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Saturday, August 22, 2009
Of manholes and walls
@11:04 PM

During BMT, I had paid S$3700 for a custom made titanium bike with extremely relaxed geometry, partly with the intention of possibly utilising it as a touring bike sometime in the near future. After all, a titanium can withstand nearly everything, possibly getting out of a headlong highspeed car crash with barely any structural damage aside from paint scratches. Imagine my horror when I was finally brought down to earth by the fact that this expensive titanium frame was unsuited for the tour I had in mind.

The main problem was that it lagged the capacity to install tires of larger than 700x28c on a size 700 wheels. When I had installed 700x28c tires on for testing, there was barely a millimetre of clearance at the seat tube and brakes, which was the first sign of trouble. Moreover, for a 6 month tour, 28c tires are dangerous: simply put, it is too thin for off-road use, and to sustain the loads I needed to carry, which will include sleeping bags and cycling equipment, clothes and food. Back to the drawing board then.

So after some research, I came up with an alternative: to attempt installing 26" wheels and tires on it. I consulted the LBS (Local Bike Shop) mechanic, who promptly drowned that possibility, as brakes suitable for 26" cannot be installed on a 700-suitable frame. That means the S$3700 titanium frame is as good as useless.

Cyclogy (the LBS) offered me a Raleigh touring bike at S$1300. One problem: it is size 53, and I suspect that my ideal size is 58. That is five sizes too small, and while the mechanic kindly attempted to fix it up so that it imitated my titanium geometry inch for inch, I felt extremely uneasy about accepting the deal. I trusted that intuition, and put off the purchase.

While doing yet more research earlier this week, I discovered that Hup Leong, down at Chinatown, distributes Jamis bikes, of which the Jamis Aurora is a classic touring frame, and at quite a cheap price too. For $1450, I get to have the size of my choice, and almost the same specs. Now only the tires are an issue, stock tires being only 32c, but that can be easily solved. I guess that is the first obstacle overcomed, or at least, I hope so... I shall have to confirm the order by next week. Sigh... The money never seems to be enough.

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This blog is created to chronicle insights and exploits, anything and everything about cycling in the life of one sworn to the bike
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Chua Yi Jonathan
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JoyRider
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