How to Make Your Own Touring Bike from an Old MTB!
Вставка
- Опубліковано 23 вер 2023
- I will show you how I upgraded a retro MTB to a very capable Touring Bike using second hand parts!
▶ Support the Channel
• Feel free to check out | Patreon: / wheelstowander
• A small gesture goes a long way | Paypal: www.paypal.me/wheelstowander
Resources for bike repair & maintenance:
@RJTheBikeGuy
@gcntech
CAMPING & OUTDOOR
☕️ Easy & Tasty Coffee: geni.us/GgbNF (Amazon)
💧 The Perfect Water Filter: geni.us/FXi2 (Amazon)
😴 Ultimate Outdoor Mattress: geni.us/jSh7J (Amazon)
👍🏼 Must Have Neckwear: geni.us/ljD7z0j (Amazon)
🐾 All Around Slippers: geni.us/8J7v (Amazon)
☔️ Ventilating Rain Jacket: geni.us/t1Ie2q (Amazon)
🎒 Light Travel Backpack: geni.us/JIde8 (Amazon)
BICYCLE GEAR
🤜 The Perfect Grips: geni.us/aPKD8F (Amazon)
🍼 Ideal Water Bottle: geni.us/PliS56 (Amazon)
📱 Top Phone Holder: geni.us/MCwtek (Amazon)
🚲 Best Comfort Upgrade: geni.us/EUvIFiJ (Amazon)
CAMERA GEAR
📷 Powerful Camera: geni.us/4AeBn (Amazon)
👁 Kick Ass Travel Lens: geni.us/ol4yi (Amazon)
🚁 Pro Mini Drone: geni.us/QAcOrS6 (Amazon)
👌🏼 360° Action Cam: geni.us/nSnmLI (Amazon)
▶ Music
🔊 Epidemic Sound: share.epidemicsound.com/kuofw1
▶ Social Media
• Website: wheelstowander.com
• Instagram: / wheels.to.wander
• Facebook: / wheelstowander
P.s. Some links in the description are affiliate links. If you click on one of the product links, we’ll receive a commission at no additional cost to you. As Amazon Associates we earn a small commission from qualifying purchases.
![LKLM 318 Touring Bike Review [4K]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/zIrd5Onh8dk/mqdefault.jpg)
![LKLM 318 Touring Bike Review [4K]](/img/tr.png)
1990s MTBs are the best touring bikes going. Easy to field repair and the 26” wheel has no toe overlap, even with fenders on a small frame. That is important when you are weaving up a 30% fire road with 25kilos of gear and water. They are cheap, rugged (as in overbuilt) have eyelets and will serve you well. It is a shame the bike industry is trying to phase out the 559 wheel size. It is a wonderfully versatile standard.
26inch is excellent platform getting moving from a standstill is easier but keeping speed a 29inch will always keep speed better and go faster also 29inch will need less trueing over time. 26inch is a nice ride though so yeah definitely personal preference
@@morningbear3794 For the smaller frames, even the 27.5” have a bit too much toe overlap. My wife always struggled finding performance frames when the standard was 700c. She was overjoyed when a wide range of tires came out for 26”. She even raced criteriums on a light weight mtb frame converted to drop bars with Tom Ritchey slicks. So I’m disappointed that the tire selections for 26” are fading. The overlap issue is not always a problem except when going very slowly with loaded bikepacking gear. That’s when I find that little front wheel is much easier to control. So it is with a heavy heart I see the demise of the 559, my favorite wheel size ever.
Nice touring bike build. It's always good to get tips from such experienced people, and that you also do not push for the latest & "greatest" components. These older 26" MTB's with Shimano's 2/3x drivetrains are found the world over, and as such, replacement parts should be easier to find outside of the US & EU compared to 27.5" or 29" parts.
Thanks Joey! They are simple and so well rounded. New things are great but it’s not necessary to be able to enjoy being out and about. Btw, we see 29” &. 27,5 becoming more normal outside the western countries! Still best bet is 26 👌🏼
Great video Eric.I'd add that this is not just good advice for building a touring bike, but equally applicable for anyone wanting a solid and reliable utility bike. I love that you focus on the approach to a bike build rather than the 'kit'
Thank you Colin! I believe there is great value in being able to do things for yourself. Best wishes!
This channel is pure gold, each and every video is filled with great life experiences, lot of learnings for the viewers. There's not a single video that i haven't watched.
E&M, you guys are my favorites ❤
Thanks so much Prakash 🙏🏼 That is just wonderful to hear 😊 Best wishes from us 🍀
That was a great and helpful video, and very refreshing to see practical use of second hand items and not follow trend and fashion. We need more of this sort of thing for ordinary you tube viewers. Thank you...
Thanks Eric! Happy you like this style of video. Best wishes
Another excellent video Eric. I love that you built a budget version and then proved the concept by touring it for years!!! Thanks to you and Maudi for the inspiration and the joy. See you on the road sometime. Michael from Ireland
Hi Micheal! Thanks 😊 There is something special about being able to do simple things that get you far. We hope or paths cross some day! Best wishes, E&M
Great little video Eric. I hope I has the desired effect and encouragement for cycle touring curios people and shows them how easy it can be.😊
Thank you Robert! That would be great, routing should be available to everybody I believe. Wishing you all the best!!
Very helpful and constructive. With your vast experience, when you say it, I believe it. I love my 1999 Giant Sedona with aluminum frame and 3x7 drivetrain. All the best.
Thanks you! Great to hear you are enjoying your Giant too 👌🏼
Thank you so much for a beautiful session of discussion
Thanks 😊 All the Best, E&M
I have a couple of retro MTBs, I do love how I can do all my own work on these 20- 30 year old bikes now, which work great if kept well tuned & mantained Ive collected all the tools I will ever need, and can take a good tool kit with me wherever I go, 26 " wheels are so common the world over as are all these parts and cables
It is a great platform! Happy to hear you enjoy it too. Best wishes!
That's was I was looking for... I am totally new and just needed someone thst suggested me some "gears I can trust" thst may be worth the buy (like the wp bags and the racks).
Love it, gained a sub
Great to hear that! Thanks & Best wishes
Earlier this year I bought a Giant Boulder Alu. I saw it on the market place for 15€ and it looks identical to yours.
After many years I'd collected a lot of parts so I swapped the handlebars, the shifters for trigger type, wheels for ones with QR axles and the saddle. The derailleurs are original but I've changed the V brakes. The original ones (just like yours) didn't have a screw to centre the pads. On mine they kept moving and touching the rim.
It has turned out to be my favourite bike and I've done 2000 Km on it this year.
Adding mudguards and a rack make it handy and usable all year, even if you don't go touring
Your journey has proven you don't need to spend a fortune on a fancy purpose built touring bike.
Good luck and smooth roads for your future travels.
Thanks so much and great to hear about your bike conversion! Nice that it is your favorite bike! I will tinker some more on mine in the future. Fancy bikes are nice but I think it’s great you can make a very well rounded touring bike in an affordable way. That way bicycle touring is available to more people. All the best!
love the refreshing of this old bike - plus it's so much cooler looking!
Thanks 😊
Inspiring Video, went out and got my own second-hand Giant MTB from '98 to turn into a touring bike
In my experience, it can turn out a lot more expensive than expected. It might be cheap to do when you have parts lying around, but if you don't have any parts available, it can turn out to be pretty expensive. I bought a 90's MTB a couple of years ago, inspired by videos like this. It seemed okay at first, but the tires were old and had a lot of cracks, so I had to replace the front and back tires. I replaced the chain, but then the chain skipped. I needed new front chainrings and a new cassette; they were worn out along with the old chain. I also put on a new stem to have a more relaxed position. Then, I really needed fenders to stay clean when riding in the rain (or on wet roads). All in all, I spent €100 on the bike and have put around €400 into it in the end. Not only on components but also needed to buy various special tools as well. I learned a lot by fixing it myself, though
True!
This is true, however, take a look at new or even newer USED bikes out there today. I work in a bike shop and an entry level new or used bike can easily cost you 1k just to get on it; not to mention the additional cost of racks, fenders, bags, lights etc. $400-500 is a steal nowadays! And as you stated, it makes a big difference learning to work on your own gear as you save a ton of money over time there as well!
Same here. I bought the same mtb. A Giant Boulder alu lite. Nice lightweight bike. But then… new tires. Tubus Tara Big Apple, new saddle and more. It’s fun but expensive. So…. Now I got the virus and bought another bike to ‘build up’.
I’m a plumber and every few months I have a few buckets of old copper and brass that I take to the metal recycling to cash in while I’m there I look through a huge pile of bikes and they want next to nothing for stripped parts , last time I was there I got a rear rack and a couple of zip rims for $5.00
I'm all about budget bikes, if you maintain them properly they will take you far and parts are cheap generally, thanks E&M, great stuff
Thanks Reece! Happy to hear you liked it! All the best, E&M
Leuk om te zien dat je deze fiets gebruikt! Het is een herkenbare fiets voor mij om dat een vriend deze fiets vroeger had :)
Ja, leuk! Vroeger zag je ze heel regelmatig. Nog steeds bruikbare MTB's. Groet!
Great video .. I use a old specialized rock hopper to bicycle tour and pack with .. I'm telling you this bicycle won't break down and the weight I'm carrying with a trailer is phenomenal, haven't had to change the crank yet but everthing else has been changed.
Sounds like a nice project 👌🏼 Best wishes and many more marvellous miles!!
Wonderful video Eric 🎥 thanks for great tips 🔩🔧🪛🧰
Happy to hear you enjoyed the video! Best wishes 😊
Almost exact model i got for my touring bike! Nice stiff ally frame, steel forks with eyelets 🤘 love it now!
🙌🏼 Nice! Enjoy the ride 🍀
Great job 🙏🏿
Thanks 😊 All the best!
Super, thank you!
🙏🏼
Currently tweaking an Apollo phaze, hadn't looked at new bars yet but it's seemingly a good move I'll need to address.🤘
Great video, thank you.
Nice! Best off luck with your build. Thanks & All the best!
Simple, lots of useful info and another great video. One thing I would say it that bikes not designed for touring usually don't have low enough gear ratios to help heavy riders (like me) with 20kg of luggage attached climb hills. Although not difficult, changing the cassette, deraileur and shifters is quite major surgery and not for the faint hearted, but necessary on most conversions. Oh, and it's about time I subscribed, so you have another fan!
Thanks for adding some valuable information! I agree that most of the shelf mountain bikes are not geared towards climbing with luggage and gear ratios are not optimal as result. It is a step deeper into the bike mechanical world, as you said, to change the drivetrain and accompanying shifting works. I plan to do this for this very build and perhaps add that as a "phase two bike build" video. Great to hear you enjoy the videos and have become a subscriber. Best wishes, E&M
Can’t wait for this vid, just got this bike and you inspired me into building my own touring bike, it would be helpful to see how you build your bike! Your videos have already been very helpful, thanks!
In 2001 I took my daughter's Giant MTB on a trip with a friend of mine to Spain. It was the logical and cheapest solution, instead of a road bike. The 22 smallest chainring is exactly what I needed on the steep climbs with 25 kg of luggage. I changed to almost slick 37 mm Schwalbe tires as we were riding mostly on tarmac. I left the original handlebars on, as the bar ends come in very handy when you are standing on the pedals. We still have the MTB and use it once in a while for short trips. It will never go out of fashion.
Thank you for sharing your story! I agree, there is something very special about those old MTB's. All the best!
Very helpful info, as these days everyone go for latest modern bikes, but i prefer old school bike as im on the budget and at the end its about adventure not about how much you spent on fancy bike n gear! Thx a bunch!
A fancy bike doesn't guarantee a great adventure! Enjoy the ride 🍀
Very interesting and useful tips.
Thanks so much 🙏🏼😊 Best wishes!!
Fabulous video. Thank you.
Thanks so much 😊 All the best!
👍When you're cycling through a beautiful landscape, it doesn't matter whether you have a titanium frame with a Pinion gear or Rohloff, or whether you're riding an old but durable bike. After a long trip in difficult terrain like you two are doing, even six-thousand-euro bike won't look as nice as it did out from the bike shop.
It does sound really tempting though 😅 But your right, it’s about the surroundings and people you meet out on tour. A nice ride is the enabler. A simple MTB or similar is all you need really. Everything from there on is a bonus! Best wishes!!
My bike shop boss( who had been a top quality racer in his younger years) said “you only feel the weight difference on the first couple of blocks of a test ride. Once you’re tired, every bike feels the same”
I have a Rohloff on my cargo bike and when you have a rear flat out in the elements you wish you had a derailer
just almost finished converting my old hybrid into a touring bike ..currently using it for shopping and to get to work on as i can carry stuff now
That sounds great! Enjoy the ride 😊
Got rid of both of my touring bikes & kept my 6 speed hybrid, with my 2 wheel trailer it does everything i need it to do in Florida.
Dankie, ekt jou video baie geniet en dis goeie inligting.
Dat is geweldig te horen! Dank & Groet :)
Been there done that ! Schwinn Impact MTB - dual purpose tires , panniers, mirrors and Cateye Lights . Oh yeah ! and light camping gear. The bike shop guy suggested a smaller frame for off road uses , or the larger frame for roads .
👍🏼
Great build ! I would add a kick stand .
Thanks! Me too... somewhere down the line!
This video might help some people on a tight budget. For the latest cycling adventure I did a similar thing, but then with a brand new Giant Talon and made it more comfortable for touring/bike-packing. You get the sporty position and the wider tyres, And you get sufficient gears to tackle almost any climb. The remote lock out for the suspension fork is also great: Suspension only when it is necessary. Well recommended instead of getting an actual expensive touring bike.
Giant bikes are awesome. My first bike was a Giant Talon 2 2021. I was 127kg then, but it never let me down even though I used it on trails (no jumps).
Yeah. Mine is a Talon 1 bought in 2023. Now it is a toned down Trekking Mountainbike and I love it. It looks like a Gravel-MTB. It is in sparkling brown with black logo with tan wall 55 mm fast rolling tires. The assembly was done in Europe. Quality control hasn’t been the best though. Both front and back derailers needed adjustment and the bottom bracket bearings are ticking after 1500km. They probably need some more grease. I ride it hard and with a bike-packing load though.
Sounds great 👍🏼 Thanks for sharing! Enjoy the ride!!
Thanks. You two too.
If you are interested. On the suspension fork the Ortlieb Forkpacks were used. The rack is the Ortlieb Quick Rack with optional 70 mm mudguard (use zip ties to fasten the mudguard). Everything can we taken off the bike within a few seconds to get the bare MTB back. The Quick Rack gives the bike a cool look.
I did the same thing with my Talon. 2.1 Mezcals (fast on pavement) ... Redshift suspension seatpost and a lighter fork that I can lock out. and the Jones bar I put on the Talon makes it comfortable for big miles.
verry good video! thank you!
Thanks 😊 All the Best, E&M
Thanks Eric. I will have to have a close look at that tyre slider as at 60 I'm starting to find it a challenge to change the Schwalbe tyres as I have arthritis in my fingers. And I need a better plan than sitting on the road side waiting for some kind soul to come a long and help me.
I hope it helps you out! It has worked great so far for me. All the best!!
Well done video
🙏🏼
Excellent video 👍👍 thankyou
Thanks Edward 😊 All the Best
Thanks for the great advice resulting from your great experience Antonio da Milano Italy 👋🏻👋🏻
Thank you Antonio 😊 All the Best, E&M
Do u ever build older touring bikes for people like this one wow I really like it
Suntour NCX Suspension seatpost are great (not too costly either). There are quite a few areas when someone purchases the right second hand bicycle they can upgrade to better components for better function and comfort. The Key to knowing this? Research :)
Research is a starting point for sure! I will ave a look at that suspension seatpost. Thanks & Best wishes 😊
Aweome vid!
Thank you 🙏🏼
I did pretty much what you suggest here in this video and cycled almost 6,000 km on my 1993 Nishiki Meridian with no problems at all, the only thing was the brakes even though I had XTR v brakes I would like better stopping power so next time I’ll get reliable hydraulic brakes. Thanks for sharing your experience, cheers.
Fantastic! Thanks for sharing! Best wishes and success with the brake upgrade!
I love watching your bike ride with your partner. watch with a smartphone or via TV.
Nice to hear that! Enjoy and best wishes! E&M
Perfect.
Am worried for you both, the Moroccan Earthquake was awful and do hope you were nowhere close to the earthquake area? Love your videos and how strong you both are 😊
Thank you Helen! We were not in Morocco when it happend. Wishing you all the best, E&M
fkn' genius, good thing there are videos...
Thanks Sean! All the Best
Better grips are a cheap and great investment. I like ESI for their durability and comfort
I am very fond of the Ergon gips. If ESI falls my way I will give them a try.
I want to turn a old steal frame road bike into a touring bike. this video will be helpful.
Nice! Have a great project & Tailwinds 🍀
Nice budget build. I would recommend a steel frame.
Steel would be my preferred choice. This is what I got though so I used it!
The best bike is the one you have!
the "best" bicycle hasn't been invented yet 🙂
@@tomcatt998Agreed. Physics and human anatomy says it's not possible. Different spokes for different folks.
is funny that one of the bags cost more than the bike :P one thing i will have change is to get a back wheel duble wall with a cassete 8speed or 9speed , make the moste differance compair to scew on freewhell 6-7speed , i also build my touring bike with 26" mtb but i use a 8speed nexus , and add 2 chainring , in front , you can find everyware tube and tire for 26"' also the wheel is more durable , good luck getting 650b or 700 tire or tube in small tonw
The bags can be expensive but also found quite easily second hand (the bags here were also second hand). Still not cheap but very reliable. A double walled back rim is one of the next upgrades. Best wishes!
super mooie video, en raad eens wat ik te koop heb. Ja een giant boulder. 26 inch en frame maat 19,5 inch. zilver, rood. voor de liefhebber . Even gebruik maken van de gelegenheid lol. Super mooie videos genieten van jullie avonturen.
Thanks Jeroen! Hopelijk vindt je een koper 🍀
Great video. You may have mentioned it in the video and I missed it but, what size wheel did you ride with on your world tour? And do you have a preference 26 vs 29"? Thanks.
Thanks! On our world tour we also rode 26". Never really tried 29" so hard to say. I am curious about a 29"+ platform for increasing comfort and roll over properties. Perhaps one of these days... All the best!
very helpfull!!!!
Thanks 😊 All the Best!
This way i made my Garry Fisher MTB a touring bike 15 years ago. Set of ortlieb backs, frontloader, heckloader. Went a lot of bikepacking tours with tent and trangia since then. No Gravel idiots around back then....😂
Nice!! Basic and affordable. To many more magnificent miles!!
My son and I both have over 30 years on our Brooks saddles. They truly form to your butt bones for true comfort. You will be in pain if you tryout someone else's leather saddle, because their saddle is shaped to their butt which is different than yours. I prefer a front rack that has a flat platform top. this allows me to sit the handlebar bag on the platform taking weight off the bars making steering easier.
It sure is a great saddle! I am looking at upgrading my front rack to one with a platform. Great to hear you enjoy your setup 😊 Best wishes!
Just swtch out the forks for suspension forks. Then you wont have a quill stem
4:02 i use cheap knobbies they last the longest. Smooth tires get pinch flats. Especially because i use turning to slow down. Also make sure you have 36 spoke wheels.
7:26 do regular checks to make sure your bike is holding up. Make sure all your gears work under weight.
👍🏼 Good suggestions!
Nice Video Thank You, and a New Abonnent, grüße Michael
Thanks & Great to hear! Best wishes
@@WheelstoWander 👍
I used a Giant 3700 mtb for mine and it's great 👍 a strong frame. New rim brake blocks and cables added. Now do I add the butterfly bars or not? The videos are up on my channel. Front fork bags, rear panniers and a roll style Front bar bag with tube bags too. I can even attach my trailer when taking the kayak and other gear, thinking of a motor the local big hills though.
Nice one Mark! Sounds like a do it all bike. If I have some time I will give the videos a look. Enjoy and All the best!!
Any chance of a photo showing how you haul your kayak? I'd love to haul mine, it's only 4.3m.
Thank for Your video, so I think, some detail could be better:
-like some people has written before me -use bike with Cr-Mo frame. It´s no simply for acquire, but usually they are more long-life than alloy, and You can it fix with welding...anywhere
-for on-road service/replace is better a-head headset.
-use double-wall rims, better with eyelet. It´s much stronger than single-wall used here
-because I heavy, usually I change spokes in rear wheel. DT swiss AlpineIII are really good (but expensive) opinion.
but-it is only a advices- if there´s will, there´s a way!
I agree with you upgrades. I believe that aluminium can be a great options too. The best tool is what you have available. If possible chromoly would have been my preferred choice and that is why my main bike is a steel one. Changing a headset is quite particular and can be too daunting for the starting bike mechanic. Yes, double walled rims are the better choice but a good set of standard wheels can take you far and are easily replaced by availability. All the best!
@@WheelstoWander Thanks for answear. I didn´t write clear, sorry.
I only think, if You could, choose bike with a-head headsed, not to change. "if something work, don´t change it" I wish You a nice travels :-)
Как всегда классное повествование, мемный монтаж. Супергуд.
Thanks so much 🙏🏼 All the Best, E&M
On my first mountain bike , the tire pressure had a range of 45 to 65 psi . This could function as either off road or road . I enjoyed that feature . Rockshocks were not invented yet .
👍🏼
很好的拍摄❤👍
Thank you 😊🙏🏼
I would add a dynamo hub wheel, in order to always have light on the bike when needed. Shimano dynamo hub wheels are very cheap (50 - 60 € new, for a whole wheel) and robust and work just reliable over years with no flaws.
Interesting addition! I have no experience with a dynamo hub but wouldn't a usb rechargeable light be more easy? All the best
I agree with the dynamo hub. Absolutely. With a USB charger you can keep a fresh supply of batteries going with every wheel revolution. The Shimano hubs are very robust and cheap. Even though the drag can be shown in lab tests, you never feel it on the road. One asterisk, they don’t directly charge phones very well. So charge a battery and use that to charge your phone. You can easily hook them up where you can switch between charging the batteries or directly running you lights. Or just charge batteries and use one to run your lights. Any way you view it, have a generator hub is very useful as a tourist.
Nice
İ think the big plus for this conversio. İs smooth very low gears for country side rides cheaper...
Clean mineral oil (engine oil) is a good waterproofing and leathercare dressing for a Brookes B17. Rim brakes in dusty or wet roads will destroy your rims so keep them and the rubber brake blocks clean. If someone wants to invent a rim brush that works whenener the brakes are used I would buy them.
Thanks for the tip! Yes, it is a horrible feeling knowing you are destroying your rims that way. Since you have the idea perhaps you could come up with a nice solution... All the best!
Nice video. Thanks for the advices. I hace a question.
For bikepacking or biketouring witch ring is better 26'' or 29er?
Thanks an take care.
26 for touring 29 for bike packing
@@THEBLACKANARCHIST thanks
What made you decide on an alloy frame over a chromoly one? I noticed most people building up old mountain bikes for touring recommend chrmoly steel frames.
It is what a had available at the time. Chromoly would have been preferred!
Honestly, I that's mostly hipster BS because "steel is real." A quality aluminum frame can last a long time as well. Also, repairing a steel frame is not as easy as people like to pretend it is.
Get a bike stem with adjustable angle and make sure the bike has plenty of gears at the low end.
I agree with the low gears and would use an adjustable stem to dial in the bike fit.
I will be acquiring an old steel mountain bike soon and intend to prep it for touring. I pretty much agree with everything you mention but have one question/hesitation:
Do you not find those studs on the pedals uncomfortable or wear through your shoes?
(in the past I used flat city pedals, comfortable but they can be slippery when wet)
I can answer that for you and tell you that you don't feel them through your shoes. Like you rightly say though they give you great grip especially when it is wet. Good luck and one tip is to steer clear of Stamp pedals. They frequently need rebuilding and are more trouble than they are worth!
@@Biking360 Thanks for the detailed reply, I will probably try to get some studded/pinned pedals but want them with reflectors.
@@grahambonner508 you have to keep in mind that these pedals are quite nasty when pushing. It hurts when you hit your leg in the studs.
Is it a new bike or youre current bike before the upgrades ? ps you guys rock !
Thanks! This is another secondhand bike. All the best!
What is in the small container that you are putting on the bolts? Maybe lock tight! Good video. I’m looking to build a good used bike.
It's the opposite: Some grease to help prevent the bolt from seizing up. Good luck with your search 🍀
Try to find a steel frame if you are going with a vintage mtb frame, steel rusts and you can see that. Aluminium fatigues and cracks when you overstress it with heavy loads.
Steel would be my first choice but I also like to use what is available!
I cycled South America from 2020 to 2022. I rode 25.000 km with 2 used bicycle. I payed 100 USD for each 🙂
That's great! Congrats on that feat 💪🏼
Hello, do you have a preferred product for treating the leather saddle? Loved the video very informative! 🚵♂️
I bought my first B17 in the '80s but I killed it too soon because of non/wrong/bad care, I was young didn't know what I was doing. For the last 20y I prefer on my B17's (and other leather goods) on several bikes "Sno-Seal" I don't like any kind of product with any sort of oil or fat, including Proofide or Dubbin, because it softens the leather the only thing which should soften it IMO is your lower end and riding that thing but I'm big + tall which speeds up the process for me the B17 is comfy out of the box and become even better over time. I preped my B17's by using a hairdryer and "Sno-Seal" it's a Bees Wax Product which makes the leather literally waterproof w/o soften it or clogging the hide, by using a haidryer the Sno-Seal on the underside it is absorbed by the leather also around the rivets the edges + top and polishing the surface on top after it.
@@brokenspine66With sagging then stretching the B17 rivets will eventually fail. The new ones are 3x the size.
Thanks Joe! I have always used the Brooks saddle wax as it came with the saddle. The tip from brokenspin66 also looks interesting but I would be concerned that te saddle would be to hard from the beeswax.
@@WheelstoWander Not with Sno-Seal because it's specially made for leather goods like boots and other stuff and I use it for a very long time none of my hiking boots or my saddles ever get 'hard'.
Yeah, turns out a good bike does not have to cost $$$$. For my current touring bike I got a used steel frame for next to nothing, and only spent money on parts that counts instead. Like proper brakes, quality derailleurs, shifters and some sturdy Ryde Andra 36 spoke wheels for some peace of mind.
Sounds like a straightforwards and fantastic bike you got there!! Tailwinds 🍀
Hey mate! Cool video, may i ask you what material you've wrapped the rack bar with zip ties, at 4:54? Thanks!
Thanks Dorian! It's a piece of garden hose for the pannier clips. Hope that helps. All the best!
Yess! Those little squares did remind me something... small things but... the devil is in the details 😁
You give very good advice, in my case it's about the tyres. Nothing is obvious.
I have to say, you were so convincing that now I'm jeally of your bike. I've had a look around but it's not easy to find that, or indeed any, full rigid mtb large (21-22" frame). I'll keep looking :)
I'm in the Italian western Alps and i so want an agile 26er. There are "expedition bikes", extreme tourers, like the Ridgeback Expedition (great bike but highish end and with discs... gotta say i'm happy with rim brakes and lighter hubs...)... so your method is great to have an expeditioner but more handy :) ciao!
I just recently stept over your channel, exactly this video, immediately subscribed. Watching it the second time now :) Then I saw you answered, as far as I have scrolled down, every question.
Impressing! You´re doing great work. In case I need something, Affiliate-Shopping with your links guaranteed, to reciprocate.
Just planning my very first big tour next year - as a non (not yet) biker :D Struggling with all the information about stuff you need/don´t need. To keep it short: Would you recommend to a beginner building his own bike out of quality material? I´m struggling. I really want to, to get familiar with the mechanics. But a little bit worried to lose my tire downhill 😂 Just kidding.
An advice would be helpful. A tendency would also help. Thank you.
That's great to hear Michael, Thanks! If you have the time and a tinkering mindset it is totally doable. Some things might need a little time to get your head around and some specific jobs are a bit more next level. If you can do it! I have found it to be very rewarding 👌🏼 Best wishes 🍀
Why dont get ergonomic handlebar grips? It will be much more comfortable and cause less stress and fatigue in your hands
It's will be a future upgrade!
Thanks for the video. Nice bike. I’m rebuilder a Giant Boulder into a tour bike myself. I’m looking for a suitable stem and quill. Can you tell where you found yours, or could you share the brandname with me? Thank you in advance.
If I remember correctly it's by Procraft from a Dutch website. Happy building!!
I get it. Lance Armstrong I"m not ! Nor do I get into the off road daredevil adrenalin rush. I am just a happy hormone guy.
😄 Sounds like you have found your sweet spot!
❤
Hi buddy,
How do you film that the camera stick is invisible?
Insta360 X3 👍🏼
I have a question. If 29er MTB is fit to be a touring bike or wheels are too big?
For sure a 29-er would make a fantastic touring bike! 26" wheels can be found easier in far flung places.
Cool, but I'd love to see Maudi change a tire...
😂😂😂
She can but she likes to leave it up to me 😉
My sweetheart does the same.
what bottleholder do you use for a bottle instead of a bidon?
We use the BBB Fueltank XXL. Unfortunately it has been discontinued.
I like watching bike preps. But I don't get it why people don't clean their bikes properly before installing things on them. It seems, a chance missed, and get's dust and particles all in the threads and bushings. So why not clean it before installing and maintaining I don't get it? :D
You raise a good point there!
Why do i never see frame mounted front racks? Not sure if they are worth the weight as aftermarket part as it seems mostly aimed at Dutch bikes but at least it should be doable with an old steel frame. some frames offer mounting points( riese mueller, schindelhauer, though city bikes)Never had fork pannier racks but once you mount something heavy on the fork things get very sketchy. Sudden steering input wobbles the bike more than anything. Being able to go really heavy on the front seems valuable to me.
Probably because there is no much space between the fork and the handlebar and you cannot put there the equivalent of 2 paniers and a handlebar bag. Also the center of gravity will be higher.
There is a front rack mounted (tubus tara) and the weight actually helps to give a less nervous front steering feel.
❤❤❤
7:59 this brake surface is totally worn out. The rim can explode suddenly under pressure
I noticed too and it will be an important future update!
Or you can just buy a 1980's Trek touring bike like a 520 which I did, and you don't need to buy any new components. A coworker sold his old 720 for only $300 a few years ago which was a steal for whoever got it. All I changed on my 520 was to switch to bar-end shifters.
Nice bikes! I personally am not a fan of drop bars and slim tyres for touring and would prefer a build like this. Enjoy the ride and Thanks for chiming in!
The number one thing is to make sure the bike is stable when heavily loaded. If it is not, it can be very dangerous if tired on a busy road. Also, I would careful of Brooks saddles. They is a lot of hype around them and they are not for everyone.
Thank you for adding some valuable information!
Don't believe the hype, but my Brooks saddle is so comfy I swap it between my mtb and tourer.
I’ve had a lot of Brooks saddles and did months long trips on them. I’m not really a fan. They are comfortable, but not more than a modern ergonomic saddle at the same price point. Provided you buy the right size and the saddle is fitted by a professional, of course. Brooks (like all leather saddles) have weak spots, especially the limited choice in sizes and the durability of the rivets and the mechanism to tighten the leather with. And when you travel for a couple of days in wet weather they will deform until the leather sags over the metal struts. Have no illusion, tightening the leather only goes so far. And finally, at a certain moment they start to make creaking sounds, which is really irritating when cycling through nature.
i just brought 3,, one for all 3 bikes
@@HaErBeSo The problem with the modern ergonomic saddles is that they are plastic and if they don't fit your anatomy, they won't be comfortable and will never get better. Finding the right size and shape will probably require testing a number of saddles and the good ones have prices similar, or even higher than Brooks. The brooks just conforms to the shape of your body, which probably outweigh the cons you described
Good one but problem is if you are a bit taller like me being 186 , these 26 inch bikes are all too small. And second is, a lot of bike travellers don't recommend 26 inch bikes because it's hard to get spare parts . At least that's what THEY say, heard it a lot of times now
I have no experience being taller so I believe what you experience. Times are changing and depending on which place you are other wheel sizes may be easier to get, especially in western countries.
Is it possible to put disc brakes on these types of bikes?
It can be done! Easier on steel frames but still quite a specialists job!
When you said "This Giant Boulder bike" I thought you said "this giant baller bike" 😂
Haha 😉 I can see how you got that!
This man is onto it if had about 12 different bikes in the past 5 years dh to hard tails and the best bike I never should of let go was a 2005 giant boulder with rockshox judys best thing ever.
Thanks 😊 Best off luck with your bike collection!
what about Tanus armor inserts for tires
They could be worth it for really thorny conditions!
@@WheelstoWanderMy Schwalbe have Kevlar.
why do people put a bigger tire on the back of the touring bike?
The tyres are the same size in this video...
at those times they knew a lot how to make bicycles