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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jan 2012
    Location
    Ohio
    Posts
    104

    Equipment I can afford?

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    Granted Im trying to start touring at a financially difficult time for the country and for myself, as I'm sending my oldest off to college next fall. Still I'd like to get my feet wet with touring. My Surly is almost finished being built and my mind is now on to how to and what to bring along. I'm looking for racks under $100. Top of the line would be nice but if I waited till I could afford it I'd never make it down the road. What are you carrying that's cheap but works??

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Apr 2006
    Location
    Maine
    Posts
    959
    Lots of choices there for sure...

    I chose to go without racks and use bags,the advantage is that the entire system is lighter. I also knew that the larger bags/pannniers that I carried, theh more I would fill them... whether I needed to or not. I ordered bags from Relevate, and love the quality. Although the other side of that is that I waited very long for them with no communication from the company itself. There are a couple of other companies out there now as well... Cleavealand Mountainerring is another, so you could check out their site as well.

    I did a review on the shop blog on the racks/panniers vs bags, maybe you'd want to check that out as well. http://chasecyclery.blogspot.com
    If you're so inclined, there are also people sewing their own bags... so I could point you in that direction as well...

    Good luck in your search!

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Sep 2006
    Location
    Central Indiana
    Posts
    6,034
    We have Racktime ADDit rear racks on our touring bikes. I think you can find them for $50ish if you shop around. Our panniers are from Nashbar ( their own brand). I think we got them on sale for $25 or so. They work just fine, even in pouring rain.
    Live with intention. Walk to the edge. Listen hard. Practice wellness. Play with abandon. Laugh. Choose with no regret. Continue to learn. Appreciate your friends. Do what you love. Live as if this is all there is.

    --Mary Anne Radmacher

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Mar 2008
    Posts
    2,698
    Another recommendation for Racktime products in general. DH and I each have a set of their panniers and love them. Our racks are Blackburn, and each one must be ~15 years old, but they're still going strong.

    We don't do much loaded touring, but we do commute on a less-than-well-maintained route.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Mar 2008
    Location
    Puget Sound
    Posts
    139
    I bought a lightly used BOB trailer off Craigslist and have used on some overnight trips.
    We do not take a trip; a trip takes us - John Steinbeck

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Nov 2009
    Posts
    10,889
    I had a Blackburn rear rack on my LHT, I think it cost me around $50 unless my memory is totally off. It is important to be aware how much weight your rack is rated to carry as there are differences. You don't want to put 50 pounds on something designed to carry 25...

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Jan 2012
    Location
    Ohio
    Posts
    104

    Thanks

    Thank you!
    I'm going to look into the rack time racks and Nashbar Panniers. Wait did she say the Nashbar panniers are waterproof? My daughter rode with a $12 handlebar bag from pricepoint.com; we didn't have any rain so I don't know how well it would hold up to that but she is very happy with it. I checked a while back and it looks like they are now about $6. She left it on after our long ride last summer so I'm going to go check out in the garage and see how it is holding up.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Apr 2006
    Location
    Maine
    Posts
    959
    Just to be safe, I would always pack clothing or anything you don't want to get wet in plastic bags BEFORE putting them in waterproof bags... panniers or otherwise. I've been on way too many bike tours and seen wet clothing come out of waterproof bags. Just a precaution..


    http://chasecyclery.blogspot.com

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Dec 2010
    Location
    Boise Idaho
    Posts
    1,162
    We carry Racktime and Ortlieb and Lone Peak (LP is higher priced but made in USA) I took the Racktime travelit's on our tour last summer, I used the smaller (fronts) but put them on the back. Racktime Addit is a really nice rear rack for a very decent price. Of course, I have also toured with an 18 liter Zimbale Saddlebag, perfect for S24O. Be happy to help and answer questions for you.
    Sky King
    ____________________
    Gilles Berthoud "Bernard"
    Surly ECR "Eazi"
    Empowering the Bicycle Traveler
    biketouringnews.com

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Jul 2005
    Location
    western Colorado
    Posts
    442
    I have a Delta Sherpa rack on my LHT. I love these racks but I don't see other people using them much. They sell for around $40 but I keep finding them in the clearance bin at REI for $10. So I keep picking them up. My commuter bikes have them too.

    Mine has worked well for our short tours. It's rated for 60lbs. I carry about 25lbs on my rear rack.

    I have plenty of panniers, Jandd panniers for touring and very old REI Novara panniers for commuting. But if I needed panniers I think the Nashbar panniers look like a good deal when they are on sale (frequently) for $20-30. They have a lot of good reviews on the nashbar website.
    Specialized Ruby
    Gunnar Sport
    Salsa Vaya Ti
    Novara Randonee x2
    Motobecane Fantom CXX (Surly Crosscheck)
    Jamis Dragon

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Jul 2005
    Location
    western Colorado
    Posts
    442
    Here is the exact rack I have on my LHT (mine has 26" wheels) and look it's on sale at REI for $16.
    Specialized Ruby
    Gunnar Sport
    Salsa Vaya Ti
    Novara Randonee x2
    Motobecane Fantom CXX (Surly Crosscheck)
    Jamis Dragon

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Jan 2012
    Location
    Ohio
    Posts
    104

    What else do I need?

    Thanks for the great information on racks and panniers! What else do I need? I picked up a two man tent last year a Colman, I'm sure it isn't the lightest thing but for now it's what I own. What other equipment should I not leave home without?

  13. #13
    Join Date
    Apr 2006
    Location
    where the wind comes sweeping down the plain
    Posts
    5,251
    a stove if you want to eat hot food. Of course, you can get by just fine with cold foods (I prefer bringing food I don't have to cook).

    Also important are off-bike shoes. Good lights in case you get caught out after dark, and lastly, a sense of adventure (but it seems like you already have that).
    Check out my running blog: www.turtlepacing.blogspot.com

    Cervelo P2C (tri bike)
    Bianchi Eros (commuter/touring road bike)

    1983 Motobecane mixte (commuter/errand bike)
    Cannondale F5 mountain bike

  14. #14
    Join Date
    Feb 2009
    Location
    Melbourne, Australia
    Posts
    507
    Ask around and see if you can borrow camping gear. Most people have stuff sitting sround not being used. That way you can try before you buy, or see what you actually need before investing the $$$.

    Also I know so hiking and tramping places will rent/hire out stuff as well.

  15. #15
    Join Date
    Dec 2010
    Location
    Boise Idaho
    Posts
    1,162
    Here are a few tips we have put together on what to take on you bike tour
    Sky King
    ____________________
    Gilles Berthoud "Bernard"
    Surly ECR "Eazi"
    Empowering the Bicycle Traveler
    biketouringnews.com

 

 

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