Messages

1

Gear Talk / Re: Upgrade for my touring packing set up

« on: April 28, 2025, 10:31:20 pm »

My extended trips, up to 5000 miles, included rough sections. I tried bikepacking bags for my extended touring. They were not to my liking. Bike was top heavy, bags were cramped, limited, and not easy to get into. If you are going to be off road most of the time, that is a different story. The first change I would make if I anticipated more unpaved miles than I have experienced, would be larger tires. Changing bag setup would be a lesser consideration.

2

Gear Talk / Re: Upgrade for my touring packing set up

« on: April 28, 2025, 10:50:28 am »

I have given up on handlebar bags (tried a number) or any of the other type bags you mention. I get everything into my panniers, either two or four, all the same bag. This for primarily road extended touring. I do carry tools, etc. in a medium size saddle bag; a bag that is always on my bike, touring or biking around town.

3

Gear Talk / Re: Fleece vs insulated jacket

« on: March 08, 2025, 05:31:54 pm »

Riding fully loaded, camp, cook.

4

Gear Talk / Re: Fleece vs insulated jacket

« on: March 07, 2025, 09:43:55 am »

I do not use fleece on trips. My combo for spring, fall is a bicycle vest (minimal insulation) and a shell pullover that is also rain wear.

5

Gear Talk / Re: Have Trek 920 frame, need to (re)build bike.

« on: February 08, 2025, 10:33:07 am »

Much information on that bike here: https://99spokes.com/en-NL/bikes/trek/2019/920

I see no reason not to have hydraulic brakes, as the bike is built for them. 

"It was pretty clear nobody (at the shop) really toured long distances." Not unexpected; what you can find (in my experience) is a shop that knows what is needed from doing work for experienced long distance cyclists. It may be worth shipping your bike to a recommended shop.

6

Gear Talk / Re: Rear derailleur dilemma

« on: November 04, 2023, 10:32:19 pm »

No personal experience with Superb Tech friction or indexing.

7

Gear Talk / Re: Rear derailleur dilemma

« on: November 04, 2023, 10:22:11 am »

I had extensive experience with the Huret Duopar rear derailleur. It was a fine derailleur for friction shifting. It did not index well and faded from use.

8

Gear Talk / Re: Expeience with Panaracer Gravel King Plus for tubeless touring?

« on: September 17, 2023, 07:32:26 pm »

Not 700c x 35, but 700c x 37mm Schwalbe Marathon Evolution Supreme Tires. Difference in rims can account for 2mm width difference when mounted.

9

Gear Talk / Re: Expeience with Panaracer Gravel King Plus for tubeless touring?

« on: September 17, 2023, 11:37:21 am »

I thought all current Schwalbe offerings were tubeless. I certainly bought 700x35c tubeless tires.

10

Routes / Re: 3-4 month USA 2024

« on: September 15, 2023, 10:24:29 am »

Having done a cross-country tour across the United States, my first consideration planning a route would be crossing the Rockies when the passes are open and cleared of snow.

11

Gear Talk / Re: does a messenger bag is practical ?

« on: June 06, 2023, 09:24:00 pm »

Not sure about the "as well". For long distance primarily road touring, no pack on my back or messenger bag on my side. Pannier bags hanging on rack; nothing on top of rack. No handlebar bag.

12

Gear Talk / Re: does a messenger bag is practical ?

« on: June 06, 2023, 11:20:11 am »

I would not recommend a messenger bag for long distance or local cycling trips, unless you need to carry large oblong objects locally for short distances. Long distance I don't like any bag on my back.

13

Gear Talk / Re: rear lighting

« on: May 06, 2023, 11:04:43 am »

Get tent and sleep bag into panniers. That's what I do. Find items that will fit. I did this with 4 bags, and have gotten it down to 2 bags. Nothing on rack. Everything in panniers, except for medium seat pack. Mount rear light under rack. Mount on seatpost. Mount on seat stays, both sides. Mount on fenders. (You do use fenders touring, don't you?) I've never used a helmet rear light; prefer if you wish.

14

Gear Talk / Re: New touring bike recommendations

« on: April 02, 2023, 12:32:03 pm »

It is possible you won't often use the "tiny" gears on the back, especially with a touring load. For what you say about yourself, for touring you should have the largest gear on the rear that your bicycle will accommodate, and maybe a smaller chainwheel on front. Ask your bike shop what is the lowest gearing your bicycle will accommodate.

15

Gear Talk / Re: New touring bike recommendations

« on: March 17, 2023, 01:13:54 pm »

Yes, should be a new thread.

Lightening might be better achieved in reducing what you bring. Fifty pounds of gear plus the bike is a lot. Reduce your load to 30 pounds. Some will still say that's a lot. I say that is good target based on my experience and what I have seen other touring cyclists carry.

I'd want to know if 50 pounds is too much for the Specialized; not that it couldn't carry that much, but what the handling will be with that load. For that much weight I'd want to balance the load front and rear.

For easy of shifting on your present bike I wonder if you'd be better off with bar end shifters. For reducing weight on your present bike the first place to look is changing the tires.

For traveling with an exotic bike, locating mechanics that are experienced with the mechanisms, availability of parts, and great loss if your bike is stolen are to be considered.