Gear List

Bikes: Santa Cruz hardtails (Chameleon and Juliana)
Tubes: Slime, including Bob wheel (thus the lack of flats)
Trailer: Bob Yak
Panniers: Old Man Mountain Sherpa Rack. Arkel front panniers (used as rear)
Tent: Mountain Gear Light Wedge 2
Bags: Kelty and Big Agnes down bags
Pads: Thermarest (Paula's was a luxury model *grin*)
Stove: $10-special Coleman single burner propane
Filter: Katadyn Hiker

Electronics

Laptop: Compaq Evo 410c
GPS: Garmin GPS Map 60CS
Camera: Canon 210s
Satellite Phone: GlobalStar (Thanks Mom! Sort of... *grin*)
Lights: Cateye HL-EL200 110 hours runtime!
Chargers: Computer AC, Camera, Sat. Phone, Lomar AA/AAA 2 hour charger
CF Card reader (for Camera)
Cables: GPS USB, Phone cable (needed this in a few motels)
MP3 Players (2): Creative Nuvo - no cables, direct USB connect

12 NiMH AA batteries (4 in each light, 4 for GPS)
4 NiMH AAA batteries (mp3 players)

I cursed these heavy (and largely unecessary) electronics throughout the trip. However, now that I'm not pulling the Bob I am happy that I have the GPS data, pictures and journal entries.

Bike Tools - always a tricky issue

* Topeak Alien mini-tool
Park mini-chain tool
6" adjustable wrench
Cassette tool (that fits 6" wrench--not easy to find)
3 extra spokes for front/rear wheels (our bikes had the same wheels)
Sachs powerlink (spare chain link)
Extra 5mm and 4mm allen wrench
* Quik-stick and 2 tire levers
Well stocked patch kit (over-stocked)
Park tire boots (3)
* Spare derailluer and brake cable
* 2 Slime Tubes
2 Regular Tubes
1 Slime Bob Tube
Zip ties (various sizes)
* Duct tape
* Dumonde Tech Lube / Shop rag

* - indicates a tool we actually used.

Mechanical Problems / Replacements

1 frayed rear derailleur cable (fraying inside shifter). Replaced in Hartsel.

1 stuck front derailleur cable/hosing (replaced by Outdoorsman bike shop in Butte)

2 rear tire flats (1st flat held for 600 miles when pumped back up, 2nd had to be changed)

The bearings on Bob wheel gradually became seized, rolling on the axle instead. Fixed somewhat in Ovando.

Scott's cyclometer reset itself after a rainstorm in Ovando.

Scott's cheapo rear fender broke in Pinedale, WY. Didn't bother replacing it.

Replaced in Steamboat Springs: Scott's rear tire (already worn before the trip) and both chains.

Other than these the only other maintenance I did was cleaning/lubing, derailleur adjustments and a bit of wheel truing. We feel extremely lucky that nothing show-stopping ever happened. This was partially due to gear selection and mechanical vigilance, but also just plain old luck.


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