Rack questions

Hello everyone. Coupla questions.

I'm planning to do some touring at some point on the continent - not sure when as have work commitments 'til the early autumn, but that's not the point.

I have what I think is a Lemond Zurich from 1998 or so (can't tell exactly because the previous owner had it painted black, but the spec fits), which is what I'd be riding.

I was planning to get some of those cheap-as-chips Argos panniers, because I don't really want to spend shedloads on stuff that won't get used very often. I might top that up with a better quality medium-sized saddle bag that can double up for audax use back here in Blighty, but am hoping to keep my luggage more or less to that. Well, perhaps a very small shoulder bag for stuff I want to keep to hand, dunno.

Anyway, to use the Argos panniers (and most panniers for that matter) you need a rack, and, not having fitted one before, I'm not sure if I can put one on.

'Scuse the crap photo (not my photo or bike, though it's the same model), but behind the gear cable you can see the edges of a hole. Is that going to be a rack eyelet?

Ta.

Any random links/advice on packing for touring would be greatly appreciated too.

The eyelet holes in the dropout area are usually dual purpose, usually refferred to as mudguard eyelets, but which you can also mount a rack. As seen on most basic hybrid/touring style bikes.

Your frame looks like its a quality racing bike, on which the former was probably only intended.

Of course you can mount a rack, better here than clamping to the seatpost/seatstays. But perhaps load it a little less than you would do a trekking kinda bike.

Oh, and make sure they are actually small eyelet holes, as they look quite big and theres a small chance they are fancy cutouts (unlikeley)

I'm fairly sure they're eyelets, there are eyelets on the front forks too. Wasn't sure if they were just for mudguards or if they could take racks too - but you have a point about the weight.

Not sure how else to do it, though - can't afford another bike, and I'm not going to have a support car...

I'm fairly sure they're eyelets, there are eyelets on the front forks too. Wasn't sure if they were just for mudguards or if they could take racks too - but you have a point about the weight.

Not sure how else to do it, though - can't afford another bike, and I'm not going to have a support car...

if standard bike accessory bolts (bottle cage, mudguard etc) bolts fit, I think 4mm could be less. but all bike bits tend to use the same size.

Well if they fit, then they are indeed eyelets for mudguard & rack

Your dropouts look like the thick stainless steel sort which will be plenty strong enough,
but if your bikes a fancy super lightweight 753 etc racing frame it might not be the best idea to haul huge load. I hear many high end steel frames flex a lot on the stays during normal unloaded riding.

A tent, sleeping bag, & some clothes should be fine on any bike. A water tank over hundreds of miles is probably not the best idea though.

Also, I wouldnt want to go touring on a wheel with such few spokes!

As I said, that's not my bike - it's the same model, so the frame's the same, but it's not mine. My wheels are 32 spoke, I think, on Open Pros so I think they're strong enough.

It's an 853 frame though, so I'm rethinking the rack thing entirely now and wondering if I should get a larger saddlebag and a handlebar bag and travel light.

Not wishing to dampen things but most pannier racks need to attach to the seat stays as well. Whilst the frame should bear the weight just fine, absence of lugs or braze ons will make things a bit harder.

you can fit quite a lot in a large carradice saddle bag (I use a camper longflap with a bagman rack). Argos panniers are very leaky so make sure you line with bin bags if you use. If you do fit a rear rack, cut slots in the ends of the rack bolts. This means you can unscrew them when (if) they snap.