Touring Equipment

Google racktop bag.

i actually managed this

baguette bent in half shoved in left pocket. cheese in middle pocket. Big salami and salad in right hand pocket

My jersey pockets were too full of the local vino to accommodate food....

^ in cans?
or bags?

Bottles.

Well, a bottle or 2.

Deep pockets indeed.

The bigger the jersey the deeper the pocket... I take an xxl ha.

Touring through France...
Brooks Flyer or B17?

Whichever comfortable.

Very true. Never met anyone with a Flyer. Ideally I'd like to hear from someone who has ridden on both, as I won't have the opportunity to.
Can you - or anyone - offer any insight from experience on the B17, Flyer, or springed saddles in general?

I think it's something you shouldn't worry about if it work, spring sound nice, but I don't think it's a necessary.

Of course plenty of opinion and argument about which is best for touring, but ultimately if you get on fine with your, I'd spend more time making sure the angle, height, etc. is spot on and save the money for something useful.

appreciate your thoughts

By the way, Flyer is just a B17 with additional spring, if you're looking for more comfort, reduced the weight you're going to carry, as well as going for bigger tyres allowing you to run a lower pressure.

I found my b17 plenty comfy on a long tour even before it was broken in. I've had lots more problems with saddle sores/numbness etc with other saddles. Would recommend.

Can you - or anyone - offer any insight from experience on the B17

Done two long tours and a 3 weeker on the same B17. Wouldn't use anything else. Very comfortable and never any numbness. Half the time I didn't bother with padded lycra, on the last 3 week tour I didn't wear them once.

Like Ed says, I found saddle angle and height more of a concern.

^ & ^^
nice one.

Anyone recommend Lycra shorts with a bit more crotch space? I am particularly prone to numbness...not the perineal kind.
#talkingaboutmypenis.

Different saddle perhaps? Bibs short only help slightly but not a long term solution.

Play with saddle angle, height and shape, you should able to tour without needing to resort to bibs short as a last resort.

Pretty sure the problem isn't saddle related, rather due to compression. Don't have the issue outside of lycra.
Are bibs typically a little less tight in front?
Will be touring on a B17 - which I haven't say on yet - so hopefully padding won't be necessary. However the other benefits of lycra are wanted, especially doing 150km+ a day in 25c+.

Pretty sure the problem isn't saddle related, rather due to compression. Don't have the issue outside of lycra.
Are bibs typically a little less tight in front?
Will be touring on a B17 - which I haven't say on yet - so hopefully padding won't be necessary. However the other benefits of lycra are wanted, especially doing 150km+ a day in 25c+.

Bibs I find is much better due to not digging in your waist, also feel more comfortable
and stretch nicely, look for Gore stuff as they're good for the money, you'll need to try it out and see which fit you well.

Even so, play with saddle angle, height and whatnot, if you're getting sore down there, maybe lower the saddle a tiny bit till it go away.

Had that problem in the first 200km, kept lowering it until it go away.

thanks for your thoughts.
i always imagined bibs would mean more compression (perhaps because im very tall and very slim) but ill give them a go.

the saddle angle certainly isn't the issue, again ive never had a perinial numbness issue, but ill try lowering the height for longer rides to see if there's a difference. thanks again.

think its rather unlikely ill find lycra with a fly.

How do you know it's not pressure on your perineum that's causing the numbness? I don't see how you'd get a numb cock just from lycra pressure on said cock. Chaffing, yes, numbness though seems highly unlikely.

Maybe wearing different bottoms is forcing you to ride in a different position to avoid seams or something?

Don't have an issue outside of lycra. Think it's compression, perhaps elevation.

Could be, thought I doubt it. If I ride in lycra under baggy shorts it becomes an issue after an hour. If I ride in seamless pants (these are great) it'll be hours before any discomfort, and not there. If it is, then it can only be down to leg length affecting positioning...or possibly the padding effecting...again unlikely.

Will try bibs, failing that will just harden the perineum and stay clear of lycra.

Hi, looking at riding from Dubrovnik in Croatia to Trieste in Italy over 7 days this April and starting to put together some kit.

Main concerns are:

Backpack/saddlebag or saddlebag/hip-pack combo?

Riding a road bike with no option for panniers etc so it comes down to backpack or saddlebag/hip-pack combo.

These backpacks seem to have good airflow over the back and should hold enough kit, possibly when combined with a large saddle pack

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/deuter-cross-air-20-exp-204-litre-rucksack/

What kit to actually bring?

Obviously I don't want to bring too much as I'll be riding 100KM per day so going the the minimal look!

2 x cycling jerseys (just wash them in a sink and dry overnight so I don't hum too badly)
1 windbreaker
1 x bib shorts 3/4 length
2 x tshirts/shirts for non cycling moments
1 x jeans/shorts for non cycling
canvas shoes (undecided as small but still adds weight
pump/levers/puncture repair patches & multi tool/spanner all inside saddle bag
3 x spare tubes

Water bottle in cage and camel back inside bag

Underwear shiz
Toothbrush
travel towel (fast drying)

What am I missing?

Any ideas/thoughts welcome!

Stuff to wash clothes with. I'd ditch the towel and most of the non-cycling stuff, though I tend to cycle in stuff you can wear off the bike without offending people.

I've done 6 days with a hip pouch and saddlebag, it's doable.