Touring Equipment

Any recommendations for a lightweight pair of general purpuse / late night camp duty pyjamas bottoms? Just learnt the hard way that shorts doesn't quite cut it at night.

Cause I'm not doing it ultralight, just light.

Because my new touring bike can take a lots more weight in the front without affecting the handling one bit, I can able to get away with a larger/heavier volume.

I loved the X frame because it does exactly what it said on the tin, you sacrificed a bit of comfort, but not enough to deprived you of your sleep.

The only complain I have about my equipment previously is that I would prefer a more comfortable mattress that'll create a larger gap between my body and the ground thus thus keep me warmer without having to buy those expensive ultralight down sleeping bag (sticking to the Snugpak Travelpak 1).

Awesome sleeping bag there Ed! Using one for hiking.

Any recommendations for a lightweight pair of general purpuse / late night camp duty pyjamas bottoms? Just learnt the hard way that shorts doesn't quite cut it at night.

I sleep in compression tights.
That or some Uniqlo heat tech bottoms. They're cheap and semi warm.

If cash just get some merino bottoms, then you can sleep in for many a night. Plus warm.

Shit!! might as well go for the Alfine 8 with bar end shifter instead.

From all the reviews I can find the Rohloff hub is unmatched, and even the 11sp Shimano is lacking. I just really don't want grip shift

Another Rohloff option (although equally £££): http://shandcycles.bigcartel.com/product/co-motion-rohloff-drop-bar-shifter

My issue is more a dislike of grip shift, than trying to get a shifter that can be put on drop bars. But thanks :)

£200!!! For a grip shift...

Its because they're not as mass produced and rohloff do things differently (2 cable shifters, hub controls indexing ect)

Did some touring in France with the gf. Bags were borrowed but the only bike I had that could take a rack was my Pinarello, oh well. Tubus disco carrier (mounts to a QR) and some P-clips and presto. Also fitted a triple up front and the required derailleurs. 32 spoke wheels with 28mm 4season tires to avoid flats and handle the extra weight.

The weight and the weight distribution took some time getting used to. Handling was slow but fairly comfortable. Short lateral bumps with all the weight at the back were no fun though. We went out on a 5 day trip around Millau and the Cevennes, defintely something we'll repeat (and possibly an excuse to build a new bike, hah).

Sound like you had fun, I find it take at least a week to finally get comfortable with the additional weight, you're in for a shock after you take everything off the bike!

Good move on wheel/tyres combo.

Very neat ride and a beautiful region you went to. Did you cross the viaduct of Millau by bike? Was there with car once but really wish to visit again by bike!

This looks great! So simple to put up/down.

Shame $=£ conversion!

http://www.nemoequipment.com/product/?p=Gogo+Elite

That would be my first choice when I go ultralight again, the lack of tent pole make a massive difference in not only weight but pack size.

Biggest concern is that it's basically a bivvy being single wall, thus condensation build up.

$429.95 isn't bad, considering it used to cost like £6-700 a couple years ago I think.

Just notice that there's a cheaper one;

http://www.nemoequipment.com/product/?p=Gogo+LE

I think Mike Hall took one of the Elite's on his World Cycle Race, but opted for the Rab Ridge Raider for the Tour Divide, just under 50g heavier with a single pole, would expect blowing up a hoop after a long day's riding might get old quick if you're only sleeping for 4 hours or so...

Ridge Raider is eVent too so possibly a touch more breathable?

^ good point about the blowing up! If only sleeping for a few hours I'd have thought a bivvy would be preferable.

The Rab raider has some sketchy reviews, when rain is invloved!

I usually like packing everything inside the tent first before going out (sleeping bag, clothes, etc.)

The Nemo/Rab doesn't make that task easier.

^^^ I guess it depends how breathable the bivvy is, 2 weeks worth of condensation is probably enough to ruin a down sleeping bag, especially if you're packing them rolled together. Both have integrated midge nets, good for some ventilation and one thing I wish my sleeping bag/bivvy had built in...

No. That's why I took a 2kg tent last year, as i could change/pack in it. And could cook from in it.

It's not the weight that annoys me, as what is 1kg! But the putting up of a few poles and so, it gets a bit droll after a few days! Something simpler was my idea.

My MSR Hubba was brilliant in that respect, just laid it out, place the pole (only one), and hook it up.

sexy model for reference;

Doesn't look to warm.

^ That's without the outer layer... Was impressed with the Hubba when Jake was using it in the Lakes, can't justify getting one at the moment though.

I'm not in the market, but this Big Agnes has the interesting idea of eliminating zippers.
Fishhook UL 1

^ That's without the outer layer... Was impressed with the Hubba when Jake was using it in the Lakes, can't justify getting one at the moment though.

I managed to get one for £180 through a dodgy looking website, which was fantastic.

Very impress with how indestructable it is despite camping on thorns in Spain.

I've got the MSR hubba - been very impressed. Decent weight, good amount of space. And echo ed's comments, lots of camping on rocks/gravel and its held up remarkably well.

Bars and tape on this? X

...

I find it take at least a week to finally get comfortable with the additional weight, You're in for a shock after you take everything off the bike! Good move on wheel/tyres combo.

Yeah I only started getting used to it on day 3 while riding. Stopping kept requiring a lot of concentration to control balance. Fortunately didn't flat, which would have been a pain with the qr mounted rack and spacers.

Did you cross the viaduct of Millau by bike? Was there with car once but really wish to visit again by bike!

No, but we did pass underneath, which was mighty impressive. It's basically a row of Eifel towers...huge. I think the bridge is for cars only :/

Bars and tape on this? X

3ttt Ergo Power due with Lizard Skins 1.8mm tape. Planet-X sold these bars NOS some years ago.

quick question, I haz a 9 speed triple 105 groupset with a long cage 105 rear mech, can i fit a 11-34 deore cassette? or am i stuck with 11-30 tiagra.