Our first tour - Spain 2013 - Bike question
 

Hi everyone,

this is my first post here as I tend to become more active and learn something from you. I've been riding bike to commute but my gf and I came to idea to cycle around this summer. Current plan is to start in Barcelona and then Lleida - Zaragoza- Pamplona - El Camino - Santiago de Compostela. I am working on route map and I can send it if anyone is interested.

Question is, I have Norco Kokanee bicycle and I wonder is this bike capable of doing this tour (and maybe some more). I don't plan to downhill but not all roads are paved, right.

This is the bike:
http://www.bikepedia.com/QuickBike/B...anee&Type=bike

I have some problems with back tyre and back wheel (it just falls out sometimes) I need to fix that asap. But with this equipment in general, is it smart to go or some additional work must be done?

Thanks

Being a Mountain bike , It should be a place to start.. likely don't need the sispension fork.
a suspension corrected rigid fork will simplify things.

If you are not already in Europe, consider how the packing in a box will be done, efficiently..

My first disc brake bike has a centerlock hub so the disc can be removed easily,
to pack separately when front wheel is off, so not be bent in transit.

regular stuff , racks , tire choice, grips for comfort, [I like Trekking Bars for MTB to Tour conversions].
Definately, overhauling the drivetrain, so as to not fail on you in the remote places.

Do you have a Bike Shop to call on, there? seek their help , In person works so much better than text, here.

Plenty of people in Europe (most of them!) tour on std midrange hybrid and MTB bikes like yours.
The suspension forks are a fairly simple, reliable kind, although a tad heavy. They will be OK.
Check that you are using a quick-release skewer correctly, it is a cam, not a bolt.

You may want to change the tyres so a general purpose semi-slick with good puncture protection.
Start with new brake blocks because getting the correct replacements for lesser known ones can be a PITA.
You will need a rear luggage rack compatible with your disc brake. Pick it with care, there are lots of racks that don't work well. I assume the bike has rack eyelets (?)
You may want some alt hand positions so fit bar-ends or small clip-on aerobars.

Sounds like a good ride. I walked to Santiago de Compostella from Burgos two years ago and it was a very refreshing experience. Buen Camino

Thank you for your responses.

I think I outweighted my rear skewer and skew seems damaged as I can't install it now. This is a minor problem now, but I don't like to rely on such stupid and breakable part.

We are from Croatia,Europe so we don't have to go overseas but thinking about riding to Milan from Venice and than taking flight to Barcelona. Although, I am a bit scared of flying with bike, never done it before and people said that Easyjet damaged their bikes many times. Generaly, I should be careful about discs and rear derailleur while packing it?

I am not sure about rack eyelets, it is good you've mentioned it, i will check that today. I thought that every bike has that. I am planning to take rear rack of 40kg capacity and three back panniers next week. Yes, extra bars are a must have.

Tires must be changed, obviously. I've had many problems with original ones. What are the best tire brands?

Suspensions on this bike are working fine (I have this bike for 14 months), guess they will be ok although I see that people avoid suspensions on touring bikes.

@yellowsirocco: thanks, I hope it'll be great for us, too

Buying a new rear skewer should be no problem.

I think you could take a train to Barcelona. Things are simpler with packing bikes to train, but it might be more expensive. It depends.

Don't put too much on the rear rack. Most have capacity about 25kg, but consider that the rear wheel must carry it all and your self as well, and with too much weight on the back, the bike will handle strange.

Good touring tires are Schwalbe Marathon. The basic GreenGuard version can be bought for ~19EUR. They are puncture proof and the tread lasts for a few thousand km.

goran, Just make sure that the bikes are in good condition and you have racks that'll work on them before you start the tour. Handlebar bags are good to store the most accessed items and valuables and will remove a little weight from the rear tire. If you opt to not use trekking handlebars at least install some bar ends.

In general a front suspension isn't needed nor wanted on a tourer, but I've used my mountain bike with front suspension without any complaints.

Brad

Thank you for responses. I've decided to give it a try with MTBs. Back rack is installed, cyclocomputer and lights too. I am ordering a touring handlebar to test it in training rides.

I did a little mess of my bike while trying to raise a handlebar for few inches. Since I am 1.95cm I am worried about back pain. Anyone has experience with raising your default handlebars on MTB? I don't need much of aerodynamic, comfort is my guide here :)

Say what!?!?

It was a stupid issue that one lazy mechanic caused. That stick (don't know the name) which holds the wheel was too short. It was for the front wheel and not the back one. I learned something by the way so....:)