expedition bike for tall person

[Impuls34]

Hi everyone,

First of all, sorry that I don't understand dutch
I am from France and we are not the best for learning language…

So, after traveling two years around the world with a recumbent (optima condor) I look for a “normal” expedition bike for my nexts trips. I might cross Pamir area this summer and planning a long journey from Prudhoe bay to Ushuaïa that I want to start next year (may).

My problem is that I am a bit tall (1m98), quite light (less than 70kg) and my inseam length is something around 99cm. My up body is quite short compare to my legs…

So I wanted to know if you could recommend me an expedition bike with high size in 28 able to carry about 30kg of stuff ? Also I want a fork that can fit 2.00 tire

I have seen this topic (http://www.wereldfietser.nl/phpbb/viewt ... 32&t=28719) that I tried to translate and I think this kind of bike could be good? it is the koga traveller

I am not sure about aluminium frame compare to steel
Koga has very good reputation for expedition bike and they don't make steel frame anymore so I don't know what to think...

It is also very difficult to find high size frame in france... so I plan to come to your country or germany to find it

Thank you in advance
Arnaud

[alma]

Price range?

[hoogframe]

dear impuls34,

this is a very nice quest. i have about the same length and inseam (but 30 kg more ) .
i would recommend a steel bike like a:
koga terraliner or traveller of randonneur framesize 66 cm or 63 cm. for instance:
http://www.wereldfietser.nl/phpbb/viewt ... =8&t=18226

these frames will take tires up to 42 mm or even 47 mm thick. 50 mm I'm not sure

giant terrago or simular frames in size 24 inch (effective 63 cm) or even 25,5 (aluminium frame and steel fork) or in steel 26 inch (about 65 cm) and a build with more travel-orientated components.
these bikes will takes tires up to 50 mm like 26 x 2.0





on www. marktplaats.nl
https://www.marktplaats.nl/a/fietsen-en ... e=lr&pos=6

https://www.marktplaats.nl/a/fietsen-en ... =lr&pos=15

or a second hand vittorio or snel safari or avaghon as they are for sale (sometimes) on http://www.marktplaats.nl

the 64 cm frame and 28 inch wheel-size Surly LHT:
they say: 'fatties fit fine', so thick tires should fit up to 50 mm? i think by 'fatties' they mean the tires and not the person
http://surlybikes.com/bikes/long_haul_trucker/geometry

several other bikes like..... use > search-the-net > alu frame and steel fork: http://www.schauff.de/schauff/index.php ... &jahr=2016

I don't like the looks, but it should be strong and durable

a Fuji Touring 64 cm

with 30 kg luggage I would choose a 26 inch frame and (of course) choose a strong rear-wheel. but... with 70 kg and 30 kg your weight is the same as mine without the Luggage so the wheels will/should be strong enough.

and please, use longer cranks! 175 mm or even 180 mm (or even longer)

if you send me a pb on this forum and we exchange email, i can give you further information
greetings and good luck, hoogframe

[Impuls34]

Hello, and thank you for your reply

about the average price : hopefully I would say less than 1800-2000 for a new bike, 1000 for a used one (ready for departure : tubus rear and front rack, good light, brooks sadel, strong wheels).

I have seen the koga randonneur which is steel frame but Koga stopped last year to produce steel frame.. They only make aluminium now. and this model isn't available in 66cm. I think 63 should be a bit short for me especially because the horizontal tube is very horizontal

Actually I have seen the koga traveller which is available in 66cm but I am not sure about the tire clearance... for me, 50mm which mean 28x2.00 is very important. I will try to contact the brand to know if it's possible.

I didn't know the terraliner but the frame looks very light compare to the randonneur

The terrago looks nice but I would prefer to go for a 28' rather than 26'. I know 26' is probably stronger but that is very weird with a high framesize...

You talked about vittorio, snel safari or avaghon :
Actually I already contacted Avaghon by mail and their S28 available in 68cm seems to be a good option. But the bike cost about 2000€ which is a bit expensive for me. I am sad because I have seen a second hand avaghon frame available last month for 350€ with chris king headset and that was interesting for me...
I don't know snel and vittorio, I will have a look to this brand
About Surly LHT, I contacted the brand already but for them the frame might be a bit short and the frame can't fit 28x2.00 tire...

Fuji touring looks a bit cheap?!

I was thinking to buy 180mm cranks from shimano XT, I have never tried before but I heard that make a huge difference...

I am going to check marktplaats everyday

[Inge1]

If you can stretch your budget a tiny bit I would go for Avaghon or Vittorio or a Surley Ogre (tire clearance: 29x2.5" or 27.5x3"). Am personally not into Snel (even though they are in my home town) but that is down to personal preference. For Surley I would check out http://www.bikeparts4u.nl/mtbcross/fiet ... -3/surly-3 (Rotterdam) or http://www.justpedal.nl/nl/ (Amersfoort).

What I think you ned to think about is whether you prefer a steel or aluminum frame and start your search from there.

Good luck with your search.

[CarlW]

About Surly LHT, I contacted the brand already but for them the frame might be a bit short and the frame can't fit 28x2.00 tire...

If you want to fit fenders, that may be true. If not, there's plenty of clearance. Pic is not terrible, but the 50mm Schwalbe tyre (actually 47mm) on my LHT still has lots of breathing room. I'm sure a 55 would fit easily (50-52mm).

[Wim]

http://www.schauff.de/schauff/index.php ... #optFrame2
https://www.fahrradmanufaktur.de/en/kat ... re-27-gang
https://www.fahrradmanufaktur.de/en/kat ... %2030-gang This is a sloping frame so the 57 may be big enough after all.
It is a real challenge, however, particularly at your budget. There may be other affordable German brands with plus size frames. You can also ask Thorn in the UK if their biggest Sherpa model will fit you. Their expedition bikes are really good, en they are an excellent on line dealer.

[Jurr]

Don't know whether it would fit or not, but I came across this one:

http://link.marktplaats.nl/m1154333182

EDIT: Spelling....

[Inge1]

Do not know that either but judging by the front carrier this is an old Vittorio bike. Do not think these carriers (had one in the '90s) are still being made.

[Wim]

That Vittorio is certainly a very good bike by an excellent frame builder who knew his stuff. From what I can see it seems to have wheels with more than 36 spokes, so very robust. What I cannot see is if there is clearance for wide tyres.

[Impuls34]

thanks a lot to everyone,

First of all, I contacted the owner of the vittorio, I called him tonight and he told me that the bike is quite new. In fact he is the second owner but he told me the bike is in very good condition. He doesn't know the tire clearance of the bike so I sent a mail directly to the brand to know and ask how old is the bike.
But now I worry a bit about the age of the bike, I thought that it wasn't so old.... Do you know if the carriers will be strong enough to carry a lot of luggage?
Basically, even if it is an old bike, do you think it could be a good option to go for a long journey (25 000km)?

I also contacted avaghon that have S28 available in 68cm. The frame only cost 800euros and the complete bike cost more than 2000euros with everything... so it is bit out of my budget :/

I don't really like the design of the surly ogre

Actually I would prefer go for an steel frame but I am affraid to buy second hand steel frame in case there is rust inside the frame. I think aluminium is better for that but i am not sure...

CarlW : , do you have 26 or 700 LHT?
This is the response of surly : You can clear up-to a 42mm wide tire with mudguards. Hope that helps!
it is very important for me to use mudguards

good night

[CarlW]

28", 50-622 Schwalbe Almotions as in the pic. In combination with mudguards, I have only used 37mm tyres: plenty of clearance, but never tried anything larger.

[alois]

You were asking if the Fuji Touring isn't somewhat cheap. You're right, it really is cheap. But it is working for me. I am as tall as you are, and I own a 64 cm 2016 Fuji Touring fits me well. Because I have an extra 30 kilos of pure muscle weight compared to you, I swapped the wheels for handbuilt ones, but I don't think that would be necessary for you. And with a price of 850,- euro's you have some money left for upgrades like fenders and lights. By the way, I really like the drop bars, but that is personal I think.

[Impuls34]

Alois are you ok to bet your fuji about the 30kg of pure muscle only ?

Seriously do you think i can fit 2.00×28 tire with mudguards on the fuji?!

[alois]

That is a good question, I'll have to measure it. I think I read somewhere that the maximum is 42 mm, which isn't bad of course, but it is clear that the bike is less of an expedition bike and more of a long distance touring bike.

[Impuls34]

Hello !!
So I contacted the first owner of the vittorio that told me he is probably 20 years old. I am a bit confused because the seller told me the bike is quite new. So I might not buy this bike...

I found an old giant expedition https://www.marktplaats.nl/a/fietsen-en ... e=lr&pos=7
but do you think this kind of bike could fit my project?!