Bike modifications for winter cycle touring

Mr Hyde has been transformed in Winter Hyde.

Before:

For details of the original bike speccs scroll down.

After:

Work done :

Handlebars : Against all my principles I’ve replaced my drop bars for flat mountain bike type handle bars, including LX brakes and Ergon grips and bar ends for a little more comfort. I have no problems with drops bars for off road but ice and snow are just too much. Reason one : Permanent instant access to the brakes. Reason two : Its easier to get Poggies to fit, there are some Poggies available for drop bars but they generally don’t have much insulation.

Lubrication : Anything that is grease-able now has cold weather grease.

Rohloff : To use a Rohloff speed hub in extreme cold the oil needs to be diluted with Rolhoff cleaning oil at a ratio of 50/50 (If you do this Rohloff will still give full warranty to -30C). This thins the oil reducing drag and making gear change easier at low temperatures. There are some people that add a drop of Kerosene or motor oil to their hub but for now I’d rather try it this way and keep my warranty.

Tires : I’ve installed Ice spike pro Spike tires for more grip in snow and ice.

Front rack : Have replaced my Tubus duo front rack with a Surly nice rack To give more real estate on my bike for all the extra gear (shame its so heavy).

Warm bits : To keep my bum and hands warm I’ve added a sheepskin to my saddle and Hotpog Poggies to the handlebars.

Cables : On most bikes the outer gear/brake cable conduit is missing somewhere in the system (to save weight?). I’ve installed new cables that run the whole length of the bike reducing the chance for moisture to get in between in inner and outer cables and freezing. I’ve also greased the cable ends to reduce the chance of moisture getting in.

Bottle cages : Installed Bikebuddy Mk3 x2 to carry thermos flask and fuel bottle.

Brake levers : Covered in tape so my fingers won’t stick to them.

Mr Hyde in normal mode

Handmade custom bike built by www.m-gineering.nl

Frame:          Reynolds 725 steel, with EBB for Rohloff and S+S for easy transport.

Wheels:        26″ Rigida sputnik, Rohloff 14 speed hub, Son hub dynamo, (32 spoke)

Tires:            26×2″ Schwalbe  Marathon XR.

Racks            Tubus Cargo and Duo Racks

Saddle:           Brooks of course (needs a liter of sweat to brake it in, but after that its like a pair of old shoes).

Handlebars:  Nitto dream bar, modified with “M-gineering splitendz” to allow a Rohloff grip shifter on drop bars.

Headset:       Stronglight, good old fashion roller bearings instead of expensive well marketed crap.

Transmission: Rohloff speedhub (EX), blackspire chain ring,  40×17 for Africa. Shimano LX/XT chain .

Pedals:         Wellgo platform pedals (means I can use my hiking boots/sandals on tour).

Cranks:        Sugino 104×4, 170mm.

Brakes:        Shimano LX V-brakes,  Diacompe 287V & pauls crosstops.

Pump:          Zefal hpx ( a full size pump, for the real work, no messing around with a little crappy pump that takes all day).

Mudguards: SKS

Kickstand:   Esge.  A heavy extra, but makes life alot easier.