For the Chile/ Argentina trip bikes need to be tough as they will take a bit of a battering.
A mountain bike is a good option. Front suspension will help with the washboard tracks and potholes, but it is not essential. Full suspension is fine, but may be hard work on the tarmac stretches. If you have flat bars, fitting bar ends will give you a different hand position and help with the climbs. The trip can be done on a traditional touring bike, but it is important to ensure it has strong enough wheels, sufficiently wide tyres (37mm is about the minimum) and low enough gearing. It is worth investing in a pair of 36 spoke, hand-built wheels, using a good quality rim (e.g. Sun Rhyno, Mavic or Rigida).We recommend a low geared (such as a 22-tooth granny cog on the front crank driving an 11-32/34 block on the back).
We strongly recommend that you have your bike fully serviced before going on the tour. Ensure that wheel spokes are adjusted, bearings are greased, gear and brake cables checked, all nuts and bolts tightened. Also check chain, quick release clamp and tyres. Put in new inner tubes and check wheel rims are not worn.
We recommend that you bring the following items with you.
- Multi tool
- Tyre levers
- Pump
- Spare inner tubes
- Spare spokes
- Check with your bike shop for disc/ brake pads
- A few links for your chain
- Spares for any unique things for your bikes i.e fluid or bleed kit.
Your bike must be carried as part of your luggage allowance. The weight of a bike in cardboard box is about 15-20kg, so please bear this in mind when packing for the trip and you may have to pay for excess luggage.
Please note: Please ensure that your bike and bike box are adequately insured for the entirety of the tour, including all transfers, as redspokes are not liable for any damage that might be caused to your equipment. If you are taking a flexible bike-bag or a collapsible bike-box, depending on the group size and available space, it will be transported as passenger luggage on the support vehicle. In all other circumstances, your guide will arrange for your box to be sent to the end destination.