Bicycle touring

[OBicycleTouring]

Sorry to hi-jack the thread, but speaking of 2nd hand touring goods... Have anyone seen any good advertised?

 

We are considering going the Amazon route, it is someways cheaper.

Go ahead, Amazon is very good.

Relatively, Bike24 is most times cheaper on items made in Europe and most times better in quality aswell. Shipment normally takes about 25 days to arrive SA (depending on the SA Post Office allowing it to get to you if they do). Bike24 loves to use ONLY the normal post (DHL-deutshe Post) though they also generally charge a flat shipping rate of just €20. So long the value is below €600 and weight is bellow 5kg or so. But they will not permit a choice of a faster or more secure shipping method.

 

I have requested for this but my request was turned down citing logistical difficulties??

 

On the other hand, while sometimes Amazon is cheaper generally. Note, Amazon tends to have a 'catch' so when you consider the price on an item listed on Amazon, also consider it's Shipping amount together with the amount collected for Tax and clearance. These shipping costs are quite high, but sometimes Amazon refunds some change when you have any. Those are very little considering factors and getting any tax receipt for duties and VAT paid on ones behalve has failed in my own case.

 

In general, I must say I still like Amazon for thier A-Z Guarantee. Absolute 100%!!! I will advice you only buy items marked "sold and shipped from Amazon"

 

Where not possible, try only those 3rd party sellers with high ratings.

 

I bought a headset from a dealer in the US as sold via Amazon in June 2017! Tracking last read "Processed through a facility (customs) in JHB." - "in transit" since September 12 2017.

 

When I got tired of waiting in November 2017, I requested a refund and Amazon refunded 100% with no questions asked.

 

Am yet to receive the parcel then if you track the item, you get; "tracking number has expired" = Lost???

 

On the other hand, I am currently experiencing some challenges with a recent purchase from Bike24. They keep referring me to go to SA Customs who referres me to innept SA Post Office.

 

SA Post is almost 100% bad service!!!

 

Had it been Amazon, I would have been refunded. Note: problem here is not Bike24, it's our South African innept Post Office!!

 

In summary, if you find what you want on Amazon and can afford the total cost, buy it you will not regret it. However many items will be marked "not shippable to South Africa".

 

Bike24 will normally ship most items but some brand names with reps in South Africa normally will not ship; examples are Ortlieb, Specialized, SRAM and many others.

 

Hope my points are helpful.

 

So go have a good cycling day -and, keep pedaling!

[broncoza]

Hey, am in Kempton Park, I guess we can hook up sometime?

 

First am not a competitive tourer, 'kinda like a slow paced tourer. More about the route, scenery and the destination and not much about the time it takes one to get there - all serious factors taken seriously that is.

 

So if these points bounce with you, we can get something going? From short distances, and who knows full blown expedition?

 

Like in the boys scout.... be prepared, I will try to be

 

Till then, keep pedaling! Chao

Mr Dominic-Mary

Hey DM

 

What does the Soma end up weight wise will all of the gear on it?  

 

Rob

[Hardi]

We did a weekend tour from PTA to Bronkies Dam.

Was great fun!

[OBicycleTouring]

Hey DM

 

What does the Soma end up weight wise will all of the gear on it?

 

Rob

Hi Rob, my 'Maryland' currently comes in at about 27kg, A bit less when I replace those tyres with my best choice Schwalbe Marathon Evolution.

 

DM

[broncoza]

Hi Rob, my 'Maryland' currently comes in at about 27kg, A bit less when I replace those tyres with my best choice Schwalbe

 

Marathon Evolution.

 

DM

That’s not bad for a full dress tourer, I will post pics of my Soma tomorrow

[OBicycleTouring]

That’s not bad for a full dress tourer, I will post pics of my Soma tomorrow

Soma? Wao, Now my Maryland will now find her brother, ha ha ha

 

But seriously, I am loving this Soma frame, the dropout and general geometry.

 

Am really loving the way it turned out. I got the frame as the best option available when I commenced my build. I didn't know the Soma range prior to buying my frame.

 

I can't wait to see your Soma.

[johannrissik]

Check out teresiehommersand on Instagram.

 

I hosted her in PA shortly after she started her journey. She crossed the equator the otherday.

 

Also on a Soma.

[broncoza]

Soma? Wao, Now my Maryland will now find her brother, ha ha ha

 

But seriously, I am loving this Soma frame, the dropout and general geometry.

 

Am really loving the way it turned out. I got the frame as the best option available when I commenced my build. I didn't know the Soma range prior to buying my frame.

 

I can't wait to see your Soma.

Well actually I suppose my Soma could be brother or sister to yours DM. I prefer a Mixte for light touring it just makes sense after a long day in the saddle not having a top tube to clear. Soma produce beautiful frames I would love a Wolverine but enough bikes in the stable. BTW my full expedition bike is a Rivendell Atlantis running on ‘26” as a world traveler should they say

[OBicycleTouring]

Well actually I suppose my Soma could be brother or sister to yours DM. I prefer a Mixte for light touring it just makes sense after a long day in the saddle not having a top tube to clear. Soma produce beautiful frames I would love a Wolverine but enough bikes in the stable. BTW my full expedition bike is a Rivendell Atlantis running on ‘26” as a world traveler should

they say

Nice!!

 

I like the blue metallic coat.

 

26" is a good way to go, but then, I have enough room for that xtra Schwalbe Marathon Evos.

 

Lightweight can't be beaten, but since I like touring with the lightest but most comfortable setup I can get or best put, manage; I tend to have more 'things' in my Panniers.

 

I know those Rivendell Atlantis don't come cheap? Also the Soma dropout works perfectly with my Disk Rohloff setup (weight penalty).

 

On the other hand, I see 700 (29") tourers are becoming popular as 28" and 29" tyres become easily available; so my alternative would be something like a Ragley TD-1 (2012 Titanium) or its new derivative matted to a Rohloff disk hub running a Gates carbon belt. Now that's already spinning my head with excitement.

 

Bellow is one as advertised by a Hubber a while back.

 

Notice it's got the same dropout as my current Soma (Juice) frame.

[Kev777]

I did my first tour from West Coast through Cederberg in December. I'm in Pretoria, Menlo Park. We can have a coffee and I can share my thoughts. I went for the fully loaded option, but I want to set myself up for bikepacking too.