In Singapore
Gary retired about three years ago and moved over to SE Asia to start his new life. I wrote about Gary, his retirement and departure, how he got rid of all his stuff except for his bicycle and what he could carry on it, and how he’s ended up on an extended bike tour through several amazing countries, including Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam from north to south, back through Thailand into Malaysia, Singapore, and now he’s working his way across Sri Lanka. He’s had over two years of bike touring, taking it slow, checking out the cities, temples, and backroads, whatever interests him. About a year ago he commissioned me to make him an all-out Pinion touring bike to replace the bike he’d started with, and that wasn’t serving him very well.
Gary admits he’d been somewhat resistant to “new” technology, especially when it came to the Pinion system. But with his research into it, our conversations about the bikes I’ve already built and that people have been riding, as well as the promise of low maintenance touring was enough to convince him to go for it. Making a solid bike around the Pinion system is something I have a fair bit of experience with, and love to do. Gary has been riding his new bike since May of this year, long enough to wear through his first sets of brake pads.
Now that Gary has some months of travel behind him he’s offered a review of the bike and the Pinion system. I’ll quote directly from his message so you can read it in his voice.
“Gosh, has it been 5 months already! Crazy times.
I’ve been thinking about how to describe the experience so far and it’s been more difficult than I thought.
I have concluded that being a human is like the hardest thing ever. This whole journey I’ve been on has opened my eyes to that and also helping me live with the fact.
That being said, the bicycle has delivered on everything that I wanted and more so than I thought it would. It carries weight so smoothly and handles so well. Like I said before, it handles quicker and with more confidence than my old bike and has zero shimmy at all. It’s incredible. The bigger tires I still love, roll over everything with comfort.
The Pinion and belt are a complete game changer. I just get on and pedal. There’s practically no noise, super smooth and zero maintenance. It’s wild. I’ve got used to the shifting and it’s second nature now. It does make a funny clunk now and again, but I think that’s the nature of that sort of transmission. The gears have to mesh.
I’ve been trying to think of anything I would change... I’ve been in Singapore for a few weeks, riding around unloaded and doing short missions. For this kind of riding what I want is a more sporty, lighter bike that wheelies, jumps, endo-s, etc! Haha. But that’s not a touring bike. I can still get shredy on my bike and go off-road and hit little jumps, but this isn’t where it shines.
Two things happened though that put it in perspective. I did a big grocery run recently and put a ton of weight in the front bag and it carries it so well. It instantly reminded me of what this bike is supposed to do. And one day I ran into 3 other “bike packing” guys. It’s a very small scene here. I rode with them on a pretty casual ride and they were asking me all about the bike. Every question was like a slam dunk and I was so pumped. It reminded me of all the things I wanted to solve and that yes indeed I got them and it’s working incredibly well! A reminder of before and after, old bike with derailleurs, and new bike with the Pinion.
A few other comments: I really like the wider handlebars, not sure what mine were before, but a little wider is nicer. Still impressed with the handling on the descents. Really carves into things and holds a line, very confident. The kickstand! What a treat, I can’t believe I didn’t have one before. The steering lock takes a second to put in place, but it’s so nice to load the bike! I try and remind myself to take the extra seconds and use it. It’s wild how steep some of the paths are here, makes me think I could go with a bigger cog in the back! I wonder if the current belt would fit switching the rear cog.
So that’s about it.
The zero maintenance thing is the real win, and also it’s like I got everything I wanted, there’s nothing to think about changing, or researching, or wondering about trying. That feels almost boring sometimes! I’ve already got it all! Haha.
Alright, that’s it for now!
Hope all is well over there!
g.”