Touring on a racing bike - luggage solutions?

[Gravity Aided]

I found one of those beam racks today, probably for the Trek Marlin or the Raleigh Technium, and I was amazed at how light they have become since just a few years ago. I still have a couple of nautical dry bags, and a compression sack, have to give the outfit a go. As for stove, I may use a small Esbit or one of those alcohol stoves. I'm not too worried about going ultralight on the stoves, as I sometimes must swing a small charcoal brazier full of incense on a four-foot chain in front of a couple of hundred people on a Sunday. I am worried about going ultralight on a tent. I think my bigger tent, as I'm not a small fellow, clocks in at around 10-12 pounds. In the States, though, we are generally allowed to tarp or bivvy bag.

 

[andrew_s]

Beam racks:
if your seatpost was originally bought with lightness in mind, it may be worth replacing it with a more basic version for the duration of the tour. I've had a saddlebag, saddle, and half the seatpost dumped in the road under my front wheel. That was an SQR mount, and a lightweight titanium post.

For jags:
camping with just a Carradice
https://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=549.msg307753#msg307753

 

[mjr]

I've had a saddlebag, saddle, and half the seatpost dumped in the road under my front wheel. That was an SQR mount, and a lightweight titanium post.

Under your FRONT wheel? Were you reversing? Or following the victim too close?

 

[willem]

I was at the Philly Bike Expo recently (great fun) where Arkel showed their new roll packers, 25 litres and 15 litres respectively. I think they are an interesting take on the traditional transverse sadle bag, although I wondered if the saddle bag is not too far back. Together, the 25 litre at the rear and the 15 litre at the front should be big enough for ultralight camping, particularly if Arkel will fit longer straps at the top as I suggested, so you can strap a small tent onto them.
As for the bike's handling, I think weight may well be less important than preventing the luggage to sway. Therefore a rack like the Nitto R10 may be the best foundation. A not too flimsy drybag is lighter than real saddle bags, and cheaper, but maybe less convenient.

 

[willem]

I just discovered that Carradice have a new Çlassic rack to support saddle bags. I looks very convenient because you take it off with the bag. However, it does not say if it is compatible with sprung sadles. Does anyone know?

 

[willem]

I just heard from Carradice that this will not work with a sprung saddle (nor will any of their other supports). So for that, a Nitto R10 rack probably remains the best solution.

 

[jags]

Beam racks:
if your seatpost was originally bought with lightness in mind, it may be worth replacing it with a more basic version for the duration of the tour. I've had a saddlebag, saddle, and half the seatpost dumped in the road under my front wheel. That was an SQR mount, and a lightweight titanium post.

For jags:
camping with just a Carradice
https://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=549.msg307753#msg307753

thanks Andrew yeah i remember that post well ,your a genius you have this down to a fine art that's for sure.
i no longer have my akto .the tent i have now is great but to heavy and pack size is as big as the carradice camper , so still on the hunt for a good tent but no intentions of spending big money again on a tent .

 

[willem]

Beam racks are often much higher above the wheel than necessary, particularly if the bike's frame is rather large. As a result the bike is more likely to sway. The Arkel beam rack is probably the sturdiest of the lot because it has two fixing points. I may function particularly well on smaller frames. On larger frames I would prefer the Nitto R10, because it has more drop, and thus has the bag's weight lower. It also supports the weight from below.

 

[raleighnut]

On 2 of my bikes I can wriggle my Topeak beam rack between the stays so that it clamps to the seat tube (steel) instead of the seat post (aluminium) it then sits much lower as well.

 

[andrew_s]

Under your FRONT wheel? Were you reversing? Or following the victim too close?

The latter, though no closer than is normal during a club ride. I did dodge, but I'd rather not have had to as the road was fairly busy (and fast)

 

[contadino]

I would prefer the Nitto R10, because it has more drop, and thus has the bag's weight lower. It also supports the weight from below.

^ This. I don't understand the preoccupation manufacturers have for not using the seat stays to steady saddle bags and spread a bit of the weight.

I'm currently fettling a pair of struts to support my Carradice classic rack from below, as without them I'd say it's not really fit for purpose.