New guy alert. With a few questions - Old bike > New bike.

[ROB.J]

So I was initinally going to get a tour speciific bike with the Cycle to Work scheme.
Seems though this year they're opting out of scheme...

Got me thinking as I have a decent MB which once the Sus. forks are replaced for ridgid ones,
Add some bar ends / rack and panniers I should be good to go ( already have 1.50 tyres on it ).

I have been doing around 50-100 miles a week on it anyways ( sometimes upto 70 in one go ).
So I would like to pick the brains of the good people on this site to see what you think ( links below ).

Bike: http://www.evanscycles.com/products/charge/duster-mid-2009-mountain-bike-ec000231
New Forks: http://s.wiggle.co.uk/images/salsa-fksacmd.jpg
Rack for back : http://www.ebikestop.com/prodimages/RK6623.jpg

Any ideas re. Panniers? / The gearing should be fine I think?
I'll not be camping on any of my trips just yet, My first biggish trip will be from Bristol to Fowey ( Cornwall ) in May. But will get some miles in before then.

So thoughts on the above. Will the bike cut the hills in Devon / Cornwall

Cheers

Rob.

Ps. I'll be back for Route help etc real soon!

 

[stumpy66]

Are there any mounts for the rack/rear mudguard? Gearing will b fine, steel frame is my choice, so all good there. Depends how much u want to spend on panniers, i use ortilieb, but have used carradice in the past with no probs. the altura dryline bags get a good review as well. You could buy cheaper ones and use a dry bag inside to keep your kit dry

 

[rollinstok]

Mountain bikes with rigid forks and skinnyish tyres can make great tourers, strong frames and wheels plus low gears are ideal for carrying gear.
The only issue you may have is pannier rub on your heels as mtb frames are generally smaller than a touring specific bike--worth checking your rack and pannier set-up with this in mind.

 

[Bodhbh]

Is that a disc compatable rack? It looks like it might be with those brackets sitting it further back. For that reason you might be okay with heel clearance as well. MTB gearing should be absolutely perfect for hilly touring.

 

[ROB.J]

Thanks for the replies chaps.

In answer to the questions the frame has one eyelet at the back hence the rack I posted and yes the rack is good for disc brakes ( and it does look good for clearance due to how the rack is attached by the wheel * see bottom of rack in pic * ).

Will look into the Pannier suggestions.

Cheers

Rob.

 

[andy_spacey]

if you use a old man front rack you would not have to change the forks,
http://www.carradice.co.uk/index.php?page_id=product&under=other&product_id=74

I have the Sherpa front and rear rack on my 1993 GT Zaskar LE

ps just today had to remove my damged Blackburn low rider of my Dawes galaxy and put the Sherpa on .

 

[ROB.J]

Thanks Andy.

I think tbh though I'll change the forks due to the weight ( surely they're heavier than the rigid ones I'll be replacing then with...hmm. )

 

[andy_spacey]

They would be a little bit heaver but with panniers on the font rack the weight of the forks get cancelled out. But modern Suspension are light and I see that your forks are a air shock so they would be even lighter than the ones i have. If you can lock out your fork you get best of both worlds.

They do a low rider fork that will fit on suspension or normal forks and they are real strong.
http://www.carradice.co.uk/index.php?page_id=product&under=range&product_id=77

They cost a bit more but you would save money on the forks but you would have a great on and off road bike.

 

[Fandango]

I found buying cheap panniers a false economy, so I'd recommend buying good ones to start with, they will be waterproof so you don't have to faff about with covers every time it starts to rain, and they will click on and off in seconds rather than having to undo ties and straps. I use Altura Orkney bags http://www.amazon.co.uk/Altura-Orkney-Pannier-Litres-Black/dp/B000P1OBRM/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1331287029&sr=8-3 and I am really happy with them, but there are many other good ones such as Ortlieb etc.

 

[willem]

The bike will be OK but not ideal, so I would not spend extra money on it like fitting a rigid fork (on tarmac, just use the lockout). Since you will not be camping you will certainly not need front panniers (and even if you were to camp, it can easily be done with just rear panniers). Instead, I suggest you go for a really good rear rack: Old Man Mountain are the champs for mountainbike racks. My children both have an OMM Red Rock on their bikes, and they are very good and very cool looking (not sure if they will fit on your bike, but there is also the Sherpa). Ortlieb are the default choice for panniers, I think. Ortlieb have an experimental lighter and cheaper no frills version, distributed exclusively by http://www.outdoorworks.de/index.php?site=index.html&prod=7337&vid=86748&function=set_lang&lang=en
Willem

 

[jjb]

I take a different view from Willem, with great respect, re the fork. I find my sus fork not just heavier but also a bit sort of spongy compared to a fixed fork. Even when locked out. And it's a good(ish) Rockshox Reba fork. So I like the new fork idea. And, for me, if the idea is not camping initially at least, then the OMM rack and Ortleibs are great yes, but a bit rich. About £220 all-in? Not to dissuade bike spending - always a good way to use the lolly - but just to offer a width of opinion, I'd vote for the new fork and the rack as suggested by OP, and a pair of front panniers for rear use (smaller, lighter, good for non camping). Personally, I favour old Karrimors (very light for the volume, cheap, additional side pockets good for organising) but I could be swayed by handsome front Ortleibs, although I realise I contradict myself now!

Re the rack, if my google powers don't fail me, it appears to be a pic of the £30 Axiom StreamLiner Road DLX Rear Rack, aimed at narrow 700c tyre use. This slightly wider version might be even better and more flexible in its applications. I prefer a parcel shelf rack myself but couldn't see any in this range, or with this axle fixing. You'll need to consider rain issues, maybe mudguards.