Touring - The Wife Hands Me $5k and says go buy a bike. What to get?

23rd wedding anniversary.

Note that I'm a big guy, 6'2", >250, and I plan on doing the Northern Tier on this bike (in the past I've done the west coast, Blue Ridge Parkway, etc.) My LHT is aging, getting noiser, and shimmies at high speed.

I'd like disc, and I wouldn't mind S&S couplers. I know, this points me towards co-motion. Are their bikes relatively stiff, i.e. for a big guy?

So far, planning to check out rivendell, co-motion, seven, bruce gordon blt-x.

23rd wedding anniversary.

Note that I'm a big guy, 6'2", >250, and I plan on doing the Northern Tier on this bike (in the past I've done the west coast, Blue Ridge Parkway, etc.) My LHT is aging, getting noiser, and shimmies at high speed.

I'd like disc, and I wouldn't mind S&S couplers. I know, this points me towards co-motion. Are their bikes relatively stiff, i.e. for a big guy?

So far, planning to check out rivendell, co-motion, seven, bruce gordon blt-x.

Personally, I'd buy a Cannondale T2, replace all the parts with quality stuff that is chosen for it's ruggedness and/or it's ease of fixing on the road, and then spend the rest of the money (around $2000) on the best and lightest touring gear I could find.

Oh, wait. I've already done that;)


Frame Complete bike
Headset Red Chris King
Front Derailer Stock
Rear Derailer XTR
Front wheel Phil Wood/Mavic
Rear wheel Phil Wood/Mavic
Handle bar Salsa Bell lap
Seatpost Race Face
Saddle Brooks B17N
Crank Race Face Turbine
Bottom Bracket Race Face
Pedals Shimano 520
Cassette Sram
Brakes Pual brakes/moon unit
Stem Salsa Moto
Levers/shifter Shimano 105
Rack, rear Tubus Cargo
Rack, front Tubus Tara
Tape Cinelli/Fiz:k
red bits Purely Custom
Pump Topeak
Headset spacers stock
Computer mount Sigma
Bottle cages King cages

The only thing I'd like to change about my Cannondale is the crank. An XT mountain bike crank is dead simple to work on and install but the Raceface Turbine crank can take a 20 tooth inner ring so the low is nicer.

The Cannondale is a really good bike for those of us on the...um...larger side. The death wobble you are getting from your LHT is likely from a top tube that is too long and not stiff enough for the weight it is carrying.

Custom Rivendell!!!

Co-Motion Americano with couplers. This would be my dream machine. It's available with disc or without. Custom colors and hand built with love in Oregon.

Yep.. that's what I'd do. I don't have this problem(the 5K that is).

Your wife is awesome.
I've allways wanted a Bruce Gordon rock and road bike.

Wow, lucky guy!

My advice is pretty lame but here it goes.

I'm learning bikes are a very personal item. Besides, I tend to do things on a budget so I don't really know much about bikes over $1400.

I'd get a bunch of the smallest and lightest stuff I could find as mentioned above. Even then I'd have lots of money leftover!

What I'd look at for gear would be things such as the Thermo-a-Rest NeoAir matress, packs up very small and is about 415g. Sounds like a paper bag when you move though.

Get an expensive sleeping bag rated for whatever you require. The more expensive the bag the smaller it packs.

Then I'd go for an ultralight tent, one of the MSR Hubba Hubba HP's. Or similar / better for you.

I'd replace any clothing you might have been wanting to upgrade or exchange too. Stuff gets old and we tend to get used to it as it ages, new shorts, helmet, pants, gloves, shoes, etc. might just make your ride that much more enjoyable!

Check out cycling GPS units, perhaps one of those has been on your wish list and you've forgotten about it.

Replace any of those smallish items that you might think are on their last legs, or over the years have been improved upon to be lighter or better in a way you think is worth the upgrade. Small items add up as shopping list gets longer. I swear it's the small items that I always leave me looking at a reciept wondering where all the money went!

Maybe get an extra tire or two and some replacement parts so in a couple months if a tire blows you don't have to tell your wife that you spent another sum of money on a new one.

When you get your bike built get it with one of those fancy hubs that are also a generator (http://www.peterwhitecycles.com/schmidt.asp). I'd love one of these. Something to look at maybe.

Set aside another sum for trip emergencies if you think that's a good idea, might not be something you need to worry about though.

And finally, if it was my wife I'd have to spend some of it on her even though it was a gift! I bet she'd like another nice dinner or a weekend at a B&B!

Then with what's left, get the bike.

Good luck!

If I had this 5K problem, I'd splurge on this (http://www.co-motion.com/single_bikes/pangea.html) and have it with S+S couplers. For now, I will make do with my LHT.

I'm jealous ! Does your wife have a sister ? ;)

If you weigh more than 250 lbs, and have $5k to spend, and you like disk and S&S, then I would certainly point you in the direction of the Co-Motion Americano (that, or the 26" Pangea). It's like that bike was made for you. I recently got one myself (in exactly that configuration - S&S, disks), and it is a really awesome machine. The only thing to be aware of is the tire clearance - mine cannot take anything bigger than about 700x35. I tried a 700x40 Schwalbe Marathon XR, and it was ok everywhere except for between the chainstays down by the bottom bracket. This is not exactly a "problem" with the bike - I knew what I wanted (the strongest touring bike out there) and that's exactly what I got: The monster chainstays are part of what makes the bike what it is. I have to admit I was a little disappointed that I couldn't fit 40mm; but if you're ok with the max tire being about a 35mm, then this is definitely the bike for you. If you do want bigger tires then you can talk to Dwan Shepard - I believe they can tweak things to make slightly larger clearance if you let them know beforehand, but there are always compromises when you do that. Dwan can fill you in on what they can do there.

After realizing I couldn't fit anything bigger than 700x35, I got a little depressed and was going to sell the Americano to free up the cash so I could purchase a Rocky Mountain Sherpa that I found in my local bike shop in my size. That too is an awesome bike - not quite as stiff as the Americano, but no problems with shimmy (I did a loaded test ride) and it's pretty much a 29er with stacks of tire clearance (up to 700x50). I find that I really like big tires for smoothing out the rougher roads and trails. However, I eventually decided to keep the Americano after all and just eat the debt that will arise from having both - it's just too nice a bike, and it was custom built for me. And now (even though the credit card bill looks more and more scary) I'm glad I decided to keep it. There is nothing whatsoever wrong with that bike, and 700x35 should be plenty enough for a road tourer, really. I'll maybe use the Sherpa for rougher stuff and keep the Americano for the road trips like the one you're planning.

By the way, if you do get it, then the "Champagne" color is really nice. Also, go for the Tubus Nova on the front, and the Tubus Cosmo on the rear. I initially had a Tubus Tara on the front, and found there were issues with fitting it which meant you had to take off the quick release skewer in order to remove the wheel. But just yesterday I got a Tubus Nova from Wiggle in the UK, and it fits PERFECTLY, no problem at all, and the top rail is also completely level. I am thrilled. The Nova seems to have a couple more options than the Tara in terms of how you fit the top bar (two possible holes you can attach it to on the hoop). Also, the silver color of the stainless steel on that and the Cosmo goes with the champagne color really nicely. The Cosmo is, I think, an even better rack than the venerable Cargo. It's stainless, so will never rust. And there are two rails for mounting the panniers - the top rail, and one slightly lower down. You can use either, because they are vertically in line. Also, the top platform is larger than the Cargo. More expensive, but very, very nice racks.

Oh, and incidentally, I'm finding that the Nova seems to be much more compatible with the rotating cam-lock mounting system on my Arkel GT18 panniers.

Here are some pics of my bike, from back when I first got it with the original Tara and Cargo racks. I haven't taken pics of the Nova and Cosmo yet, but I can certainly try to do that if anybody's interested.

http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/forum/board/message/?thread_id=145357&page=3&nested=0#152781

I'd highly recommend the Americano - if you want to know more about Co-Motion, I wrote an article about my visit to their factory:

http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/co-motion-visit

I should note that Co-Motion gave me a "pro-deal" discount on my bike in return for an ad on crazyguyonabike. However I can assure you that I don't shill for anybody, the good things I say about them are honest opinions, freely given. I still had to pay a few thousand for my bike, so I put my money where my mouth is, and I'm happy I went with Co-Motion. They really know their stuff when it comes to building bikes - take a look at the factory tour article to get an idea of their operation, it's quite impressive. At some point I'll be getting a Pangea from them too (the 26" version of the Americano), but my bank account will be on life support for the foreseeable future, so that'll have to wait.

Neil

Congrats. All of my purchases are made on a rather open budget model. This doesn't need to change the focus. At least it doesn't do so for me. In any case, on top of what's been mentioned I'd at least add Thorn to what you are considering. The Rocky Mountain Sherpa is a fantastic frameset as well that handles big loads and keeps everything tight enough that I can hop out of the saddle at any time and not feel like I'm riding a noodle.

That's a lot of scratch for a touring bike. Post some pictures when you make your decision!

tout terrain silkroad, set up with drop bars.

Would be terribly hard to go wrong with a custom Co-Motion Americano. I have a custom Nor'wester Tour from them. I find it plenty stiff, but I only weigh 155.

If I had this 5K problem, I'd splurge on this (http://www.co-motion.com/single_bikes/pangea.html) and have it with S+S couplers. For now, I will make do with my LHT.

Yep, this is the one I keep coming back to, so far.

If you weigh more than 250 lbs, and have $5k to spend, and you like disk and S&S, then I would certainly point you in the direction of the Co-Motion Americano (that, or the 26" Pangea). It's like that bike was made for you. I recently got one myself (in exactly that configuration - S&S, disks), and it is a really awesome machine. The only thing to be aware of is the tire clearance - mine cannot take anything bigger than about 700x35. I tried a 700x40 Schwalbe Marathon XR, and it was ok everywhere except for between the chainstays down by the bottom bracket. This is not exactly a "problem" with the bike -

This would definitely be a problem; I usually tour on 42-45 on the back. However, the Pangea comes stock w/ 2.1" tires (equiv of 52 cm), and probably would be a bit tougher than the americano, so that's the direction I'm leaning.

This would definitely be a problem; I usually tour on 42-45 on the back. However, the Pangea comes stock w/ 2.1" tires (equiv of 52 cm), and probably would be a bit tougher than the americano, so that's the direction I'm leaning.


First of all , lots of builders can install S&S couplers, don't let that worry you. That said, since you want the option of wide tires, I'd lean towards a Rivendell Bombadil, Hunqapillar or Atlantis and specify them installed. Yes, they do this, they just don't advertise it. The frames fit different, the Bombadil and Hunq with a longer TT. All can take up to 2.3" tires in 700c, I can't see you riding 26" on a large bike. I don't know of any other such frames that can take wide 700c tires that's not a 29er. Salsa's a 29er w/discs, and I would never ride a straight blade fork. These take rim brakes only, if that matters.

Riv also has a superbe wheelbuilder. The only thing else to say is get longer cranks, you likely need at least 180mm. DaVinci, TA Carmina/Vega to name a few triples.

None of these will be wippy, trust me. These are no LHT!

my 2 sense ....

23rd wedding anniversary.
I'd like disc, and I wouldn't mind S&S couplers. I know, this points me towards co-motion. Are their bikes relatively stiff, i.e. for a big guy?

I don't qualify as "big" or "guy", but I rode my Norwester last summer and over-packed her. Me (124 lbs) and the bike and gear (106 lbs) -- I learned to live without stuff and dropped the bike weight, but will say that it was a good ride, even though that model is considered a light tourer. I stopped by CoMotion to say Hi and check out the new stuff during my journey and LOVED the look of their new Pangea. If I had to replace my bike (and had the money) that's what I'd buy. If at all possible, ride one -- and load it up to test it out.

Couplers are fabulous; you can have them added to other bikes. And if you fly with Southwest Airlines, the bike in the box ranks as "standard luggage" -- SWAir bags fly free -- money saved is money earned so worth considering if you plan to fly with your bike.

Here are some pics of my bike, from back when I first got it with the original Tara and Cargo racks. I haven't taken pics of the Nova and Cosmo yet, but I can certainly try to do that if anybody's interested.
Neil

Neil, I'd love to see pics with your new racks; I'm in same situ... thanks.

This would definitely be a problem; I usually tour on 42-45 on the back. However, the Pangea comes stock w/ 2.1" tires (equiv of 52 cm), and probably would be a bit tougher than the americano, so that's the direction I'm leaning.

Yup, that would make sense. I have to admit that if I had been aware of the tire clearance issue before I got the Americano, then that probably would have been enough to tilt me toward the Pangea. No toe overlap, and the 26" wheels will also be stronger than 700C, all other things being equal (though perhaps a little slower on the road - but that's a whole other debate). Bigger tires are nice - they add the capability of going on rougher trails without so much risk of trashing your rims, and also add a suspension effect on rough roads (and, in my experience, the best roads for touring are the back roads, and the back roads are rarely well maintained).

All that being true, I'm still seduced by my Americano. It's a fine, fine bike.

Good luck, let us know what you decide on...

Neil

So, now that you have your bike sorted out - what did you get her ??

Which one?

This one:


151127


151126


151128


151129

Neil, I'd love to see pics with your new racks; I'm in same situ... thanks.

Ok, here you go (scroll down a bit past the text for the pics):

http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/forum/board/message/?thread_id=145357&page=5&nested=0#167916

Neil

really take a look at bilenky too. Amazing builder. how custom do you want ;)

http://www.bilenky.com/black_dlx_midlands.html

cool tandem/solo bike:

http://www.bilenky.com/black_conv._tandem.html

There are a lot of great custom builders and Bilenky is certainly one of them. That's one shop that can and will do anything for you.
Here's one example: http://www.pbase.com/canyonlands/image/116834822/original


http://www.bilenky.com/Home.html

You have a good woman there... if I had 5k to spend on a bike I'd be looking to having one of these built for me.

Because I work with the builder I get a really good deal and one should always shop locally whenever possible.

http://ravingbikefiend.com/bikepics/arvonworldtourist1.JPG

Ok, here you go (scroll down a bit past the text for the pics):
http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/forum/board/message/?thread_id=145357&page=5&nested=0#167916
Neil

Thanks Neil!

I'd like disc, and I wouldn't mind S&S couplers. I know, this points me towards co-motion. Are their bikes relatively stiff, i.e. for a big guy?

You should definitely talk to Co-Motion. They used to make a model called the Mazama, specifically designed for bigger riders. As I recall, it was like the Americano, but with even *beefier* tubing. Last time I looked there were still some old web pages around with info on the Mazama (here it is: http://www.co-motion.com/single_bikes/mazama.html )

I am going to guess that they will say they dropped the Mazama because the Americano and Pangea (which was introduced in 2009) are plenty rugged.

If my wife gave me 5,000.00 and said go buy a bike so I could tour I would ask who who she was seeing.

You have a good woman there... if I had 5k to spend on a bike I'd be looking to having one of these built for me.

Because I work with the builder I get a really good deal and one should always shop locally whenever possible.

http://ravingbikefiend.com/bikepics/arvonworldtourist1.JPG

that is incredible.

Quester, seems to me is one is going for the ultimate touring bike with a dishless rear wheel it should have the capability of carrying the fattest tires possible in that rim size for riding on rough roads, it's not like it'll ride differently if the fork blades or seat stays and chainstays were wider apart than needed for 32mm tires.

I vote for a Rivendel or Bruce Gordon , Rohloff, generator hub, dyno charger and disk brakes :) :)
The Avron looks great too.

that is incredible.

Quester, seems to me is one is going for the ultimate touring bike with a dishless rear wheel it should have the capability of carrying the fattest tires possible in that rim size for riding on rough roads, it's not like it'll ride differently is the fork blades or seat stays and chainstays were wider apart than needed for 32mm tires.

It is a fairly awesome bike and it is is much lighter and faster than you would think...

This bike has hand built 48 spoke wheels on custom built hubs... the rear is a 160mm dishless custom rear hub that runs 4 cartridge bearings and can be fitted with an 8 speed (screw on) drive on each side of the rear hub. Reasoning for this is that one could run a backup or a second cluster with different gearing so one could run an alpine setup on one side and a road set up on the other.

23rd wedding anniversary.

Note that I'm a big guy, 6'2", >250, and I plan on doing the Northern Tier on this bike (in the past I've done the west coast, Blue Ridge Parkway, etc.) My LHT is aging, getting noiser, and shimmies at high speed.

I'd like disc, and I wouldn't mind S&S couplers. I know, this points me towards co-motion. Are their bikes relatively stiff, i.e. for a big guy?

So far, planning to check out rivendell, co-motion, seven, bruce gordon blt-x.

In 2006 I had a expedition grade tourer built by Arvon Stacey. It is incredibly strong and totally custom with S&S and custom racks. Nice powder coat too. Less expensive than any USA built bike as he runs a 1-man shop. He gets excellent parts and does NOT skimp on quality.

Arvon has no web page. Contact him at arvon1@telusplanet.net or by telephone at 780 662 2842.

There was a recent BF thread on Arvon.

My bike went thru a fair bit of outback Australia and stood that test well. My bike is slightly different than sixty-fiver's and has 48 spoke 26" wheels - yes the back is not dished either, which makes it stronger. Those hubs are PW. Rims are Sun Rhyno-Lite. Schwalbe Marathon tires, yadda, etc..

Get a Brooks saddle and break it in ;-) Keep it simple. Use bar-end shifters as they won't go wrong in the middle of no-where life brifters occasionally do..

PM me if necessary..

http://www.ransbikes.com/StratusXPAL10.htm
http://easyracer.com/foldrush.html
http://www.bacchettabikes.com/bikes/touring-commuting-bikes/bella-att

http://www.adventurecycling.org/features/howto.cfm
http://easyracer.com/foldrush.html
http://www.bacchettabikes.com/bikes/touring-commuting-bikes/bella-att

Blasphemy!

Hmmmm. I was looking for some views on the dishless rear wheel on the Co-Motions. Is this as big an advantage as it seems like it would be? (Coming from one who has had issues with broken drive-side spokes.) Are there disadvantages?

Hmmmm. I was looking for some views on the dishless rear wheel on the Co-Motions. Is this as big an advantage as it seems like it would be? (Coming from one who has had issues with broken drive-side spokes.) Are there disadvantages?


Broken spokes have more to do with the quality of the wheel build than the amount of dish.

I'm jealous ! Does your wife have a sister ? ;)
Or a brother?

Blasphemy!
How is purchasing an awesome touring bike that does not give you butt, neck, or wrist pain and allows you to ride facing forward, rather than downward blasphemy???

My wife gave me $5k to go buy a bike one time... then my alarm clock went off. :innocent:

It is a fairly awesome bike and it is is much lighter and faster than you would think...

This bike has hand built 48 spoke wheels on custom built hubs... the rear is a 160mm dishless custom rear hub that runs 4 cartridge bearings and can be fitted with an 8 speed (screw on) drive on each side of the rear hub. Reasoning for this is that one could run a backup or a second cluster with different gearing so one could run an alpine setup on one side and a road set up on the other.

dual clusters? ok that's silly. I love the frame and rear rack. I wonder how rigid the front end is. My Kona Ute is mondo solid in the rear end but for some reason there's too much flexing in the front end, wondering if it's the K2 fork.

Hmmmm. I was looking for some views on the dishless rear wheel on the Co-Motions. Is this as big an advantage as it seems like it would be? (Coming from one who has had issues with broken drive-side spokes.) Are there disadvantages?

As I understand it, the advantage is that when you have a dishless wheel, the load and work is spread out evenly over all the spokes, whereas on a dished wheel most load is taken by the drive side. Drive side spokes is where most breakages happen, at least according to this (very unscientific) poll:

http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/forum/poll/?poll_id=44

So for a non-dished wheel, you have twice the number of spokes doing the same work, and thus fewer breakages. At least, that's the theory... in reality, the quality of the build, the wheel being properly stress relieved, and quality of hub and rim probably makes the most difference. But I'm sure having even tension on all the spokes probably can't hurt.

The disadvantage of the non-dished rear wheel, at least on the Americano, might be that it's a tandem hub (145mm) and so perhaps harder to find a replacement if you need one on the road. On the other hand, this should be offset by the wheel being stronger in general. Also, the hubs on the Americano use cartridge bearings, which means you just replace the cartridge when those bearings wear out. There is no chance of the hub's bearing race being damaged by grit intrusion, as there is with a cup-and-cone type hub. So there really isn't that much to go wrong with the hub itself except for broken flanges, which is pretty unusual on quality hubs.

Rim damage is always a potential issue, what with the limit on tire size being about 35mm on the Americano. For example, this guy went from Alaska to Argentina on an Americano, and he had several wheel problems. See this page, about 2/3 of the way down:

http://www.ribbonofroad.com/journal.html

"Rear Rim - Cracked the first time in British Columbia, replaced in Seattle, cracked again in Mexico, replaced in Guatemala. Cracked again in the Bolivian desert, replaced in Argentina. Current status of rim 4 - cracked on the Carretera Austral in Chile, glued and duct-taped together. Keepin´ my fingers crossed! Thank you Co-Motion Cycles for sending replacements!"

So it sounds like he at least got good support from Co-Motion on the road. I don't know why he saw so many rim failures, but I know that if I were doing something like Alaska-Argentina, then I'd certainly want a 26" wheeled bike like the Co-Motion Pangea rather than the 700C Americano (I don't think the Pangea existed when he started his tour). But for most road touring in the USA, Europe etc I would say the Americano can probably take whatever you want to do with it. The Americano is made for carrying heavy loads on the open road - the 700C wheels will eat up the miles much more easily than 26" wheels (at least in theory - I know some think that the wheel size doesn't matter, but most might agree that in general, 700C bikes are better for road riding than 26"). Horses for courses, as always.

Neil

Ever seen a Waterford Adventure Cycle? Makes the LHT look like a limp dishrag.

You might also consider 650b.

There are a ton of good builders out there. Take some time and talk to some custom guys.
Make sure you use FrameSaver, modern steels are thin.

Personally, I wouldn't go for discs.

There is one custom option that isn't all that expensive, something I have considered.
Habanero www.habcycles.com does custom Ti bikes from China at very low prices.
So does Bikeman, but I haven't seen any yet.

One last thing, I personally feel some touring bikes are just too short, mostly the chainstays.
Pay close to attention to the geometry.

Rohloff.

Dude, you have five grand. Get a rohloff... seriously, you'll never regret it. Buy it tax free from starbike.com (germany) and throw in a SON dynohub for good measure. THe euro is relatively weak right now, and shipping is cheap from that supplier. I can vouch for them-pm me if you want any details of my multiple orders...

that Arvon is kinda cool, but a custom 160mm hub? Why would you ever want something that proprietary? And dual freewheels? Freewheels?!?! Also, Ive personally never needed that much trunk space while touring... Now, if I were looking for a combo cargo bike and touring bike, and lived without a car, it might be another story, but I would definitely have it spec'ed for a tandem cassette hub.

Once again, Id say look at the tout terrain silkroad built around drop-bars. After seeing one in the flesh, I am convinced that the integrated rear rack is absolutelty brilliant. Its so much more stout than any bolt on rack will ever be, and the rest of the design is... Very German. Ie, hyper-functional and efficient. I know its not "custom", but its design incorporates all the things I would look for in a custom and more. That said, I love 26 inch wheels.

Something very, very, VERY nice for your wife. You, sir, are a lucky man.

Rim damage is always a potential issue, what with the limit on tire size being about 35mm on the Americano. For example, this guy went from Alaska to Argentina on an Americano, and he had several wheel problems. See this page, about 2/3 of the way down:

http://www.ribbonofroad.com/journal.html

"Rear Rim - Cracked the first time in British Columbia, replaced in Seattle, cracked again in Mexico, replaced in Guatemala. Cracked again in the Bolivian desert, replaced in Argentina. Current status of rim 4 - cracked on the Carretera Austral in Chile, glued and duct-taped together. Keepin´ my fingers crossed! Thank you Co-Motion Cycles for sending replacements!"



Neil


From his specs, his says he carried 70 lbs. of gear loaded. I don't know what he weighs , but he appears to weigh at least 150 lbs. With 250+ lbs. total on 35mm tires and uneven roads, no wonder he broke so many rims. For what it's worth, I read a fair amount of Dyad rims cracking... more than any other rim. We also don't know if Co-motion just sent rims(and how well were they rebuilt?), or complete wheels(how well built?). That's just a whole lot of broken rims!


As far as this thread goes, anyone else notice almost every 700c bike suggested cannot take a tire larger than a 38, except the Rivendell. I ride 35mm tires on my everyday bike, and couldn't imagine riding with 70 lbs. of gear on rough roads with them..... but that's just me.

In 2006 I had a expedition grade tourer built by Arvon Stacey. It is incredibly strong and totally custom with S&S and custom racks. Nice powder coat too. Less expensive than any USA built bike as he runs a 1-man shop. He gets excellent parts and does NOT skimp on quality.

Arvon has no web page. Contact him at arvon1@telusplanet.net or by telephone at 780 662 2842.

There was a recent BF thread on Arvon.

My bike went thru a fair bit of outback Australia and stood that test well. My bike is slightly different than sixty-fiver's and has 48 spoke 26" wheels - yes the back is not dished either, which makes it stronger. Those hubs are PW. Rims are Sun Rhyno-Lite. Schwalbe Marathon tires, yadda, etc..

Get a Brooks saddle and break it in ;-) Keep it simple. Use bar-end shifters as they won't go wrong in the middle of no-where life brifters occasionally do..

PM me if necessary..

He does build an incredibly nice bike and they are rock solid from end to end... he builds a lot of bikes with 26 inch wheels as well as many tourers and tandem riders prefer these to 700c wheels. You can build a wheel that is just as strong with less spoke when you go 26.

His hubs are beautiful... I run a set on my vintage racing bike and have a set of touring hubs to build up which are basic with a single drive and 36 spoke drillings... and triple cartridge bearings.

For what it's worth, I read a fair amount of Dyad rims cracking... more than any other rim. We also don't know if Co-motion just sent rims(and how well were they rebuilt?), or complete wheels(how well built?). That's just a whole lot of broken rims!

I can't help but think there is at least some correlation between rim weight and long term durability given the same materials. In 700c the Dyad is 480grams, that is not a heavy rim considering racing rims are often that weight, Mavic 719 are 570grams and Alex Adventurer are 620grams. For rim brakes a thick braking surface makes sense and for rims that carry high pressure and wide tires I wonder if the hollow section is up to the task compared to heavier rims with internal ribbing.

As far as this thread goes, anyone else notice almost every 700c bike suggested cannot take a tire larger than a 38, except the Rivendell.

The Rocky Mountain Sherpa can take 700x50:

http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/forum/board/message/?thread_id=158775&page=4&nested=0#164045

Was just looking at the thorns. It appears to me that a thorn nomad MK2 (w/ S&S and rohloff!) looks to start around 2300 lbs, or less than $3500. Rohloff would be awesome.

Can anyone comment on relative toughness of the Co-Motion Pangea vs the MK2?

Thanks,
pete

The Rocky Mountain Sherpa can take 700x50:

http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/forum/board/message/?thread_id=158775&page=4&nested=0#164045

Yes it does. What stands out to me is the 73.5 degree seat tube angle on the largest size. If this bike is intended for tall riders, this is very steep... steeper than a racing bike. A tall rider may not be able to get the bars high enough on the 59cm. It doesn't look like fenders would fit on the wide tires.

I'm just trying to point to the details, as this is where the truth lies. I've seen countless people buy frames and bikes that don't fit properly(including myself), or not getting exactly what they want. It's not easy !!