Equiping for Here and There

When I began assembling what I needed to become a bicycle tourist I did it slowly while trying to balance cost and quality. Because I had given up car ownership two years ago I felt comfortable with investing money in better equipment. This idea grew when I finally had a bike suitable for the task of long distance touring.

There are better and more expensive bikes than my Novara Safari, but it exceeds adequate. I’d wrestled with the pros and cons of its aluminum main frame then found that for 2011 it had been reborn as all chromoly. It offers high value versus its cost, which was significantly less that the list price of $899. At 20% off and free shipping I could avoid a trip to Atlanta to purchase it and have the bike I’d wanted since I conceived the idea of hitting the road after retiring. The only other bike I considered was the Salsa Fargo, but at $1600, it cost more than I had saved when the Safari was offered at a discount.

Since purchasing the Safari in April 2011, I have ridden about 4000 miles (3916), mainly weekday commuting. I have made additions and adjustments to make commuting better and to prepare for my first tour up the East Coast.

Delta Riser for too low handlebars.

Ortlieb Back Roller Plus Panniers.

Tubus Tara front rack

Ortlieb Front Roller Plus Panniers.

Ortlieb Ultimate 5L Handlebar bag.

Brooks B-17 Saddle

Schwalbe Marathon Plus HS348, 700c x 38

Princeton EOS Headlight

Planet Bike Superflash Taillight light, which was stolen and replaced with P/B Blinky 3 LED Taillight

SKS Chromoplastic fenders, Black

Topeak Road Morph G Bike Pump and Gauge

Four Delta Inox Water Bottle Cages

Click-Stand

Minoura SGL - 300 Accessory Bar

Lezyne tool

Some things had to be replaced or serviced;

Handlebar tape.

Pedals

Chain

Cane Creek Head set (probably because it was not properly installed. )

Bottom bracket was loose.

Brake pads rear at 2190 and front at 3000.

Original Continental Town Tires in 700c x 42 were still serviceable but I wanted to experience Schwalbes in a narrower size.

Replaced original pedals which were inadequate and screws loosened.

The total cost for everything as of January is about $2200. I have invested about 700 in camping/touring gear, including;

Big Agnes Lynx 3 tent

Kelty Cosmic Down 20 Sleeping Bag

WhisperLite Internationale, MSR-11780

Snowpeak Titanium Hybrid Summit Solo, SCS-004th

SnowPeak Spork, SCT-004

MSR Fuel Bottle, 887 ml, MSR-11832

Ortlieb PD 350 Dry bag

Adventure Cycling maps for East Coast.

After nearly 4000 miles I believe I made the right choice. It is a helluva bike. I also have the best friendly neighborhood bike shop.

The lists above are incomplete, but soon I will have a better list for all to consider and criticize.