Touring Equipment

unashamed endorsement here for Alpkit shit
rocking and good value

I too rocking the alpkit, fantastic price.

Tyres, You know the verdict, folding marathon plus, the bigger the better.

Try the these for dry bags http://www.ewetsuits.com/acatalog/Dry-Boxes-dry-bags-uk.html

Great value.

Thanks ^^^. The mini lomo ones look good for keeping emergency socks, dry food and matches out of the rain. Think I'll use some carriers for bigger bundles.

Now just trying to keep the kit minimal, which is hard.

Also after tips for a 28 or 32 folding tyre, any know of any bargains?

Does it have to be folding?

Amazon sent me an email about bonti racelite's on sale.

'race' and 'light' does not compute. This a thread about touring! Yeah I want a spare tyre in the bag, so folding. Might take a skinny 23 folder I already have, to be used inside a touring tyre should I make a hole...

Gatorskin folding?

I used the Rubino pro 3 tech folding and they're OK. Going to replace them with Gatorskins at my go to before long though.

Folding = lighter.

If you want to be light, try and ride without cooking equipment, massive weight saving there.

More so when you starve to death.

I'd happily ride in Europe without cooking kit. If you have to carry a tiny stove.

The bonti racelites go up to at least 32c and have vg puncture protection as well as grip in the wet... I don't see why they wouldn't be perfect for touring.

(but RE your point it looks like they're probably not folding at 32.... not sure at 28, and this also assumes you can still find some).

Oh cool, thanks Hugo. Thought they were a 25 or 23 kind if thing.

Re cooking: I will take matches, a lightweight trenching trowel, and two lightweight aluminium billies that will double up as dishes, and two melamine cups. No need for a stove, I prefer cooking on fire.

More so when you starve to death.

Sure in the Mongolian desert, but highly doubtful in Europe (if that what Skully intended to do).

Bought loads of bungee cords from a local pound shop.

The bonti racelites go up to at least 32c and have vg puncture protection as well as grip in the wet... I don't see why they wouldn't be perfect for touring.

(but RE your point it looks like they're probably not folding at 32.... not sure at 28, and this also assumes you can still find some).

Theoretically they are availible in a folding 32x700. They are well regarded for a pretty impressive combination of comfort, weight, protection, and fast rolling-ness.

I could'nt find any last I tried though.

For waterproof bags. I've gone with Overboard. They seem to hit my price/quality sweetspot. I prioritise water proof ness over all else. As Bear Grills said 'Norway is one of the wettest places on earth'. But then he eats poo. So take that on face value.

http://www.over-board.co.uk/

folding touring tyres?
how about the panaracer PASELA TG folding? we have them at work, tick all the boxes.

But by golly are they pricey!

How much at your work?

Don't seem so steep here.

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=53957

Those aren't the folding ones, these are.

http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/panaracer-panaracer-pasela-tour-guard-folding-clincher-tyre-700-(622)-prod9398/

So another £15 each at SJS. Best I could find was £24 a pop but I've not herd of the site before so can't vouch for it:

http://www.sdeals.com/oscommerce/product_info.php?products_id=211

The non-folding can still get pretty small if you do the 3 Loop Twist™.
But yah, if you're trying to fit it in a jersey pocket...

would p clips be a good idea to use on a wishbone seat stays with no rack mounts? as in one directly above the other, will this make the rack wonky?

also can you get them from most hardware/d.i.y shops or is it best to save a trip and get them from sjs?

can anyone recommend some good canvas light weight rear pannier bags that don't cost more than £100 for a pair? Carradice do some nice ones but they seem quite pricey, although they are long lasting I'm sure.

would p clips be a good idea to use on a wishbone seat stays with no rack mounts? as in one directly above the other, will this make the rack wonky?

There are rack that can be fitted via the brake bridge.

yea i've seen them too. i have a rack already, a blackburn ex-2 thought p clips might be better cos if i just used one stay it wouldn't be centered.

can anyone recommend some good canvas light weight rear pannier bags that don't cost more than £100 for a pair? Carradice do some nice ones but they seem quite pricey, although they are long lasting I'm sure.

Well, if you're looking for something like Carradice that doesn't cost more than 100 pounds, I'd go with these

http://www.carradice.co.uk/index.php?page_id=product&under=type&product_id=52