Touring Equipment

How about them solar chargers?

In Scotland?

A wee turbine on my bars or some kind of hydro generator that could clip onto my waterpoof jacket bumflap would be more effective I think!

I have a external battery/wind turbine thing that has a bike mount.

I've never tested the wind turbine bit though, only used it as a portable battery (also charges from mains).

Do it, SON hubs are awesome.

Almost certainly a repost but if it heats beans for just one touring fixieskidder it's all worth it...
http://vimeo.com/64726512

I've made bunches of those - tiny and light and they will heat them beans, but the fuel is a bit of a pain. The greatest caveat is that you have to experiment and measure the fuel carefully to ensure that it burns up at the same time your pot is hot; you can't store the excess in those things like in a Trangia.

I see that they put the leftover fuel into a little jar. I'm assuming that is not all they're taking with them, unless it's an overnighter with no morning cuppa.

Well according to Ed Pickup SON are the best hubs but I don't have personal experience of them yet getting the delux silvers on next build

Also any one have any thoughts on my last question?

Surly have a good rep so if it ticks the boxes for your needs then go for it

Hoping to get local bike hub project to let me put on a workshop making these, got loads of funky design craft ale cans to use.

I re-jigged, and went for the SP PV-8 on an Exal rim as Spa do a bundle with this and B+M lumotec front/rear lights for 240 all-in which is fucking good.

All reviews I saw of the SP hub were really good, it's just that it 'only' comes with a 2 years warranty instead of 5 like the SON I think.

Without wishing to derail - SON are great, be a bit wary of the delux - it's lighter but cannot power a light and charge at the some time like a SON28 can. PV-8 are a lot cheaper and have a fundamentally different internal design (different magnet arrangement) and are generally as light.

The B and M Lumotec U lights are amazing (can charge and put out a goodly amount of light)

Just realised the Fork i was looking at is cantilever not caliper, anyone got a suggestion for a similar steel fork that has:

• 1 inch steerer
  
• rack mounts
  
• caliper break mount
  
• mudguard mounts
  
  

This is delaying me getting a frame built! :(

Why not stick with the CC fork and run a canti/mini-v?

I've only ever had bad times with v-brakes where as my Shimano 650s have never let me down.

I guess it would involve the least amount of compromise and cost but then what mini-v are the best

also with canti / v breaks do you get enough pull from a drop bar leaver

Had a suggestion but just noticed they're 1 1/8

Caliper/Canti/MINI V all use the same pull, full size Vs really need a different lever.

Best mini-v is probably TRP CX9, although I'm sure there's nothing mechanically wrong with Shimano or Tektro's normal offerings.

Yeah I have had a few that tick all but that box, but I really want 1" headset

What about asking some frame builders if they'll make you some? or have some in stock.
Mercian/Bob Jackson etc.

Was looking a frame builders they are about £200 which isn't much but more than I was looking to pay for the fork, I have tried a few stores I know that sell touring bikes but they only stock the OTP bike. having read up on some brakes I'm now thinking avid shorty ultimate canti brakes would be a fitting solution

That is a fair bit really. I'm surprised there aren't more about, it can't be that niche can it!

^^^^Seen a lot of those diy can stoves but that one is pretty neat.. Thanks for posting/ rep!

slow night at work..

Field test.. :-)

It seems to be, I don't know why as it is the best combination. requiring rack mounts makes it less common too