This week’s Reader’s Rig comes from Udo in Berlin, who shares his one-of-a-kind titanium “Best Buddy Bike” from Wheeldan. Find details on his custom titanium expedition rig and read about some of their many travels together here…

Words and photos by Udo Kewitsch

Hello, my name is Udo, otherwise known as Udokah, a blogger and bike nerd. I am located in the Bavarian Alps and would call myself an enthusiastic biker. Starting end of the 1980s with my first Motobecane MTB, I was infected early by the fascination of going out by bike and feeling the special kind of freedom only riding can bring.

Wheeldan

I crossed the Alps 20 times between 2002 and 2018 and started traveling around the world before “bikepacking” was a well-known expression. Alaska, exploring a mountain bike Route from Kathmandu to Pokhara, across Ireland, to Bratislava, Praha, and one of my favourite bike trips: four weeks around Mongolia by bike. I also rode 4,000 kilometers in seven weeks around the Baltic Sea in 2022.

  • Wheeldan
  • Wheeldan

Every year, I try to plan a few bike trips. The next one will start in May 2025, when I will go out across Germany from Bavaria to Ostfriesland. Cycling is happiness for me, and that’s why I decided to order my special BBB (Best Buddy Bike) from Wheeldan in Berlin.

Wheeldan
  • Wheeldan
  • Wheeldan
  • Wheeldan

I dreamed about a unique bike designed and built for me, based on a design idea in my head, and made by a lauded framebuilder. I found Daniel in Berlin, who builds under the Wheeldan brand. I had a few discussions with him in detail. I was searching for an everyday bike, as well as a travel bike and, of course, a bikepacking machine that’s able to carry all my valuables (for example, my Soto Windmaster, JBL Clip4, tent, mat, etc.).

  • Frame/Fork: Wheeldan Titanium
  • Rims: DT Swiss EX511
  • Hubs: SON 28 (front) / Hope Single speed 142mm (rear)
  • Tires: Schwalbe G-One 27.5 x 2.8″
  • Handlebars: Tumbleweed Persuader 800mm
  • Grips: Velospring wooden
  • Headset: Acros Bloc Lock
  • Crankset: Pinion with Gates Carbon Drive
  • Pedals: Reset Titan
  • Cassette: Pinion / Gates
  • Shifter: Pinion P1.18
  • Brakes: Hope E-Tech4 180mm
  • Saddle: Brooks limited edition Eroica
  • Seatpost: Wheeldan
  • Stem: Hope
  • Fork bags: Tailfin Fork Pack or Ortlieb Gravel Pack (with Tubus LowRider Rack)
  • Front bags: Tailfin Bar Bag or Caradice
  • Frame bags: Gramm Tourpacking custom
  • Rear bags: Revelate Nano Panniers or Ortlieb Gravel Pack
  • Accessory bags: Revelate Feedbags, Tailfin Top Tube Bag (flip)
  • Lighting: SON Edellux II (front) / SON (rear)
  • Fenders: Pletscher aluminum
  • Other accessories: Spurcycle Bell, King Cage, Snoopy ornament

I use my BBB every day to ride to work (just 10 miles), to go out quick, to go out long, to travel short, and to travel extensively. It is stable and agile. It’s not the fastest or the lightest, but no doubt, it is, for me, the very best best bike imaginable. Sometimes, I like to have it bare, without all my bags. Then, it is a kind of speed machine. Other times, it is fully equipped, and I can carry all I have to haul for all of my overnighters and longer travels.

  • Wheeldan
  • Wheeldan

Some parts are somewhat exotic but selected with love. My tensioned wooden grips from Velospring are something special that must be touched! Also, my saddle from the Brooks Eroica limited edition has to be pointed out. My custom frame bag from Gramm in Berlin and the Tailfin bag are worth mentioning, too. Last but not least, my little funny trinket that serves no real purpose is my Snoopy figurine at the front, which always makes people smile.

You can keep up with Udo on Instagram.

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