Wilsons Sandbox

Getting ready to try the Prudhoe Bay trip...wondering if I should go to a 16T front sprocket(43T rear) since by far the vast majority of miles will be highway, but with lots of gravel/maybe mud. Considering the heavy load, and drag of the aluminum panniers, I don't want to overgear the thing and lug it down. Also don't want to be limited to a higher than desired minimum speed if it gets really nasty. What would you guys who have done it recommend? Also I thought I would run the Bridgestone UHD tubes but the sizes don't match...will an 18 inch tube work in a 17 inch tire? Which tube for a 120/70/18 front...110/100/18? or ? Thx Joe

I did the trip using the equivalent of a 17T (actually 15/38), no problem. Once you get to Canada the speed limits will be lower and the same for Alaska. There ain't the need really for higher gearing to maintain 70+ mph. I had no problem with flats (knocks on wood) using cheap generic tubes. I did carry a spare front tube but neither it nor the patch kit got used. I would use the 16T you are gonna see lotsa long highways. rockiedog2 wrote: Getting ready to try the Prudhoe Bay trip...wondering if I should go to a 16T front sprocket(43T rear) since by far the vast majority of miles will be highway, but with lots of gravel/maybe mud. Considering the heavy load, and drag of the aluminum panniers, I don't want to overgear the thing and lug it down. Also don't want to be limited to a higher than desired minimum speed if it gets really nasty. What would you guys who have done it recommend? Also I thought I would run the Bridgestone UHD tubes but the sizes don't match...will an 18 inch tube work in a 17 inch tire? Which tube for a 120/70/18 front...110/100/18? or ? Thx Joe --------------------------------- Never miss a thing. Make Yahoo your homepage. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]