Author Topic: I want to tour …cheeply  (Read 10281 times)

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Offline RandyOfTheRedwoods

I want to tour …cheeply
« on: April 14, 2009, 04:33:45 pm »
I happened to have a couple months free and would like to do some touring, and I’m on a budget.  I have done some bike packing (ultralight, overnight endurance trips with stuff sacks strapped under seat and handlebars), but I’m new to what I would consider real touring.  My bikes consist of a fixie commuter; high end road bike; 29er full squish mountain bike, that I use for racing; and a ridged 29er.  I figure I’d use the ridged 29er for touring.  I have all the camping gear I need, but I'm not sure how to best carry my gear on my bike.  I’m thinking of riding the pacific coast route; or something through Arizona, Utah, Idaho, and Washington; and later, maybe the Great Divide.  I don’t plan on staying on pavement all the time. 

I’m not sure what would be the best way to get set up on my ridged 29er mountain bike.  I need to spend as little as possible.  As far as racks go, I’m pretty sure I’m limited to old man mountain racks, because I have a disk brake only frame and huge 29er wheels.  I’m wondering if there are less expensive racks that I could get away with, and I’m clueless as to which cheep panniers would work.  I have also looked and some trailers.  The Nashbar (bob yak wanabe) trailer is on sale for $100, but would it hold up?  Action bent says there trailers don’t fit 29er’s.  I’ve thought about converting a child carrier trailer, but they seem pretty wide for touring.  I have no problem modifying things, and improvising, just as long as I don’t get stranded. 

All advice, recommendations, warnings, comments, and anything else you have to say would be appreciated.  Thanks.

Re: I want to tour …cheeply
« Reply #1 on: April 15, 2009, 05:58:28 pm »
Unfortunately you will have a tricky time getting the Nashbar trailer hooked up to your 29er.  The fit is super close, and I've heard of a few people filing the trailers down a bit to fit, but that will definitely compromise the integrity of the trailer, and won't provide much for mud clearance. 

The Bob Yak 28 trailer will handle a 29er with plenty of clearance, but it also runs just over $300.  Every now and then I'll see a set of used Old Man mountain racks pop up on the forums, so you can always keep an eye out there.

As far as rear racks go, check out Topeak and SOMA for some options.  They are close fits depending on the tire size your using.  At around $40, they aren't a bad deal.

SOMA
http://store.somafab.com/newsodibrcor.html

Topeak
http://www.topeak.com/products/Racks/SuperTouristDXTubularRack_disc

If you're careful, you can usually retrofit a rack to fit just about anything.  I managed to get an old Axiom rack on my Surly Pugsley last summer.

Offline Westinghouse

Re: I want to tour …cheeply
« Reply #2 on: April 16, 2009, 05:08:53 am »
You can Rube Goldberg just about anything to fit with some imagination and the right tools.

Offline staehpj1

Re: I want to tour …cheeply
« Reply #3 on: April 16, 2009, 07:22:35 am »
Check the "Inexpensive Touring Gear" thread in the general discussion forum.

Offline RansRider61

Re: I want to tour …cheeply
« Reply #4 on: April 21, 2009, 07:03:52 pm »
I used the Nashbar trailer behind my MTB for a tour on unimproved railtrails last summer and it came through without any problems . We were on some pretty rough stuff for 375 miles . The only thing I would suggest is to regrease the bearings when you get the trailer , also I went with a better tire .

Offline Charloch

Re: I want to tour …cheeply
« Reply #5 on: June 06, 2009, 05:35:48 pm »
You wrote "I’m wondering if there are less expensive racks that I could get away with, and I’m clueless as to which cheep panniers would work. "

I know this may sound a little crazy but for a cheap off road, super strong handle bar rack you can put an additional stem under your existing one and mount a set of drop bars upside down.  This will hold something round and long very nicely and will protect your hands and gears as well.  You could literally run into something and it would not move.  And there are no others support brackets to worry about. 

Cheap and off road is a tough combination.