Opinions please

[bigjim]

Your expert opinion required. I’m about to go on another week long tour. I’m camping this time but taking an ordinary sports road bike, not a tourer. I can get all I need apart from the tent and bulky cheap sleeping bag in a Carradice C using a Karrimor uplight [no rear rack]. This looks very high, top heavy and I wonder about the pressure put on the Brooks and seatpost.

My other option is use a rack and two panniers which will take everything with ease apart from the tent which will strap to the rack. However the rack weight is right over the rear wheel. I don’t know if this will affect anything. I have fitted a 28c rear tyre on the rear and a 25c on the front and will also use a large barbag. Total weight on the rear will be about 8kg tops. I have done another B&B tour using just the rear rack and a large rack-bag, but no tent or sleeping bag with a 25c tyre on the back and 23c up front and no problems.

I personally find the panniers more convenient and look better. But the weight on the rear wheel bothers me. The pannier option adds about 500g to overall weight. Pics attached.

 

[chris-s]

I did much the same but attached by long flap saddle bag to the seat rails using some cheap carrabina clips and let it sit on the rack.

Got me' to Paris and back fine.

Chris

 

[bigjim]

Hi Chris
I,ve commented on your set up before. Were you on 23c tyres and what weight are you and the gear? The uplift I have sits the bag very high and my sleeping bag is so bulky it will not fit in th Super C. I thought if I have to use the rack to support the saddlebag I might as well use the panniers that will take all my gear. I,m never sure whether the weight should be taken through the frame or the rear wheel. I,m also heading to France.

Jim

 

[willem]

Looking at the pictures, the panniers are no further back than the saddle bag plus assorted bits. However, the panniers are lower. So I would go for the panniers. Adjust them very precisely so they are as far forward as possible without being hit by your heels. Inside, locate the heaviest stuff as far forward as possible. And mount the tent transversely. Try to keep relatively heavy fuel like meths or petrol and drinks in bottle cages on the frame.
Willem

 

[bigjim]

Thats the problem with a road bike. it is not as long a wheelbase as the tourer so I as you suggested I have the panniers just short of clipping my heel. I'm also taking a decent sized barbag with some heavier items in it. I did this on my last tour and it did not affect the handling.

Jim

 

[aberal]

500g is next to nothing. Seriously. Get your scales and weigh out something weighing 500g and then hold it in your hand. Light as a light thing. It will make no real difference to the impact of the load on your bike, whereas the non-pannier option I would suggest will unbalance the handling of your bike and could lead to more problems overall. Go for the pannier option. But also take along a couple of spare spokes and if you can manage it get a mini cassette removal tool.

 

[willem]

Sure, so it is a multitude of little things to keep the weight low and move it forward. You could strap the tent poles to the top tube, and your tools or the bag with the pegs perhaps to the most forward part of your downtube.

 

[bigjim]

get a mini cassette removal tool.

Thanks Aberal. Probably not much use with the freewheel though.

 

[chris-s]

Hi Chris
I,ve commented on your set up before. Were you on 23c tyres and what weight are you and the gear? The uplift I have sits the bag very high and my sleeping bag is so bulky it will not fit in th Super C. I thought if I have to use the rack to support the saddlebag I might as well use the panniers that will take all my gear. I,m never sure whether the weight should be taken through the frame or the rear wheel. I,m also heading to France.

Jim

Following lots of comments/advice, I changed the tyres to Panaracer Pasela 28mm for peace of mind, the schwalbe ultremo's are a bit delicate for touring! The additional kit all weighed in at under 10 kg and I'm 72/73 kg. With the weight 'up-high', I was not aware of any affect on stability/balance when riding whatever speed or road surface, it was only really noticeable when pushing the bike (stations/ferries).


Chris

 

[willem]

Freewheel? This sure is a recent bike that must have a cassette hub.
W

 

[bigjim]

No Willem. Had the bike from new. Well my son bought it, did one long ride and decided cycling was not realy for him and sold it to me. It was supplied with Rigida wheels with a 7 speed freewheel. Thats why I was able to fit a megarange freewheel and rear mech on it.

Jim

 

[willem]

That is a pity. You hardly see them anymore, and with a reason.
Willem

 

[GrumpyGregry]

To be frank, in my view, if it look wrong, it usually is. The first picture just looks wrong. Sorry.