Could I Tour on This?

[Gert Lush]

I've been looking at touring again! This forum is great for motivation!

I've just bought a new bike on c2w (hopefully anyway) and this is my current bike so I was just wondering whether it could be used as a tourer. Is it sturdy enough and will it take panniers? I'm not 100% sure. I know I could use saddle bags etc. which is another option in itself.

Apologies if this is a stupid question..

Here she is:



And the rear wheel:



Cheers

 

[mjr]

It looks like it's got eyelets for mudguards and pannier rack. As long as they're not corroded, it might not take 75kg of luggage but it'll probably do light touring without trouble.

 

[Rohloff_Brompton_Rider]

Google bikepacking. Any bike can be used using that method. But your bike looks fine for lightweight touring.

 

[steveindenmark]

This will help Gert.

https://www.cyclechat.net/threads/touring-on-a-racing-bike-luggage-solutions.189294/#post-3953035

 

[Gert Lush]

It looks like it's got eyelets for mudguards and pannier rack. As long as they're not corroded, it might not take 75kg of luggage but it'll probably do light touring without trouble.

I doubt I'd take that much anyway which is good!

Google bikepacking. Any bike can be used using that method. But your bike looks fine for lightweight touring.

Oooh! If I were to go down that route maybe I'd probably try it out on the new one first, nice ride for sure!

This will help Gert.

https://www.cyclechat.net/threads/touring-on-a-racing-bike-luggage-solutions.189294/#post-3953035

I was just having a read of that actually, that and somebodies tour of belgium inspired me for this post tbh.

Thank you all very much

 

[raleighnut]

Stick a rack on it and go, it'll be fine.

 

[Debade]

I do not think there would be a problem. I did one week credit card touring for 7 to 10 days with a handle bar bag. If you are going to camp and cook, you will have a load. I still think it can be done on your bike as long as the rack can hold the weight. make sure however your wheelbase will allow your heels to clear your bag. For example, I used my road bike for commuting but I had to get a computer bag that was shaped for heel clearance.

 

[willem]

Your bike has double eyelets at the rear hub, so light luggage is part of the specification. The Tubus Fly is the rack that was designed for just this. However, the Tubus Vega is a little bit wider at the top, and that is convenient if you want to strap a tent onto it (but you can also strap the tent transversely). Also, it connects at four points rather than three for some extra stability. I cannot see if you have eyelets on the seat stays, but if you don't, Tubus has special clips.
I suggest that you fit the widest tyres possible, with a bit of tread. I cannot see if your brakes have 49mm drop or 57 mm as on older bikes, so the widest tyre is probably about 25-28 for 49 mm drop or with 57 mm brakes 32 mm or maybe just possibly 35 mm without mudguards. If you leave out traditional mudguards you have clearance for about one size wider tyres, and that is very welcome. Use SKS raceblades instead of real mudguards. My personal favourite tyre for this kind of riding is the Panaracer Pasela, without the Tourguard anti puncture layer. For more comfort you may also want to raise the handlebar a bit.
There is no way I can see what kind of gearing you have, but you will probably want to lower it. Climbing with even light luggage is a lot harder than without.
Finally, and for the same reason, you should keep your luggage very light. Minimalist camping is about 10-12 kg, and that is probably about the maximum that the bike will handle before it becomes unstable. The lightest rear panniers are the Arkel DryLites, but they are small - about the same size as the large sadlebags from Carradice. They are shaped for extra heel clearance.

 

[earlestownflya]

you could tour with it...just make sure you're contact points are comfortable for long days in the saddle...you'd probably struggle on the hills if you're loaded up,assuming it's got a 52/42 chainring...but you can always push it up if you don't want to change it for something smaller.and make sure you're confident in the braking power of the callipers to cope with the extra weight

 

[MichaelW2]

Clearance looks OK for 32mm + bolt-on 'guards.
Gear ratios may be too high.
ps if your photo is blurred, retake it. The wonder of digital.

 

[raleighnut]

I'd stick with 28s if fitting mudguards, most touring riders use them (I do) road buzz/vibration shouldn't be a problem with an old Raleigh frame (unlike modern frames)

 

[Gert Lush]

I do not think there would be a problem. I did one week credit card touring for 7 to 10 days with a handle bar bag. If you are going to camp and cook, you will have a load. I still think it can be done on your bike as long as the rack can hold the weight. make sure however your wheelbase will allow your heels to clear your bag. For example, I used my road bike for commuting but I had to get a computer bag that was shaped for heel clearance.

This is definitely a possibility for a first attempt, then I don't have to worry too much about me stuff and just enjoy it at the beginning.

Your bike has double eyelets at the rear hub, so light luggage is part of the specification. The Tubus Fly is the rack that was designed for just this. However, the Tubus Vega is a little bit wider at the top, and that is convenient if you want to strap a tent onto it (but you can also strap the tent transversely). Also, it connects at four points rather than three for some extra stability. I cannot see if you have eyelets on the seat stays, but if you don't, Tubus has special clips.
I suggest that you fit the widest tyres possible, with a bit of tread. I cannot see if your brakes have 49mm drop or 57 mm as on older bikes, so the widest tyre is probably about 25-28 for 49 mm drop or with 57 mm brakes 32 mm or maybe just possibly 35 mm without mudguards. If you leave out traditional mudguards you have clearance for about one size wider tyres, and that is very welcome. Use SKS raceblades instead of real mudguards. My personal favourite tyre for this kind of riding is the Panaracer Pasela, without the Tourguard anti puncture layer. For more comfort you may also want to raise the handlebar a bit.
There is no way I can see what kind of gearing you have, but you will probably want to lower it. Climbing with even light luggage is a lot harder than without.
Finally, and for the same reason, you should keep your luggage very light. Minimalist camping is about 10-12 kg, and that is probably about the maximum that the bike will handle before it becomes unstable. The lightest rear panniers are the Arkel DryLites, but they are small - about the same size as the large sadlebags from Carradice. They are shaped for extra heel clearance.

Lots of very good info here thank you for all of that!

 

[Gert Lush]

you could tour with it...just make sure you're contact points are comfortable for long days in the saddle...you'd probably struggle on the hills if you're loaded up,assuming it's got a 52/42 chainring...but you can always push it up if you don't want to change it for something smaller.and make sure you're confident in the braking power of the callipers to cope with the extra weight

Interesting! I hadn't thought about gearing or brakes. Gearing would be very tough and I really wouldn't trust the brakes fully loaded!

I'd stick with 28s if fitting mudguards, most touring riders use them (I do) road buzz/vibration shouldn't be a problem with an old Raleigh frame (unlike modern frames)

It is pretty damn sturdy! That's for sure!

 

[Gert Lush]

Thanks for all the help everybody!

 

[mmmmartin]

Here's a bloke with a 49 year old bike. I met him in Patagonia. He's been touring on this for three months a year for 49 years. He'd been everywhere except Siberia and Australia.
The bike is all wrong - 700c wheels, handlebars simply turned upwards, brakes on the wrong side of the bars, front rack carrries the weight too high.
You can tour on anything. Anything.