Have done my 10 mile jaunt this morning I don't think I'm going to have too much trouble with the 7 miles to work. However I will need to carry some clothes and papers (though I will have to work smarter too). Now I prefer cycling unemcumbered but will paniers look very uncool on the mongoose? - don't want to embarrass the kids!
Panniers or rucksack
- Thread starter Willow
- Start date
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Riding in Circles
Veteran
- Location
- EDINBURGH
Panniers every time.
Bugner
New Member
- Location
- Sarf London
For me personally a rucksack. Vaude with special design for breathability and actual rucksack not touching your back. Prefer to have weight on me rather than on the bike (even though it all ends up on the bike :-)
fossyant
Ride It Like You Stole It!
- Location
- South Manchester
Very personal thing - rucksack for me - again a vented type which keeps the main part of the sack off your back.
HLaB
Marie Attoinette Fan
For me most of the time its a single pannier with a stuff bag in the pocket for the odd time I need more capacity. I prefer the weight on my bike rather than on my back and it's less sweaty that way.
I use older version of this pannier although it probably wouldn't be ideal for carry lots of paperwork. IME it fits no problem but can get a little dog eared.
If I need to carry documents I have older one of these, the large size.
I use older version of this pannier although it probably wouldn't be ideal for carry lots of paperwork. IME it fits no problem but can get a little dog eared.
If I need to carry documents I have older one of these, the large size.
Old Walrus
Guru
- Location
- Hassocks, West Sussex
Horses for courses, an old single Karrimor pannier for commuting, but a well vented Vaude sac for odds & sods when I don't want to leave anything on the bike.
The logistical planning for clothing, towels etc just adds to the fun!
The logistical planning for clothing, towels etc just adds to the fun!
beanzontoast
Guru
- Location
- South of The Peaks
Old Walrus said:
Wot OW sed.
So my next question is if I go with panniers how easy is it to fit the racks (what ever the technical name is) or would it be better to have it done in shop? - Bike mongoose 450 and bear in mind I want to put handle bars up but can't see how to do it!
Joe24
More serious cyclist than Bonj
- Location
- Nottingham
As long as the mounts are there, its easy. Take the bike with you into the LBS and ask them what rack for that bike. Get all the bolts for it, and then its just a case of bolting it on into the mounts. f there are no mounts, you will need P clips to attach it to the top of the frame. Its all easy to fit really.
To raise your bars, you need to raise the stem. On the top of the stem there should be a round disc with an allen key bolt. Undo that and take the spacers off from ontop of the bars if there are any. Then undo the two allen key bolts that are at the side of the stem. Take the stem off the steerer tube, put the spacers on under the stem and put the stem back on. Line it up with the front wheel and tighten up the bolts on the side of the stem slightly. Put the disc back ontop of the stem and bolt it on tight-ish. Then do your bolts on the stem up tght-ish and your done. If there isnt any spacers ontop of the stem then i dont think it can be raised up anymore. The way you would do it then is to get an adjustable stem and fit that on instead.
Best thing to do, is to just sit there and look at the bike, look at how the stem works, how the stem is held on/in place. Undo what you think is securing it, then see if it moves up. If it doesnt, look for what else is holding it in place. The disc ontop will stop the stem coming off without it being taken off.
Same thing with the rack. ook for where you think the rack will be secured on. This about it and ask in the LBS if the bits you think secure the rack are infact the right things. If they arent, then ask what is.
Dont be worried to try something, but remember what you have undone/adjusted.
To raise your bars, you need to raise the stem. On the top of the stem there should be a round disc with an allen key bolt. Undo that and take the spacers off from ontop of the bars if there are any. Then undo the two allen key bolts that are at the side of the stem. Take the stem off the steerer tube, put the spacers on under the stem and put the stem back on. Line it up with the front wheel and tighten up the bolts on the side of the stem slightly. Put the disc back ontop of the stem and bolt it on tight-ish. Then do your bolts on the stem up tght-ish and your done. If there isnt any spacers ontop of the stem then i dont think it can be raised up anymore. The way you would do it then is to get an adjustable stem and fit that on instead.
Best thing to do, is to just sit there and look at the bike, look at how the stem works, how the stem is held on/in place. Undo what you think is securing it, then see if it moves up. If it doesnt, look for what else is holding it in place. The disc ontop will stop the stem coming off without it being taken off.
Same thing with the rack. ook for where you think the rack will be secured on. This about it and ask in the LBS if the bits you think secure the rack are infact the right things. If they arent, then ask what is.
Dont be worried to try something, but remember what you have undone/adjusted.
Thanks thought that disk probably came off but couldn't seemed to be a bit tightly done up for me. Still now I know for sure which bits it is I'll have another go.
... ok found enough strength and got it all off but reality is I don't think it goes any higher. I have stiff neck following my ride today and wondered whether bars were too low but rseems that even if they are I can't do anything about it. thanks for help though a little more knowledge in the bike brain now.
... ok found enough strength and got it all off but reality is I don't think it goes any higher. I have stiff neck following my ride today and wondered whether bars were too low but rseems that even if they are I can't do anything about it. thanks for help though a little more knowledge in the bike brain now.
Joe24
More serious cyclist than Bonj
- Location
- Nottingham
You can get it higher with an adjustable stem like one of these. Got to a LBS and ask if they can get an adjustable stem in for your bike. They will be able to get you one, and if they are really good, fit it for you for nothing. If not, then they really arent hard to fit on and you can have your bars up higher. I thought they were cheaper then that though, there must be one around that is cheaper.
fossyant
Ride It Like You Stole It!
- Location
- South Manchester
Very easy to fit if you have the frame fittings
