Off to meet a few 'stans

[JimK]

I think the Rohloff will normally seep a bit of oil out from around the axles, so that sounds like nothing to worry about.

Great to hear that you and your bike are holding up!

Yeah more that once I have thought that I should have got the 65 mm fenders rather than the 55 mm. Many worse problems possible!

[Andre Jute]

A little oil getting out is natural. Don't worry about it. Think of it as stopping dust getting in.

I have the P65 mudguards and even they wouldn't have clearances suitable for riding on muddy roads. Someone commented on our ride yesterday that all over my bike, including between the tyres (60mm) and the mudguards, the standard clearance seems to be 1mm.

[Matt2matt2002]

Thanks folks.
Very reassuring.
Onwards tomorrow..
Dushanbe.
And then the riding begins in earnest.

Matt

[John Saxby]

Onwards tomorrow..
Dushanbe.
And then the riding begins in earnest.

Viva!!

[Danneaux]

Some oil leak, minimal, around the Axel.

Perhaps an artifact of your recent air travel, Matt. I'd wipe it clean and watch for any new seepage.

Best,

Dan.

[geocycle]

Yes, a bit of oil is nothing to worry about. High atmospheric pressure on the flightless. or even your current location is likely a contributing factor.

[Matt2matt2002]

Hello folks.
Reporting in from Dushanbe, Tajikistan.
All going well.
No more Thorns sighted but up to my third Rohloff.

Tomorrow I set off from here, eastwards to Kohrog, the Pamir Highway.

Many thanks for comments on the oil issue.
Not proving to be serious.

Matt

[DAntrim]

Glad to hear to going well, can't wait for the photo's

[Matt2matt2002]

Your intrepid traveller reporting in from Khorog Tajikistan.
All going well and having 2 rest days here before heading east to Murgarb and then north back into Kyrgyzstan.

Raven behaving well, all things ( such as mud and rough roads) considered.

2 questions.
On a really deep muddy road I was nearly up to my axels.
The magic stick came out to clear the mud wedged between wheels and tires.
On the rear tire I was poking about so much I sheared off the connecting  rivets at the top most point of the guards.
Not the catch section near the brakes and not the most rear part.
Chromatic guards.
2+ inch marathons. Not much room at the best of times.
Guard now rattles a bit but does the job.
Any thoughts on how to re fit or tie the top most part of the guard?

2nd question.
Very happy with the marathons xr.
But with the roads frequently deteriorating to rock, rubble, gravel, sand or pot holes, what pressures would you recommend?
I have no guage with me, so: brick hard, hard hard, hard, hard/ soft?
Carrying tent, 4 panniers, food and 4 liters of water.
So pretty loaded. Although I think I've lost 3kg!!

All answers and thoughts much appreciated.

Matt

[JimK]

for tire pressure - probably the best way is just to look at the tire deformation when you are on the bike and riding on a bit of pavement. You want a little deformation but not very much!

Here is an idea for reattaching the mudguards. Not sure that I understand what broke exactly. But if you have a bit of string - dental floss is famous for such things - and a couple bits of twig, something like this might work. In town you can probably do better. E.g. maybe you can find some flat-top nails and have the top of the nail on the inside of the mudguard and the nail sticking out through the fender. Bend the nail somehow, hmmm. It depends so much on materials and tools available. The string and twig idea is more like a side-of-the-road hack.

[Matt2matt2002]

Thanks Jim.
Good advice on tire pressures.
The rims and spokes take a real pounding over here.

Re the ' guard problem.
What sheared off/ broke were the rivets holding the guard to the stays.
Standing over the rear of the bike, they are directly down, on top of the curve of the ' guard.
The nut holding the guard at the base of the frame is fine.
There is a clamp arrangement near the brakes. That's fine too.
And then the rear stays are attached.
My sillybfault for poking about with the stick to dislodge the mud.

Matt

I'll try the string suggestion.

[Slammin Sammy]

I like cable ties for times like these. I always have a selection of sizes with me, as well as some Velcro, elastic bands (heavy duty) and paper clips (for wire, reaming, etc).

[Andre Jute]

It's futile to check the level of inflation by trying to press the rolling surface of the tyre. Test pressure by squeezing the sidewalls. In these rough road conditions, loaded as the bike is, you want only a little give.

[Matt2matt2002]

That's me home folks.
Many thanks for all your comments and support.
More stats and info to follow but here are a few snippets.

XR tires. No punctures over 1,800+ Km
Didn't deflate them on flights. No pressure problems.

65 days away and Daily spend was £16.87 including a $75 visa for Tajikistan.
Return flight from Edinburgh to Bishkek was £545 so total spend was £1,642/£25 per day.

Majority of nights in guest houses or hostels at £5.50 per night.
Costs could have been a lot less if more nights under canvas.

Took $2,200 in cash plus x2 visa cards.

Never any problems with food or water. I soon realised that where there are people there is always food and water.
And although qute a few stretches were remote, folk always popped up.
Took too much gear. Never used my brand new £240 jacket!
Could have got away with no cooker.

Raven was perfect for the trip. Other bikes in my group were cheapies or Surely.
Just one puncture on 4 bikes but roads were extreme on many sections.
Even tarmac sections were dangerous at times.
Open drains and pot holes were, err..... interesting.

Great to have this forum up and running again.
I received so much advice in the run up to my tour, I honestly don't think I could have done it without folks support.
So a big thanks to whoever's been working behind the scenes.

Matt

[Danneaux]

Surely nice to know you're back safe and sound, Matt. Looking forward to hearing more about your tour.

All the best,

Dan.