10 Deserts Solo Cycle Epic

I'd like to introduce Fat Albert:

... Or at least that's my nick-name for this great 18" Speedway Cycles Fatback.

When you're about to embark on a 7500km ride through 10 deserts, up to 1,000km from the nearest town, there is no mucking around with sub-standard equipment. The Fatback represents the pinnacle of adventure mountain biking. Made exclusively from titanium, this frame and fork-set are designed to go the distance in the harshest terrain, and live to tell the tale. Given this bike accommodates 2 x 4" wheels, it's remarkable that the 18" frame weighs in at a measly 1.57kg.

Follow up:

My Fatback utilises Speedway Cycles' latest, greatest and lightest 70mm rims which are built around 36 hole Phil Wood custom hubs. I'll die before these wheels ever do. To cut down weight, the rims have holes stamped around the periphery. For riding in sand, I've used rim tape and 3M clear sheet to prevent sand ingress. These wheels are shod with the fattest tyres on the market; 3.7" Surly Endomorphs.

The drive-train comprises square taper Middleburn R8 cranks, Phil Wood titanium bottom bracket, and the very best SRAM X-0 rear deraileur, chain and twist-shifts for rapid gear changes if I suddenly find myself in soft sand, and need to dump gears quick. This will happen! I'll use Crank Brothers egg-beater pedals since anything lesser will sieze solid with sand.

The light-weight Thomson aluminium seat-post and stem, Truvativ carbon fibre handle bars, Cane Creek bar-ends, and Fizik Gobi saddle complete this light-weight adventure beast.

Thanks to Greg at Speedway Cycles and Tim & Michael at For the Riders for some sponsored and very cheap parts to help get this expedition underway.

I'd write more, but I just want to get out and see where this machine can take me