saddle
Member

A folding tyre is definitely coming with me

Yer no ridin' tubleless are ye?

Posted 6 years ago #
unhurt
Member

No.... but what if I tear a mahoosive hole in one? I am a worrier.

Posted 6 years ago #
Snowy
Member

Tubeless riders all seem to carry an inner tube these days which seems to negate the weight saving, but I guess certain sorts of punctures are much less likely with tubeless in the first place.
Big tears are a pain. A small section of old slick tyre has been known to save the day, in conjunction with an inner tube to press it in place from the inside. So I am told. Sounds fiddly but desperate times etc...

Posted 6 years ago #
steveo
Member

Most of the benefits of tubeless tyres aren't weight but the ability to run really low pressures without worrying about pinch punctures, coupled with really wide tyres you get loads of grip for downhills or trail centres.

Posted 6 years ago #
HankChief
Member

I've heard the new plastic five & ten pound notes can also be used when you have a tear in your tyre. Not needed to try it yet <touch wood>

Posted 6 years ago #
unhurt
Member

Sort of packed! (Sort of because the clothes packed are currently random things from top of clean laundry pile because I was impatient to test ride. Nothing fell off when I rode round the setts for 1km, so that's probably a good sign?)

Anyhow, I might or might not get online much for a few weeks from Saturday. If I do I might post some pictures of rocks and trees and complaints about the weather / the food / the state of my knees here: https://twitter.com/bear_buffet

Posted 6 years ago #
minus six
Member

saddle a wee bit low ?

may the road rise with you

Posted 6 years ago #
unhurt
Member

no, i just have short legs - height's in my torso.

Posted 6 years ago #
minus six
Member

gotcha

Posted 6 years ago #
minus six
Member

remember to bash polar bears on the nose

thats what stops the eis baer

Posted 6 years ago #
unhurt
Member

There will be NO polar bears. I insist. The one animal I have nightmares about.

Very shy (I hope) black bears are as exciting as NF gets this time of year. And horny moose but I will stay away from them too.

Posted 6 years ago #
minus six
Member

one thing about arctic regions in summer - mosquitos are insufferable, far worse than midge

you want anti-histamine topical cream as well as tablets

just stocked up myself - i'm heading to northern russia next weekend for three weeks

groovy

and don't forget the headnet

Posted 6 years ago #
unhurt
Member

I have all the creams. and the tablets. and emergency oral steroids. and a midge JACKET. though NF is not arcticy, it's all surprisngly far south - though I understand polar bears do show up all down the east coast from time to time in spring - they hitch lifts on icebergs, apparently.

northern russia next weekend for three weeks

well, THAT is exciting.

Posted 6 years ago #

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