En projet cet hiver, la descente en vélo du Sudan à partir de l’Égypte jusqu’à la capitale Khartoum.
Plus précisément de Wadi Halfa à Khartoum. Je dispose de 3 semaines.
J'ai quelques soucis d'itinéraires et donc remercie à l'avance les honorables confrères qui sont passés par là en vélo et voudront bien me conseiller :
1- de Wadi Halfa à Dongola, quel coté du Nil choisir, le plus intéressant en vélo (villages traversés, population rencontré, paysages, sites archéo)
2- de Dongola à Khartoum par où passer le plus intéressant ?
2-1- Direct au sud à travers le désert vers Khartoum (3 à 4 jours) ??
2-2- en continuant à longer le Nil jusqu'à Karima, puis en traversant le désert de Bayuda et en retrouvant le Nil à Atbara, puis Khartoum
salut à toi cyclopédiste valeureux ,
peut-être connais -tu déjà ce lien , infos de début 2012:
http://voyageforum.com/membres/jeremiebt/v.f?url=http%3A%2F%2Fvoyage.jeremiebt.com
joli projet
à+
bonjour Christian
Merci pour ton message à la suite de ma demande sur le Soudan
Le site sur lequel tu m'as renvoyé est très chouette et je ne le connaissais pas : tu connais ce jeune couple ?
Je ne sais pas si tu as fais finalement ton voyage du coté de Tafraoute (au Maroc) : si oui, tu pourrais me donner ton itinéraire et m'en conseiller un dans cette région pour le moi de Mars prochain ?
bon ben Nico, j'espère que t'as trouvé ce que tu voulais sur notre site...
En fait nous sommes rentrés en france depuis... juin. Mais le site n'est pas à jour, il manque la fin du voyage : égypte, israel.
Tout ce que je peux te dire, c'est que tu vas avoir un p... de vent de dos mon vieux ! Tu penseras fortement à nous en volant avec ton vélo, ok ? (parce que nous on a tout remonté avec le vent dans la tronche... deux mille kilomètres quand même)
tu peux lire mon compte rendu du voyage effectué en 2011-http://voyageforum.com/forum/soudan_traces_pharaons_oublies_D4366245/
Mais cela était en voiture. sur la rive gauche du Nil ce n'est que de la piste jusqu'à dongola.
le plus facile est de faire la rive droite jusqu'à karima (route goudronnée). Pour les sites archéo, il y en a effectivement pas mal sur la rive gauche. il faut franchir le Nil vers Abri pour accéder à l'île de Saï. De l'île, il est possible de passer sur la rive gauche pour visiter Soleib, Sedeinga, Sesibi. Tu peux voir des photos sur http://www.panoramio.com/user/2279867/tags/P-Soudan-Sudan tout est géolocalisé.
Il est possible de suivre la rive droite jusqu'à Atbara depuis Karima sans traverser le désert de Bayuda (il n'y a pas grand'chose à y voir). D'Atbara à Khartoum, c'est de la route goudronnée avec beaucoup de camions: cela peut être dangereux. Les sites à y voir sont intéressants (Méroé est au bord de la route). Par contre Naqa et Mussawarat es Sufa sont accessibles par piste difficile (même en 4X4 ) en raison du sable et pour la trouver.
Il ne faut pas faire la route directe entre Dongola et Krt: aucun intérêt surtout en vélo!!! que du désert, sans aucun village sauf 2 ou 3 endroits pour manger!!
bonne prépa.
Merci pour cette réponse intéressante et pour le récit passionnant à lire.
Les choses se précisent donc :
- De Wadi Halfa à Dongola (400 km) la piste est sur la rive gauche. Il reste donc à savoir si elle est plus jolie que la route goudronnée rive droite (paysages et surtout villages traversés) et ça passe à peu près en vélo (sans être l'horreur = sable et/ou pierre)
- de Dongola à Karthoum, bien compris que la route était plein désert sans grand intéret (3 jours de vélo avec vent favorable)
- De Dongola à Karina ? route du désert ou continuer à suivre le Nil ???
- de Karima à Atbara, bien compris que ça passait rive droite (joli ? village ? cyclable) mais ça doit être beaucoup plus long que la traversée du désert de Bayuada (dont j'ai compris que ce n'était pas intéressant)
- De Atabara à Karthoum, bien compris que la route était dangereuse. J'irai à Méroe et prendrait ensuite le Bus
Merci encore pour tous ces précieux renseignements
entre dongola et karima (par la route), c'est un magnifique goudron tout neuf qui file dans les dunes. Je comprends tout à fait que ce soit chiant en voiture, en vélo c'est juste le pied. Le désert en vélo, qu'on se le dise, c'est un kiff monstrueux !
Entre Whadi et Dongola, le goudron rive droite ne suit pas toujours le Nil, et même quand il le suit, il est à plusieurs kilomètres de distance. Donc si tu veux passer dans les villages (et je te le recommande), tu devras de toutes manières quitter le goudron pour t'approcher du fleuve, et là tu seras sur piste et tu pourras même peut être suivre le Nil en enchaînant les villages. Dans mon souvenir, ce n'est pas toujours possible, genre près de Whadi il me semble que tu es obligé d'être sur le goudron parce que le Nil est inabordable, encaissé dans les rochers.
En approchant de Dongola tu peux parfois quitter la route et couper dans des bouts de désert.
enfin tu verras tu feras ta sauce.
Les villages rive droite sont très joli, du fait qu'ils sont éloignés du goudron, je pense que ce sont les même qu'en face.
Ok, merci beaucoup.
Donc il est possible de passer de village en village (entre WH et Dongola) en quittant le goudron, en se rapprochant du Nil (parfois à quelques km du goudron par une piste sableuse.
C'était d'ailleurs peut-être l'ancienne route avant que les chinois ne construisent le goudron ???
La jonction de village en village par cette piste est possible mais surtout à partir d'Abri et en approchant de Dongola. Pas avant ?
Pas sur qu'il y ait une piste rive Gauche (quoique sur Google map, on la voit à partir d'Abri)
La route à travers le désert Dongola - Karima est goudronnée et donc sera à conseiller en vélo
Merci bien
Bonjour,
Le grand interet est bien sur de passer dans les villages le long du Nil.
L accueil est toujours tres chaleureux mais il n existe parfois qu une piste et 3 semaines ne seront pas suffisantes. Il y a desormais une route asphaltee qui passe au niveau des villages mais offre peu d interet pour un cycliste. Il fait chaud de 1o a 14 heures. Je suis actuellement a Dongola.
Terminé le trajet Wadi Halfa Khartoum (1.500 km avec les détours). Merci pour l'aide apportée par les uns et les autres pour la préparation
Entre WH et Dongola, j'ai fait un mixte goudron / route le long des villages au bord du Nil. Attention cela ne semble pas possible partout (à faire confirmer ou infirmer par ceux qui l'ont fait à pied). Dans la zone de WH à Al Birr, le goudron est loin du Nil. Il y a certes villages mais ils semblent loin et juste accessibles en A/R de la route. Sans doute trop dans les rochers pour qu'il y ait une continuité entre eux.
A partir de Kocha, c'est plus évident. Entre Delgo et Kerma, la piste entre les villages (à moins que je ne me soit trompé) passe par 20 km de désert (pas trop sableux). Entre Kerma et Dongola je n'ai pas cherché, j'ai pris le goudron.
La traversée des 2 déserts (Dongola -> Karima et Karima -> Atbara) est très belle. J'ai même roulé pas mal de nuit ce qui, quand il y a de la lune est très beau aussi.
La route Atbara Khartoum (300 km) est la plus fréquentée du pays (axe Port Soudan - Khartoum) avec plein de camions et surtout des bus qui roulent vite. La route est étroite et on passe son temps à surveiller ses arrières (torticolis) et à filer sur le bas coté quand ça devient chaud.
Méroé eet au bord de la route. Naqa et Musarawa : 35 km de piste sableuse, un enfer en vélo chargé (à éviter à tout prix).
Accueil exceptionnel partout y compris sur les chantiers chinois. Vent favorable (secteur N/NE) sur 80% du trajet : ça aide pas mal !!
c'était quand ?
apparemment ça ne t'a pas découragé pour la suite, d'en baver un peu sur les tas de cailloux de l'anti-atlas ,
il faut dire qu'on s'en met plein les yeux pour quelques coups de pédale,
et "francilien " ne dirait sûrement pas le contraire .
ciao
C'était en 2007 je crois. C'était mon premier essai à vélo couché (que j'ai revendu depuis). J'étais équipé comme un légionnaire romain! Pull en laine, tente lourde, matos inadapté, erreur d'alimentation. Au bout de 5 jours, j'avais une bronchite! Ca été l'exemple de tout ce qu'il ne fallait pas faire pour la suite de mes voyages!
J'y retournerai peut-etre car c'est vrai que c'est beau. J'en profiterai peut-être plus, avec un peu d'expérience. Malheureusement, je n'avais pas trouvé l'accueil très chaleureux. Le tourisme de masse y a fait des ravages.
I’m planning to leave Nice for Toulouse around 10/15 and I’m looking for tips / great deals regarding:
- The route: I was thinking of taking Nice - Grasse - Draguignan - Salernes - Cadarache - Cavaillon - Arles, then the Camargue, Sète, and the Canal du Midi to Toulouse. The idea is to avoid high-traffic roads and too many steep climbs. Are there any spots to avoid or must-see stops? Since it’s been a while since I’ve been on the road, I was thinking that sleeping indoors might be preferable. If you have any budget-friendly accommodation suggestions along part of the route, don’t hesitate!
Thanks in advance, and if you’re in the area around that time, we could ride together... Ciao.
Hi,
what are the easiest ways to get back from Nordkapp without pedaling—
train, boat, or plane?
Has anyone already done this?
Thanks for sharing your tips!
Hi,
I need to arrive in Thessaloniki by bike at the end of September and I plan to head to Istanbul along the coast.
Could anyone help me pick the best route? Safety, difficulty.
Thanks in advance.
Marc
Hi everyone! Thanks for welcoming me to the forum :)
I’m preparing for a long trip heading to Nepal, with stops along the way depending on my mood, work needs, and the season. I cycle a lot, but this will be my first big touring adventure. I’d like to camp regularly to keep costs down, so I’ll be riding on all kinds of surfaces: smooth and rough roads, main highways and rocky paths to find my camping spots, flat terrain and the occasional steep slopes.
For my bike model, I’m prioritizing durability, versatility, and repairability. From that perspective, I prefer a steel frame and fork with rim brakes since I’m used to them. I’ve narrowed my choices down to four models:
- The VSF Fahrradmanufaktur T-700 LTD (1400 €): steel frame, aluminum fork, hydraulic rim brakes, 28" wheels, 40mm tires, 36 spokes (2 mm), lightweight rear rack (max 20 kg), no front rack included, smallest gear ratio of 0.72, weight of 13.9 kg.
- The VSF Fahrradmanufaktur TX-400 (2200 €): steel frame and fork, hydraulic rim brakes, 26" wheels, 50mm tires, 36 spokes (2.34 mm), front and rear racks included (40+18 kg), smallest gear ratio of 0.71, weight of 15.9 kg.
- The Genesis Tour de Fer 30 (2150 €): steel frame and fork, mechanical disc brakes, 28" wheels, 36 spokes, 40mm tires, front and rear racks included (27+10 kg), smallest gear ratio of 0.77, weight of 15.9 kg.
- The Rockrider ADTV 900 from Decathlon (1700 €): aluminum frame and fork, mechanical disc brakes, USB port, 28" wheels, 47mm tires, 28 spokes, front and rear racks included (40+20 kg), smallest gear ratio of 0.71, weight of 17.1 kg. This is the successor to the Riverside Touring 900, which was a hit.
I’ve got a few questions:
1/ Should I go for 26" or 28" wheels for my trip? 26" wheels seem better for rough terrain, but 28" wheels feel more comfortable on roads. I’ve also read that 26" tires/tubes are easier to find.
2/ Do you recommend a steel frame and fork over aluminum? I’m guessing a high-quality aluminum frame and fork would be better than a low-quality steel one, right?
3/ Regarding the smallest gear ratio, is 0.71 a good number for a loaded bike in the mountains?
4/ Finally, what do you think of these four models for my project? My heart leans toward the TX-400—it seems to combine the versatility and robustness I’m looking for. But the price difference with the T-700 LTD is making me think twice!
Thanks so much for reading and sharing your thoughts!
17 days, 1,400 km, and 17,500 m of elevation gain cycling in northern Vietnam! 🇻🇳 🚴🇻🇳
From the misty Fansipan to the breathtaking landscapes of the Ha Giang Loop, from remote villages to vibrant markets...
I cycled through the north of the country, getting up close with its people—through mud, heat, endless mountain passes, and unforgettable encounters.
Most importantly, I discovered a Vietnam far different from the usual tourist circuits.
Join me on this adventure through a video that captures these 17 days of travel. :)
If Vietnam calls to you, come ride a stretch with me!
Hi,
can anyone give us some tips on how to get to North Cape from Lyon Gerland?
What’s the best route to join the EuroVelo 7?
How many kilometers is it from Lyon to North Cape via EuroVelo 7?
The best month to leave—we’re thinking early May.
Thanks for any advice!
Looking for a female travel companion for a cycling trip (arriving by plane in Porto Alegre, Brazil, and cycling toward Montevideo, Uruguay, returning by plane to France from Buenos Aires, Argentina) – 1,500 km
Hello everyone!
I’m planning a cycling trip across Brazil, Uruguay, and Argentina, with a departure set for late October, November, or December. I’m looking for a travel companion to share this long-distance adventure with.
Experience:
I already have solid experience in bicycle touring in Georgia, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan. Currently, I maintain excellent physical condition by cycling an average of 250 km over 3 days per week (4 hours a day at 20 km/h).
The trip & the pace:
Daily pace: Between 50 and 80 km per day, to make steady progress while taking time to explore.
Accommodation: Flexible and authentic. We’ll alternate between wild camping, campsites, Warmshowers, small guesthouses, and budget hotels depending on opportunities and the weather.
Looking forward to reading your message and planning this amazing journey together!
Another long-time dream of Claudio’s: the Petit Mont Cenis pass and the dam at the eponymous lake.
A place where many Italians, including my father, worked in the 1950s–60s.
Faverges → St-Michel-de-Maurienne → Lanslebourg → Petit Mont Cenis → return. 315 km, 3 days. Bivouac at St-Michel-de-M.
Brouter link
Leg One: Faverges → St-Michel-de-Maurienne
Leg Two: St-Michel → Lanslebourg → Mont Cenis Lake → St-Michel
Leg Three: St-Michel → Faverges
And it finally happened in August 2026: in the Maurienne Valley about the famous cycle route known as the V67
🇷🇼 Cycling in Rwanda: 4 episodes, an off-the-beaten-path adventure
After 3 weeks and nearly 1,200 km by bike across Rwanda, I made 4 videos to share this adventure in a different way: the landscapes, the encounters, the villages… but above all, all those incredible scenes of everyday life.
The 4 episodes are available here:
👉 https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLGnfbxjccWAg
The 4th episode focuses on rural Rwandan life: simple, authentic, and sometimes surprising scenes that you only truly discover when you take the time to travel by bike.
If you have a few minutes, let yourself be transported to Rwanda…
Hi,
We bought the MSR bike tent model (2-person + large awning that can fit 2 bikes) back in 2005. It’s served us really well, especially during a year-long trip in Africa. Now, one of the poles is broken, and we’d love to replace it since that’s the only issue with the tent—we still love it! The poles are 9.35 mm in diameter, with 8 sections of 49 cm and 2 sections of 28 cm. Total length when assembled: 416 cm. Actually, two large sections are broken: one straight and one curved. It’s a pain to find replacements since this model is no longer sold anywhere.
Would anyone have this model lying around unused and be willing to sell me a pole?
Hi everyone,
In early April, I’m redoing the Vélo Francette (La Rochelle to Ouistreham), and then I’d like to cycle along the Cotentin Peninsula (which I don’t know at all), follow the coast up to Cherbourg, and then head back down to at least Saint-Malo. I’d love to know if it’s pleasant for cycling—are the roads nice? Not too windy? What are the must-see spots? Any great campsites? All your tips and advice are more than welcome, and I thank you in advance.
After testing it for three years across various modes of transport, I’m sharing this video of a bike packing case. It’s made from recycled cardboard and shrink-wrapped, with adjustable thickness and added bubble wrap depending on the level of protection you want.
Installing spacers at the fork and chainstays makes the packaging compact. With the fifteen-odd euros for shrink-wrapping at the airport, this case travels really well.
https://youtu.be/_GDJi-GqmkM
- Low bulk (1.10m x 0.70m x 0.25m for a large frame), it fits vertically in train luggage compartments and the total dimensions (x+y+z) don’t exceed 2.40m.
- Two carrying solutions for public transport and easy handling by airport staff (no more tears in the cardboard from openings).
- Discreet packaging when dealing with bus drivers and train conductors, as it looks like an ordinary parcel.
- No need to return to the starting point to retrieve the case from your outbound trip, which you’d otherwise have to store somewhere, or deal with a bulky cover to pack in your panniers.
- You can still check tire pressure through the plastic film without damaging the packaging too much.
Drawbacks: Around 3 hours for this lengthy and meticulous process—removing the wheels, pedals, handlebars, and derailleur without misaligning them, then securing all components to the frame.
If you get a chance to test it, send me your feedback for future improvements.
I just took a trip in Tunisia from Tozeur to Douz, skirting Chott el Jerid to the south. I’m back with the urge to keep going further south via the 4x4 tracks to connect Douz to Ksar Ghilane. Has anyone driven this route recently or explored southern Tunisia?
Thanks for your tips!
fix
😎Fellow traveling cyclists or not, all of you who love travel, the pleasure of physical effort, nature, beautiful machines, people with true passions they seek to fulfill, and who also enjoy reading great literature about all this—the *200* magazine is for you just as it is for me. I should mention I have no financial or other interest in this (in an era where we accuse our politicians of all sorts of vile interests, I prefer to take precautions). I’ve been subscribed since the beginning, and every three months, I get my 130 pages of dreams (the magazine just went from 110 to 130 pages).
It covers everything from the trans-America route to the TCR (Trans Continental Race) from Belgium to a small town in Turkey, with mind-blowing averages—4,000 km and 80,000 m of elevation gain in 8 days and 15 hours for the winner. Let that sink in, and all of it without assistance—accepting a patch could penalize you. There’s also a story about crossing Iran, encountering one of the world’s most welcoming populations, following in the footsteps of Nicolas Bouvier, as well as retirees leisurely traversing France. The common thread in all these stories? Beautiful writing. Take, for example, a stunning article: *"Passengers of the Cold: From Edinburgh to Thurso, at the very north of Scotland, 550 km of moors, coasts, and icy wind. In Thurso, the road ends at a quay, facing the Orkney Islands. We wanted a November trip, off-season. We wanted to surprise winter. Just before the snow."* A sublime piece on the experience of facing adversity and the chance encounters along the road and in the elements.
Before I embarked on my own bike trips, I dreamed a lot about them—from the Atacama to the Gobi, along the Mekong, and not forgetting France. And now, these 130 pages every quarter keep those dreamy vibes alive through stories written in the most beautiful prose.
I’ll stop here because it might sound like I’m advertising, but if you don’t know *200*, I invite you to discover it. It’ll give you wings for the most incredible challenges or simply reinforce your desire for slow rides with your eyes open to others and nature.
A little news to wrap up: Axel Carion and a friend just broke the record for crossing South America from Colombia to Ushuaia in 59 days. On its own, that doesn’t mean much, but I can’t help it—it makes me dream. You should see how he talks about it, the flashes of that wild nature he’s stored away: a snowstorm at Paso Jama and the surreal sight of the suddenly snow-covered Licancabur!
Luc
PS: The magazine is called *200* because a day’s ride starts at 200 km—well, I’ve never done a ride like that since my longest was 167 km (with 18 kg of luggage, mind you), but why not one day? The magazine will explain how to tackle your first 200, and then the question in conclusion: when will you do your first 300?😏
I’ve got my flight ticket sorted—departing in mid-November and returning in mid-March. I’ll arrive in Santiago and leave from Buenos Aires.
I’ve already been to southern Argentina, specifically Torres del Paine National Park, and I’d love to go back to do the full W trek (I only did the shorter version last time).
I also want to do some hiking and maybe even tackle a summit. I climb and occasionally do some mountaineering, so I’ll definitely be going with a guide.
I plan to start around Temuco in Chile, with the idea of heading toward the lakes, then taking the Carretera Austral.
I’m not sure if I’ll go all the way to Ushuaia—it’s supposed to not be *that* worth it, except for the bragging rights of saying you’ve been to the end of the world.
I saw there are lakes in Argentina too.
I don’t have a precise itinerary, but what I’d love is, once I reach the southernmost point of my trip, to take a mini-cruise to see some wildlife. Any tips for that?
What kind of sleeping bag did you take? Is a 0°C (32°F) one enough?
And one last question: white gas stove or can I get by with my gas stove?
I'm developing a free and open-source web app for planning walking and cycling trips (and even car trips). You can create a route by clicking directly on the map to add waypoints, and it can consist of multiple stages. The app provides tools to edit the stages and the overall route, and to display useful information (distances, altitudes, and elevation changes). A relief profile can be shown as a graph for a specific stage or the entire route.
Once the route is ready, it can be exported as a GPX file, which can then be used with a GPS or a mobile navigation app.
The app is built in JavaScript and runs entirely in the web browser. It uses the Leaflet library and several OpenStreetMap-based services. Initially developed for my personal needs (I enjoy hiking and cycle touring), I’d be happy to share it with anyone who might find it useful. It’s free to use, doesn’t require an account, and the source code is available.
hello fellow cycling enthusiasts
here’s a travel journal of the cycling tour through the Rhône-Alpes Auvergne region by Claudio
zouli
it was the plan
http://cbandiera.free.fr/parcours/auvergne-Ralpes/
the trip was completed
story being posted online soon
1100 km in 11 days
beautiful and varied regions
Hello,
We’d like to go on a 3- to 4-month bike trip starting in December, crossing from Assam (northeast India) to New Delhi via Nepal.
Are there routes with light traffic along the Brahmaputra and through Nepal?
We’re also looking for any info on accommodations, wild camping, local interactions, etc.
Thanks,
Michel
I’m planning to cycle from Morlaix to Brest (via Roscoff and the V45 coastal route). We’ll start riding on August 16th for 13 days (with stops for island visits, surfing, etc.). Is there a lot of traffic at this time of year? I’ve got two kids, 11 and 13, and we don’t like riding in the middle of cars (we’ve already done the Vélomaritime—Caen to Cherbourg—the Loire route from Orléans to Saumur, the Vélodyssée from Nantes to Royans, and the canals like the Nivernais and Bourgogne, where there were plenty of bike-only lanes, which isn’t the case on this route).
Thanks for your help if you’ve already done this route in late August!
Virginie
Hi there,
I’ve been road cycling for several years, and I’m about to switch to gravel in the next few days—I’m waiting for my bike, which should arrive this week.
I’m planning a bikepacking trip in a few weeks along the Véloroute V81, also known as the Vélosud, from Biarritz to Le Barcarès.
Has anyone here already done this route? Any info is welcome, whether it’s about the route itself, gear, or accommodation. I’ll prioritize staying with locals as much as possible. On that note, I just signed up for the brand-new site *Guidon et Couette* ((www.guidon-et-couette.fr)), which offers free accommodation between cyclists across the country, but there’s almost no one listed along my route!
Thanks in advance.
Laurent.
Hi there, I’m planning a cross-Canada bike trip, and I’ve got a question that might seem silly, but could someone tell me how to pack a bike (in a box, with a fragile sticker... I don’t know) for a flight? Thanks in advance!
This summer, we’re planning to cycle along the EV 19 that follows the Meuse River from Langres all the way to Rotterdam.
My question is about getting back to Nantes.
Do any of you know what the best return option might be? I’d love to hear about your experiences.
I saw that FlixBus doesn’t take bikes.
By train, I think it’s possible but would involve multiple local trains.
We were also wondering if there’s a boat from Rotterdam to Saint-Nazaire that could take passengers with bikes.
Any tips or experiences you can share would be really helpful—thanks in advance!
Have a great evening
I’ve gotten used to crossing Europe by bus to return by bike.
It was really convenient to take the bike without having to disassemble it.
But FlixBus no longer accepts bikes...
What alternatives do you know about?
Thanks.
Hi there,
I’m planning to ride the Dutch section of the EuroVelo 19, from Maastricht to Rotterdam.
Since it’s too complicated to bring my bike on the train, I’m looking to rent one locally.
I’d love any tips or bike rental shop recommendations—I’m struggling to find options even in Rotterdam.
The plan is to rent in Rotterdam, take the train to Maastricht with the bike, then cycle back to Rotterdam.
Thanks in advance for any advice or suggestions!
Nath
I’m planning to build a new touring bike.
I want to prioritize lightness.
That said, I’m tempted by a suspension fork that could offer some comfort on rougher roads.
The recent appearance of gravel suspension forks on the market might meet my needs—at least on paper.
I’m particularly considering the RockShox Rudy Ultimate XPLR fork.
Unlike MTB forks, its travel is short: either 30 mm or 40 mm.
It weighs 1400 g, which is 400/500 g more than a steel fork.
Any thoughts or real-world feedback on this?
I’m also wondering about the durability of magnesium (lower leg) for long-distance bike touring.
And what’s the impact of skipping the manufacturer-recommended maintenance every 50 and 200 hours? That’s bound to happen on a long trip unless you carry extra gear.
More generally, how reliable are these kinds of forks?