Touring - Chile - a new touring bike and trip inspiration

I am looking for some advise on replacing a bike and where to take it!

I was part of a group that cycled from the Dead Sea (Jordan) to the north side Everest (Tibet/China) side in 2005/2006. We then carried on up the mountain by foot - check out the website to find out more, www.everestmax.com. It was an awesome 3.5 month bike trip and the bike we used coped with a real mix of terrain. We used Marin Novato (probably the 2005 edition). We had them modified using SRAM components: Disc Brakes, X-9 shifters, X-9 rear mech, Sram Cassette and Chain, Truvativ Cranks (already on the bikes), Rock Shox forks. However, my bike was stolen once I returned to the UK and I'm looking to replace it. I've moved to Chile, Santiago, with work and can't find Marin here so am looking for something equivalent - I'm itching to get on a bike and explore Chile, I think there is potential for awesome trips. I've seen a Giant xtc for a good price, which is a good bike, but looks much more like a mountain bike than my Marin did. They've got trek's, Giant, GT, Raleigh, Scott (and Cannondale, but that's out of my budget). One of the things I loved about my Marin was that it was so light (I'm 5'4" and think the less weight to peddle around the better!) but I also knew that I could take it anywhere, on road or off road, and it would be fine. I would really appreciate any advise that people could give on both types of bike and good trips in Chile if anyone has been touring here.

Thank you! Sarah

If you are looking to save money, why not check out archived threads on building up a bike from a Nashbar frame?

There are lots of bikes that would work well for you.

Losligato's website has a good section on what they did with used mountain bikes.

If you can find one, high quality and in good condition, a used bike can be a great way to save quite a bit of money. Some of them are very well made, reliable, and well-suited for touring, both on and off road.

If you spend more -- closer to what you would have spent on something new -- you can find extremely high quality used bikes.

[It helps to know what to look for and what to avoid, though. There are people here and on some of the other (sub-)forums (like Classic and Vintage) who can help if you need it.]

*****
[Sorry to hear you lost that bike; glad you're moving on....]

Exploring the Lake District is one good option.

Be careful if you go north. I lived in northern Chile for almost two years, it's the driest desert in the world. I lived in Antofagasta, Iquique, Calama, Copiapo, and briefly Arica. All I have to say is you better carry all the water you need and plenty of sun screen. In between cities up there there is absolutely nothing. Not a cactus, tumbleweed, just dirt and rocks. I hear southern Chile is gorgeous, some people love the desert north too. If you do go north be sure to check out San Pedro and the oasis that's more inland from there (forget the name at the moment).

Be careful if you go north. I lived in northern Chile for almost two years, it's the driest desert in the world. I lived in Antofagasta, Iquique, Calama, Copiapo, and briefly Arica. All I have to say is you better carry all the water you need and plenty of sun screen. In between cities up there there is absolutely nothing. Not a cactus, tumbleweed, just dirt and rocks. I hear southern Chile is gorgeous, some people love the desert north too. If you do go north be sure to check out San Pedro and the oasis that's more inland from there (forget the name at the moment).


I once drove from La Serena to La Silla on the Panamerican Highway and its a barren bit of the globe, not much traffic on the road either.

If you go up into the mountains in Chile you'll get onto gravel roads pretty quickly so you need an expedition type tourer, more mountain bike than road bike. Have you thought of contacting someone like Thorn and trying to get them to give you a Nomad. They are pricey, but with your previous expedition experience they might give you a good deal.

Brilliant, thank you all! there are some other really good threads on the site too that are helpful.

Hi Sarah, yeah, give Thorn a call, got a new model out - the Sterling (http://www.thorncycles.co.uk/ravensterling.html) It's basically a mountain bike good for touring (all the necessary brazeons) designed with disk brakes (or V's) and front suspension in mind. Another good option would b to conevrt an old steel MTB.

Hi

I cycled around Chile for 5 months a couple of years ago. Absolutely brilliant.

www.pedalpatagonia.co.uk for reports of the trip

The Careterra Austral from Puerto Montt to Villa O'Higgins is a good route and also around the Lakes Region

Enjoy.
I use a Thorn Raven Catalyst

george

Hi, I'm from Viña del Mar - Chile, and I've done some touring across my country. In my last trip (finished a couple of days ago) i cycled the region of "Los Lagos" and passed to Argentina through "Cardenal Samoré" pass. I must say it was a wonderfull trip, lots of amazings landscapes. (Lago Ranco, Rio Bueno, Entre Lagos, Puyehue, Paso Cardenal Samoré, Villa Angostura, Bariloche).

If you want to buy a new bike, Chile is pretty expensive (almost twice the price), so if you have the chance to buy it in USA o Europe dont miss it. If you must buy it here in Chile, there's a street in Santiago called San Diego, it is full with bikes stores.

If you are looking for a good trip in Chile (I know my country) you can look for the "Carretera Austral", its amazin how beautifull it can be.