Choosing a Bicycle for Long-distance touring // Pavement and the long-haul tours // Cycling in South Korea

• Bicycle touring 101: Choosing a Bicycle for recreational touring on pavement. 
• 

  9:53am
  

  Pamila Jo Florea
  

  
  

  Hi Brian!
  Here's my note. I figure I should give you my long range plan. I'd like to get a bike that can take me from Seoul to Busan this summer - I don't want to ride HARD, I just want to enjoy the weather, enjoy the trip. The pleasure is more important than the fancy ride. I have several injuries, though. I can't be on a bike that requires me to lean in on my hands - I have a wrist and a shoulder injury. On the bike you sold me, I'm able to lean down on my arms some, so I think that is an option. I am still fairly weak with upper body strength (mostly due to the shoulder injury I think), so I like that the frame is lighter weight.
  

  Would it be feasible / better / recommendable to just get stronger / better / more rugged tires for this bike and a new handlebar or is a new bike in order? This is my question... (and by the way - you are working with mountain bikes? Woo hoo! Sounds like you did ask the universe for what you wanted and perhaps got it?)

  Thanks for your help.
  pamila
• 

  10:10am
  

  Brian Perić
  

  
  

  Hi Pam,
  

  I am checking morning mail. I think the cruiser was ideal for most of your urban cycling activities, commuting, shopping, and that frame was aluminum and overall, that bike is quality.

  For touring across Korea, you probably want to purchase a 10,000 won tent on Gmarket.co.kr and one of the light blue sleeping bags 10-12,000 won at Home Plus (Tesco brand, synthetic, basic but warm enough for summer), and a foam mattress used for camping. The tent, sleeping bag and mat allow you to camp about anywhere. The tent can resist rain and wind, it is not waterproof in a downpour, however, you could camp on those Won-du-maks where Koreans picnic, or go to a Motel, Minbak, Jimjilbang sauna in a bigger city too. I mention camping supplies because it helps you go further without concern of stopping early for accommodation - no worries.

  For bicycles that enable you, with these injuries, enjoy cycling long-distances without pain? The cruiser you have is upright, the riser handlebars and big seat, basically you are upright - that is the best configuration. Except, the bike is heavy, heavier than road bikes, but similar to mountain bikes. Mountain bikes have no advantages for you, they require forward positioning, you use your arm strength a lot more, so that's a No - in your situation.

  Better would be a higher quality road bike or Hybrid bicycle. You can take drop handlebars and turn them over, and reverse the brake levers, then you would be upright, the saddle (seat) can be changed as well. Many prefer a Brooks B17 leather touring saddle, or a Selle SMP like what I am using on expeditions. I can spend 8-10 hours in the saddle and still be comfortable, so the Selle SMP is a good choice, available in MTB (mountain bike) shops around Seoul, try Biclo.co.kr for example.

  Here is my old riding friend Murray's Road bike with the handlebars turned up, that is what you need. It's lightweight, skinny tires (there are good ones available on the market), and he has installed a rear rack carrier for these panniers.
  https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=187469470461&set=a.187460420461.256283.591590461&type=3&theater

  Specialized makes good bicycles,http://www.specialized.com/gb/gb/bikes/globe/work
  http://www.specialized.com/gb/gb/bikes/multi-use

  Hope this helps, let me know.

  
  

  Chunju to Jecheon - 80Km - Two Wheels - South Korea

  Murray's Blackcat, now dubbed CELLO. Was under 400,000Won, now selling on Gmarket as CELLO for 960K.
  

  Cycling with Murray
  

  By: Brian Perić