At first look, the Co-Movement Pangea seems to be a hard-tail mountain bike with drop handlebars and all of the braze-ons wanted to mount fenders and entrance and rear racks. At second look, it appears extra like a quick, sporty highway bike with disc brakes and 26-inch mountain bike tires. In actuality, nevertheless, the Co-Movement Pangea is neither of these items.
The Pangea is an American made touring bicycle created by a small, Eugene, Oregon (U.S.A.) based mostly bicycle maker named Co-Movement. The Pangea is simply one of many firm’s off-road touring bike fashions (the opposite being the 29” Co-Movement Divide), and whereas it might be a bicycle with a number of apparent contradictions, the Pangea could very nicely be the face of the trendy touring bicycle.
Over the past 14 months, I’ve been utilizing the Co-Movement Pangea as my sole technique of transportation on an epic 24-country bicycle tour in each Europe and Africa. I’ve examined the bike on easy tarmac, bumpy gravel roads, windy single-tracks trails and rocky off-road terrain. I’ve used the Pangea to traverse by blazing summer time warmth within the deserts of Turkey and South Africa and to navigate freezing chilly winter snow storms in Slovakia and Ukraine.
Click on the play button on the video above to look at my video overview.
Over the course of this overview, I plan to share with you the Pangea’s many strengths… and its few weaknesses. I’ll let you know how I’ve traveled with the bike on airplanes, buses, boats and trains with using the Pangea’s elective S&S couplers (known as the “Co-Pilot Choice” in Co-Movement’s phrases), and I’ll overview each part of the bike, beginning with its body (which is the core of any touring bicycle) and shifting on from there to debate the bicycle’s gearing, derailleurs, disc brakes, saddle, wheels, tires, braze-ons and extra!
Full bike particulars will be discovered proper right here!
Lastly, I’ll offer you an in depth breakdown of the bicycle’s strengths and weaknesses, reply generally requested questions, and I’ll let you know tips on how to order a Pangea for your self for those who determine that this wonderful 26” on-road/off-road car is the touring bike you’ve been in search of.
The Body & Fork
Constructed of tremendous robust, giant diameter 725 Reynolds metal, the Co-Movement Pangea begins off with all of the qualities on the coronary heart of a correct touring bicycle. The bicycle’s metal body makes for a powerful car able to carrying heavy hundreds, but is versatile sufficient to give you a snug experience – one thing that’s tremendous necessary once you spend hours and hours within the saddle every day, using for days, weeks or months on finish.
The Pangea’s outsized head-tube might be probably the most noticeable attribute of the bicycle’s body. The top tube is constructed from a Chro-Moly (metal) tube and homes a big Chris King Inset 44mm Inside Steerer. The top tube, which is about at a 71 diploma or 71.5 diploma angle (relying on the scale of your bicycle’s body) is the right angle for steering your loaded touring bicycle with full management, whereas on the identical time giving the bike the power it wants to hold a heavy load.
On the rear finish of the body, lengthy touring-specific chainstays let you mount rear panniers of just about any dimension to the rear rack of the bicycle with out you having to fret concerning the heel of your foot interfering with the entrance portion of the panniers whilst you experience (a standard downside on many touring bicycles, however not the Pangea).
Fairly than having completely straight chainstays, nevertheless, the Co-Movement Pangea options customized curved chainstays that stretch from the bicycle’s backside bracket and bend outward across the rear wheel, offering the additional house wanted for the bike’s extensive 26” tires and Avid BB7 disc brakes.
Whereas these curved chainstays provide the further heel clearance you want when touring and supply the bike with somewhat further type, I discovered that the chainstays (particularly the one on the left-hand aspect of the bike, the place the cable for the rear disc brake wraps across the exterior of the body) would sometimes clip the heel of my giant dimension 12 US footwear. A bike owner with even bigger ft, or a person who rides with their heels pointed extra inward could be confronted with much more resistance on this space. That mentioned, it’s essential to acknowledge the truth that shoe, pedal and cleat selection in addition to mounting place of the cleat are all elements right here too.
The Pangea’s body is accessible in seven ready-to-order sizes (44cm, 48cm, 52cm, 54cm, 56cm, 58cm and 62cm). Nevertheless, one of many issues that makes ordering a Co-Movement bicycle totally different than buying a inventory bike made abroad is that the corporate goes above and past to be sure to get the accurately sized bicycle to your wants. Which means that earlier than you even full your order for a motorcycle with Co-Movement, all of your measurements shall be taken and an in-depth evaluation of your physique dimensions shall be carried out. If Co-Movement determines that you simply want a customized bicycle body (possibly since you are both very tall or have actually brief legs), the corporate will give you a body that has been personalized particularly to your wants.
After my measurements have been taken, it was decided that Co-Movement’s largest body dimension can be excellent for me. However whether or not you want a customized match bike or are superb with one of many customary fashions, Co-Movement goes above and past to verify your bicycle has the correct dimensions to your physique. All Co-Movement bikes are made to order, so you recognize that once you purchase a Co-Movement bicycle, you’re getting a motorcycle made for you… and also you alone!
After I first obtained my bicycle, my very first thought was, “It’s too small for me.” I had been using touring bicycles with giant 700c wheels for a number of years earlier than getting my Pangea, and the smaller 26” wheels on the body of the Pangea merely made the bicycle look smaller than my different touring bicycles.
Nevertheless, as soon as I received on the bike and took it for a experience, I used to be capable of shortly see that the bicycle wasn’t too small for me in any case. The bike match like a glove… and after greater than 13 years of intensive round-the world bicycle touring experiences on a number of touring bikes, I can let you know that the Co-Movement Pangea is probably the most comfy bicycle I’ve ever owned.
Lastly, in the case of having the braze-ons wanted to mount water bottle cages, fenders and entrance and rear racks, the Co-Movement Pangea comes fully-equipped. Not solely are there two totally different mounting factors on each the entrance and rear ends of the Pangea body for racks and fenders, however the bicycle is provided with mounts for 3 water bottle cages (two contained in the bicycle’s foremost triangle and one on the underside of the bike’s down tube). Having room for an additional water bottle, or for a spot to hold the gasoline to your camp range, is a pleasant added contact (though this can be a frequent characteristic on most high-end touring bicycles).
Customized Paint Job
One other beauty of shopping for a Co-Movement bicycle is that these bikes usually are not mass-produced in Asia or elsewhere. As a substitute, the corporate’s bikes are hand-made by a talented set of bicycle makes in the US of America. While you order a motorcycle from Co-Movement, the body is constructed, your customized paint type is utilized, and the elements are then added.
After the scale and different choices involving the body of your bicycle have been sorted (such because the elective S&S couplers, which I’ll focus on in only a second), you might be given the duty of selecting the paint type to your bike.
Co-Movement has three foremost paint varieties that can be utilized, with every kind of paint consisting of greater than a dozen totally different colours you possibly can select from.
Many Co-motion house owners choose a strong base shade after which choose a distinct shade for the “Co-Movement” lettering on the body. For instance, I chosen the Ghost White paint shade for the physique of my Pangea body after which used a black Co-Movement decal for the lettering on the body.
One other widespread choice is to have a three-color design, that includes one base shade; one spotlight shade, which borders the Co-Movement lettering on the body; after which a separate shade for the Co-Movement lettering itself. That is what Co-Movement refers to as a “panel” paint job… and is only one of many paint choices to your new bicycle.
If there may be one other design type that you’ve got in thoughts to your bicycle, Co-Movement will work with you to supply the paint job that you simply want (at an extra expense).
Non-obligatory S&S Couplers
Discussing the body on the Co-Movement Pangea wouldn’t be full with out mentioning the elective S&S couplers that you could select to have put in in your bicycle, as I did.
S&S Couplers are metallic attachments/fasteners which are constructed into the body of a bicycle that permit it to be break up aside when it’s being transported (through automotive, bus, boat, aircraft or prepare) after which simply put again collectively once more when you find yourself able to experience the bike. If you would like a touring bicycle that may really go wherever, S&S couplers are an elective further which are severely value contemplating.
The Co-Movement Pangea was my first bicycle with S&S couplers and I used to be each curious and somewhat nervous as to how they might carry out. Though I noticed the advantages of with the ability to fold my bicycle in half and due to this fact fly with the bike on most airways as common checked baggage (quite than as costly piece of extra sports activities gear), I had some doubts. Would the S&S couplers by some means make the bicycle weaker – opening up the potential for cracks within the body or an all-out breakage as soon as I hit high-speed? Would the airways actually let me fly with the bicycle totally free when it was folded in half? And what would occur if I took the bicycle aside and was unable to get it again collectively once more?
Fortunately, my fears on all three counts have been nothing to fret about. Let me deal with every of those three points in full element.
Do S&S Couplers Make The Body Of The Bicycle Weaker?
Truly, S&S couplers make the body of your bicycle stronger and extra inflexible.
Whereas an excellent touring bicycle needs to be each robust and versatile, S&S couplers do admittedly take a number of the flex out of your bicycle’s body. They don’t, nevertheless, make it any weaker or extra prone to breakage.
The couplers match collectively in two quite simple methods. To begin with, a sequence of interlocking tapered interlocking enamel snap collectively and are then, secondly, secured by a rotating screw like lock which prevents the couplers from disconnecting while you’re using your bike.
A particular S&S coupler wrench is required to place the bicycle collectively (tighten the couplers) and take it aside (loosen the couplers), so it is vitally necessary that you simply not lose this wrench while you’re at dwelling or on tour. S&S couplers are extraordinarily unusual and few bike retailers can have the instruments essential to tighten or loosen your couplers for those who lose the wrench that’s included along with your Co-Movement bicycle. That mentioned, it’s potential to make use of a easy punch and hammer in an emergency scenario. If you happen to do use an emergency measure and handle to wreck the coupler nut, it may be changed by Co-Movement. An older backside bracket locking spanner may also be used to loosen and/or tighten the couplers.
Apart from the potential for shedding your S&S coupler wrench, there is no such thing as a want to fret concerning the S&S couplers breaking, coming free, or inflicting fractures of any variety in your bicycle’s body. That’s what’s so nice concerning the S&S couplers that come as an choice on all of Co-Movement’s bicycle fashions – you possibly can utterly neglect about them when you find yourself on the bike and in movement, however they’re there for use everytime you want them.
Can You Actually Fly Your Bike For Free With S&S Couplers?
The obvious motive to take your Pangea touring bicycle aside is when you find yourself transporting it through boat, bus, automotive, aircraft or prepare. In these situations, you might not be capable to journey with a full-size bicycle, or you might be severely fined for transporting a full-size bike utilizing these numerous modes of journey.
With a bicycle constructed utilizing S&S couplers, nevertheless, you possibly can simply transport the bike utilizing nearly any technique of motorized transportation, and in lots of circumstances, it can save you large quantities of cash by flying along with your bicycle in its damaged down state due to its built-in S&S couplers.
Let me offer you a number of examples of how I used to be capable of transport my bike by bus, automotive, aircraft and prepare utilizing the elective S&S couplers. My hope is that after sharing these tales with you, you will note simply how helpful a set of S&S couplers will be on a touring bicycle just like the Co-Movement Pangea – particularly if you’re in search of a motorcycle that may really go wherever.
Instance #1 – By Automotive:
I mailed my bicycle from Poland to Cape City, South Africa and after choosing the bicycle up on the postal customs workplace, I wanted to move my bicycle again to the home in Cape City the place I used to be staying. My buddy Anthony had pushed me to the customs workplace, however after receiving the bicycle, we realized there was no manner for the bike to simply match contained in the again of his tiny sedan. Nevertheless, this was no downside with the S&S couplers on my Co-Movement Pangea. I merely loosened the coupler attachments, break up the bike in two, and simply squeezed your complete factor into the trunk of Anthony’s tiny automotive.
Instance #2 – By Practice:
I needed to take an in a single day prepare from Lviv, Ukraine to Krakow, Poland. The lady who bought me my ticket mentioned taking my bike on the prepare wouldn’t be an issue, however the conductor answerable for the prepare itself noticed my fully-loaded bicycle and instructed me there was no manner he’d let me on the prepare. In my highest Ukrainian, I attempted to elucidate to the person that the panniers got here off my bicycle and that the bicycle break up in half. Nonetheless, the conductor continued, “There’s room for the bicycle.” He simply stored shaking his head, “No!” I wanted to get on that prepare although, so I ignored the conductor’s destructive feedback and shortly went about dismantling the bike in entrance of him. As quickly as he noticed the bicycle break up in half, he smiled with recognition. He may then see simply how small the bike was as soon as it was break up in half, and he and I each knew there can be room for the bike contained in the sleeper prepare… and there was! Had it not been for the bicycle’s S&S couplers, there was no manner I might have gotten on that prepare. I might have needed to have discovered one other approach to get to Krakow. The couplers severely saved the day!
Instance #3 – By Bus:
In Ukraine as soon as once more, I discovered myself caught in a freezing chilly winter storm and after greater than per week of biking and tenting in comparable circumstances, I made a decision that quite than using for yet one more day within the freezing chilly, I might bounce on a neighborhood bus and experience to the following largest city and proceed my journey from there. Sadly, the bus I needed to take was tremendous small and there was no room on the within the car for my giant touring bicycle. Fortunately, there was some room within the trunk of the bus (close to the place the engine was situated), so I merely eliminated the panniers from my bicycle, break up the bike in half with using its S&S couplers, and threw the whole lot into the bus’s small trunk. The bicycle match splendidly and there was nonetheless room contained in the trunk of the bus for the storage of a number of the different passengers’ belongings.
Instance #4 – By Airplane:
Lastly, I purchased a aircraft ticket with Turkish Airways from Zurich, Switzerland to Istanbul, Turkey. The airline mentioned I’d have to pay an costly extra price to fly with my full-size bicycle, so I break up the bicycle in half, reduce a cardboard bike field all the way down to the airline’s most dimension for checked baggage and match my whole bicycle inside this massive, but airline pleasant field. The bike flew totally free and arrived safely in Istanbul with no issues by any means.
How Troublesome Is It To Take Aside And Put Again Collectively A Bicycle Constructed With S&S Couplers?
To separate the Co-Movement Pangea in half with using its S&S couplers, there are actually solely two issues you want to do.
To begin with, unscrew the three cables that run down the size of the down tube. These are the cables for the rear brake and the entrance and rear derailleurs. If you happen to order your Pangea with the elective S&S couplers, the cables in your bicycle can have a particular attachment in the course of them that enables the cables to be break up in half. If you happen to order the common Pangea body with out the S&S couplers, the cables in your bike gained’t have this particular attachment in the course of them.
After you’ve undone the cables, use the S&S coupler wrench that’s included along with your Pangea to loosen the 2 coupler attachments. That is simply achieved with only one brief twist of the wrench. After the outer S&S coupler screw attachment is loosened, you should utilize your arms to loosen it additional – doing this to each the S&S coupler on the highest and down tube. As soon as each couplers are unscrewed, the bicycle will simply break up in half with out you having to do a lot of something. The 2 elements will merely fall away from each other.
If you’re packing the bike for transport in a automotive, boat, bus or prepare, there often isn’t anything you need to do. You may maintain the entrance and rear racks, fenders, water bottle cages and anything on the bike simply the way in which it’s. Nevertheless, if you’re planning to fly with the bike and wish it to suit inside both the Co-Movement Co-Pilot Case or an airline pleasant cardboard field that you simply reduce all the way down to dimension your self, you’ll need to take away the fenders, entrance and rear racks, water bottle cages and anything you’ve got on the bike… and becoming all of it contained in the case/field requires a bit extra work.
Placing the bicycle again collectively, nevertheless, is in no way sophisticated. In reality, it’s very straightforward!
To organize your S&S coupled touring bicycle for the highway, merely align the entrance and rear halves of your bicycle in order that the interlocking enamel on the S&S coupler attachments line up with each other. Upon getting the 2 halves of the bicycle lined up, merely slide the metallic screw attachment from one or each S&S couplers over the interlocking turrets and switch along with your hand in a clockwise style, thereby locking the 2 halves of the body in place. When you’ve tightened the couplers on each the highest and down tubes as tight as you possibly can along with your hand, use the S&S coupler wrench to lock the body in place.
Then re-attach the cables on the entrance and rear halves of your bicycle. There are not any particular instruments wanted to do that. Merely shift your gears to their lowest positions and use your arms to screw the interlocking cables into place. A small quantity of stress will should be utilized to the cables at this level, however not practically as a lot as you would possibly suppose. The cables return collectively quite effortlessly.
As quickly as you’ve locked the S&S couplers again collectively and reattached the cables, you’re able to experience! The complete course of takes lower than three minutes with just a bit observe.
The Gearing
The selection of gearing on the Co-Movement Pangea might be one of the best there may be for a touring bicycle of its variety. Touring bicycles just like the Pangea are likely to characteristic a gearing arrange much like what you see on most fashionable mountain bikes. There shall be three gears within the entrance of the bike and 7 or extra gears within the again – permitting for 21 or extra complete gear mixtures.
On a touring bicycle, the massive chainring might be the least necessary (as it’s used for touring at excessive speeds – one thing many touring cyclists will hardly ever ever do). The small chainring, nevertheless, is of nice significance, as it’s the gear that means that you can climb steep hills (even with a heavy load) with minimal effort.
The Co-Movement Pangea has an FSA Afterburner crankset with a (48, 36, 26) gear mixture. It’s the 26 right here that’s in all probability crucial quantity to concentrate to. This quantity signifies that there are solely 26 enamel on the bicycle’s smallest gear, which is an excellently low gear to have on an off-road touring bicycle wish to Pangea. Many different touring bicycles have a smallest gear with 30, 32 or as many was 36 enamel, which means that climbing steep hills with these bikes generally is a complete nightmare.
I hardly ever ever used the Pangea’s lowest gear. Even on the steepest hills, I might often climb within the bicycle’s second or third lowest gear, which means there was nonetheless room to change to a decrease gear if I wanted it. That is what you need in an excellent touring bicycle!
Whereas the decrease gears on the Pangea are excellent, cyclists with a choice for velocity could also be upset with the Pangea’s larger gear choices, which high out at a velocity of someplace round 35 kilometers per hour. Nevertheless, the highest few gears on the Co-Movement Pangea shall be excellent (and infrequently ever used) by most long-distance cyclists, as high-speed journey (particularly for lengthy lengths of time) just isn’t a typical exercise on most bicycle excursions.
General, I might say that the Pangea has probably the greatest bicycle touring gear set ups of any bicycle available on the market. The small gears are good for climbing. The center gears are glorious for metropolis bike journey, the place fast begins and stops are mandatory. And the large gears are excellent when cruising at excessive velocity on flat roads or rushing downhill.
The Derailleurs / Drivetrain
The elements on the Pangea are high-end, which is simply a part of the rationale why the bike is a lot dearer than different mass-produced or introductory touring bicycles.
The entrance derailleur on the Co-Movement Pangea is a Shimano 105 and the rear derailleur is a Shimano XTR. These two derailleurs are generally used on high-end highway bikes and are designed to offer you as few issues as potential in your long-distance bicycle excursions.
Since first buying the Pangea greater than a 12 months in the past, I’ve not even touched both derailleur. I’ve by no means needed to make any changes or repairs of any kind to both part. I’ve cleaned the derailleurs with cleaning soap and water, and added a small quantity of lube when mandatory, however that’s all I’ve needed to do.
Typically the signal of an excellent bicycle half is the half you by no means have to the touch and even take into consideration in any respect. Within the case of the Pangea touring bicycle and the derailleurs which were chosen for this bike, that is definitely the case!
STI or Bar-Finish Shifters
Similar to you’ve got the choice of including S&S couplers and deciding on your individual customized paint job, you even have the choice of equipping your Co-Movement Pangea with both STI Shifters (generally discovered on most highway racing bicycles) or with conventional bicycle touring bar-end shifters.
This, just like the disc brakes that we’ll focus on in only a second, are one of many Pangea’s first touring bike contradictions. Whereas a standard touring bike would use bar-end shifters as a result of they’re cheap and simple to restore nearly wherever on this planet, you do have the choice of including dearer, extra sophisticated, and tougher to restore STI shifters to your Pangea bicycle (for an additional $250 USD).
Whereas STI shifters are in all probability most popular in most situations by anybody who has ever ridden a highway bicycle, as a result of the brakes and shifters are mixed right into a single competent, which makes it straightforward so that you can brake or shift gears with out shifting your arms round on the handlebars, if one thing have been to go flawed along with your STI shifters on a motorcycle tour in a distant area of the world the place these kind of shifters are unusual (and even worse, unattainable to search out), you may be in an entire lot of hassle!
Because of this although I’ve used STI shifters on my earlier highway bicycles and even a number of of my touring bicycles previously, I made a decision to equip my Co-motion Pangea with bar-end shifters.
Bar-end shifters are cheaper, and they’re comparatively straightforward to restore ought to one thing go flawed with them in a distant area of the world, however they do take somewhat getting used to. With bar-end shifters, every time you wish to change gears, you need to transfer your arms from the highest of your handlebars all the way down to the bar ends, and transfer the shifter manually into the proper place.
This, at first, looks as if a variety of work and one thing that might grow to be annoying on the very least on a long-distance bicycle tour. However after a few week of using with bar-end shifters, you cease enthusiastic about the work you might be doing once you shift gears. Similar to the shifters you’ve used on any bike earlier than, somewhat observe with the bar-end shifters in your Co-Movement Pangea and also you’ll really feel 100% at dwelling in your new bike.
When it comes time to determine whether or not you need STI or bar-end shifters in your Pangea touring bicycle, contemplate your private preferences, however greater than something, contemplate the place you’ll be using on this planet and the sorts of spare elements they’re going to have in these areas in case your shifters have been to interrupt or want restore.
Generally, if you’re planning to cycle in North America, Europe or Australia/New Zealand, you’ll be completely protected using with STI shifters in your touring bicycle. Shifters of this sort are generally discovered at most bike retailers in these areas of the world and it is best to be capable to discover spare elements or make repairs to your bike if the circumstance requires it.
Nevertheless, if you’re planning to experience your Co-Movement Pangea in South America, Africa or the undeveloped elements of Asia, contemplate equipping your bicycle with bar-end shifters. Whereas I’ve had no issues by any means with the bar-end shifters on my Pangea during the last 14+ months, in case your shifters have been to interrupt or want restore, you’ll have a greater likelihood of getting help in these corners of the world if in case you have bar-end shifters in your bike.
The Disc Brakes
One other contradiction of the Co-Movement Pangea is the bicycle’s entrance and rear cable disc brakes. As soon as once more, a standard touring bicycle tends to make use of the best elements and elements, in order that within the occasion of a break down in a distant a part of the world, the elements and provides wanted to make a restore will be discovered nearly wherever. However with Pangea outfitted with Avid BB7 disc brakes and 160mm Rotors, you run the chance of not with the ability to restore your brakes in distant corners of the world, ought to one thing go flawed.
That mentioned, the Avid BB7 disc brakes discovered on the Co-Movement Pangea are fantastic brakes to have on a touring bicycle. Whereas some customers could complain of the slight squeal that Avid brakes are likely to make if not adjusted correctly, the brakes do a wonderful job of slowing down and bringing to a cease a closely loaded touring bicycle such because the Pangea.
On steep downhill terrain, whether or not it’s on paved roads, rocky single-tracks or snow-covered grime roads, I discovered the brakes on the Co-Movement Pangea to be each efficient and dependable. Throughout my 14+ months of journey with the Pangea, the one adjustment I wanted to make to the brakes was including a brand new set of brake pads to the rear brake after 10+ months of use. I had worn a gap by the middle of the rear brake pads, however they have been simply changed with a brand new set of brake pads I used to be capable of finding at a small bike store in Cape City, South Africa.
There are two nice options value noting concerning the brakes on the Co-Movement Pangea.
To begin with, the brakes are cable brakes, and never hydraulic brakes. Whereas mountain bikers will declare that hydraulic brakes are higher (extra responsive), cable brakes (particularly on a bicycle that splits in half with using S&S couplers) is good.
Cable brakes are higher on a touring bicycle just like the Pangea as a result of they’re simpler to restore. If a cable have been to interrupt, you may discover a substitute nearly wherever on this planet. And the truth that the cables on the elective S&S coupled Pangea break up in half additional add to the advantages of the cable brakes on this explicit touring bicycle.
The opposite profit to utilizing cable brakes, versus hydraulic disc brakes is that hydraulic disc brakes require particular instruments, liquids and extra to maintain them correctly maintained. If the liquid in your hydraulic brakes have been to leak out and also you have been in the course of Peru, for instance, you’d haven’t any manner of repairing the brakes with out carrying all of the instruments wanted to both repair the brakes your self… or discovering a store that specialised in hydraulic disc brakes that will help you restore your bike.
The opposite main profit to the brakes on the Co-Movement Pangea is that they’re so extremely straightforward to regulate. On either side of the brakes is a small reddish circle that may be turned left or proper, relying on whether or not you wish to transfer the brakes pads nearer to or additional away from the disc brake rotor. These two circles on either side of the brake let you simply modify your disc brakes with out using any particular instruments and modify the sensitivity of your entrance and rear brakes, relying on each your private choice and the wants of your particular tour.
Whereas disc brakes is probably not excellent in a standard bicycle touring sense, I’ve a sense that due to their superior stopping energy and the rising reputation of bicycles outfitted with disc brakes all all over the world, nearly the entire touring bicycles of the long run will possible be constructed with disc brakes of some variety.
The Saddle / Seat
While you experience a bicycle, your physique makes contact with three distinct elements of the bike – your pedals, your handlebars, and your saddle (or seat). Crucial of those in the case of consolation in your bicycle, is the saddle. On a touring bicycle, the place you might be certainly going to be spending a number of hours on the bike every day, the saddle turns into much more necessary.
After I first noticed the flat, exhausting, aerodynamic racing-style saddle on the Co-Movement Pangea, I used to be positive I used to be going to must swap it out for one thing extra comfy. However earlier than I went about doing that, I needed to offer the Selle Italia Nekkar Stream saddle that comes with the Pangea a attempt. “Who is aware of,” I assumed to myself, “Perhaps the saddle will find yourself being extremely comfy.”
And you recognize what? I used to be proper! The saddle on the Co-Movement Pangea does appear like a tough, uncomfortable seat for a long-distance touring bicycle, however it’s truly extra versatile and forgiving than it appears, and it’s a nice bicycle touring saddle.
When you find yourself in search of a bicycle saddle, you wish to method it in simply the identical manner you’d for those who have been looking for a mattress to your mattress. You need one thing that’s agency at its base and can give you the help you want, however that has some give to its floor in order that it’s comfy on the identical time. That’s precisely what the saddle on the Co-Movement Pangea is like. It appears exhausting and stiff, however it’s truly fairly comfy when you sit on it. And it has simply sufficient give to it that you simply by no means actually really feel the stiffness of the saddle beneath you – even on the longest bicycle touring days.
Over the course of the final 14+ months, I’ve not complained about my saddle even as soon as. I experience in full consolation every day, with out pains of any variety in my decrease again, butt or groin.
Like so many different traits and elements discovered on the Co-Movement Pangea, the saddle is simply one other instance of a terrific piece of kit that does its job so nicely you don’t even have to consider it.
Co-Movement additionally provides the Selle Anatomica saddle to its clients, which is one other widespread saddle for touring bicycles.
The Wheels & Tires
The Co-Movement Pangea is exclusive amongst touring bicycles as a result of as a substitute of utilizing 700c highway wheels and slim touring tires, the bicycle is provided with 26 inch wheels and extensive 2.1 inch on-road/off highway tires.
The wheels on the Pangea are constructed from high-quality DT540 Hubs, Velocity Aeroheat Rims and 36 metal spokes (per wheel). Throughout my 14+ months with the Pangea, I had no issues with the bicycle’s hubs, spokes or rims.
The 26” x 2.1 Continental City & Nation tires that include the bicycle nevertheless, solely lasted 34 days earlier than they wanted to get replaced.
Whereas the unique Continental tires that got here with the bike have been nonetheless in use, I just like the tires total. The tires have been completely easy down the middle of the tire, making them excellent for on-road use.
As you moved from away from the middle of the tires, nevertheless, the tread made a fast drop downward, enabling the bicycle to navigate in off-road circumstances with some ability.
In principle, the tires that include the Co-Movement Pangea are ideally suited to on-road/off-road use. And the tires definitely give the bicycle a glance that makes if totally different from so many different touring bicycles available on the market. However I had two main issues with the tires throughout the brief period of time they remained on my bike.
To begin with, the tires supplied little traction in off-road circumstances. I struggled probably the most when there was a tough grime or asphalt floor coated with mild sand or gravel. In this sort of surroundings, the flat heart part of the tires have been unable to grip the highway floor and my rear tire would spin and spin with out making a lot ahead progress.
Secondly, and most significantly, the tires themselves wore out in solely 34 days. After about two weeks I may see that the tires have been starting to crack and climate close to the edges and on the edges of the tires. After simply 34 days, the tires break up aside totally, forcing me to buy new tires for a virtually model new touring bike.
In all my years of bicycle touring, I’ve by no means had a set of tires die so shortly. For instance, the tires that I changed the unique City & Nation tires with have been a no-name model that I picked up at a motorcycle store in Belgium. Whereas the Continental City & Nation tires that got here with the Pangea lasted just one month, these cheap commuter tire replacements ended up lasting the remaining 13+ months that I used to be on the highway in each Europe and Africa.
I don’t know why the tires on the Pangea died so shortly. I do know I didn’t have the tires under-inflated, and I handled them no otherwise than the Belgian tires I finally changed them with. I think that I merely obtained an previous pair of tires once I bought my bike. Perhaps these tires had been sitting across the store for some time, had some pre-existing solar harm, or one thing like that… and this is the reason the tires solely made it by the primary 34 days of my bicycle tour. I assume I’ll by no means actually know.
The Experience (Or “How Does The Bike Really feel?”)
Among the best issues concerning the Co-Movement Pangea is simply how comfy it’s.
Whereas the bike appears like a quick, sporty highway bike and the saddle appears sort of stiff, the bicycle itself is a pleasure to experience. Throughout my 14+ months on the highway, I by no means as soon as complained of getting a sore again, butt, neck or arms. I felt utterly answerable for the bike at each high and low speeds, whether or not I used to be slowly making my manner up a steep mountain cross or bombing downhill on the other aspect. In wind, rain, solar and snow, the Pangea drove like a dream. In turns I by no means needed to fear about my ft or pedals hitting the bottom beneath me and in off-road environments I felt comfy driving over grime, rocks, sand, and snow.
As I mentioned earlier than, the Pangea touring bicycle is actually probably the most comfy touring bicycle I’ve ever owned. It rides like a highway bike, however seems like a touring bicycle ought to – extraordinarily comfy.
Generally Requested Questions
Under you will see a number of the most typical questions I obtained regarding the Co-Movement Pangea touring bicycle, together with my solutions to these questions. When you have one other query concerning the bicycle that isn’t answered right here or elsewhere on this overview, please go away a remark on the backside of this web page and I’ll get again to you simply as quickly as I can with a high quality response.
How a lot does the Co-Movement Pangea price?
You should buy the Co-Movement Pangea body and fork for $1,965 USD after which construct up the remainder of the bicycle by your self. The entire bike, nevertheless, prices $3,925 USD… with extras such because the elective S&S couplers, STI shifters, and extra being added to this worth.
Please word that these costs can and can certainly change.
How a lot does the Co-Movement Pangea weigh?
The entire bicycle with pedals and each entrance and rear racks and fenders weighs roughly 34 kilos (15.5 kilograms).
The load of the bicycle as soon as it’s fully-loaded, nevertheless, will range tremendously relying on the gear you select to hold with you, the size of your tour, the kind of lodging you propose to be utilizing throughout your travels (tenting vs. inns), and plenty of different elements. That mentioned, the Pangea can help as a lot as 65 or extra kilos (30 kg) of extra weight. The much less weight you carry, nevertheless, the extra you’ll take pleasure in your tour.
What sizes is Co-Movement Pangea out there in?
The Pangea’s body is accessible in seven ready-to-order sizes (44cm, 48cm, 52cm, 54cm, 56cm, 58cm and 62cm). Nevertheless, you possibly can have the body customized constructed to your particular wants. Simply contact Co-Movement or your native Co-Movement supplier for extra info.
Why does the Co-Movement Pangea have drop handlebars?
Many individuals assume that drop handlebars are used on highway bicycles so you possibly can tuck down low on the bike and assume an aerodynamic place. Nevertheless, drop bars are frequent on touring bicycles not due to the necessity for velocity or decreased wind drag, however due to the quite a few hand positions that they afford.
If you happen to experience a bicycle and maintain your arms in a single place all day lengthy for days, weeks and months on finish, you’ll possible expertise some ache in your palms, wrists, elbows and arms. It is usually extraordinarily possible that you’ll undergo from slight to extreme nerve harm for those who by no means transfer your arms round whereas using your bike.
Drop handlebars let you transfer your arms round as you experience. They give you not less than 12 or extra totally different hand positions and so they tremendously cut back the prospect that you’ll expertise ache or long-lasting nerve harm in your long-distance bicycle excursions.
Why does the Pangea have 26” wheels/tires on it?
There are two foremost advantages to utilizing 26 inch tires on a touring bicycle just like the Co-Movement Pangea.
To begin with, 2 inch tires are higher suited to off-road journey.
Secondly, 26 inch tires are customary nearly in every single place on this planet. Which means that if you’re planning to conduct a bicycle tour in a distant area of the world, it’s higher to be utilizing a bicycle with 26 inch tires/wheels than a bicycle with 700c tires/wheels. Discovering substitute elements for 26 inch tires/wheels is simple – regardless of the place you might be on this planet. The identical cannot be mentioned for bicycles with 700c tires/wheels.
If you’re in search of a touring bicycle with 700c or 29 inch wheels/tires, Co-Movement does make different touring bike fashions that may suit your wants. See this web page for extra info.
Do the extensive 26 x 2.1 inch tires on the Pangea gradual it down on paved roads?
The broader tires on the Pangea do in all probability gradual the bicycle down just a bit bit when put next with skinnier, extra conventional highway tires. Nevertheless, in a long-distance touring situation, velocity is often not the principle concern and most bicycle vacationers shall be unable to really feel any decreased slowing attributable to the broader tires discovered on this explicit touring bicycle.
Why does this off-road succesful touring bicycle not have suspension on it?
The Co-Movement Pangea is a bicycle that has been constructed to deal with the calls for of each on-road and off-road bicycle touring. It performs splendidly on paved roads, but it surely performs simply as nicely in off-road environments.
That mentioned, a touring bicycle loaded with two or 4 panniers and pushed in a rocky off-road surroundings isn’t going to deal with in addition to an unloaded mountain bike with entrance and rear-suspension. The 2 bikes are merely designed with totally different functions in thoughts.
That mentioned, the Co-Movement is rugged sufficient to deal with the roughest terrain. In fact you aren’t going to wish to be leaping the bike off of steep ledges or crashing it down rocky single-track trails at excessive velocity. It’s essential be somewhat extra cautious with it. However it performs off-road in simply the way in which that it ought to.
The Pangea doesn’t have suspension on it as a result of although suspension would possibly make the experience extra comfy to you, it decreases your total effectivity on the bike, saps your energy, and makes the experience that rather more tough. Even when touring off-road, you typically need a inflexible, but versatile touring bicycle body just like the one discovered on the Co-Movement Pangea.
Do the S&S couplers in any manner cut back the power or reliability of the bicycle?
No, the elective S&S couplers truly make the bicycle body stronger. See my feedback earlier on this overview.
How lengthy does it take to separate the bicycle in half and put it again collectively once more with the S&S couplers?
The reply to this questions is determined by the circumstance and your mechanical skills.
If you’re taking the bicycle aside actually fast to suit it on a bus, boat or prepare, you possibly can take away the entrance and rear panniers from the bicycle and break up the bike in half in lower than 3 minutes (with somewhat observe – possibly not the primary time you attempt it). The identical is true with placing the bicycle again collectively once more. It takes about 3 minutes to place the bicycle again collectively utilizing the S&S couplers.
That mentioned, for those who plan on taking the bicycle on an airplane and also you want it to suit inside an airline pleasant journey bag or field, the break down course of takes fairly a bit longer. You will want to separate the bicycle in half with the S&S couplers, take away the entrance and rear racks, take away the entrance and rear fenders, take away the water bottle cages, and take away the pedals. When you do all that, you need to fastidiously match the 2 halves of the bicycle body and the 2 wheels into the journey bag/field. This half just isn’t straightforward. It’s a really tight match and takes a considerable amount of trial and error to get it to all match correctly. The primary time you do that it may simply an hour or extra. Placing the bicycle again collectively once more will in all probability take about 45 minutes. Nevertheless, after you’ve got achieved this one or two occasions, the method does grow to be considerably simpler.
Is it value the additional cash to have S&S couplers put in on the bike?
If you happen to plan to journey along with your bicycle lots (particularly on airplanes, the place some airways are actually charging as a lot as $350 USD per path to fly with a bicycle), it is smart to buy a motorcycle with S&S couplers and might fly totally free or as common checked baggage on most worldwide airways.
The S&S couplers that come on the Co-Movement Pangea price about $750 USD. Even for those who have been solely charged $150 USD per path to fly your bicycle on an airplane, this may imply you’d solely must take your bicycle on 2.5 round-trip flights earlier than they coupler’s had paid themselves off. Each flight after that you’d be saving cash!
The place can I buy a Co-Movement Pangea touring bicycle?
One of the best ways to buy a Co-Movement bicycle is to contact your native Co-Movement supplier – if in case you have one. In any other case, you possibly can contact the corporate straight. Their web site is www.co-motion.com. Their telephone quantity is (866) 282-6336 and you may contact them through e-mail utilizing the online kind on this web page.
Is the Co-Movement Pangea out there Internationally?
Whereas it’s potential to buy a Co-Movement bicycle and have it delivered to you for those who reside exterior of the US, there are some extra prices related to the acquisition. You will want to pay further for delivery (and insurance coverage, for those who determine to insure the bike throughout its transport). Then you might have to pay extra customs and/or import charges. Every nation is somewhat totally different with reference to how they deal with supply of bicycles, so you’ll want to do your analysis earlier than ordering a motorcycle so you recognize what, if any, further charges you might have to pay as a way to obtain your bicycle as soon as it makes it approach to your nation. For extra info on worldwide orders, contact Co-Movement straight.
Who ought to I contact if I’ve extra questions concerning the Co-Movement Pangea?
When you have any extra questions concerning the Co-Movement Pangea that I’ve not answered right here, please go away a remark on the backside of this web page, go to the official Co-Movement web site at www.co-motion.com or give the corporate a name at (866) 282-6336.
The Co-Movement Pangea: My General Ranking
The Co-Movement Pangea is a good looking, well-designed and extremely well-built on-road/off-road touring bicycle able to brief journeys close to your house or round-the-world adventures. Whereas the high-price of the Pangea could scare away some, these in search of one of the best bicycle touring on this planet could have simply met their match.
Strengths
Excessive-quality on-road/off-road touring bicycle able to round-the-world journey.
Snug body, handlebars and saddle permit for lengthy hours on the bike.
Wonderful stopping energy due to cable disc-brakes.
Three water bottles cage mounts (as a substitute of the usual two).
Customizable shifters, body and paint permit for a very distinctive bicycle.
26” wheels/tires make substitute elements straightforward to search out nearly wherever on this planet.
Non-obligatory S&S couplers permit the bike to be break up in half and brought on buses, boats, planes and trains at no extra price.
Weaknesses
Tires put on out too shortly (however possibly I used to be simply given a foul batch?).
Tires are slippery on free gravel roads resulting from tread sample.
Elements for the elective STI Shifters, S&S Couplers and disc brakes could also be unattainable/tough to search out in undeveloped elements of the world.
Excessive worth is probably not inexpensive to some people.
How To Buy A Co-Movement Bicycle
To buy a Co-Movement Pangea touring bicycle, contact your native Co-Movement supplier or contact Co-Movement straight by calling (866) 282-6336 or visiting their web site at www.co-motion.com.
Further Photographs
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