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mountain bike for iceland

Posted: 28 Mar 2014, 12:38pm
by stephenjubb
Hi All,

I'm off to Iceland but want to go off road and fly using the CTC plastic bag, so this rules out using my Dawes Super Galaxy, not good for off road and would not want baggage handlers damaging her.

So I thought I would build myself a mountain bike for touring as cheaply as possible (money is tight) without compromising on quality (by this I mean I may save costs by going for Deore componenents rather than LX and reusing existing spare parts). At least then if the baggage handlers trashed it I have not spent a fortune, and I've wanted a mountain bike for ages for riding bridleways, forests (where allowed) in the UK. Got frame today and looks in good condition.

Following advise on here and other forums on converting mountain bikes to touring bike, I've acquired a frame, early 90s GT Timberline, it can take racks, mudguards, no suspension, steel, long wheel stays

Here is the link to the frame

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/141227799731? ... 1439.l2649

I'm now thinking about wheels, have considered spa wheels

http://www.spacycles.co.uk/products.php ... 0s170p3041
http://www.spacycles.co.uk/products.php ... 0s200p2243

so would be £120 for front with dynamo and rear wheel sputnik rims, £80 approx, tubes £12 so total of £217. I've got their wheels on the galaxy and are excellent. Add a couple of tyres and looking at £247.

However I have seen these, http://www.rosebikes.co.uk/article/shim ... aid:483388 at a total cost (for wheels, dynamo and tyres) at £172, quite a saving of £85.

http://www.rosebikes.co.uk/article/shim ... aid:483388

The specs are

Rims: Xtreme Sari M-19R, 36 holes
Hubs: FW: Shimano DH-3N80# hub dynamo incl. overvoltage protection, silver, 36 holes, RW: Shimano Deore XT 780 silver, 36 holes, compatible with 7-/8-/ 9-/10-speed Shimano HG, hub width: FW: 100 mm/RW: 135 mm
Spokes: DT Champion 2 mm, black
Nipples: DT Pro lock, black
Tyres: Continental Town & Country, 26 x 2.1

My question hubs are fine, but are Xtreme Sari rims any good combined with DT Champion 2 mm spokes?

These wheels would need to take my weight of 14 stone, and approx 40 kilos of kit (might have to carry several days of food and water) and work off road in rough conditions.

I'm probably leaning towards SPA wheels but am seriously tempted by these so opinions would be welcome.

Thanks in advance.

Re: mountain bike for iceland

Posted: 28 Mar 2014, 8:39pm
by Cunobelin
Do NOT, repeat do NOT go out in Reykjavik on a Saturday night.

Re: mountain bike for iceland

Posted: 28 Mar 2014, 9:41pm
by Vorpal
There have been a number of threads about Spa wheels, Rose Bikes wheels, and wheel building. I'm afraid that they tend to become in depth technical discussions, but if you want some wheel thoughts to wade through...

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=80249
viewtopic.php?f=5&t=78113
viewtopic.php?f=1&t=76187&p=667798

Re: mountain bike for iceland

Posted: 28 Mar 2014, 10:06pm
by mercalia
Cunobelin wrote:Do NOT, repeat do NOT go out in Reykjavik on a Saturday night.


eh please elaborate for the rest of us who arent going?

Re: mountain bike for iceland

Posted: 4 Apr 2014, 8:44pm
by vjosullivan
mercalia wrote:
Cunobelin wrote:Do NOT, repeat do NOT go out in Reykjavik on a Saturday night.


eh please elaborate for the rest of us who arent going?


Reykjavik has a lively social scene, particularly if you're young.

Re: mountain bike for iceland

Posted: 4 Apr 2014, 9:01pm
by Shuggie
In my experience it is not just the young ones who push the boat out every weekend ;-)

Used a hard tail MTB on the trails with XT spec, which was great when the going got rough

Hugh

Re: mountain bike for iceland

Posted: 6 Apr 2014, 12:01pm
by Samurray
stephenjubb wrote:Hi All,
I'm off to Iceland ...


I'm not addressing your question directly as such but, and if you have time, you may find Emily Chappell's blog of interest as she's recently been riding a mountain bike (of sorts?) in very remote parts of Iceland. In the usual way I'm not one for reading blogs etc but hers, which began by charting a 'to be continued' round the World expedition, is excellent. In the main because she writes so well.

http://thatemilychappell.com/

Re: mountain bike for iceland

Posted: 6 Apr 2014, 4:00pm
by Cunobelin
vjosullivan wrote:
mercalia wrote:
Cunobelin wrote:Do NOT, repeat do NOT go out in Reykjavik on a Saturday night.


eh please elaborate for the rest of us who arent going?


Reykjavik has a lively social scene, particularly if you're young.


... or old!

We went for a quiet pint at about 11:30 following dinner, with some Belgians and a couple of Americans. Bumped into some locals and were shown around. They were celebrating St Patricks Day, and we all retired in the wee small hours because we had to pack and catch flights, but the locals were still going strong

Brilliant people!