Bike Preps For My Spring Trip
This is a look at some of the things I am doing or adding to my bike to make my trip easier and more fun.
My bike came with these slick tread street tires:
I had a hard time with traction on the rails to trails bike paths using these tires so I swapped them out for a more general purpose tire tread:
I added some extra protection from punctures and such by installing a thick tire guard between the tire and inner tube. This should greatly increase the life of my inner tubes:
Here is a look at my two bike cameras and my Magellan bicycle GPS. One camera goes on handle bars and the other on my bike trailer. My GPS is programmed with my bike routes for the entire trip. The cameras are a ION Air Pro and a Vivitar sport cam.
It is always a possibility that my bike may need to be worked on along the way. So I have gathered a select tool set and some spare parts. These items I feel will be needed to make repairs or adjustments well enough to get me to the nearest bike shop if needed:
I am taking spare brake and gear cables. A set of brake pads. Tire flat kit containing patches, tire levers, CO2 pump, and regular pump. I have a multi-tool, spoke wrench, and Allen wrench set also. Some chain lube to keep the rust out along with a spare replacement chain link and a dirt brush for chain/gears. Finally two spare washers for my trailer attachment.
My bike came with a free bottle of touch up paint specifically for my bike. This will be great if I get any deep scratches that might rust without it.
I like wearing gloves while biking so these will come along too:
And finally a bike computer to keep track of my mileage and speed etc… These are simple to install but I will have the bike shop install it before I leave when they do their full pre-trip inspection:
Only a month and a half to go before I leave. I still have to select my camping gear and establish a packing plan. I have a set of paper maps that correspond to my GPS maps that I will show in another blog. So keep your eyes out for more to come 🙂
Well, i am a bicycle lover
I have my own bicycle and i am loving it
I just came across your blog posts and they are awesome.
Keep it up
Upvoted and following
thanks glad you like them. cant wait for my epic ride.
You should think of taking a spare inner tube with you in cases you cannot fix it with patches anymore. If you have the space.
I would prefer it over the CO2 pump.
Have a nice trip!
the pump would be required either way. but yes i will be taking a spare inner tube for each wheel.
What do you need the co2 pump for?
I never got the point in them (if you are not going for a race)
i have parkinson disease and i have trouble doing things. im also 10% paralyzed on my left side. so the co2 pump helps a lot. im trying to get this bike ride knocked out before im permanently in a wheel chair with no motor control of my body.
Oh wow. Sorry to hear that.
I hope I didn’t offend you.
I was just wondering if the pump could do smth special like somehow fixing a little hole.
One time i used tube repair foam (bad idea) and it totally destroyed the ... vent? (The thing where the air goes in).
im not offended :)
i learned a long time ago not to use foam or that slime gel stuff. it just destroys things over time.
the co2 pump just rapidly inflates the tire for you but does nothing else.
I used a slime filled (at the factory) tube to repair a puncture proof kevlar reinforced tyre on my mountain bike, back when I was still capable. Fucking tyre cost about 40 quid, 20 years ago. Not a happy bunny. :o(
The tube was still in there when I sold the bike, a couple of years later, and I never got another puncture on that wheel.
Sample size of one. Your mileage may vary. ;o)
ive tried the slime stuff before years ago. it was a big mess. i also save my used inner tubes to make things with which the slime prevents me from doing. the kevlar strips are great and ive never gotten a flat with them so far.