From Athens to Barcelona: Franco’s Ultimate Self-Supported Bike Tour Build

5 comments by Igor Shteynbuk
velo orange polyvalent microshift sword road runner bags bike packing rack packing crust rivendell ritchey surly

Franco is a seasoned cyclist who puts down some serious mileage on his mountain bike turned all-terrain tourer. For his upcoming 3500km self-supported tour from Athens to Barcelona, he needed something more suitable for the diverse terrain he’ll encounter. After numerous video calls and discussions about his needs and packing style, we decided that the Polyvalent was his best bet. Make sure to give Franco a follow on Instagram! He's been posting some fantastic videos from his trip that you won't want to miss. Now, let’s dive into the build!

Franco brings a wealth of insight and passion from his background as an Ironman triathlete and cycle-tourist. While he had a clear idea of what he needed, our video conferences and messages helped us hammer out the specifics for his trip and future adventures. The journey features mostly paved roads with some gravel stretches, so he needed tires that are wide enough for comfort but not too heavy and sluggish. The Polyvalent is the perfect choice for this kind of ride. It’s versatile enough for training (he's a phenomenally strong rider) and can be loaded up at a whim for spontaneous detours.

velo orange polyvalent microshift sword road runner bags bike packing rack packing crust rivendell ritchey surly

We chose robust DT Swiss wheels paired with Ultradynamico 650bx48mm tires. This setup ensures durability without compromising on availability; the parts are standard enough to find replacements easily if needed.

velo orange polyvalent microshift sword road runner bags bike packing rack packing crust rivendell ritchey surly
velo orange polyvalent microshift sword road runner bags bike packing rack packing crust rivendell ritchey surly

The shifting is managed by Microshift's Sword group, which offers a wide range of gears perfect for the varied terrain. While most of the route is rolling, there are some challenging climbs where that low-end gear will be invaluable. Franco opted for a 1x setup for its simplicity and reliability.

velo orange polyvalent microshift sword road runner bags bike packing rack packing crust rivendell ritchey surly campeur rack
velo orange polyvalent microshift sword road runner bags bike packing rack packing crust rivendell ritchey surly

For packing, Franco is going fully self-supported with camping gear, so we decided on a mix of bikepacking and “rack-packing” (more on this in a later post). He’s using our Campeur Rear Rack for his existing panniers, along with a Road Runner Frame Bag, Sleeper Saddle Bag, and RRB X VO Biggish Bag. This configuration gives him ample storage without feeling overloaded. Panniers are particularly handy as they allow for easy removal of gear when entering stores, restaurants, and museums. We always recommend reserving one pannier for essentials like cameras, passports, and wallets, so you can immerse yourself in the local culture instead of just passing through.

velo orange polyvalent microshift sword road runner bags bike packing rack packing crust rivendell ritchey surly

Overall, I love this build. It strikes the perfect balance of utility, practicality, and personal preference, making it an ideal touring bike. If you’re inspired to build your own, you can find a complete build list here.


5 comments


  • Douglas M

    This is not a race bike but is very versatile, for commuters, tourists, and local grocery shoppers, etc., on paved and/or gravel roads and on trails. This is Version 5 of the Polyvalent and it is hard to see how it could be improved, a modern classic. It includes the thru-axles required for disc brakes, includes a great and useful assortment of reinforced, brazed-on mounts, and includes downtube shifter bosses, where friction shifters can provide a variety of gear train options. This frameset is designed to carry loads over both front and rear wheels and can use either 26" or 650b/27.5 wheels. Part modern and part old school, this is a rare opportunity and consider getting one of these while available.


  • Igor

    @Nic,

    Just flip the bike over!

    @guillaume,

    The weather is really nice right now. Plus he’s riding whether it rains or not so it doesn’t matter. I think it’s also because he is flying with the bike so he didn’t want the hassle of them being being damaged by the baggage handlers.


  • JOHAN L PACHEC0

    Looks well balanced without the panniers. Definitely a weekender setup in the picures. V. Nice!


  • guillaume

    why no fenders?


  • Nic

    damn is that the new dt swiss pees…


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