Panniers

Panniers are a nightmare

Ortleib - Are completely waterproof but have no pockets

Arkel - Have lots of pockets but the outer is not fully waterproof but does have a waterproof inner.

Well I decided on having Ortleib on the front and Arkel on the back.

I already have the Ortleib panniers, they are good and if you do not want to get into or out of them too often then they are fine

I originally bought the Arkel XM-45s these are a mountain bike rugged pannier, direct from the shop in Canada, wow what service got to me in 4 days from purchase, as always something has to go wrong and unfortunately, I found a slight hole in one of the pockets (stitching problem I think) I got onto Arkel and they offered to exchange immediately, that would be too easy for me so I decided to upgrade to the GT-54s these are bigger and with more pockets (I love pockets, a place for everything and everything in its place). If they get here before Christmas I will be a happy man, I'm not holding my breath, but after the last 4 days delivery anything can happen.






There always has to be a slight complication and with these panniers it's going to be heel clearance. I set a template up on the side of the bike and see if the heel of you shoe clears the pannier when pedalling, it seemed OK. We'll find out what happens when they arrive. The problem will be that it will be too late to send them back as I have caused so much hassle at Arkel I will be embarrassed to send them back.






Watch this space.

The Mexican Super Killer

Like it's that easy to get a bike for a long trip.

I bought a specific touring bike from Condor cycles, but somehow didn't like it's feel that much the problem was I was trying to copy the feel of the old 1997 Kona Kilauea which I had done most of my previous touring on.

I crashed the Condor into a post in the middle of Richmond Park, caved in the front forks, all my fault I know. The first trip abroad I went on with the Condor the back wheel nearly buckled and I had to re true it in the middle of Greece, and I was well pissed off about that! A month or 2 after that someone pulled out in front of me and I went over his bonnet, caved in the front forks.......... again, luckily this was an insurance job and so, forks repaired and bike resprayed, it's now pristine. As you can see the Condor was just not working out for me, it's going on e bay in April or March.

So I stripped down the old Kona Kilauea, worked out what I wanted adding onto the frame and what colour paint job I wanted then sent it down to Argos Racing Cycles in Bristol. What a sweet job they did on it, there was a little confusion, but in the end the bike looked like a, like a............

Put all the bits on: Shimano XT external bearings bottom bracket and cranks, Shimano XT front derailleur, Shimano XTR back derailleur, Shimano Deore bar end shifters, Empella FrogLegs cantilever brakes, Brookes saddle, Original Kona seat post, Thompson stem, Nitto Moustache bars, Kashimax FiveGold top tube protector, Wheel Shimano XT Hubs Sapin spokes and DT Rims, (made to last by Harry Rowlands the master hoopster!)

My piece de resistance was a Chris King Titanium fit and forget head set. (why spend £60 pounds when you can save about 10 gms in weight and spend £230!). When this was sent to fit, it transpired that the head tube has worn and stretched slightly and the head set was loose in the tube, I was gutted!!! The solution has been found, finally, the bike is to be sent back to Argos and silver solder fills out the head tube, there may be some paint discolouring this can be able to be disguised (we hope) The headset should fit perfectly. Final update after Christmas.