Touring Equipment

For loaded touring (especially with front panniers) I'd go with bar-end shifters. They might look stupid, but you'll have much more control over steering, with all the benefits of reliability and friction option of downtube shifters.

Should've seen my "modern" audax bike then.

I'd suggested bar end shifter, but having both kind of shifter, I'd go for downtube for being a lots less complicated (and much lighter too).

Plus being able to change the handlebar easily is a great plus.

All my exact thoughts too. I've also had bar ends in the past; fiddly and often twisted and kind of bent out when I dropped the bike or leant it too aggressively against something. Bar ends are last on my list.

For loaded touring (especially with front panniers) I'd go with bar-end shifters. They might look stupid, but you'll have much more control over steering, with all the benefits of reliability and friction option of downtube shifters.

Don't forget the amazing ability to shift with your kneecap while climbing out of the saddle.

Fuck that hurt.

Don't forget the amazing ability to shift with your kneecap while climbing out of the saddle.

Fuck that hurt.

Haha completely forgot about that. Also when climbing off the bike.

http://ultralightcycling.blogspot.co.uk

Never seen that before.

looking forward to cutting my toothbrush in half

I know that page has been discussed before but I come back to it every so often because it makes some good points (and some not so good ones, IMO).

What do people think about his cycling shoes vs. non cycling shoes idea?

For reasons explained elsewhere, I find special cycling shoes one of the most bizzare choises for a touring cyclist, especialy the lightweight-one. There are much lighter and more suitable alternatives. An excelent choice, that I used so far with great success, are the shoes for in-door football. These or similar low-tech trainers or light summer shoes can weigh down to 600 g for a pair. I am not against the combination of sandals and waterproof socks either. Right now I am experimenting with the "crocs" (340 g a pair).

Ed cycled to Africa in vans didn't he?

Would not recommend them for clips and strap if you intend to ride fixed entirely, but on a normal bike, can't see why you need those extra power transition to maximised your effectively, or whatever nonsense.

Worth it thought, especially when you can move your feet about on the pedals.

The Ulralight guy advocates Crocs!

Looking at doing a trip in June/July, heading south from Paris and then roughly following le tour, where for obvious reasons I'm planning on riding with a light set-up.

A quick question, is there a rule for how much weight you can comfortably carry on your back for longer rides?

Yes there is, burn the rucksack.

Jobst would call that overkill.
Here's his equipment for an 18 day jaunt through the Alps:

No helmet? In theory I'm really keen on this idea, in reality...

Yes there is, burn the rucksack.

noted. thank you

energy, electricity, power, choice: life.

i want to be able to chart my entire 7+ day tour on GPS. my touring build has a dynamo front hub. i want to take advantage of this rather than use a solar charger like this or a powermonkey extreme.

i don't care if i charge while the GPS is in use, or when not in use.

the PedalPower Super-i-Cable looks like it will do the job, as detailed here. as would the universally praised Busch & Muller E-Werk. however both cost a bomb (the same as/ more than the powermonkey extreme).

a similar, cheaper product is the BioLogic ReeCharge Power Pack combined with the ReeCharge Dynamo Kit. however reviews are mixed.

the BioLogic website helpfully details that the ReeCharge Power Pack requires "Input current: Less than 1A and 5V max".
the hub i have, Shimano DH-3N80, outputs at 6V. which suggests they would be incompatible when used together. hence the ReeCharge Dynamo Kit.

the ReeCharge Dynamo Kit is $30. the ReeCharge Power Pack is $100 and provides 1600mAh.
all of the devices mentioned above use lithium polymer batteries.
is there any reason why i couldn't use something like this PowerGen External Battery which provided 5200mAh?
like the ReeCharge Power Pack, it requires "Input: DC 5V / 1000mA": exactly the same.

does anyone use a dynamo, or any of the mentioned products?

I have no experience with any of this whatsoever. My only advice is to get lithium ion batteries.

Mr Kirk knows that paired lithium atoms are always a sure bet for efficient power.

Don't you mean Mr. Scott?

I assumed the entire crew was aware of this, but knowing Jim's limited spectrum of job skills, you're making me re-think that.

I have no experience with any of this whatsoever. My only advice is to get lithium ion batteries.

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20080504170740AAevnfI

energy, electricity, power, choice: life.

i want to be able to chart my entire 7+ day tour on GPS. my touring build has a dynamo front hub. i want to take advantage of this rather than use a solar charger like this or a powermonkey extreme.

i don't care if i charge while the GPS is in use, or when not in use.

the PedalPower Super-i-Cable looks like it will do the job, as detailed here. as would the universally praised Busch & Muller E-Werk. however both cost a bomb (the same as/ more than the powermonkey extreme).

a similar, cheaper product is the BioLogic ReeCharge Power Pack combined with the ReeCharge Dynamo Kit. however reviews are mixed.

the BioLogic website helpfully details that the ReeCharge Power Pack requires "Input current: Less than 1A and 5V max".
the hub i have, Shimano DH-3N80, outputs at 6V. which suggests they would be incompatible when used together. hence the ReeCharge Dynamo Kit.

the ReeCharge Dynamo Kit is $30. the ReeCharge Power Pack is $100 and provides 1600mAh.
all of the devices mentioned above use lithium polymer batteries.
is there any reason why i couldn't use something like this PowerGen External Battery which provided 5200mAh?
like the ReeCharge Power Pack, it requires "Input: DC 5V / 1000mA": exactly the same.

does anyone use a dynamo, or any of the mentioned products?

sweet

Get the TeckNet battery instead, they hold a whopping 12,000mAh.

have you charged them off a hub? no problems?
do you use the ReeCharge Dynamo Kit?

E-Werk, they're bloody expensive, and required some thinking to get the correct voltage, but once you got it sorted - charge any devices.

There's a cheaper more primitive version actually, let me try and find it.