Just a post-trip update for posterity.

I ended up spending more than £2K preparing. Almost half went to an Ohlins rear suspension which I am moderately happy with.

I got the GPS and am happy I did - it's extremely useful in cities & deserts and marginally useful anywhere else.

I got a smaller mattress, tent & sleeping bag. Very happy I did as the end result was that I could pack everything inside my panniers (protected from water, thieves, accidental loss, dirt, sun, better aerodynamics etc)

I spent money to ensure I had the right stuff with me, and not just something that might do the trick. I used every single item in my panniers at least once, save for the tent repair kit (which came with the tent anyway) and the aluminium ("space") blanket, since I never got myself in a survival situation. I also didn't use some of the drugs I had with me, but I won't complain.

Didn't get a new jacket. Didn't need it. I had an accident, was knocked over and ended with the bike on my foot - the jacket protected me. I had bought new boots (not off-road, but middle-ground road type ones with tough ankle protectors and fully waterproof) and they kept me dry and saved my ankle when the bike fell on it.

If I were to leave for a trip tomorrow I neither need or want to buy anything. I know the equipment now, and I know it works for any situation I'm likely to encounter. So the mix'n'match approach between old and new was the best for me.

I'd say buy as little as possible new gear, but whatever you do purchase, make sure it's top quality and it fits your needs. You will be using it again and again and again...

Alexandros

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2011-2012: 5 months in Chile
2009-2010: 5 months in Turkey-Iran-Pakistan-India

Many thanks for the follow-up.

The best thing you can ever do with a Touratech catalogue is BURN IT !!

There is rarely anything in there that you really need, and what is useful is 3x more expensive than it needs to be.


As for your first question... "If it ain't broke, don't fix it"..

It would be crazy to replace working servicable kit. When it wears out, starts leaking then sure !

The more you travel, the more emphassis you will put on the gear you buy. I'm a firm believer of buying kit that will last and do it's job. If you shop carefully, most of it will last a LIFETIME and won't need replacing again.

The £15 tent will be swapped for a £200 because you know you the quality will pay for itself after quite a few £15 will end up in the bin.

Filling your shopping cart with shiney, lazy etched adventure underpants is going too far and best left for the Sunday GS'ers.

You can always "make do" with what you've got, but if you plan to travel on bikes a fair bit in the future, you can call your purchases an investment.

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Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.

Take a look at these guys https://sites.google.com/site/threew...ke/poorer-trek

Maybe I should add a catalogue come emergency toilet paper come emergency fuel to the selection?


Apapadop/Alexandros, thanks for the feedback and glad you had a good trip even with the bike-on-foot thing.

Andy

HAHAHA Love it !!! Sums it up pretty well.

__________________
Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.