Our bikes are kept in shape by the bike tuners of Knoops in Mierlo.

We had the following demands for our bicycles:

• Both the same bike. In this way it is easy to exchange parts and will limit the amount of spare parts we have to take with us.

• A very stiff frame. Because Tore is quite large (1.95m) he needs a 22" frame which is more likely to become weak.

• 26 inch wheels. This size is the most common all over the world, so new tubes bought abroad will be usually 26 inch tubes. 

• Possible to drive on all the dirt roads, i.e. wide tubes.

• 8 speed (8 cog-wheels). The 9 speed gear needs a smaller chain and is less likely to be available all over the world.

• No front suspension, these are inefficient when driving with full package and need quite some maintenance. ( Front bags below springs: the weight below the springs should be as low as possible. Front bags above springs: the springs are impressed already and stiffer in this region, so the effect of the suspension is less.)

Our choice: Cannondale Mountain bike M700, CAAD 3  
The stiffness of the frame for large sizes was the most important decisive point. The CAAD 3 stands for aluminum. Advantage of this material is the stiffness and low weight. Very handy when taking the bike into a plane and only 20 kilo of luggage is allowed.. A big disadvantage is that it can't be easily weld when it is broken. But also most steal frames nowadays has to be TIG-weld when broken.