Back in 2008 I did an unsupported tour with a friend from Dorset to Rome. We both used our cheap mountain bikes (mine was £120 when new) because we are poor and didn't care, mine even had front shocks haha.
Well anyway we completed the trip in about 18 days and remarkably my bike didn't have a single mechanical fault whatsoever. 1300 - 1400 miles, no punctures, chain stayed on the whole way, no adjustments made, absolutely no trouble.
Further more I realised that in the 5 years of regular use of the bike I've only changed the tubes twice and I've never made any other adjustment or modification short of swapping the fat tyres for some cheap slicks. and putting on a rack I found in a skip.
Was this all just pure luck or has anyone else had similar success with regards to reliability? A friend of mine tours regularly with really expensive gear and he simply didn't believe me when I told him about my bike.
One of the reasons I ask is I am about to embark on a 1500 mile tour around France but this time I'm on an 90's Thorn Audax which I was given and I'm wondering what sort of reliability I should expect from it? I know it was a good bike in it's day and a fast tourer but would it be wise to make some upgrades before I go? everything on it is nearly 20 years old after all.
Well anyway we completed the trip in about 18 days and remarkably my bike didn't have a single mechanical fault whatsoever. 1300 - 1400 miles, no punctures, chain stayed on the whole way, no adjustments made, absolutely no trouble.
Further more I realised that in the 5 years of regular use of the bike I've only changed the tubes twice and I've never made any other adjustment or modification short of swapping the fat tyres for some cheap slicks. and putting on a rack I found in a skip.
Was this all just pure luck or has anyone else had similar success with regards to reliability? A friend of mine tours regularly with really expensive gear and he simply didn't believe me when I told him about my bike.
One of the reasons I ask is I am about to embark on a 1500 mile tour around France but this time I'm on an 90's Thorn Audax which I was given and I'm wondering what sort of reliability I should expect from it? I know it was a good bike in it's day and a fast tourer but would it be wise to make some upgrades before I go? everything on it is nearly 20 years old after all.