Touring Bicycle Photos and Descriptions

Aussie Off-Road Tourer

From: Bicycle Fish (a great place to find bicycle links)

"Peter, This one may be of interest - "

Owner's description : a LWB, 26" wheel camping bike. "all terrain, all purposes, all weathers, day-and-night bike".

Objective :
- a bike for any & all road conditions ( wide tyres , tough rims)
- capable of heavy loads (eg self supported camping ),
- reliable & repairable
- comfortable & easy steering, good sight seeing position
- all-weather capable ( ie, fenders),
- ready to ride day or night ( dynamo lights)

Characteristics of the bike:
- easy steering ( LWB 1060 mm & low BB 265mm / 10.75 inch)
- stable handling over any ground , no shimmy on descents
- full pannier/heel clearance ( chain stays 452 mm)
- rear brakes forward of seat stays ( for pannier clearance)
- full front wheel/toe clearance ( note third bottle mounting)
- easy stand over clearance ( even more useful as one ages !)
- fender clearance for wide tyres ( 1.9 " Conti Town & Country)
- double eyelets for racks & fenders
- "safety" brazeon's at mid fork for front fender struts
- real fenders , with safety clips ( ESGE )
- ESGE light brackets
- Girvan Flex-Stem, leather saddle ( Brookes Conquest)
- low riders , plus platform front rack ( maximum space)
- hand painted in drab brown ( I like it, but believe thieves wouldn't )
- further information at my Bicycle for Backroads Australia

Great Bike Pic!

What it doesn't do :
- fast corners
- fast acceleration
- keeping up with racers

In hindsight I might have included :
- S & S couplings http://www.sandsmachine.com/
- reading Joshua Putnam's "Braze-on list"
http://www.wolfenet.com/~josh/brazing/brazeons.html
- Generator bracket on chain stay rather than a BB clamp - less stress on
paint, cleaner operation
- Plate/bracket for kickstand - less stress on paint etc.
- Engraved serial number in obvious position - car license # or Social
Security # for theft deterrence (or easier recovery if stolen)
- Pump bracket on chain stay
- Better painting job
- Reference to British made "Nomad" expedition bike

Tony Oliver's book "Touring Bikes" is very instructive.

Grace Newhaven
Adelaide
May 1998