Climbing and cycling

What can you tell me about racks & panniers?
I've only used them once and we're talking 10 years ago.

My friend is an avid climber who has jkust started cycling. His current thought process goes something like this;

"I don't drive, getting trains is okay, but having to get a taxi the other end to reach the cliffs is a bitch. I need to cycle it. Hmmm Panniers?"

Effectively he need's space to carry a rope & full rack of climbing stuff (From big cams to tiny nuts), probably at most 15 MIles and back later on. Likely geared (give him time).
Is it madness to try and do this with panniers, should I recommend he buy a trailer?

post you help and insults on a webpage.

archies grobag's come in super large now , just get one of those

buy some cheapo ones from Argos...(actually not too bad and BIG) see how they go....upgrade if he like sthe idea.

http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/3333822/Trail/searchtext>PANNIER.htm

I would say panniers would be perfect. If you are out side London with the gear for 15 or so probably hilly miles give you shoulders a brake. Or at least get as much off your shoulders as poss so you can have a smaller rucksack.

the argos paniers doesnt look like they're big enough to carry rope and other stuff. a mate of mine carries his in a 75ltr rucksak. it's full and its fkn heavy. havent seen a bag that would be big enough to carry climbing rope

heavy duty touring bike, geared and strong wheelset is the way to go.

@ Flickwg - If it was me I'd do that but I'm used to heaving great weight around on my back. Also I think he's thinking more about the end of the day when all you want is a shower, some food and bed.

@ Winston - 28l isn't going to cut it I'm afraid. I'll keep looking for panniewrs for him though.

@ Brick - My thinking exactly

@ Fatboyralph - sounds about right. I hdan't even started thinking about the wheel upgrades for him yet.

You don't need masses of gear to go climbing.
Two options:

1. Climb as a pair, climbers use half ropes, carry shoes+hardware on rack (one large pannier bag should suffice), helmet on head and rope tied in mountaineers coil on back.

2. Using one full rope, split the gear, one carries rope, the other carries most of the hardware.

It'll be far more comfortable with panniers.

flickwg archies grobag's come in super large now , just get one of those

Sorry, but this is a bad idea. I kinda think that the biggest bags scott are making are almost a bit pointless as riding with a full one for more than a mile or twp would be so hard. If you need to carry heavy loads (like climbing equpiment) regularly then you should use panniers or a trailer.

Object17 - I reckon your mate should get a trailer and then carry a backpack on it. Often there'll be a pretty severe walk to the cliffs once he arrives and it will be a pain to do it while carrying panniers.

ortlieb panniers good quality biggish waterproof

I cycle and climb several times a week in London, carrying my 60m rope, harness, shoes etc around in a climbing rucksack. Cycle 8 miles from home to work, 7 miles to the Westway then another 9 miles home.

Paniers seem like a good idea, but I'm quite used to carrying all the gear on my back now, the only gripe being that my centre of gravity is raised so you have to be careful taking corners as speed.

When not in London, I cycle to faces on my mountain bike using the same or larger rucksack.

Get him to get some Carradice Super C Panniers. Not cheap, but nearly 50L capacity - stacks of room, and top quality.

I just think a trailer is two awkward to manhandle off road when loaded with gear. Its easier to move a loaded bike overrough ground than a bike+trailer combo where most of the weight is on the trailer - i've tried it. One of those bob trailers may be okay if you're able to keep riding the terrain though.

if you haven't got too much weight to carry, rucksack is ok for 10-15miles, but definitely don't carry too much like that in the wind.

I rode home for xmas on an '83 claude butler dalesman. front panniers were 15l each and the rear were 25l each giving me 80l total. I also had a sleeping bag on top of the rack. Plenty of room and awesome to ride with.

If you can't get a rope into one pannier, you could do a large coil that went over the rack with the ends in each pannier.