EXPERIENCE – I think the best way to learn about bicycle touring is to get out and tour under a lot of different conditions, with a lot of different types of equipment. In my experience, there could have been no greater education in learning to become well prepared for bicycle touring than touring long distances or travelling under extreme conditions. I look back at many bent hub axles, blown-up freewheels, seized-up derailleurs, fractured cranks, broken panniers, poorly designed racks, bent rims, and countless broken spokes and tires worn bare, and I understand the importance of those worn and failed parts. To me, no one is truly prepared to design or sell touring bicycles or equipment without touring extensively. There's no substitute for experience.
      There are many experiences that formed the foundation of Sakkit touring bicycles. The years in which I toured 2500 miles, or more, a month taught me a great deal about what is important in the design of touring bicycles. Numerous winter tours, and wilderness tours in which I’ve often carried more than a week’s worth of food at a time and 80 pounds of gear, have provided valuable insights that have been essential in designing my bicycles. Desert trips in which I’ve carried several gallons of water and extreme loads have been essential to the development of my touring skills. Even tours in which flights of youthful exuberance led me to average 150 miles per day on a fully loaded touring bicycle, played a role in the design of Sakkit touring bicycles. Perhaps the most important element that influenced the design of my bicycles is the fact that I can say that bicycle touring has been the best part of my life, my richest experience. Because of it, I care a great deal about how Sakkit touring bicycles are built and how they perform. RB

SAKKIT TOURING BICYCLES: A FULLY INTEGRATED DESIGN - Each of our four models of Sakkit touring bicycles represents the most advanced, fully integrated design. A fully integrated touring bicycle is one in which the bicycle, racks, and panniers are designed as a single unit with no compromises. It has a complete set of braze-ons including a redundant (generator/battery-powered) lighting system. Our fully integrated design has racks that are custom-fit to the frame, and panniers that are custom-fit to the racks using an integral braze-on mount. The fully integrated design is one which we conceived in the 1970’s and have worked to refine over the past two decades.

A COMPLETE SET OF TOURING BRAZE-ONS:

* Four braze-ons for lighting wires
* Fork generator mount
* Braze-on head and taillight fittings
* Fittings for four water bottles
* Integrated pannier mounts (PivotLoc system)
* Eight strap guides (four per rack)
* Front and rear rack mounts
* Fender mounts (racks and frame)
* Brake cable guides and stops
* Derailleur cable guides and stops
* Brake bosses
* Down tube shift lever mounts
* Chain hanger
* Pump mounts
* Spare spoke mounts

RBD PANNIERS AND SAKKIT TOURING RACKS – In my experience, the most important components of a touring bicycle are the racks and panniers. The better they perform, the better your bicycle will perform. Few people have ever seen fully integrated racks and panniers. Even fewer have used them. Fewer yet have learned to use them to the fullest extent of their design. The Sakkit Expedition 26 touring bicycle has the ultimate racks and panniers. RB

THE SAKKIT FRAME: MATERIALS – Sakkit custom frames are designed for a full range of touring conditions, from touring on smooth, paved roads to brutally rough dirt roads. The frames of the Expedition models and the Great Divide tour are designed to carry extreme loads. We use Reynolds 531 or 753 in the construction of the frames. Most Sakkit frames have oversized top tube and down tubes. There is some variation in both the tubing diameter and wall thickness of the three main triangle tubes; as we design a frame both in relation to the rider's height and weight, and to the conditions in which they intend to use the bicycle. The forks and stays are chosen to provide the strength and rigidity to carry heavy loads in rough conditions. One truly unique feature of our frames is found in the Expedition models. The Expedition frames are quite rigid for carrying heavy loads, but their long wheel base design does not produce the extreme harsh ride of other bicycles that have oversized top and down tubes, heavily built forks and stays, steeper frame angles and a shorter wheelbase than the Sakkit touring bicycle.

THE LONG WHEELBASE DESIGN: A PRACTICAL DESIGN - The frame of the Sakkit Expedition 26 touring bicycle is unique. First and foremost, it was designed as a touring frame. The frame has a long wheelbase which is a result of a relaxed head tube angle (71-degree) and 47.5-cm. chain stays, which are quite long by today’s standards. We commonly use a 73-degree seat tube angle and balance the head tube angle and fork rake to produce approximately 6-cm. of trail, without producing wheel flop. The wheelbase of a 58-cm. frame is 44-in. long.
      There are several practical advantages of a long wheelbase touring bicycle. One is greater stability. Ride our bicycle on a fast, bumpy descent heavily loaded, and there is a very distinct difference in stability when compared to other touring bicycles that have a shorter wheelbase, and quicker steering. Another advantage is comfort. The long Sakkit bicycle rocks and rolls over rough surfaces more comfortably and efficiently than bicycles with a shorter wheelbase and no suspension. The long chain stays of the bike mean more useable space on the frame. When we build the bicycle to be used with 26-in. wheels, we fit a water bottle behind the seat tube. Lastly, the long chain stays of the Sakkit frame, coupled with the wide adjustability of our rack/pannier system, allows the best possible placement of rear panniers relative to the rear hub of the bicycle. Together, four important improvements over all other touring bicycles.

THE FRAME: LUGGED AND SILVER-BRAZED CONSTRUCTION - Sakkit touring frames are built to the highest standard. The frames are silver brazed using investment-cast lugs, fork crown and bottom bracket. In terms of quality, a finely crafted silver-brazed frame is in sharp contrast to frames using steel tubing that are TIG welded. TIG welding – often called the “quick and dirty” method - exists as a frame building process simply because it’s extremely quick and easy, and much more profitable than other frame building methods.
      Silver brazing takes place at a temperature about 1000 degrees Fahrenheit lower than TIG welding. With low-temperature brazing, there is little risk of altering the inherent qualities of frame tubing during construction. Also, unlike TIG welded frames, finely brazed, lugged frames can easily be repaired if they are damaged and require tube replacement. The cast lugs of a Sakkit frame enhance the structural integrity of each frame joint by spreading stresses and increasing rigidity: another plus.
      It takes a high level of commitment to produce a high-quality lugged bicycle. A finely made, lugged frame is one of high performance, durability, and of beauty. It is a statement of craftsmanship and character. It is an enduring example of value and pride.

STAND-OVER HEIGHT / BOTTOM BRACKET HEIGHT – Many people agree that a bicycle with a low bottom bracket and more frame ‘drop’ simply feels better or performs better. With the exception of the Great Divide Tour, Sakkit frames have a low bottom bracket (about 10.5-in.). Although it is difficult to quantify the performance difference of a lower bottom bracket, several objective differences are quite certain: it creates a lower rider position on the bicycle, it develops more stand-over height, and it does produce more drop.
      Sakkit touring bicycles are built with both sloping- and non-sloping top tubes coupled with a low bottom bracket. It’s extremely rare that bicycle tourists need a high bottom bracket. But if you do a lot of single track riding and prefer a higher bottom bracket, it is available as a custom option with our frames. Individuals that desire a lot of stand-over height can purchase a frame with a sloping top tube, drop down a frame size or two and achieve their normal handlebar position with our optional head tube extension or by using a stem (Nitto) with a long quill.

HANDBUILT WHEELS – Sakkit frames are designed with clearances for wide tires (1.9-in. and 2.1-in.) in the Expedition and Great Divide Tour models, and 1.7-inch tires in the Odyssey 700. Generally, we like to outfit bikes with 36- 40- or 48-hole rims built by custom wheel builder, Louie Orsini. We commonly use Sun Metals or Mavic rims with a triple box section design and eyelets. We use a lot of Sun CRT-18 rims. When we build wheels we try to match your body weight, the amount of gear that you carry, the conditions in which you tour and your ability to maintain wheels with the type of rim and a particular number of spokes. Extremely strong wheels can be built with both 26-inch and 700C rims.

TIRES - If we have the choice, we install 1.4-in. Ritchey Cross Bite tires on our bicycles. They are a fine touring tire for a wide range of conditions. They are lightweight and fast for riding on pavement, and they have plenty of bite for riding on dirt roads. However, the choice of tires is yours.
      I’ve done a great deal of experimenting with tires. During the years in which I’ve toured long distances I’ve always kept records of tire wear (miles) and of sidewall damage and failures. I’ve also tried to find the optimum balance of weight, sidewall protection, floatation on soft riding surfaces, traction and rolling resistance. These days I rarely use tires of over 1.5-in. for any type of riding. For touring, when I often run tires at lower pressures on rough surfaces, I’ve found that any tire over 1.5-in., except in really extreme conditions, is just plain overkill. RB

REDUNDANT LIGHTING SYSTEM – Because touring bicycles have really never been set up with lighting systems, tourists are rarely aware of the importance of them. But they are extremely nice to have. And they can be important for those days that you have to finish up in the dark, or if you enjoy riding at night. And they are essential when you use your touring bicycle for commuting.
      Sakkit Touring Bicycles are set up with a redundant lighting system. We designed a braze-on for a fork mounted generator, as well as light braze-ons for our racks. We will install a generator system (German, Dutch or Swiss components) and wire the bicycle for battery-powered operation as well. The redundant system ensures that you have lights when you need them.

REDUNDANT SHIFTING – Drivetrain components keep getting more complex. Shifting systems these days are far from infallible. So that every bike we sell can be set up with primary and backup shifting, we install braze-ons for down tube shifters. If you use Campy Ergopower or Shimano STI integrated shifting/braking systems and have a failure, or if your indexed system simply develops too much ‘slop’ and you need to switch to an alternative system, our bikes are set up to bail you out of trouble.
      We prefer to set bikes up with Shimano bar-end shifters with a friction option (at least until something better comes along). They are simple and reliable.

CUSTOM COMPONENTS – For most people, buying a new high-quality bicycle is an important event. We want to make sure that when you purchase one of our bicycles that you get what you need and want. With that in mind, we don’t equip our bicycles with rigid component packages. We try to be as flexible as we can be in the way we outfit Sakkit bicycles.
      Currently, there are no touring-specific component groups available, unless you set your bicycle up completely with mountain bike components and use straight bars, which is uncommon with the bikes we sell. For us it’s usually a matter of mixing road and mountain bike components to complete a bike. When we build up a bicycle we start with either a combination of Shimano 105/Deore LX or Shimano Ultegra/Deore XT groups. To one of the two basic parts groups we add components that will best meet your needs relative to how you will be using your bike. We generally discuss lighting systems, quality headset options, handlebar and stem options, gearing options and the possibilities of upgrading your wheels to provide better performance. For up-to-date information on components that we are using please see Issues, Odds and Ends.
      (Prices listed in our price sheet on frames sold with components are simply approximate.)

GEARING – We can provide three types of gearing. Our preference is to set a bicycle up with half-step gearing. Half-step gearing will provide an excellent gear range, the most useable gears and the smallest jumps between gears. As a second choice we offer gearing using standard Shimano road triples, which also provide a solid range and good spacing. The third option is compact drive gearing which we try to avoid as it provides the fewest useable gears, the weakest range of gears and contrbutes to the highest level of wear in the drive train components. See Issues, Odds and Ends for more information or contact us with regard to gearing specifications.

A VERSITLE DESIGN – Each of the four models of touring bikes that we build is extremely versatile for all-around use. First and foremost each is designed as a highly versatile touring bike. When outfitted with battery- and generator-driven lighting, Sakkit racks and RBD panniers that can be locked to the racks, any of our four models probably represents the most functional commuting bike ever built. The Expedition and Great Divide Tour models are exceptional touring bikes for both pavement and serious off-road riding. The Odyssey 700 also performs extremely well on pavement and very well on dirt roads. Switch from your touring or off-road wheels to a pair of lightweights, and each of our models is as fast as you are. Our fully integrated touring bicycles are smooth and efficient, loaded or unloaded.

CUSTOM OPTIONS – We offer many custom options on Sakkit frames including : S and S couplings, higher bottom bracket, and head tube extension.

CUSTOM FRAMES – Currently, all Sakkit frames are custom frames. With time we hope to stock frames, unpainted, in a complete range of sizes.