Touring Equipment

I think I seen those photos from Bicycle Quarterly, going to print it out as it's hard to read on the computer now.

Right guys, my 21st is coming up, and I would like a GPS... Has anyone used one of the new Garmin range?
I want it for day rides around unknown territory (just moved to Switzerland for the year) and also for fairly lengthy touring, as I'm planning a 2-4 week euro trip next summer. I'm thinking for this reason that one of the AA powered ones would be better in absence of a regular power source.
At the moment it's between Dakota 20, eTREX 20 or Oregon 450... Whadddya think?

Thanks in advance!

Ask here

Oregon seemed the best option especially with the AA battery.

I'm looking to get the Montana myself.

This one:

^Thats not in switzerland.

This one:

This^

For a multi-week trip around europe? I know sometimes old technology works best, but for what I'm doing, I'm pretty sure gps would be better.
Also, day trips / short rides in unfamiliar territory, i don't really want to have to be getting an os map out of my jersey every 5 mins to check the route.

if i had the option i would be on gps for day road bike rides, and always paper maps for touring.

I'm pretty sure gps would be better..

technically it would be, however it mean you won't talk to the local about the right direction, you won't slow down enough to check the map/direction, and notice the small thing, etc.

GPS is great if you want to do a fast tour, says, 100 miles a day kind of tour, but for a slow steady tour (50 miles), I doubt it's necessary, unless you want to record your journey.

i can't imagine a single situation where touring with gps would be an advantage. you put it very well there 'scoble.

and as for speed/distance giving gps an advantage, i just rode toronto to ottawa in two days, no issue.

Long shot. But does anyone know where I could buy a Nitto R-14 rear rack?

Looking at load carrying for Salsa Mukluk. Basically theres a million different options (anything cages, front low-riders, mukluk specific frame bags, minimalist front/rear racks, saddle bags, bar bags etc.). But as I have a full compliment of OverBoard waterproof panniers. It seems wasteful not to set the impending snow bike up to accept them.

I'm thinking Nitto R-14 rear rack for my rear panniers, and
Salsa everthing cages + 5 ltr Overboard dry tubes, on the front.

No personal experience with them, but I've read that because the design uses only two non-triangulated legs, there's a limited amount of weight/utility that can be expected from this rack.

No personal experience with them, but I've read that because the design uses only two non-triangulated legs, there's a limited amount of weight/utility that can be expected from this rack.

Yeah, I'm kinda thinking 7-10kg, as opposed to a more normal 20 kg.

Should be enougth though. I can put 5 kg on the front rack.

if i had the option i would be on gps for day road bike rides, and always paper maps for touring.

You've got it in one mate. GPS for my day/audax rides and maps for touring.

Time to admit defeat and accept I can't use my messenger bag for long distances/carrying more than stuff I need for rolling around town - don't fall off your seat Ed!

The thing is I want to stick a rack on my Charge Plug which isn't exactly kitted out for such things...I know other forum-ites have got a rack on a Plug though so which one did you use and how easy was it?

Ta!

https://www.lfgss.com/thread43857-4.html

https://www.lfgss.com/thread69572.html
https://www.lfgss.com/thread40985.html

Ta...did try using the search function with a variety of combos of Charge+Plug+rack but nothing came up...

I think I'll speak to Ed ; )

Yeah, I'm kinda thinking 7-10kg, as opposed to a more normal 20 kg.

Should be enougth though. I can put 5 kg on the front rack.

If you're using clamps, 5 should be the limit.
Here's kind of an anti-Nitto option:http://www.benscycle.net/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=146_240&products_id=13386
Super adjustable and works with braze-on free frames.

If you're using clamps, 5 should be the limit.
Here's kind of an anti-Nitto option:http://www.benscycle.net/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=146_240&products_id=13386
Super adjustable and works with braze-on free frames.

I'd be using braze-ons. The fact that the Nitto reachs the seatstay braze-ons nicely was part of the attraction.

Those Freeloads are very clever. I have looked at them, after seeing one on a Pugs. But I'm not taken by the look. Turns out that a well priced Bontrager rack will fit with minimal bending. Plus its comes in silver, which is of course important.

Current plan:
Bontrager Backrack II - 2x 16ltr panniers (or I also have 12 ltr)
Salsa Everthing cages - 2x 5ltr dry tube, stuff sacks.
Salsa minimalist front rack - 1 x 6ltr barbag.

So 48 litres of totally waterproof and well distributed storage. All of which will be above hub height. So well suited to snow riding. (I also have the top of the rear rack to strap a 10 litre dry bag to)

Nice rack. I'm with you on the silver, just fulfilling my role as fly in the ointment.
You're going winter camping? That's awesome, I've car camped in winter with quinzis and lean-tos and have cycle camped in summer but never had the cajones to combine the two.
Pictures as soon as you have it all together please.

Nice rack. I'm with you on the silver, just fulfilling my role as fly in the ointment.
You're going winter camping? That's awesome, I've car camped in winter with quinzis and lean-tos and have cycle camped in summer but never had the cajones to combine the two.
Pictures as soon as you have it all together please.

I glad you planted the seed a doubt about the Nitto to be honest. Cheers.

The load carrying is to help me reduce my car use through winter more than anything. Plus I dont the idea of heading out on a long winter ride without being fully prepared. If I take the bike into the mountains it will be to stay at in cabins.

Saw this decent list and breakdown of various racks; all widely known but handy for comparisons.http://www.arkel-od.com/us/choose-a-pannier-rack