Am I becoming an old man? (pannier rack arrived today)

davmaggs

I need some reassurance from the commuting mob that I'm not becoming an old man.

First I added 3/4 mudguards to the bike when my commute changed to being a decent distance and getting soaked and covered in crud off the road was becoming a pain. I noticed that rain itself doesn't last that long, but without the guards you still get wet on the rest of the journey. Then recently I had a moment mid-coversation when I realised that I was passionately avocating mudguards to a mate.

Then I got fed up with riding around with a backpack on so I bought some panniers, but couldn't really face fitting them. Today the pannier rack arrived and it's time to make the move.

So, my slim commuter machine has gradually morphed into a heavier (although useful steed, dare I say practical), but I still feel it's slightly wrong and at the same time wonder how others cut about not carrying much and magically avoiding the crud off the road.

Should I just be done with it and order a tourer now, and start growing a beard?

Kieran_Burns

It is my considered opinion that you should bugger off.




(says the man with full length mudguards and a pannier.....)

biondino

davmaggs future threads:

- Can Anyone Recommend Some Trad Jazz?

- Cycling And Prostate Issues

- Young People These Days

- I Remember The 1913 Tour de France Like It Was Yesterday

- Werthers Original, Anybody?

Wooliferkins

Neaah! You don't want to do it like that! You want to do it like this.


(alsofull mudguards and panniers)

Jay dubbleU

I took the pannniers of the bike and use a courier bag instead although I still have mudguards - I've ordered the SS - don't think I'll be putting mudguards on that.

lost_in_thought

I'm 26, and a girl.

I ride a FG with raceblade mudguards and a pannier rack.

I sincerely hope I'm not an old man... I just like my spine!

Dudu

So, davmaggs, you don't get covered in water and road muck when it's been raining, and your bike carries stuff for you instead of you carrying stuff hanging uncomfortably from your body and buggering up your bike handling, so that you can concentrate on fast and safe riding.

Sounds eminently sensible to me - although i question the need to carry enough stuff to fill even one pannier, unless you're on a three-week tour.

El Gordo

It's nothing to do with age, it's just allowing yourself to make good decisions without caring about what other people think. It's the same as admitting that nightclubs are horrible noisy places and a much better time is had with a pint of real beer in a proper pub with proper people.

OK, so I'm obviously old too and just in denial. I'd have a beard if it wasn't for the fact it comes out ginger.

lost_in_thought

El Gordo wrote:

It's nothing to do with age, it's just allowing yourself to make good decisions without caring about what other people think. It's the same as admitting that nightclubs are horrible noisy places and a much better time is had with a pint of real beer in a proper pub with proper people.

OK, so I'm obviously old too and just in denial. I'd have a beard if it wasn't for the fact it comes out ginger.

I completely agree with this!

Hurrah!

OK, perhaps I am an old man. Blast. Rumbled.

davmaggs

thanks for the morale boast. All those sleek machines dashing about central London carrying nothing made me doubt myself.

I am now strengthened. Roll on Monday and the first day of the pannier (one's enough)

paul.skibum

Panniers rule!

girv73

FWIW, I want proper mudguards and panniers, so if you're an old man then I want to be one. I also agree with El Gordo and lost_in_thought on the pub issue.

I went as far as buying a pannier rack last weekend, but my bl**dy frame doesn't have the correct eyelets to mount it properly so it needs to go back. Bah!

tailwindhome

davmaggs wrote:

I need some reassurance from the commuting mob

Fireblade96

My commuter bike has full mudguards and they rock!
It also has a rack and I have been known to use at least one pannier.
It used to have a wire basket on the back too.
.
.
I have a beard. It's kinda ginger. Apart from the grey bits.
.
.
b*gger

I'm going to have to take all the gears off my ancient racer so I can be trendy and hang out with you yoofs. Watch this space for the "Fireblade's fixie" thread

the_hundredth_idiot

Is this a thread for old men?

Fantastic - can I (and my mudguards) join?

Becoming an old man - don't fight it, it happens to all of us. Well, most of us. Well, probably a little under half of us. But don't be ashamed, embrace it. Get yourself a Dawes Galaxy and stop shaving.

(And they say CX is the dark side ...)

NGale

I refuse to put mudguards on my bike, sorry I would rather get muddy no matter what my age it. When I cycle to work I get changed into my uniform, so no problem there, I have a rucksack on my back so that gets the mud anyway, but I still refuse to put mudguards on my bike.

Don't know why mind!

whyamihere

21 years old, full guards and panniers.

jimmypippa

I'm a convert to panniers,

hot weather and sweaty backs.

They also can carry more than my rucsac, so I can use the bike for some shopping.

Cheshley

El Gordo wrote:

It's nothing to do with age, it's just allowing yourself to make good decisions without caring about what other people think. It's the same as admitting that nightclubs are horrible noisy places and a much better time is had with a pint of real beer in a proper pub with proper people.

OK, so I'm obviously old too and just in denial. I'd have a beard if it wasn't for the fact it comes out ginger.

I also agree with this, I prefer to be in a pub where I can actually hear what people are saying.

Pipe and slippers ordered......

I've also been looking into panniers but that's only because I'm planning on doing the Trans Pennine Trail next year. No, really.......... :oops:

spasypaddy

girv73 wrote:

FWIW, I want proper mudguards and panniers, so if you're an old man then I want to be one. I also agree with El Gordo and lost_in_thought on the pub issue.

I went as far as buying a pannier rack last weekend, but my bl**dy frame doesn't have the correct eyelets to mount it properly so it needs to go back. Bah!

http://www.cyclestore.co.uk/productDeta ... ctID=21009

Agent57

I put full mudguards on one of my bikes today. Put the rack on last Sunday.

doog442

to the OP

Dont you worry pal

You wouldnt believe this was a COMMUTING forum with the amount of dross posted by blokes who apparently cycle to work on full carbon bikes....but dont do it when its wet :evil:

These people are PLASTIC commuters who think their bike will dissolve in the rain- hence dont ride, some of these muppets dont even shower at the other end 8)

Im with you on this...although I carry a sweaty rucksack instead of panniers because my load isnt heavy

I have full guards (although i took them off- which was a mistake) but count on putting them back on soon

Would love to see the forum return to proper commuting rather than people who should be on the road bike beginners forum

tardington

Doog442 - are you a fan of MC Pitman? :shock:

doog442

his lyrics rhyme

mine dont....but in principal...yes

tardington

8)

I still quote him to people. Okay, it's really just swearing but it's a QUOTE! I tell them.

girv73

@spasypaddy cheers

Sirius631

Just about to fit panniers to my Condor Agio to cut down on car use for the supermarket run.

Don't fret about being an old man. It is just reward for being successful at being a young man, and it's better than the alternative.

chuckcork

I would only say, if you're worried about panniers on your bike then you haven't got enough bikes!

How about: 1 x Sirrus complete with mudguards and panniers (former commuter bike, now used for carrying a small trolleys worth of shopping); 1 x Dawes Audax bike with mudguards as I likewise don't like being cold and wet, expecially when its not raining, and having road much thrown into your face is a safety issue when you wear glasses; 1x road bike with no mudguards at all for dry weather, because its nice to have 1 bike that looks the part?

Oh, and one 20" wheel Dahon folder that has mainly been used as a kinder transport, it actually handles better with 13kg of infant on the back than the others do.

Riding without mudguards is nice, riding with them on in wet weather is nicer.

davmaggs

true about not having enough bikes. Only have the Sirrus at the moment due to space.

The rack went on yesterday and the Vaude panniers fit nicely. I went for a Tortec slimline rack that fits over the top of the SKS guards. After some messing about with the guards I got everything together and it looks good.