20kg on rear rack too much?

[hoopdriver]

There were some very long, very desolate and very thirsty stretches and the temperatures were in the mid40s to low-50s.

 

[srw]

i weigh 60kg, only 5"7

60kg + 20kg = 80kg. Many, many, many riders weigh more than that. Your bike and its wheels will be fine.

 

[Ajay]

Agreed, your overall weight isn't a problem for the bike and wheels. You just need to keep an eye on the bolts/eyelets where the rack is attached. Check they're not working themselves loose.

 

[hoopdriver]

...and get a good, sturdy rack

 

[Bodhbh]

60kg + 20kg = 80kg. Many, many, many riders weigh more than that. Your bike and its wheels will be fine.

Just to bear in mind tho, the 20kg is dead weight and it's all on the back wheel. The weight of the rider will be cusioned by themselves a great deal and probably around 2/3rds on the back, 1/3rd on the front. If you follow that logic, 20kg on the back is *at least* as stressful on the back wheel as a 100kg rider. I'm not saying that's the end of the world either, unless the tensioning on the rear spokes isn't great (but that wouldn't be a first, if no one has checked it).

 

[Ticktockmy]

20kgs of water sounds right to me, some years ago cycling from Egypt to Uganda, I had to ride across the Nuba Desert from Wadi Haifa to Khartoum, I loaded up with 5 gallons of water and used that up easily and had to top up in a couple of villages when I I found them. unless you have ridden in desert conditions peeps don't understand just how much water a body uses up when you are working hard and any wind just make it worse.

 

[hoopdriver]

Indeed wind does make it worse. I battled stiff and very hot headwinds all the way down the coast of Western Australia from Broome to Perth. The compensation for carrying all that water, and expending all that energy, was that I lost about 30 pounds.

You're right - unless you've ridden solo and self supported across long reaches of desert you just wouldn't believe the demands it outs on your body.

 

[Penmere]

I would try and fit a bar bag any way. They are great for keeping money, passport and valuables handy and you can remove it quickly and easily to take with you when off the bike

 

[hoopdriver]

I was assuming he was fitting a bar bag anyway. Definitely get one. I know I find them invaluable for touring.