Generic Touring Thread

^ tbh if I was doing any solo touring that's what I'd be thinking. A fancy tarp or hammock.

I suspend them on the bars (preventing access to the drops) or between aerobars or something along those lines. Pretty stupid way of doing it.

What bags have you got? 4 panniers? Big seatpack and front panniers? etc. Best solution will depend on your other gear I guess.

I'll be in France and using municipal camping sites so it's not anything that allows for tarps/hammocks, nor will it get me an obscure bike maker's sponsorship.

Rear panniers and a bar bag up front (is the current plan). I was hoping to keep things more compact but it may not be possible. I'd considered front panniers but that may be more carrying space than I need and it doesn't solve the tent pole thing.

I’m doing a week long (hopefully) of wales in a couple of weeks and after a few training rides i’m trying to cut the pack weight down. I’m going to be camping so i’ve addressed tent, cooking and sleeping fairly successfully so far.

Next on the list is security. I don’t want to drag round 1kg+ of Kryptonite d-lock if i’m honest, but have little faith in lighter cable locks. Any suggestions? Do some not bother with either and just keep the bike in site? I live in Cardiff and bike theft is beyond rife so i’m very sceptical. Should i worry about my bike getting knicked in sleepy Welsh villages and campsites?

Cable lock or frame lock, but no you shouldn't be worried in the small villages

Those look amazing. Thank you.

I will add those to my thinking

you don't need a lock when camping. end of.

But you'll probably want one for supermarket shopping in towns

I just bring the bike in the supermarket and leave it inside near the checkouts, nobody ever seemed to have an issue with it. but yeah maybe that post was a bit too confident.

I just take my Kryptonite for peace of mind. Never thought of the extra kilogram. You're touring anyway.

@LeChef I asked this a few days ago and the general consensus as you've probably already seen is most people here don't bother. I'd always thought thick cable ties could be a lightweight option if you wanted something, although you'd need to pack snips!

I'm just more cautious/paranoid as i'll usually be heading through major cities when i tour. I carried a krytonite d lock across america for some reason.

Funny you should say that. I came across this earlier..

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/hiplok-z-lok-cable-tie-lock/

Frame

Locks

Preferably abus

Ha, didn't know these were a thing. Not sure how secure they are but they look light.

an extra kilo would make me even more miserable...that's the same weight as carrying an extra sleeping bag and tent for me!

if you're really paranoid, just attach a toestrap between the front spokes/rim and the downtube, or on one of the brake levers. or shift the gears into the highest you have. all will make a quick getaway impossible

How about one of these extending cable locks:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Wave-Digit-Cable-Lock-Black/dp/B001R4BPOI/ref=sr_1_5?s=cycling&ie=UTF8&qid=1526203906&sr=1-5&keywords=cable+lock

They have ones with alarms as well:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Wave-Unisex-Roll-Alarm-Black/dp/B013I2IDAK/ref=sr_1_3?s=cycling&ie=UTF8&qid=1526204085&sr=1-3&keywords=cable+lock+alarm

The cables look like they could be cut with a pair of scissors, but atleast the alarm would wake up the entire campsite.

Both look very good, thanks.

@platypus Both great suggestions!

You don't need snips to remove a cable tie, you just have to jam a sharp thing in the mechanism to release it. Then you can reuse it so you'd only need a few cable ties (including spares) for your whole tour rather than throwing one in the bin every single time you stop.

Anyway I don't take a lock generally, just attach the bike to my tent somehow and sit with it in view in a cafe or something. If you travel with others you can take one lock and a big cable between you and just lock all the bikes together.

A couple of long shackle padlocks don't weigh much and can be used to secure loads of areas....through the disc, if you have them, around a stay and some spokes etc....they can also double up for securing bags together, so potentially have multiple uses.....handy when weight bothers you.

Anyone still using motorbike disc brake alarms attached to your chainring when unattended?

What will be more fun? Nice to Dunkirk via the Alps and Rhine, or Barcelona/ Girona to Roscoff via the Pyrenees and the coast.