My biking adventures started in the 1980’s as ‘collateral gain’ from being in the mountains and seizing the opportunity. From downhill biking to long distance rally’s, I have done some. We best liked bike-packing routes like the Torino-Nice Rally, the Danube Cycle Path, the Parenzena, the Heckmair Transalp and the Grand Traversée du Massif Central.
Nowadays I’m exploring the possibilities of eBike touring, moderate off-roading and more functional eBike usage in combination with our Motorhome.

Lacros Mustang Bike

Meet our Lacros Mustangs. This foldable fat-tired bike is built for outdoor adventure. As far as we are concerned, this is a hybrid bicycle, suitable for both paved roads and unpaved surfaces like crushed stone, gravel roads, hard packed dirt, sand and beach.

Capabilities:
First of all: this is a very user friendly bicycle, offering instant pleasure! You can ride it and get to know the settings and possibilities as you go. With a 250W rear wheel motor, the 7-speed Shimano gear set, extra wide tyres, front fork suspension and ample power assistance settings, it has no trouble conquering gravel, grass, soft sand or smooth asphalt. We particularly like the performance on hilly terrain. You can use a modest or moderate power assistance setting. I use level 1 or 2, because the boost lever provides instant maximum power assistance level 9 when needed. This way, you’ll only use extra battery capacity if needed. The specified range of 40-80 km is pretty accurate, depending on terrain and settings.

Storage and Transport:
The foldable frame helps with easy storage. Even though this is not the lightest bike, folding and unfolding takes little effort. For your typical motorhome internal garage, folding the steering handle and pedals will probably be enough to make two bikes fit easily. Garages with reduced height may require the bike to be fully folded. If mounted on an external carrier, make sure it has eBike capability and will take wide tyres (like the Thule EasyFold XT fatbike bundle). I am aware of only one possible roofrack system that might make transport on a car roof somewhat feasible. For all systems, loading ramps will be mandatory.

Appearance:
We love to looks of this eBike! He looks tough but not clumsy, medium-sized but mature, he has a nice colour scheme and the proportions are ideal. Do not mistake this bike for a ‘fatbike’! Apart from the fat tyres, there is no resemblance. The Mustang has an excellent ergonomical sitting position, it has a way better appearance and it can be manoeuvred through narrow obstacles more easily. Nor is it a ‘standard’ folding bike. The extra wide tyres are vital when driving on all uneven surfaces and the front suspension adds loads of comfort on any terrain.

Technical:
The 13Ah/36V Li-ion Polymer battery is centre placed in the frame, which helps with the weight distribution, it is removable and secured with a lock. The Mustang has electrical assistance up to (the legal limit) 25 km per hour. The weight is 27kg (without the 3,1kg battery) and the maximum carrying load is 130kg. It’s folded dimensions are 92x50x76cm. It has cable actuated disc brakes.

Practical Notes:

The wide fat inner tubes are very easy to free from the rim and outer tyre, making repairing punctures a breeze! After putting it back in, first inflate it halfway so you can position it properly in the outer tyre.
To keep the tyre free from the floor whilst repairing: Place something under the sprocket guard, underneath the bottom bracket.
If you prefer CO2 inflation for temporary reinflation after repairs, you’d need a 33 grams cartridge to fill these tyres. Finding 33g cartridges that will fit regular CO2 inflators (3/4″ thread) will be hard though.
If you like a quick-mount system to use bags or baskets on your carrier, please note that the MIK system does not fit the wide, sturdy tubes of the carrier. But the AVS system does if you use the ‘Atran Velo Adaptor Newrack Uni X-Wide AVS‘.
The handlebar display has a USB connector to charge a phone or navigation system.

Specs/Components:

Gears:
- Cassette: Shimano Multiple Freewheel MF-TZ500 7-speed, 14-28T
- Derailleur: Shimano Tourney TY300
- Shifter: Shimano Tourney 7v SL-TX50-7R
Chain: KMC Z1 Narrow EPT
Breaks:
- Calipers: Tektro MD-M300 Aries mechanical
- Rotor: Tektro TR-52, Front: Ø160 / Back: Ø180, 1.8mm thick)
- Pads: Tektro E10.11 (Organic)
- Levers: Tektro CL530-RS V-brake 4 finger
Seatpost: diameter 30,9mm, length 35cm
Saddle: Justek
Suspension: RST Guide
Tyres: Outer: CST Big Boat, ETRTO 100-406 (20”x4.0”)
Battery: Velotec Li-ion PYTES-DS 36V/13Ah/468Wh
Battery Chargers:
- 100V-240V: ST Electronics Lion charger 36V-2A STC-8101LC
- 12v (car): ST Electronics Lion charger 36V-2A STC-5102LC (Optional)
Computer: C500B

Childrens Bicycles

Early Rider Bella Velio Balance Trainer

We got this Early Rider Bella Velio for our granddaughter because this is something really special! It helps kids, from as young as 10 months, to explore their balance and get to trust and rely on it. This is a tiny bike! With it’s balance wheel, it helps them to stay upright. Once they start to tip over, the balance correcting rear wheel steps in, guiding them gently back in line, just like training wheels for the tiniest riders. And thus, it trains the toddler’s dynamic balance (the ability to stay steady while moving). It comes with a removable tiller as well, so parents can help them with their early attempts. With a minimum saddle height of 215mm the rider is never far from the ground. Over time, as the toddler gets more covenant, the saddle can be raised and a big dial allows parents to reduce the amount of assistance. So this little bike will keep the busy until they are ready to using a balance bike. And it is beautifully designed and made as well, with the bend wood and ‘Memphis style’ looks.

Early Rider Bonsai Balance Bike

The Early Rider Bonsai is made out of (splinter resistant) northern European birch and (corrosion free) precision aluminium. Designed for 2-4 year olds, the Bonsai has a standover height of 33cm. The mechnical parts are made to minimise weight and reduce rolling resistance. This is a very high quality bike and a great companion for your child.

Bicycle Locks

Locking your belongings in an outdoor environment is paramount, and the locks you use should have a high level of security. Whether you leave your bike at the beginning or end of a route or ride, it’s usually clear that you’ll be away for an extended period. It’s important to secure your bike to a fixed object in a visible location so thieves can’t operate unhindered. Furthermore, it should take a long time for them to crack your lock. That’s the best protection, and high-security locks can be helpful in this regard. These are the locks I use:

AXA Fold Ultra 90, Folding Lock with Bracket

The AXA Fold Ultra 90 is a high quality folding lock. Measuring 90cm, it has ample reach to span a secure object. It is specifically developed for bicycles that are parked for a longer period of time in an area with a high theft risk. The bracket can be bolted on the bottle cage mounts or with the 2 strips supplied. It has an anti-rattle mechanism, preventing a noisy ride. The cylinder is protected against moisture and dirt. Furthermore, the links have a rubber housing to prevent scratching the bike. I particularly like it to be a small sized folded lock, mounted to the bike. So it is always present and at hand.
Independent Security Classifications (verifiable): SBSC and ART 2 star

AXA Newton Pro, U-Lock with Bracket

The AXA Newton Pro is the new powerhouse in the U-lock range. Featuring chic stainless steel details, easy to carry with you and approved for insuring both bikes and light motor vehicles. The Newton Pro has a modern design, is made from hardened steel and has an anti drilling plate in the cylinder.. The U-bracket’s diameter is 17 mm. The anti-drill cylinder features a manual cover to protect it against moisture and dirt, and this optimises the lifespan of your lock. With its length of 190 mm, the U-bracket is long enough to manoeuvre through the wheel of your machine or to connect it to a fixed object. The accompanying holder is easy to fasten to your frame and ensures comfortable transport of your U-lock. The AXA Newton Pro is supplied with 2 keys and is covered by an international online key service.
Independent Security Classifications (verifiable): ART 3, Sold Secure Gold and Varefakta.

AXA Floor Anchor

The AXA Wall and Floor Anchor can be mounted on the wall or floor and can be used inside or outside. With a chain the bicycle can then be attached to the steel bracket. The wall/floor anchor has a secure hardened steel housing and a 14 mm diameter hardened steel bracket. The anchor is approved for bike insurance. A smart choice to secure your bike (or anything).
Independent Security Classifications (verifiable): ART 4 star approval.

AXA Bicycle Lights

AXA Nxt 130 E-bike Front Light. We have upgraded our eBike lights to be more suitable for off-road biking. The AXA Nxt 130 is an E-bike front light with a light output of 130 lux and is specially designed to connect directly to a 12V E-bike battery. The front light has a landscape design that fits the geometry of the E-bikes perfectly! The integrated reflector is an extra safety aspect, as you are better seen by other traffic. The Nxt offers a great light distribution. The near-field illumination and wide beam makes sure that you have great sight in front of you but also over 10 meters ahead. The aluminium housing is strong, durable and takes care of an even heat dissipation. It comes with a bracket so you can mount it on all standard forks or with a one-arm aluminium handlebar bracket.
Light Beam: 140 meters ‘to see’ and 7000 meters ‘to be seen’.

AXA Juno E-bike 6-12V 80 mm Brake Light. We have upgraded our eBike lights to be more suitable for off-road biking. This is a e-bike specific 6-12V rear light with brake light function (which in fact is a deceleration function) and an integrated reflector. Ours has a mounting distance of 80 mm, but they come in a 50mm version as well. The stop light function makes cycling in traffic more safe, but excels in winding off-road conditions. It activates automatically at a specific speed decrease/deceleration), so followers can see you slowing down.
Light Beam: 500 meters ‘to be seen’

Airwings Comfort1Plus Seatpost Suspension

If you’re looking for a comfortable yet robust seat post suspension, the Airwings Comfort1Plus is the right choice! The active responsiveness will appeal to all discerning riders. Two steel springs do the actual suspension, which can be easily adjusted to ones weight. Fine adjustment is also possible via the spring preload screw on the bottom for tuning the spring stiffness. It has a 40mm suspension travel. While ordering, you can choose from 3 weight classes, supporting riders up to 125 kg. Rough impacts, gentle impacts, uneven surfaces, potholes, gravel paths, cobblestones are no match for this suspension. They are optimally cushioned, providing comfort and relieving strain on your spine. Combined with a high-quality saddle, this suspension is the ultimate solution for a painful tailbone, ischial tuberosity, or pelvic problems.
Airwings suspension posts are made entirely in Germany (with German precision), by an environment friendly company, offering 5-year warranty.

Bicycle Valves

Schwalbe Clik Valve (SCV)

Pumping tyres is all about airflow. To achieve that, the valve needs to pass as much air possible in an unobstructed flow end a solid and airtight connection of the pump to the valve is paramount. That’s where most systems fail. Thread-on pumps can be awkward to position well in tight spaces and run the risk of unthreading the valve. Lever-style pumps can be hard to position well and ware out rapidly. In addition to that, Presta valves are prone to have their cores bend.
Schwalbe now has tackled all those long lasting problems by introducing a universal system, that makes an airtight connection and has a significantly better airflow. An incredibly user friendly Push On / Pull Off system that very easily was implemented on our valves and pumps. It is called the Schwalbe Clik Valve or SCV. Their offering of SCV valved tubes is rapidly growing and for all traditional valves and pumps, they have Conversion Kits available. We use several of them:

The Schräder conversion kit, which is called AV-to-SCV.
These are metal adaptors which can be screwed on and off the valve stem, so it remains possible to inflate the tyres at gas stations.
The Dunlop conversion kit, which is called DV-to-SCV.
Dunlop valves are converted by unscrewing the top nut and replacing the valve core by hand.
There is a Presta version (called SV-toSCV), for Presta valves with removable cores.
These are converted by unscrewing the valve core and screwing in the SCV core.
Last but not least, there is a Clik Valve Tubeless Valves available as well, which is rim mounted.
The Pump Head, which replaces the head of our bicycle pump hose.
This is a permanent conversion, requiring the pump head to be removed completely from its rubber hose and the new Pump Head installed.
The Pump Head Adaptor, which makes the heads of our CO2 and electric pumps fit onto the valves.
This can be used on any standard Schräder pump by pressing the adaptor into the existing pump head and locking it in place.

Bicycle Tubes and Tyres

There are different tube and tyre size designations as well. If it were up to me, we would all use the ETRTO (European Tyre and Rim Technical Organization) system because it is metric and unambiguous and allows for clear assignment to the rim size (but not the outer diameter of the tyre). It replaces many older national methods of tyre sizing that are incompatible.

Schwalbe Inner Tyres

We use the Schwalbe AV7XXL (20″) inner tubes, which means that this tube has a Schräder valve (AV), it is the XXLight version, fitting a tyre with an outer diameter of 20″. It being an ETRTO 90/120-406 tube, it’ll fit tyres width 90mm up to 120mm on a 406mm inner rim. These tubes are made from Butyl, which is a very elastic, at the same time it is airtight synthetic rubber and 100% recyclable. The care and knowledge involved in making these tubes results in a very high air retention. All valves are nickel-plated, threaded and they all have replaceable cores. All in all, these are very high quality tubes!

Alpina Paranus MIPS Bike helmet

The Alpina Paranus Mips is an very light, extremely comfortable helmet to wear. It is airy/well ventilated and fitted with a mesh fly net. The design incorporates the Multi-Directional Impact Protection System (MIPS), which reduces rotational forces during impacts and thus reduce the risk of concussion. This is a ultra safe helmet protecting the front and side of your head very well. Next to that, it has a (polycarbonate) impact and scratch-resistant, UV-stable and antistatic ceramic outer shell in combination with an Hi-EPS (High Expanded Polystyrene) inner shell.
We particularly like the looks of this helmet. It is a simple and stylish design touring and trekking bike helmet-style helmet, with an integrated visor. Typically, commuter helmets have less ventilation, road helmets lack the visor and mtb helmets have larger visors and more back-of-the-head protection. The Paranus is the ultimate blend, combining the best of them all, resulting in a helmet that offers comfort and safety for almost all uses.

Airbell Hidden AirTag Holders

Airbell

The Airbell smart bike bell with AirTag hiding place. The simple, safe and inconspicuous hiding place for your Apple AirTag on your bike. 85 dB loud, can also be officially used for e-bikes.

Slottr

The Slottr is one of the slimmest and most unobtrusive AirTag mounts on the market. The Slottr can be mounted on any bike with a standard bottle cage. Thanks to its special design, Slottr can also be mounted (depending on the bike frame) with countersunk screws and an extra flat structure.

Bicycle Maintenance

Muc-Off Mobile Pressure Washer

This is our Muc-Off Mobile Pressure Washer Ultimate bundle, arguably to most practical and complete pressure washer kit available! Powered by a 40V lithium-ion battery, this washer can be used in any situation or location (but please do not use cleaners and soaps in nature). The battery as well as the 20 litre water tank have plenty of capacity to foam a bike, pressure wash it thoroughly and rinse the bike after detailing it with your brushes. The 500W motor delivers enough power to clean of the oldest and toughest dirt. It can tackle the heavy dirt ánd clean the more delicate parts of the bike, because the washer has pressure settings and the lances have different pressure output as well. It is possible to use water from nature as long as it is clear and free from debris, so that the filter in the washer does not become clogged. None of the components are heavy or bulky and they fit neatly in the dry bag which has dedicated pockets for the gear.

The use of this pressure washer isn’t limited to bikes or motorbikes. Due to the different pressure settings, nozzles and the used distance to the object, it is easily capable of cleaning tents, climbing gear, kayaks, golf clubs, canyoning and caving gear, as well as our motorhome. The long lance proves to be really useful cleaning inside kayaks and reaching higher places on motorhomes and campers.
Nor is it solely for dirt. We use it to remove beach salt from our bikes (or road salt in winter). We have the Mobile Pressure Washer Additional Battery 2-Pack for bigger cleaning jobs, like cleaning multiple bikes or our motorhome.

The bundle is tailor-made for mobile use and contains:

4 different lances.
- An adjustable cleaning lance which we use when cleaning tough dirt on non-sensitive parts.
- A motorcycle lance (which we use for our motorhome) with a slightly higher pressure, safe for use on motor and suspension components.
- The bicycle lance, which we use most, because this is powerful enough, but is safe for use on delicate components. This is extra important when cleaning eBikes.
- A low-pressure foam lance that sprays a thick snow deep cleaning foam. All you have to do is screw the bottle of Muc-Off Nano Tech bike cleaner on to the lance and set the need foam thickness to your preference.
Two removable 40V lithium-ion batteries and included charger, easily covering cleaning two bikes and two full tanks of water.
A litre of Nano Tech Cleaner that breaks down dirt really well, not damaging the finish.
A litre of Nanotech Concentrate, to make 4 litres of refill for the spray bottle.
A 20L water tank, holding the same volume of water as the washer, so one needn’t get water with the pressure washer itself.
A specially designed dry bag that can be used as a carrier for the portable pressure washer and all its accessories, or for dry storage of other equipment.

Muc-Off eBike Ultimate Kit

Cleaning tools and agents specifically for eBikes? Here it is. Cleaning bikes is fun again! Bundled in a neat case, the Muc-Off eBike Ultimate Kit contains all the necessary cleaning tools like brushes, sponge, towel and cleaning and lubricating agents, like:

eBike Dry Lubricant – 50ml
A proprietary ceramic formulation with integrated boron nitride compounds for low friction in dry and dusty conditions. Formulated with our unique eBike-specific lubricity package to handle the higher torque loads of an eBike drivetrain.
eBike Wet Lubricant – 50ml
A proprietary ceramic formulation with integral boron nitride compounds for low friction in wet and heavy conditions. Formulated with our unique eBike-specific lubricant package to handle the higher torsional loads of an eBike drivetrain. Ideal for: Chains, cables, shifters, derailleurs, and pedals.
Nano Tech Bike Cleaner – 1L
A very effective cleaner, biodegradable, acid-, CFC-, and solvent-free, and alkaline-based, so you can clean away with a guilty conscience. It’s safe for all surfaces and even suitable for disc brake rotors and pads.
Drivetrain Cleaner – 500ml
This Bio Drivetrain Cleaner is a complete drivetrain cleaning solution that can be poured into a chain cleaning device or sprayed directly onto your chain rings, cassettes, and derailleurs to clean your entire drivetrain in seconds. It’s also completely Biodegradable and safe on metal, plastic, rubber, and seals.
Harsh Condition Barrier (HCB-1) – 400ml
With a state-of-the-art thin-film coating, it eliminates rust and corrosion. It’s the perfect upgrade for the winter months, with 12 months of protection. It keeps moisture out and creates a durable, anti-corrosion protective layer on your bike’s frame, chain, metal parts, plastics, and paintwork. And on parts that already show signs of rust, it even removes the rust completely. With a UV lamp, you can check if it’s properly in place and ready.
MO-94 – 400ml
A wonder spray? MO-94 quickly and effectively penetrates moisture, lubricates moving parts, and leaves a long-lasting protective film. MO-94 prevents dirt build-up and also displaces excess water to keep rust and corrosion at bay. Not to be used on your bicycle’s tyre treads or brake surfaces though!
Microcell Sponge
Claw Brush
Double-toothed Brush
Soft Wash Brush
Microfibre Cloth

Mobile Bicycle Tools

Muc-Off Tire Repair Kit

My Tyre Repair kit contains the bare minimum, being Muc-Off adhesive puncture patches and sandpaper and a Muc-Off Rim Stix Tyre Lever. The patches are exactly the right size for punctures and exactly what you need on a trip. The levers are light, but really solid and strong and they do have a spoke hook that holds well.

Chain Repair Kit

My Chain Repair kit also contains the bare minimum, being Chain Breaker and a Quick Link.

General Tools

To be fully prepared for whatever technical mishap might occur during a trip, I carry a bike specific tool kit, containing only the actual tool sizes that I could need on the road.

Home Bicycle Tools

Bike Hand Professional Toolkit

I regard this Bike Hand Professional Toolkit, for Shimano systems, to be a great kit to cover all the general tools you’ll need for home bicycle maintenance. One might not need all the sizes or tools (our bikes do not have spokes), but you have all your basics covered with this kit. The kit contains:

Torx 20, 25 & 30
Spoke wrench
Bottom Bracket Dust Cap Wrench
Chain Ring Nut Wrench
Flat screwdriver 3mm
Flat 5mm/Phillips screwdriver
8mm Hex Key Wrench & 1/2” Driver Wrench Adaptor
Tire lever set
2/2.5/3/4/5/6mm hex key wrench
3 sizes Bottom Bracket Wrench, for the installation and removal of Shimano Hollowtech II external BB, BB-9000 and BBR60
Freewheel & pedal wrench
Freewheel Wrench, for Shimano Cassette & Centre Lock Disc Breaks. (usable with 24mm wrench or 1/2” driver wrench)
Cartridge Bottom Bracket Tool, for Shimano Cartridge B.B with guide pin. 5,3 x ø3,2 cm. (usable with 24mm wrench or 1/2” driver wrench)
Multi-purpose Master Link Pliers for both open and close the chain master link.
Chain Rivet Extractor (or Chain Breaker)
Hub spanner 13/14/15/16/17/18mm
Crank tool
Chain hook

Bike Hand Torque Wrenches

Some of the bolts on your bike will have torque values displayed next to them in N⋅m or Nm (Newton-meter ). These values are the exact force that the manufacturer wants you to tighten the bolts to. It is of the greatest importance to carefully use these torque values!
These two Bike Hand Torque Wrenches are the ones we use for both our bicycle and car maintenance. They are really easy to use, accurate and not too heavy. These wrenches have scales for Nm and kgf (kilogram-force), so they are not useful for lb-ft (pound-foot) values.
The set contains a 1/4″ Torque Wrench (5-25NM) as required for components such as seat posts, handlebars, stems, brakes, derailleurs, and many carbon fibre components.
The other wrench is a 1/2″ Torque Wrench (42-210NM), best suited when higher forces are required.
There is a third wrench available, the 1/2″ Torque Wrench (28-210NM) for components such as bottom brackets, cassette lock rings, and crank bolts.

Dropracks Sport Roof Loading System

The Dropracks Sport is a roof rack system, that supports lifting heavy loads up to 75kg using a cranking- and sliding action. By a few turns of a handle, it brings the load down to waist or chest height, still with a horizontal loading platform. It has an effective loading width of 130cm, offering plenty of place to load up to 4 bikes! The Dropracks Sport weighs 27kg and can be used with a standard set of roof rack feet with a T-channel attachment. Any accessory with a standard T-bolt attachment can be fitted on top of the Dropracks Sport. (Kayak carriers, bike carriers, roof boxes, et cetera.)