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Following on from my other thread, potentially going to Oz for 8 weeks and taking the bike. I'm starting to think about what I would take with me.
Obviously I need to minimise weight and space, so won't go too ott.
So.
Bike
Riding kit x2 of each item.
Tools needed for rebuilding bike from the bag.
Extra tools, pumps, lube?
General spares, pads, innertubes, chain, links....?
A big lock. The place is full of criminals.
A hat with corks on strings round the brim?
Make sure everything works before you go.
Then it depends on where and how much you are riding.
Chain, cables, outer, brake pads, tyres, tubes, lube, cleaning stuff? etc.
If you are somewhere populated I'd also take the address of a few bike shops! I can ride for months here without needing to replace things, especially if it is dry. However, if you crash you may need a lot more.
Make sure your bike is immaculately clean, Australian customs are hyper critical incase you bring in any non indeginous flora or fauna. If you have any spare tyres, or previously used items they will have to be clean too, ie soles of mtb shoes
What tyres are you running? I'd go for something highly puncture resistant and long lasting like a conti gatorskin.
I'd also take a flashing light as the roads are long and straight and the drivers don't concentrate
Are you sticking to populated areas? Carrying enough water is an issue. So maybe you might want to consider some msr water bags and a way of treating water?
Are you carrying your own camping/cooking gear ?
A spare folding tyre. 3 inner tubes. A couple of spokes. I can't see the point of taking a spare chain as a couple of quick links and a chain tool should fix most problems.Spare cables are good but you have to have something to cut them with. Water and more water. Sunblock.
When I look back on what I took I realise I took too much gear. You really can survive with very little. I would do a couple of days touring over here and fine tune everything while you can.
I thought slime inner tubes were great as changing a flat on a bike with panniers is a ball ache.
What are you doing for electrickery? Dyno hub or solar panel?
A bike, your kit, your helmet.
Australia has great bike shops, you can also get CRC/wiggle deliveries within a week if your of that persuasion.
You can get all sorts of things like spokes, tyres, tubes etc. You can even get genuine hope pads and hub spares over here.
I'd be bringing more riding gear than spares.
and I live here
Tubes and whatever you need to put it together. Pads and chain should be good for a while, it's not that muddy, even when it's wet.
If you need any more than that then shout out and you can borrow some of my tools.
As much or as little kit as you want - it usually dries overnight so you could get away with 1 set of everything!
Does where your going alter which bike you take ?
Thanks for the input - just to clear a few things.
I'm taking the full sus MTB - so no need for road stuff, I won't be riding on them.
I'm not touring or travelling, I'm flying over to work so will have transport, a house with garage etc. I'll be getting out on 1-6 hour rides at the most so no need for camping gear etc.
Looking more at what I should take as my 'get by' toolkit and spares so I don't need to try and source things.
I suppose if I look back at my last 3 months riding and cover everything that I've used at that point I should be good....?
Mike & Marmoset - thanks!
Regarding tyres - I've got a freshly built up wheelset with brand new rubber fitted ready to go.
Cleaning - I spent about 2 hours last night with a toothbrush and bucket of soapy water cleaning every little bit of the bike. I seriously don't think i can get the thing any cleaner!