Touring Equipment

The USB port provides 2W of power at 5V, charging devices from LED lights to smartphones

hmm...

I'm a little skeptical cause of that claim, as they said it varies on how hot the fire is.

The more I read about it, the more I'm liking it, just the weight put me off a little (as I can make a camp fire easily with Scout knowledge).

I think i might prefer it cheaper and lighter without the wizardry.

Removed the charger and I reckon i'll be happy with it.

Reckon you could get the raw innards of it and just jam it into a camp fire?

This is another alternative for charging stuff.. It's a bit pricey though..

http://biolitestove.com/

I'm actully considering buying on of these..

Yeah, well what i said.. :-)

But not having to carry any fuel or gas sort of makes up for the weight..

Some advice please.

I had grand aspirations of a tour from la Rochelle to Santiago d/c in Sept, but holiday and a girlfriend aren't really conducive. So after a weekend down by Poole and the New Forest I've decided to do a sort of mini-tour around that area.

I'll probably be alone so I don't want to camp and carry too much stuff. I like the idea of doing it fairly light-weight. I'll be using this:

...but with drops, bar ends, and some 36h A319s.

The main issue is that there are no bosses for anything. I have a tubus rear rack that I guess I can p-clip. I like the idea of bike packing, but I don't really want to start spending loads on extra bags.

Need:

*** bottle cages** - bodge-job or a bar mounted one?

*** bags/racks **
a) I have an expanding saddle bag a bit like this.
b) I also have a small canoe bag (20l prob)
c) Is it worth getting something like a VO Pass Hunter Front Rack? It would be nice to have long term.
c) what about these 25l?
Could I get away with just borrowing a handle bar bag from a mate?

*** tyres** - currently I'm running 28mm panieracers. I would like 32mm.
a) is it worth going bigger? (bearing in mind I'd like a light fastish ride)
b) any advances on Bontrager Race Lite Hardcase's at £18 a tyre?

Cheers.

Bar mounted, fo sho.
I've tried two different 'band on' mount bottle mounts, and with a 1l bottle on, they just swing around get in way of pedalling/legs and ruin the paint/frame! Avoid.

Do reading on tyres, but rule of thumb in my mind = TT/tri/track = 21-23c. Real world race/club = 23c. general/commute = 28c. touring = BIIIIIIG
I'm on 27x 1 1/4 which is a bit bigger than 32c I think? And its perfect, I can just about get away with gravel tracks and forest roads without too much danger, and haven't punctured yet. also wheels are still straight despite my best efforts at 40mph with too much weight into potholes as deep as a quarry. Gatorskins work for me, though most of lfgss would probably have something to say about them.

get best bags you can, I have shit bags + worn out dry bags, and everything was wet for days and days and days, then stank and itched, also killed a pricey phone so get a dedicated phone wallet (£8 off ebay).

http://www.ebay.ca/itm/TA-Chrome-Front-Rack-Randonneur-Mafac-/160872583932?pt=UK_sportsleisure_cycling_bikeparts_SR&hash=item2574c0d2fc#ht_500wt_1413
Cheaper and well regarded? ^
I like my Panaracer 32s, but may need to move down because of fender switch.
Have you tried this in a 28? http://clementcycling.com/210/strada-llg-road
Curious minds, et cetera.

I mounted a bottled cage on my CX bike with jubilee clips (aka hose clamps) no problems. Bit of old innertube and bar tape protected the frame.

Carried a full 750ml bottle without any dramas.

Cheers for the tips.

Panaracers are just a bit too expensive for now, and I'm not as confident about them as the bonti's. Similar thing goes for the Strada LLG Road's and after sleeping on it I think 32's are best. I had trouble fitting a 38mm cx rear on, so I recon I'll just stick to 32mm.

The frame already has a repaired and undercoat on the TT so I'm not too worried about the paint. I may try x1 on the bars and x1 on the DT. Something like this looks good IMO
m.evanscycles.com/products/bontrager/bottle-cage-handlebar-mount-ec036159
anyone have any strong feelings one way or the other?

Thanks for the tip on the bag. I really need to think about kit before bags. As it will probably only be 4 days I figure I just need some basic tools, snacks, and a change of clothes.

As I've got a cannoe bag which when i treked use to fit my dry-clothes, sleeping bag, linner and pillow, so should be fine with a set of second clothes. I was thinking it would be worth wrapping it in another bag/cover just in case of a crash and any wear from strapping. If I did that what are people's opinions on mounting that to a front rack?

Is there likely to be a noticable effect on handling? Bearing in mind I have a rear rack already is this just wasted £s? I know you want the weight low, and as the frame is already not that low would mounting something on top of a rear rack also be a bad idea? Is just buying one decent rear bag going to be a better idea?

@OJAW - do you know if that can be modified for canti-mounts as well?

I reccommend everything about this setup Hugo. This is everything I carried for almost 3 weeks tour, camping every night but one.

Don't use jubilee clips for the bottles, innertube and zip ties are much better and less likely to fail or damage your frame.

I had tools and bits and bob in the frame bag, clothes, toileteries, microfibre towel, litepack sleepingbag and flipflops in saddle bag, tarp in dry bag with a few other bits strapped to the top.

The only thing that let me down was earlier in the trip on of the clips on the saddle bag broke, hence the abundance of straps.

Bike was still fun to ride which was the main concern for me, it's a lovely area you were/are considering cycling through, beautiful scenery and beautiful people.

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That looks awesome. But no brakes, you mad?

Also what frame bag is that?

Can't stop, won't stop.

Scoble sent me the frame bag, best ask him. All I remember is this is the smallest they offer, and they are very reasonably priced!

Carradice Longflap with SQR seat mount and a 3 litre Camelbak will sort out all your problems. I've never been one for fat tyres and last year was in Devon for a week with Colnaga with road double and small cassette carrying gear in courier bag so all is possible if/when you are determined.

As people say here HTFU!!!

*** bottle cages** - bodge-job or a bar mounted one?

Get Ryan from Oak Cycles to brazed some on for you, he did it for me from next to nothing;

I feel it's best to get it done properly so you'll be able to use the bicycle regularly and not worry about band-on bottle mount IMHO, etc. etc.

Can't stop, won't stop.

Scoble sent me the frame bag, best ask him. All I remember is this is the smallest they offer, and they are very reasonably priced!

Which one was it scoble?

https://www.revelatedesigns.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=store.catalog&CategoryID=1

Hmm not really that affordable though!

Am sure Ed said a UK stockist had the one I've got for £45... I was expecting it to be nearer £100.

We must have different idea of affordable. £44.20 + shipping seems great for the large one...

£45 for the biggest one, whose size is akin to a hydration rucksack, personally it's great as it mean no handlebar bag necessary.

also I got it straight from America of which there's a risk of custom charge, but I didn't get any for those bag (which are packed rather small and in the size of a large envelope).

Am sure Ed said a UK stockist had the one I've got for £45... I was expecting it to be nearer £100.

We must have different idea of affordable. £44.20 + shipping seems great for the large one...

Oh that's much better though. Sorry I think I mistook the $ for £.

@OJAW - do you know if that can be modified for canti-mounts as well?

Not sure, but it being steel should allow you to flex it into line.

I reccommend everything about this setup Hugo.

That does look good, but I'm trying to use bits and pieces I have knocking around. So I'm not that keen on the cost and the time it would take to get the rear bag.

EDIT: I've just realised I have a Carradice Nelson longflap saddlebag like this:

(And I know that area, it really is beautiful, hence my original plan. Maybe next year... it's just the two weeks I've estimated for the original journey is a big chunk of holiday, plus I'd like to do it with someone. #foreveralone)

Get Ryan from Oak Cycles to brazed some on for you, he did it for me from next to nothing;
http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh167/edscoble/DSC00014.jpg?t=1346230367
I feel it's best to get it done properly so you'll be able to use the bicycle regularly and not worry about band-on bottle mount IMHO, etc. etc.

I agree, but what is next to nothing?

As I plan on getting rack, guards, and bottle bosses at some point, that ends up being a bit of a cost. Then at that point I may as well get a respray, etc. etc. so I'd like to give the bike a trial run before committing to lots of costs.

Also...

Tape

A slight aside as I know it comes to taste, but I have some brooks tape I originally intended to use to match the saddle. I've only used it in the city and wasn't overly impressed, but didn't run cloth tape underneath - does really make a marked difference? Or am I best with normal tape?

Ed - why get the Tokyo fixed frame to then get a new fork built and braze the shit out of it? Wasnt there a more suitable otp frame?