Messages

1

Classifieds / FS: Robert Beckman Racks and Panniers

« on: May 07, 2024, 08:50:50 am »

Robert Beckman Racks and Panniers, asking $800 plus shipping

Robert Beckman is legendary throughout the bicycle touring community for the highest-quality touring gear possible. I have a full set of racks and panniers that I no longer need. The rear panniers have been used on a number of short tours, but the front panniers haven’t seen action — they’ve languished in my garage, because the rear panniers are large enough for anyone not camping.

Beckman has his own mounting system, so the panniers wouldn’t readily attach to a non-Beckman rack. You’d need to remove the hooks and add a different attachment system to use them elsewhere; but why would you — his racks are more rigid than anyone else’s and the attachment system is amazing.

I had Stephen Bilenky modify the racks so that they could split in half for packing. He also built the protective cage for the front light. The racks were built for my bike with 26in wheels

Beckman believes in compartmentalization in the panniers, which makes it easier to force heavy gear low and near the center of the bike, and also makes things easier to find. Things will not shift around. If you like Arkel more than Ortlieb, this is your thing.

Compare 60l for the pair of Beckman rear panniers vs 54l for Arkel GT-54 ($479.99USD)
Beckman weight is 4lb12oz according to my kitchen scale.
GT-54s are 7.4lbs according to Arkel.

Compare 46l for the pair of Beckman front panniers vs 42l for Arkel T-42 ($279.99USD)
Beckman weight is 4lb8oz according to my kitchen scale.
T42s are 5lbs according to Arkel.

I’m offering these as a set, and am not interested in subdividing it.

Pics available at https://www.icloud.com/sharedalbum/#B0XJ0DiRHJF0Cyk

Specs:
Front Rack
   •   weight 2lb5oz according to my kitchen scale
   •   full rack, with top platform
   ⁃   top platform extends level to the seat stays
   •   rack is fillet-brazed
   •   rack has cross-braces for rigidity
   •   rack has strap guides to strap things to the platform with no strap slippage
   •   uses a mid-fork mount that is higher than most
   ⁃   I had new eyelets brazed, but p-hooks could probably be used
   •   protected mount for a light at front of rack
   •   braze-ons for fender mounts
   •   can mount panniers in either a high-rider or low-rider position
   •   panniers are locked to racks with a 5-hook system (3 top, 2 bottom)
   •   separators have been added to split the rack down the middle for packing ease

Front Rack
   •   weight 2lb7oz according to my kitchen scale
   •   full rack, with top platform
   •   rack is fillet-brazed
   •   rack has cross-braces for rigidity
   •   rack has strap guides to strap things to the platform with no strap slippage
   •   uses a seat-stay mount that is higher than most
   ⁃   I had new eyelets brazed, but p-hooks could certainly be used
   •   mount for a light at rear of rack
   •   braze-ons for fender mounts
   •   panniers are locked to racks with a 5-hook system (3 top, 2 bottom)
   •   separators have been added to split the rack down the middle for packing ease

Rear Panniers
   •   2 large compartments, one with removable vertical divider
   ⁃   top access, 2-way zippers run around 3 sides
   ⁃   zippers are double-baffled
   •   separate flat pocket on exterior
   •   17h12w9d = 1800ci/pannier (30l)
   •   weight 2lb6oz/pannier according to my kitchen scale
   •   cinch straps run at an angle, so they pull outside edge up
   ⁃   no pannier sag
   •   interior bright yellow for visibility
   •   exterior pocket has interior flat pocket
   •   all zippers are YKK
   •   separate bright yellow rain cover

Front Pannniers
   •   1 large compartment with removable vertical divider
   ⁃   top access, 2-way zipper runs around 3 sides
   ⁃   zipper is double-baffled
   •   2 smaller compartments, one above the other in a second panel
   ⁃   top compartment has top access, zipper runs around 3 sides
   ⁃   lower compartment has a zipper on either side
   •   17h12w7d = 1400ci/pannier (23l)
   •   weight 2lb4oz/pannier according to my kitchen scale
   •   cinch straps run at an angle, so they pull outside edge up
   ⁃   no pannier sag
   •   interior bright yellow for visibility
   •   all zippers are YKK
   •   separate bright yellow rain cover

2

South / Re: Summer 2022 Civil Rights Ride

« on: November 26, 2021, 10:14:25 pm »

You've probably identified most of the places you'd like to visit, so RideWithGPS and CrazyGuyOnABike would help to find routes folks have taken between locations.

Lots of us would love to hear back about the routes you develop!

3

South / Re: Summer 2022 Civil Rights Ride

« on: November 26, 2021, 06:33:08 pm »

ACA's Underground Railroad route might have some useful points of interest.

https://www.adventurecycling.org/routes-and-maps/adventure-cycling-route-network/underground-railroad-ugrr/

4

General Discussion / Re: New Executive Director

« on: November 21, 2021, 09:41:18 am »

Members got an email 11/10 saying "Executive Director Scott Pankratz recently left Adventure Cycling, and we're now welcoming Interim Executive Director Jennifer O'Dell. Jennifer has already been serving as our Chief Marketing Officer and is excited to help us shape our work. We'll share more about this in the next issue of Adventure Cyclist magazine, hitting mailboxes in a few weeks!".

As mentioned above, the December/January issue of Adventure Cyclist is out, and contains a short notice of the new Executive Director, but with no more information.

5

Routes / Re: Pacific Coast

« on: October 01, 2021, 04:48:14 pm »

May is not "outside the rainy season" in Oregon, I'm sad to say. I tried the Oregon coast a few years back, in May, and got poured on with temps in the 50's for the 3 days I rode, before thinking better of the tour timing.

6

Routes / Re: Nova Scotia to Newfoundland

« on: September 16, 2021, 06:16:26 pm »

Bicycles are listed under vehicles.

7

General Discussion / Re: Nova Scotia Tour with Adventure Cycling

« on: August 12, 2021, 09:17:00 am »

I haven't done that particular tour in Nova Scotia, but did do several week-long tours there (http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/georgeNS2018 and http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/George2010). The area is lovely, and the people are wonderful. I've also done multiple ACA Inn-to-Inn tours, and recommend them.

Note that NS does have some real hills.

8

General Discussion / Re: Laundry

« on: August 01, 2021, 04:37:26 pm »

Hah. No. not my product. And, not needed if you have a sink/bucket.

9

General Discussion / Re: Laundry

« on: August 01, 2021, 12:00:17 pm »

Look at https://thescrubba.com

10

General Discussion / Re: Deciphering AMTRAK

« on: July 24, 2021, 05:40:54 pm »

I'm currently befuddled though.  The Atlanta station sells bike boxes but they don't have checked baggage.  That doesn't make sense, does it?  Hopefully a typo or a temporary Covid or staffing thing.

That is confusing -- it also says "Baggage assistance provided by Ticket Agents upon request -90mins prior to departure", so you're probably OK, but a phone call would be in order. (800) 872-7245

11

GPS & Digital Data Discussion / Re: Texas Hill Country Loop GPS vs Printed Map

« on: March 13, 2021, 11:21:43 am »

I noticed that ACA is running the Hill Country Loop this year (https://www.adventurecycling.org/guided-tours/fully-supported-tours/texas-hill-country/), and they are starting and ending in New Braunfels. You could check with the tour leader and see where they are parking people's cars.

12

GPS & Digital Data Discussion / Re: Texas Hill Country Loop GPS vs Printed Map

« on: March 07, 2021, 09:02:56 pm »

Well, Cedar Park would work. I sometimes simply book a night at the start of the trip and a night at the end of the trip at a motel, and ask to let my car stay in the lot. Cedar Park is near enough to Austin that heading in for a day trip is simple (and there's rail service between Cedar Park and downtown Austin -- Lakeline Station). You could even park in Cedar Park, take the train into downtown, and start the loop from the official starting point if you like.

I can also see a number of places to stay along Jollyville Rd (on route into Austin from Cedar Park).

I also plan on going CW when I'm able to do the loop.

13

GPS & Digital Data Discussion / Re: Texas Hill Country Loop GPS vs Printed Map

« on: February 27, 2021, 09:59:18 pm »

By then, I expect all will be good. Texas was spectacularly unprepared for the cold snap, so many pipes burst. But things should be pretty normal by then. State is a lot more open now that COVID numbers are down, but expect to mask around other people.

Many restaurants are still to-go only, and a fair number have gone under. Verify that everything is still open. I know what’s been happening in the Austin area, but haven’t checked much of the rest of the route.

14

GPS & Digital Data Discussion / Re: Texas Hill Country Loop GPS vs Printed Map

« on: February 27, 2021, 09:01:36 pm »

That's Wildflower Season! Best time to do it, and it won't even be 100º 

15

GPS & Digital Data Discussion / Re: Texas Hill Country Loop GPS vs Printed Map

« on: February 10, 2021, 05:27:35 pm »

I've heard back via email from the Cartography department that the 2017 printed map does match the electronic directions. I'll be getting the updated map.