exciting trip... help with bike?

[ginny]

Hi everyone. Since you gals know everything, will someone help me figure this out? I am taking my bike to Austria in August. I have a 2006 Bianchi Eros Donna. I would like to put a rack and panniers on it for the trip (egad!), can I even do this? I really don't want to have to buy a touring bike between now and then! How do I know if I can even put a rack on the back of my bike? Thanks!

[Tuckervill]

It looks like it has eyelets on the dropouts for a rack. (The 2008 does, anyway.) That's where you screw the rack on. Go into your LBS to see if they have something that will fit. Even if they don't, there are clamps you can buy to get a rack on almost any bike.

Karen

[Blueberry]

Another option is to pull a trailer - like the Burley Nomad. Just another suggestion if the racks/panniers won't work for some reason

[ilima]

Yep, there are definitely eyelets for a rear rack and there may be for a front rack, as well.

Couple of website that might be helpful for you:

http://www.oldmanmountain.com/

http://www.thetouringstore.com/

Because your bike likely has short chainstays, you will want a rear rack that will allow you to mount your panniers fairly far rearward and probably use panniers that are angled to allow heal clearance.

I'm so jealous--your trip will be awesome!

It looks like it has eyelets on the dropouts for a rack. (The 2008 does, anyway.) That's where you screw the rack on. Go into your LBS to see if they have something that will fit. Even if they don't, there are clamps you can buy to get a rack on almost any bike.

Karen

[ginny]

Thanks guys for the good information! Do any of you have experience with seat post racks (Topeak ones)? I was told by my LBS that those will work quite easily with my bike. But, I'm concerned that they sound a little ... sway -ey...

[tulip]

They usually have a 25-lb weight limit, and that adds up pretty fast. They also tend to move around a bit as they inevitably loosen.

Since you have eyelets, you'd be better off with a "real" rack. Do like ilima says and watch for heal strike with panniers. Definitely try them out if you can before you buy (with some towels inside to see how it works when full)

[Blueberry]

I'd steer clear of the seat post racks. I have one. I've used it. I probably won't use it again (when they move, they come *way* too close to the rear wheel).

CA

[ginny]

thanks - I was afraid of that after reading reviews. I think I'll just cancel my order... and look into something different. Ilima, thanks for the links - those are great and very promising...