Australian Cycling Forums - Bicycles Network Australia

A titanium Van Nicholas for sale

Not mine but worth a look.

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/191073943779 ... 1438.l2649

Min bid is $3,000
new frame is $2,900 from the factory (add shipping + GST etc) ... long way from a cheap frame. 0.9mm tube thickness, max tyre 26x 2.35" weight 1.98kg
Add rear hub $ say 800 .. not new
other bits and pieces ..

Auction ends 9.27pm (AEST) Monday
It would be nice .. but I'd rather spend the money on a tour.

Went for $3050. Glad he sold it.

Warin wrote:Went for $3050. Glad he sold it.

Having built a Pioneer myself, I can tell you that is an excellent price.

Actually, I didn't sell it...it fell through, thanks to the buyer having no money! It'll be re-listed this week, and I've posted it on tis forum.

And if that's the R Kinane with the Whispering Wheels blog, it was your spec I pretty well copied (even down to buying the wrong length BB axle for it).

I contacted him regarding the bike as its a favourite of mine and it seems he's had some health issues, thus has to sell.

Apparently it didn't sell as the buyer didn't have the money. Knob.

I would think it's a good deal now that the dollar is so much lower than in the past years.
Quality comes at a price

Its also on cgoab
http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/classifi ... d=4210&v=5" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

onrbikes wrote:I contacted him regarding the bike as its a favourite of mine and it seems he's had some health issues, thus has to sell.

According to the eBay listing, he's had a stroke. You should buy this bike - wasn't yours stolen?

According to the eBay listing, he's had a stroke. You should buy this bike - wasn't yours stolen?[/quote]

Indeed, in April last year. Flew back from UK and got a DVT in my leg, which travelled from one side of my heart to the other (through a hole that no-one knew was there) and caused a stroke. So, they've also closed the hole in the heart as well.

I've recovered astoundingly well but I've had a bit of re-think about a few things. Can't see me doing the sort of trip that bike was built for - someone else should have a go.

Cheers,
Kevin

Yeh one of ours was knicked but have since bought another Thorn.

Used, its been sitting at a friends in London since November.
We're heading out next week to pick it up, put a few bits on it and tour.

Ti-Wiz wrote:I've recovered astoundingly well but I've had a bit of re-think about a few things. Can't see me doing the sort of trip that bike was built for - someone else should have a go.

Commiserations Kevin - best wishes for a full recovery. Hope you'll be able to get back touring again sometime.

Digging up an old thread, a Van Nicholas Pioneer with Rohloff for sale.

http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/sydney-r ... 1096748355" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Dumb question time. Are most touring bikes 26inch wheels? I am so use to 700c road bikes and 29er mtb nowdays 26ers look really quite squat. Also would there be issues building the rohloff hub into a set of 700/29er wheels. Looks a beauty though. Lucky I'm not in Sydney or I would have been real tempted.

rodneycc wrote:Dumb question time. Are most touring bikes 26inch wheels? I am so use to 700c road bikes and 29er mtb nowdays 26ers look really quite squat. Also would there be issues building the rohloff hub into a set of 700/29er wheels. Looks a beauty though. Lucky I'm not in Sydney or I would have been real tempted.

I think it depends on where you're touring. 26" are meant to be easier to find anywhere, but 700c wheels shouldn't be a problem for many locations. Disk brake wheels could be a bit more of an issue, but total failure is unlikely.

rodneycc wrote:Dumb question time. Are most touring bikes 26inch wheels? I am so use to 700c road bikes and 29er mtb nowdays 26ers look really quite squat. Also would there be issues building the rohloff hub into a set of 700/29er wheels. Looks a beauty though. Lucky I'm not in Sydney or I would have been real tempted.

One of the selling points for 26 inch (559) over 700C/29 (622) was that the shorter spokes allegedly built into a stronger wheel.

If you are planning on fat tyres the larger diameter means a 10% increase in tyre weight.

Mike

rodneycc wrote:Dumb question time. Are most touring bikes 26inch wheels?

No, your road touring bike is most likely to use 700c wheels.
But most expedition touring bikes such as this one do use 26" wheels.
The primary reason for this is that 26" spares and tyres are likely to be available pretty much anywhere in the world, whereas 700c spares and tyres can be difficult to find in most third world countries, e.g. Asia, South America.

Thanks guys good explanations. Cheers.

RonK wrote:

rodneycc wrote:Dumb question time. Are most touring bikes 26inch wheels?

No, your road touring bike is most likely to use 700c wheels.
But most expedition touring bikes such as this one do use 26" wheels.
The primary reason for this is that 26" spares and tyres are likely to be available pretty much anywhere in the world, whereas 700c spares and tyres can be difficult to find in most third world countries, e.g. Asia, South America.

Hey Ron! How is bicycling to work in Brizzy? I was impressed with your use and explanation of the Brisbane rent-a-bike system and how useful it was for bicycling around town when we stopped for brekky in August.

Now I am going to throw in my 2 Qatari Riyals into your comments and say that I chose the 26" wheel because it can be built "stronger" than the larger wheels. Now, that comment may provoke outrage and/or laughter

I also maximized the spokes - because I got 2 brand new never-been-laced Phil Wood 48-spoke hubs on ebay a decade ago (when I was planning my first touring bicycle and accumulating parts). The wheels have certainly stood the test of touring on dirt and pavement. Still straight a decade after building and they were in situations (on the Savannah Way) where an accident would have tacoed a weaker wheel.

tmac100 wrote:Hey Ron! How is bicycling to work in Brizzy? I was impressed with your use and explanation of the Brisbane rent-a-bike system and how useful it was for bicycling around town when we stopped for brekky in August.

Hi Ken - the mornings have become much warmer and more humid since you were here, but you just can't beat the convenience so I'm still riding the Citycycle to the office. Actually it is cooler than walking - until I have to stop.

tmac100 wrote: Now I am going to throw in my 2 Qatari Riyals into your comments and say that I chose the 26" wheel because it can be built "stronger" than the larger wheels. Now, that comment may provoke outrage and/or laughter

I also maximized the spokes - because I got 2 brand new never-been-laced Phil Wood 48-spoke hubs on ebay a decade ago (when I was planning my first touring bicycle and accumulating parts). The wheels have certainly stood the test of touring on dirt and pavement. Still straight a decade after building and they were in situations (on the Savannah Way) where an accident would have tacoed a weaker wheel.

There is no room for outrage or laughter here. A smaller diameter increases the bracing angle and definitely makes for stronger wheels.



Unfortunately there are other limitations for 72 spoke 20" wheels.

Cheers,

Cameron