Touring Equipment

Put a wanted classified ads for pannier?

Good plan Ed. 2nd hand could be the way forward.

Waterproof panniers are either thick heavy fabric or ortleib style efforts. I recommend cheaper fabric ones and bagging up your stuff. You can get dry bags pretty cheaply online. Ortleibs will get holes in pretty easily if you crash. If you're on a budget, just bag your stuff.

I have ortleibs btw, never crashed on them though so I can't say if the above is true or just Stuff I Heard On The Internet.

fabric panniers - lots of wax = bingo.

Yeah thought about dry bags but then thought that's extra weight. But then if I get panniers with a dry liner, it'll be heavier anyway. Will have a look.

I think they're treated anyway so would it still be prudent to put a layer of Grangers on then?

Thanks for the tips guys.

i want to do some light touring: bivvy, sleeping mat and tarp, and a few clothes. small bar bag for bits and bobs.

i want to fit this to a race bike with no eyelets, and keep the whole thing as light as possible. i think the best way would be to put the lot into compression sacks. however whats the best way to attach them to the bike without making it ride rubbish?

i want to do some light touring: bivvy, sleeping mat and tarp, and a few clothes. small bar bag for bits and bobs.

i want to fit this to a race bike with no eyelets, and keep the whole thing as light as possible. i think the best way would be to put the lot into compression sacks. however whats the best way to attach them to the bike without making it ride rubbish?

Bikepacking kit is the answer.
http://www.revelatedesigns.com/

just had a look. they make nice looking bags but theyre not for me. the frame bags dont look that useful due to lack of width. dont see the need for an actual bag on the back when all i have is 2 waterproof compression sacks.

I have some old school Brooks panniers for sale. PM me if interested.

Bikepacking kit is the answer.
http://www.revelatedesigns.com/

I'm very interested in their Pika design, anyone know were to get them in the uk?

I'm very interested in their Pika design, anyone know were to get them in the uk?

They're direct from Eric at Revelate. He's a really helpful guy so just email him.

just had a look. they make nice looking bags but theyre not for me. the frame bags dont look that useful due to lack of width. dont see the need for an actual bag on the back when all i have is 2 waterproof compression sacks.

search on mtbr and singletrackworld for bike packing and bivi rides. lots of good setups that would also suit your needs. It usually revolves around some sort of combination of a stuff sack strapped to the handle bars, one under the be a saddle or a saddlebag like AG posted, a frame bag and a small (< 20L) backpack with light weight stuff. I've had a go at this setup for a overnighter and it works well but obviously requires some good planning. I was riding off road and found the bike rode well.

whats a good handlebar bag to fit this setup:

would like to have one that can hold decent amount of shit and a map/ route sheet/ gps sleeve.

Ta.

H, would something like that ring your bell?

I've used these for 4 years. LEJOG, ride across Spain plus numerous tours through the UK and commuting in London. They're as waterproof as anything that's cordura, and for the price are excellent. Anything you want to keep dry then stick it in a supermarket bag. Excellent budget option. x

http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/product-SJSC-SJSC-Black-hook-on-Rear-Pannier-Bags-11550.htm

I'm on the look out for a touring bike for my wife. she's on the shorter side (5foot2). can anyone sugesst any decent frames/bikes?

H, would something like that ring your bell?

that bar to wheel drop is way larger than mine.
i can see this search being long.

I'm not quite awake yet, but why won't a standard set up fit on those bars H?

I'm back on the market for a bar bag it seems, not too big, not too small. Waterproof, I think I'd like a velcro attachment rather than the bulky plastic business.

What's the distance between hoods? Maybe a Klick-Fix type bag?

Don't suppose anyone has a C2C guide book / map for sells or loans?

soperRiva would something like this or this get a Carradice or Ortlieb bar bag out in front of your brake levers so solving your problem.

I'm guessing at 43 or 45mm possibly not?

its ok, touring is on the back burner for a while now.
better half is not keen, and I'm not prepared to piss off on my own just yet!
the bike is going into storage tomorrow, and I'll pull it out when I next have a holiday.
a bit miffed as its taken 3/4 months to build and prepare, and it rides perfect!

anyway, that's life!

Apparently we're taking camping stuff now on our 2 month tour, which is annoying as I've just got my 32lt panniers. We'll mix it up with B&B's maybe 50/50, but I still need equipment.

Any thoughts on this tent
http://www.worldoftents.co.uk/vango-tempest-200-tent-p-8.html?currency=GBP
it looks perfect.

Also, any sleeping bag suggestions for Europe in the summer?

Cheers all.

Looks ok if you are sharing it with someone else, a bit heavy for a solo effort.

Looks ok if you are sharing it with someone else, a bit heavy for a solo effort.

seriously? You won't notice 2.5kg on the top of your rack. Especially if you're loading up properly and heading out for 2 months...
You certainly won't notice the difference between that and a 1.5kg solo tent (other than in sleeping/accommodation comfort) I would think.

Those super light tents are really aimed at backpackers, where every gram counts