Originally Posted by
gauvins
Curious about how you crossed the Darien Gap. (boat from where to where?)
WRT drivetrain, matter of perspective I guess. Your experience is not unusual (going through a complete drivetrain in less than 10K miles). In my mind, carrying a second chain (which in my case is expected to deliver... probably up to 15K miles) is preferable to hunting for parts. But I can perfectly understand that other people do prefer otherwise.
Does this say you are carrying a second chain for 15,000 miles? (fifteen thousand.)
Why is it better to change cassette, chainrings, derailleur, and chain all in one day? Why is it
not better to change the chain based on the amount of wear, and keep the same cassette and chainrings in good shape? Why not do maintenance? On a touring bike, should not things work properly? Do you wait for a cable to break before you change it? Are the teeth on your derailleur pulleys pointed? Do your brake levers need to be pushed back out manually? Because you do not oil and grease the cable once in a while, or change the housing as needed? Do you know how to fix a flat tire? Can you change your own brake pads?
Why not volunter at a bicycle coop, and learn to fix your bicycle al by yourself?
https://www.bikecollectives.org/wiki...ations#Florida
Or take repair classes at a shop somewhere?
Chains do not last 15,000 miles, they might last 1,500 miles, maybe.
If you fail to maintain your equiptment, your equiptment will fail you.
Do not ride across the Darien Gap go around some how.