Touring Equipment

If it was me, I prefer actual physical maps, but theres something to be said for knowing your coordinates. Down in SE asia probably not a need for that, a decent map + some skill will probably work out where you are, but if you were out in a desert like environment you can easily loose track of where you are. Wouldn't be fussed about an all singing all dancing machine, just a basic 'these are your coordinates to within Xmetres accuracy' machine would do the job.

USB charger to keep an mp3 topped up with tunes as well. I find on longer trips (bike, car, walking, paddling) after a few days the relentless silence and peace & quiet gets to me, I find I need music to keep me sane.

Any recommendations for flat pedals + toe clips for touring? Other half not feeling confident enough to clip in yet...

MKS Touring;

and plastic toe clip, always plastic, much more robust than the metal equative.

Tarp tent.
Another vote for them. Amazing. Harry will split the package into two halves for you to avoid the import tax.
better in my opinion than the hilleberg etc...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/47853324@N08/5679637462/in/photostream

Thanks ed - are the metal ones likely to fail is there a big differance in performance? Was looking at a nice pair of campag ones on e-bay to go with her Veloce set up!!!

What about a Sextant and a chronometer?

Tarp tent.
Another vote for them. Amazing. Harry will split the package into two halves for you to avoid the import tax.
better in my opinion than the hilleberg etc...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/47853324@N08/5679637462/in/photostream

Beautiful photos! I may have ...er... borrowed a couple for desktop backgrounds. As a child we spent most of our holidays on Mull, the scenery around there is breathtaking.

Oh, back to maps and post then.

When I briefly looked at solar chargers it appears that as with most things you get what you pay for, the efficient panels that will charge on a grey cloudy day are still expensive. The cheaper ones take ages to charge except in full sun. Some of the Powermonkey ones charge a battery unit which then can be used to charge the device. The battery unit can be charged from the mains or usb if in a hostel etc.

If anyone needs plastic clips in L size, I have spare pair to freecycle.

What shoes would you guys recommend for touring? I've currently got spd's on mine but would ideally like something comfy to wear off the bike too.

I actually brought one for touring, liked it so much, and was so comfortable, it's now my work shoes as well.

Shimano MT71, superbly comfortable, and reasonably stiff to not feel like I'm standing on a small pedal;

Beautiful photos! I may have ...er... borrowed a couple for desktop backgrounds. As a child we spent most of our holidays on Mull, the scenery around there is breathtaking.

thanks man, i need to check out some other islands up there!!

shoes...specialized tahoe...same thoughts as ed above. great, and dont look crap either!

I rode a 28c tyres - it just about clear the Campagnolo brakes, whether the 30c Grand Bois tyres doesn't, the maxium clearance those brakes can accept is 28c;

Having said that, when I installed the Marathon Plus 28c, it doesn't clear the brakes, it appear that the rubber itself is quite thick to the point that it's realistically 30c.

Also different width rims can make a difference, with touring wheel, the Grand Bois 30c (the best and lightest tyre out there) fit in the brake nicely, whether a narrower rims doesn't allow it to fit under the brake.

ed - was there room to squeeze a mudguard with the 28c?

Highly doubt it, even if there's room, the clearance between the mudguard and the tyre would be quite risky.

on the shoes front I quite like my shimano Am41 MTB flat pedal shoes, even with clips and straps....

desouz they look ideal mate.

shoes...specialized tahoe...same thoughts as ed above. great, and dont look crap either!

They are on sale at the moment from Evans as well, £40 seem very good for that brand and that price actually.

Anyone uses MT22?

EEI they are lovely, I think I could almost pull them off at work.

Only £35 here too http://www.lexs.co.uk/Default.aspx?ProductId=21112

For work those Exustar Stelvio look like a good option.

Under £20 at chain reation right now, down from £50.

For work those Exustar Stelvio look like a good option.

Pricey too, unless you have tiny feet and can buy them from sjs.

Ok I need some help,

I'm currently looking at touring bikes (I've got a Ridgeback Century already) Great bike but it can't really deal with heavy loads I don't really do racing so would be more suited to a touring bicycle.

I've been looking at the Ridgeback Voyage - It's a lovely bicycle but for the money £799 could I find myself something better? Bare in mind I'm looking at doing the cycle to work scheme.

Or as an alternative do I just upgrade what I've currently got?

I'd need a triple up front which I guess would mean new shifters,chain ring, bottom bracket, front and rear mech.