Messages

1

Gear Talk / Re: Pannier J-Hook too Long. Any fixes?

« on: August 01, 2012, 10:21:17 pm »

Thanks for the help so far.  In the short-term, I found some velcro strips which are a bit better than the non-resuable plastic ties.

No long-term fixes yet.  I have a 2012 Trek 520 (link below) with an interesting rack - the very top bars you see in the picture are recessed towards the middle, and so the bars that a pannier clips on are the second ones from the top. 

The panniers are a 43 litre set from MEC (link below).  The elastic is a solid loop running between two solid loops, which the single j-hook hangs from.  There are three options for positions for the hook left-to-right, but none really fix the issue here.  Twisting the elastic helps just a little bit...

2012 Trek 520:  http://www.cyclecityusa.com/index.php?title=Trek_520_2012

MEC PF-43 Litre Panniers:  http://www.mec.ca/AST/ShopMEC/Cycling/PanniersBagsRacks/Panniers/PRD~5024-313/mec-pf-2-43l-cycling-panniers.jsp?bmLocale=en&utm_campaign=bazaarvoice&utm_medium=SearchVoice&utm_source=AskAndAnswer&utm_content=Default

2

Gear Talk / Pannier J-Hook too Long. Any fixes?

« on: August 01, 2012, 07:53:59 pm »

Hi folks,

I recently purchased a new touring bike that came with a back rack included. However, the panniers I have don't fit well - the J-Hook piece that secures the panniers to the bottom of the rack is too long (or too low), and so doesn't securely fasten the panniers to the bottom of the rack. The two LBSs in my area didn't really have useful advice.

If I don't find a solution, then in the short-term I'll just use plastic zip-ties and fasten the bottom of the panniers to the rack this way. In the longer term, though, it would be nice not to have to cut off zip-ties every time I want to take off the panniers!

And I know, I could just get a rack/pannier combination that fits better, but I'd much rather work with what I have for now.

Cheers, thanks for your thoughts!

3

Gear Talk / Re: Trek 520 or Opus Legato?

« on: July 31, 2012, 07:13:53 pm »

Thanks all for the help!  Ended up going with the Trek - the components seemed to make much more sense in the long term.  Definitely happy with the choice!

4

Gear Talk / Trek 520 or Opus Legato?

« on: July 30, 2012, 04:08:07 pm »

Hi Folks,

I've been researching and hunting for a touring bike, and hope to make a final decision ASAP.  In the city I'm living in, I've narrowed it down to two bikes that are available:  the Trek 520 and the Opus Legato.  (Links are below for specs).

I haven't done a major tour before, but want this bike to last me for quite a while.  The two bikes are similarly priced, with the Trek being a bit more expensive (and the Opus comes with clipless pedals already, which keeps it even cheaper).  However, a few hundred dollars doesn't really matter when compared to thousands of miles on a bike.

The biggest differences are the shifters and the drivetrain.  I've reconciled myself to the shifters - I'll be fine with the STI's or with the bar-ends.  The drivetrain, however, confuses me a little.  The Trek seems to have mostly mountain bike components (derailleurs, chainring, and cogs), and is 9-speed.  The Opus is 10-speed, with road components.  I can't figure out who to believe; some say the 10-speed stuff is more fragile, others say it's fine, and will eventually replace 9-speed stuff completely, making it the better choice.  Some say the mountain bike components offer potentially lower gears (and the gearing is a bit better on the Trek), while others say the 1:1 gear ratio on the Opus is fine and still has the potential for bigger cogs in the back if I swap out the derailleur, even if the small chainring is limited to a 30 tooth.

Any thoughts?  Might be a long shot, but any experience with the Opus?  The Trek seems to have a great reputation, but Opus is a smaller company. 

I figure either bike will end up being great, but these details feel like little things that could come back to haunt you later on down the road.

Links to the bikes specs:

Opus Legato:  http://opusbike.com/en/bikes/road/touring/legato
Trek 520:  http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes/road/touring/520/520/#/us/en/model/details?url=us/en/bikes/road/touring/520/520