Luggage solutions

robjdixon

Hi,

In August, me and a friend are doing a tour of the Lake District for 4 days, and I need some suggestions of how to carry everything.

We are youth hostelling, so don't need tents, which reduces weight and bulk.

The problem lies with my bike - I don't have pannier mounts on the back. My LBS said that there were no "clip on" solutions, and that I should use front panniers and a rucksack. Is this correct?

Does anyone have any other ideas, or some panniers that would be good. I don't have a budges per se, but would like to spend as little as I can

Thanks

andymiller

robjdixon wrote:

The problem lies with my bike - I don't have pannier mounts on the back. My LBS said that there were no "clip on" solutions, and that I should use front panniers and a rucksack. Is this correct?

I don't know the reasons why your LBS said that, but you can buy rubber-lined p-clips and seatclamps that double up as a mounting point for the rack. Tubus also do a fancier solution where the rack mounts onto the axle.

Have a look at this thread:

http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtop ... t=12633763

If p-clips won't work for some reason you could try:

- front panniers and a backpack as your LBS suggested. IMO this is probably the best second-best solution;
- saddlebags;
- a rack that mounts on the seatpost. These aren't a great solution because the weight limit on them is 10 kgs. That would be fine for carrying a change of clothes and a washbag, but if you decide you want to do longer tours then it's not enough and you could end up selling them on ebay. (oh and don't buy the sill rackpacks with 'pannier bags' attached - in reality they are pretty diddy). If you do go down this route I'd buy a simple dry bag rather than a fancy rack bag;
- trailer - overkill for a short tour.

marcthehammer

Hi.Ive got the same prob. Would the Tubus qr-axle mounting work with a normal rack or would you have to use a Tubus one? I would rather use the axle mounts but the tubus racks are a bit pricy.

robjdixon

Thanks for the help Andy. Unfortunately, the link doesn't seem to work.

Are the Clip-on solutions just as sturdy?

spen666

robjdixon wrote:

Hi,

In August, me and a friend are doing a tour of the Lake District for 4 days, and I need some suggestions of how to carry everything.

....

I can thoroughly recommend someone driving a support vehicle carrying all your luggage- it works well, doesn't affect the bike handling etc


Sorry - I don't think this was what you meant....

GyatsoLa

If you are willing to go very lightweight (its possible, but it means being very disciplined) you can do a tour like that with just a saddle bag - I use a Carradice SQR Tour. You can add this to a lightweight backpack, but backpacks of any size are always uncomfortable for a long day so should be avoided if possible.

The Tubus option is one of the best - I've used a www.oldmanmountain.com rear rack mounted on the spindle and using p-clips to the upper stays along with smaller ortliebs - that worked very well on tour. There are also some quite good small racks you can get for the front, especially if you have slimmer steel forks (its hard to attach most types of racks to carbon forks). Nitto do some lovely ones, you can find them for sale in the On One/Planet X website.

andymiller

Rob

Fixed the link - I'd lost a digit off the end.

marcthehammer wrote:

Hi.Ive got the same prob. Would the Tubus qr-axle mounting work with a normal rack or would you have to use a Tubus one? I would rather use the axle mounts but the tubus racks are a bit pricy.

So far as I know they will only work with the tubus Logo, Cosmo, Expedition and Carry. Tubus racks may be expensive, but they'll last long after cheaper racks have broken on you and you can take them from bike to bike. Besides - if no other solution will work then it's cheaper than a new frame or having lugs brazed on.

I've never had to use clip-ons. I'd have thought that axle mounting might be inherently stronger, but p-clips should be plenty strong enough.

mr_tim

i've used standard rubber p clips and then tubus p clips (which have two bolting closures).. the tubus p clip worked really well and adopts a frame without stay brake bridge zoned mounts very well. the rubber p clips looked a bit fragile in comparision.

touring with rucksacks - i've done it with a pac bag carrying @ 10kg but wouldn't want to again unless i had too. after 3hrs odd you will seize up and the next day will be a massive chore.

enjoy the tour!

alfablue

You can get an M-Part seatpost clamp with rack mount for the upper mounting, and Tubus rack and axle QR for the lower one, or Tubus P-clips. Should be a very solid setup (I have used Tubus p-clips for the upper mount and the QR axle mount, rock solid).

nicktheluddite

very poor advice from LBS. I wouldn't tour with a rucksack (except if off-road). I'd only use front panniers if also using rear panniers (ie camping so load of kit).

It's a bit old school but how about a saddlebag http://www.carradice.co.uk/saddlebags/index.html and a bar bag? You really need very little for staying in hostels. I take a 20 litre dry bag (bungied onto rear rack) and a bar bag.

robjdixon

Thanks for all the help guys. I think I'm going to go with the seatpost mounted rack. Here is a link:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Raleigh-Alloy-Seat-Post-Carrier/dp/B000RW774S

The only problem that I can think of is my carbon seatpost. Do I need to use an alloy one?

Thanks

nicktheluddite

I understand the advice is that you should get a metal seatpost to clamp those sort of racks to - but I don't know that for sure. Better to be safe and get one - snapped seatpost halfway down a bumpy descent would be pretty memorable.....

andymiller

nicktheluddite wrote:

I understand the advice is that you should get a metal seatpost to clamp those sort of racks to - but I don't know that for sure. Better to be safe and get one - snapped seatpost halfway down a bumpy descent would be pretty memorable.....

literally a pain in the proverbial..

trickeyja

A couple of months ago I did a 6-day tour in Southern Wales, and like you, I don't have any luggage mounts. I also have a carbon seatpost. I decided to go on the spur of the moment, so with a week to spare, I ordered the Carradice Camper Longflap with an SQR mount, for about £80. It will last me years. I was dubious whether the SQR would be okay on the carbon seatpost but I didn't have a problem with it. I had to pack very light, but I managed to get enough clothing and food in there to last me fine, whilst youth hostelling. The bag weighed about 10kg so more than the bike itself!

This is a picture of me, with my bike and saddlebag between Beulah and Tregaron, in the Elenith Hills.


I have heard seatpost racks are not recommended for carbon seatposts, so if you decide to go for that you may have to change it for an alloy one depending on how much weight you carry. I wouldn't even consider a rucksack.

amaferanga

Um if seatpost racks aren't a good idea with carbon seatposts then neither is carrying 10kg with an SQR mount! It may have been okay this time, but its not something I'd consider doing, ever.

I just completed a 5 day LEJOG using a seatpost rack from Decathlon that cost about £12. Despite the price its actually a quality piece of kit. I used an Agu Yamaska rack bag.

For anyone who is prepared to pack very sparingly then this IME is a great option. I've used a Carradice SQR Tour bag in the past and hated the way it swayed when I got out of the saddle on hills. I sold it. My current set-up doesn't sway at all.

FWIW I swapped my carbon seatpost for an alloy one and I was riding a Kuota Kharma.

robjdixon

Thanks for the excellent help and ideas guys. As a small decrease in weight isn't worth a potential 5 day tour with 1/2 a seatpost, I'm getting an alloy one.

I'm planning to get this:
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/Easton_EA30_Alloy_Road_Seat_Post/5360038934/

The reason being that it is the cheapest on wiggle at the moment.

robjdixon

Hi guys. I ordered a seatpost rack 10 days ago from amazon marketplace, and with 3 days to go until I leave, it hasn'e arrived, even though it was shipped last wednesday. Here is the rack I ordered:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000RW774S/ref=ox_ya_oh_product

If it doesn't arrive tomorrow, I will need to buy another rack from somewhere with next day delivery #(probably wiggle).

I have been doing a precautionary search of the sight, and I found this:
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/LifeLine_Alloy_Seat_Post_Rack/5360033789/#more

I can't see how I would mount the bags on though, as they are pannier style, and there aren't any clips or anything on the rack.

I have also looked at a p-clip setup, using the following:
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/LifeLine_P-Clips/5360033796/
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/LifeLine_Alloy_Rear_Rack/5360027965/#more

Do the p-clips come with bolts?

Does anyone know which option is better (i'm leaning towards the p-clip setup now,) or have experiences with the products in question?

lloyd_bower

trickeyja wrote:

A couple of months ago I did a 6-day tour in Southern Wales, and like you, I don't have any luggage mounts. I also have a carbon seatpost. I decided to go on the spur of the moment, so with a week to spare, I ordered the Carradice Camper Longflap with an SQR mount, for about £80. It will last me years. I was dubious whether the SQR would be okay on the carbon seatpost but I didn't have a problem with it. I had to pack very light, but I managed to get enough clothing and food in there to last me fine, whilst youth hostelling. The bag weighed about 10kg so more than the bike itself!

This is a picture of me, with my bike and saddlebag between Beulah and Tregaron, in the Elenith Hills.

I have heard seatpost racks are not recommended for carbon seatposts, so if you decide to go for that you may have to change it for an alloy one depending on how much weight you carry. I wouldn't even consider a rucksack.

I'd second that, I've had the same for several years, and it's excellent for short & lightweight touring
http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/product-Carradice_of_Nelson-Carradice-Lowsaddle-Longflap-Saddlebag--Black-631.htm
It's possible to mount to either the seatpost or get an adaptor that fits neatly on to saddle rails.

amaferanga

robjdixon wrote:

Hi guys. I ordered a seatpost rack 10 days ago from amazon marketplace, and with 3 days to go until I leave, it hasn'e arrived, even though it was shipped last wednesday. Here is the rack I ordered:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000RW774S/ref=ox_ya_oh_product

If it doesn't arrive tomorrow, I will need to buy another rack from somewhere with next day delivery #(probably wiggle).

I have been doing a precautionary search of the sight, and I found this:
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/LifeLine_Alloy_Seat_Post_Rack/5360033789/#more

I can't see how I would mount the bags on though, as they are pannier style, and there aren't any clips or anything on the rack.

I have also looked at a p-clip setup, using the following:
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/LifeLine_P-Clips/5360033796/
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/LifeLine_Alloy_Rear_Rack/5360027965/#more

Do the p-clips come with bolts?

Does anyone know which option is better (i'm leaning towards the p-clip setup now,) or have experiences with the products in question?

Are you sorted yet? I think if you're using panniers then you definitely should go down the p-clips route. How much weight and bulk are you actually carrying? If you can get it to fit in a rack-top bag then IMO that's a better option. Even for the rack you ordered from Amazon my advice would be not to hang panniers on it, even though it will take them. These racks are designed for light loads only - if you've got too much stuff to fit in a rack bag then you've got too much stuff for a seatpost pannier rack IMO.

robjdixon

Thanks for the help

The rack arrived today. I am using panniers, but as the combined weight is around 5kg, it shouldn't be a problem