Messages

1

Gear Talk / Re: Thoughts on Nashbar Touring bike?

« on: September 03, 2017, 09:48:52 am »

Reviews say it is a Fuji that is branded Nashbar. I had a Fuji touring bike; cheap enough, but I prefer the Trek 520 I have now. One review says weighs 30 lb; that's high, maybe inaccurate. Mainstream touring bikes weigh about 24 lb, minus racks, etc. On my Fuji, rims wouldn't take tires over 32mm .

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Classifieds / Re: FOR SALE: 54cm Koga Miyata Globe Traveller Touring Bicycle - $1500

« on: August 02, 2017, 07:53:13 am »

Not able to open attachments.

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Gear Talk / Re: Tent ground cloth?

« on: July 09, 2017, 11:57:03 am »

Related question: Is using a ground cloth better than just relying on a heavy waterproof floor?  That seems to work fine for me.

A backpacking tent manufacturer said worn floors are rare.

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Gear Talk / Re: Tubeless Tired Stock Touring Bikes?

« on: July 08, 2017, 06:32:09 pm »

Bike tourers are a conservative lot.  Tubeless hasn't really caught on much with us yet, as there are disadvantages as well.  Is tubeless a high priority need for you?  Make sure you carry an inner tube or two.

IMO there are much more important selection criteria, such as comfort, low enough gearing, comfort, carrying capacity, comfort, stability, comfort, reliability, comfort...

There are many reviews of tubeless road tires; all I've seen laud increased comfort. Example:

"Comfort: Tubeless clinchers provide more comfort and vibration absorption because they can be ridden at lower tire pressures without the risk of pinch flats."

Read more at http://www.triathlete.com/2012/10/gear-tech/should-you-go-tubeless_63139#8GwL6pDPkI1bYAAg.99

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Gear Talk / Re: Tent ground cloth?

« on: July 08, 2017, 09:02:11 am »

Yes. Lasts long time. Crinkly.

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Gear Talk / Re: Tubeless Tired Stock Touring Bikes?

« on: July 01, 2017, 05:30:19 pm »

Some "adventure" bikes have them tubeless or tubeless ready, like the Niner RLT or Jamis Drafonslayer.

The Dragonslayer, with 3 in. wide tires and shocks, is as far as I can see, a  mountain bike.

Maybe there is a tubeless tire road tourer in the many  models of the Niner RLT line. All I saw were models with wheels that had tires with tubes.

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Gear Talk / Tubeless Tired Stock Touring Bikes?

« on: June 26, 2017, 11:42:59 am »

I know wheels can be changed; custom bikes can be built, etc. What I am asking is the market such that stock touring bikes with tubeless tires are now for sale?

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Gear Talk / Re: Tubeless Rims or Wheelset Query

« on: June 10, 2017, 08:27:54 pm »

Not really sure what you are asking for.  I think all clincher rims can be used tubeless. 

Just buy the wheel parts you want and assemble them yourself or hire someone.  Then you will have exactly the wheelset you want.  Its really not that expensive either.

I went into that. Guerrilla tubeless tire setups do not work for road tires. I  tried it. My local bike shop says they tried it with poor results. As I stated, this from LBS, tubeless rims are more important than tubeless tires for tubeless setups, particularly for road tires.

I've built wheels. As far as not being expensive, Velocity A23 rims recommended by another in this thread sell for $93.99 each. May find discount online, but shipping, in oversize box, still makes them very expensive. To price of rims, must add cost of hubs and spokes. These rims are also narrow for touring. Advertised can use up to 35mm wide tires; I may be okay with that; still on narrow side for touring. Only offered with 36 holes in black; I may be okay with that; some may not. Lastly, these rims are "tubeless  ready"; supposedly okay for tubeless, but not optimally designed according to latest standards for tubeless.

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Gear Talk / Re: Tubeless Rims or Wheelset Query

« on: June 10, 2017, 03:22:45 pm »

I suggest that maybe you might consider a well built 32 spoke wheel unless you pack super heavy.  If 32 spokes can work for you one of the Stans cyclocross rims or wheel sets may work out okay for your preferred tire size.  I think they say 25-40 mm wide tires are good on their Grail rims.

I am just spit balling here though since I have not actually used any tubeless rims in that size range.

I thought of that, and agree the 32 spoke wheels probably will work, still looking for 36 hole rims/wheelsets now.

10

Gear Talk / Re: Tubeless Rims or Wheelset Query

« on: June 10, 2017, 10:59:48 am »

How wide do you want your tires to be? 

There are tubeless tires available in all those sizes.  Also some folks successfully run tires that are not specifically labeled as tubeless and some run wheels that are not specifically designed as tubeless using one type of conversion or another.

I'm using 35mm tires for touring.

For availability, see my reply to another post.

For guerrilla setups, my experience and that of others, is that it is chancy at best for road tires. Worst is trying to make tubeless tires work with non-tubeless rims; hence my query.

11

Gear Talk / Re: Tubeless Rims or Wheelset Query

« on: June 10, 2017, 10:50:50 am »

Perhaps you are looking in the wrong place. There are plenty of tubeless 29er rims available. Look at Stans, WTB to start. I'm using Stans Flow EX.

The 29er rims/wheelsets I've seen are wider than I need for road touring, are apt to have less than 36 holes, and may be carbon, which I don't want, so I have given only passing consideration to 29er rims/wheelsets. For 700c rims/wheelsets, cost is, as mentioned, also a consideration.

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Gear Talk / Tubeless Rims or Wheelset Query

« on: June 09, 2017, 08:29:41 pm »

What are others buying for either tubeless touring rims or tubeless touring wheelset? I've seen few, and expensive, 36 holes, 700c, and accept touring (wide) tires.

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Gear Talk / Re: Trek 520 for off-road

« on: June 08, 2017, 09:36:55 am »

I have a 520. Tires that come with bike should be fine for rail trails. Some may recommend wider tires; not necessary, but provide more cushion. Surface not only factor; heavier load, wider tires

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Gear Talk / Re: Dual-mode bar-end shifters and Deore vs XT derailleurs - opinions?

« on: May 15, 2017, 10:39:24 am »

I  have used XTR, XT, (maybe LX) and Deore rear derailleurs. Did I notice "a big difference" between them? no.

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Gear Talk / Re: Question, Ortlieb Bike Packer Plus and Back-Roller Classics Rear Panniers

« on: May 10, 2017, 04:34:01 pm »

Thanks. Information I was seeking. I have experience with the Bike Packer Plus, but not the Back-Roller Classic. Improvement I'd like for the Bike Packer Plus is having the straps at least 2 inches longer, as the lid/cover can expand the capacity as you said. Bicycle Touring Pro doesn't like the Bike Packer Plus outside pocket. I find it useful, but awkward to get into if the bag is full to capacity.