In preparation for my cycle tour from Adelaide to Melbourne beginning this weekend, I needed to make a firm decision on which bike to take.  I’m fortunate to have a choice.

As I won’t be cycling much off-road beyond the bitumen, I have decided against riding my trusty “Iron horse” MTB, which I  previously cycled to Darwin with towing a BOB Yak trailer,  opting instead for my Surly Crosscheck.

While the Surly isn’t your regular touring bike, it is adaptable and rides well. There are a few braze-ons for mudguards and the rear rack, however, the chain stays are shorter so you don’t have that upright position on the road you get with a longer wheelbase touring bike. The Crosscheck is essentially a steel-framed road bike, however,  I have been able to modify it a little so that it’s a quick, light tourer fitted with a Shimano triple 105 group set 50/39/30 and an 11-28 rear cassette. My local bike shop (LBS) was able to fit a 32-cog on the back which will give me a couple of extra granny gears as  I labor uphill fully loaded.

The LBS also noticed that the velocity synergy rear rim was cracking, apparently, the spoke tension was too high. Given I’m carrying Ortlieb panniers and extra weight over the back heel, I decided to have a new wheel built using Mavic A719 rims and DT Alpine spokes. Hopefully its bullet proof. Add the 32 mils  Schwalbe Marathon Plus tires and my comfortably worn Brooks B17 saddle, SPD shoes with recessed cleats and I’m pretty much ready to go.