Introducing “The Machine”

The term "machine" in normal conversation has a negative connotation. Most people hear that word and think. 'Impersonal', 'cold' and 'industrial'. Ask a cyclist how they feel about their "machine", however, and you will get a very different answer. Words like 'elegant', 'trusted', 'precision' and 'artistic' are much more likely to come up. I can't think of a machine other than a prosthetic limb that is more an extension of the human body. No other machine can carry a person such a distance with such speed over varied terrain with nothing but food and water as fuel. Weighing less than 20 pounds, it can carry well over 10 times its weight while absorbing shocks, jolts and vibration. In the vast majority of cases, it does it without the need for any mechanical adjustment. When you think of it that way, the occasional flat tire can be forgiven.

It's not hard to see why bicycles become something more than a tool to get from point A to point B for many riders. I have to say, I am one of those riders. When I decided that unsupported touring was going to be part of my plan for the summer, I knew that I needed a new machine for the job (that’s rationalization #1 for those who are keeping score). This post describes that choice.

Every job has the perfect tool. If the trip I am about to take is a job, then the bicycle I found may be the perfect tool. It’s an understated beauty. An unpainted frame with simple Helvetica font saying, “MOOTS” (12 times, actually). Some bikes are stunning to look at because they are so flashy. This one lulls you in with its simplicity.


The most distinguishing characteristic of this particular machine is that it has 2 couplers built into the frame allowing it to be broken into a separate front and rear triangles for transportation. The coupler is so effective that it creates no compromise in the ride quality or strength of the bike when it is assembled, but when it is disassembled, it fits into a 26x26x10” suitcase that can be checked as luggage on any plane or train without additional surcharges.

No one bike is perfect for every use. I set out to find one that would excel when traveling by air, train and car, riding on both paved and dirt roads, single-day rides , credit card touring, and self-supported touring (rationalizations are a-flowin’ now). That covers a lot of bases, but it is not a replacement for a mountain bike. It remains to be seen whether it will replace my carbon fiber road bike.

The factory where this piece of rolling art was hand built is less than 10 miles from my house in Steamboat. Forget about t-shirts or shot glasses, a Moots is the ultimate Steamboat souvenir. I will be taking it on a warm-up ride around the world this summer, but I fully expect this will be my travel bike for the next 20 years. I know there is a healthy dose of rationalization going on here, but the trip of a lifetime deserves the bike of a lifetime.

Thank you to Brock from Orange Peel for getting me the perfect fit and making this happen.

For the non-bike-geeks, here are some glamour pictures of the new ride.

For the geeks, you know who you are, here is the run-down on the specs. A couple of tweaks will be necessary between the European day-trip segment and the Pacific Coast loaded touring segment. The loaded touring will require some changes to the low-end gears so I can climb the hills loaded down with 40 pounds of equipment, clothing and food:


• Moots PsycloX – 57cm 3/2.5 Titanium frame
• Alpha Q CX-20 carbon fork
• Moots Ti Cinch Seat Post
• Moots Open Trail Ti Stem – 110mm, 6 degree
• Mavic Ksyrium SL Premium wheels
• Rivendell Jack Brown 700 x 33.3c tires
• Deda Newton handlebars
• S&S Couplers
• Shimano DuraAce STI brake levers & shifters
• Shimano DuraAce front derailleur
• Shimano Ultegra Compact 175mm Crank (34-50)
• Road Configuration
o Shimano DuraAce rear derailleur
o Shimano Ultegra 10-speed cassette (12-27)
• Touring Configuration
o Shimano XT short cage mountain bike rear derailleur
o 10-speed cassette (12-34)
• Shimano DuraAce 10-speed chain with master link quick-release
• Paul Touring cantilever brakes
• Shimano XTR mountain bike pedals
• Cables –quick-releases on all cables for packing w/ S&S couplers
• Chris King head set (red)
• Fizik Wing Flex saddle
• Stainless steel water bottle cages (3)
• Weight: 19.25 lb before accessories