sorting out my road bike for a small "tour" + advice please

Hey everybody!
Ive got a Spesh Allez sport with stock wheels, it has eyelets for rack both near the brakes/seat stays and on the bottom near the chainstays. im planning during the holiday (student
) to go off on acouple long weekends and just ride my bike with minimal gear. i of coarse will need a rack, will any old rack do? i spoke to a club friend and he mentioned that the rear wheel my not hold up to it? im a small guy only 65kg, so assume for riding gear +5kgs plus tent sleeping bag cooking kit and food for acouple days then buy more as needed what sort of weight would that work out at? +10kgs?
any recomendations for rack/bags and what do you guys all do for things to sleep on, roll mates or just deal with it?
thanks in advance! 8)
Ben
Ive got a Spesh Allez sport with stock wheels, it has eyelets for rack both near the brakes/seat stays and on the bottom near the chainstays. im planning during the holiday (student

any recomendations for rack/bags and what do you guys all do for things to sleep on, roll mates or just deal with it?
thanks in advance! 8)
Ben
0
Posts
I have a Hennessey Hammock for sleeping in and a Topeak Super Tourist DX rack, but most rear racks should fit.
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Good ones inc rear lamp bracket.
Bad ones are any bit of metal which disrupts the circular cross section of tubes for attaching hooks. Twin rods welded together, wide cross struts all block the action of a decent quick-release locking pannier hook (like Rixen & Kaul or Ortleib).
Open tops have more lashing points than top plates.
Adjustable leg length is a convenience for bikeshops, not riders.
My aluminium Blackburn clone works as well as the real thing.
Gelert Solo tent is fine for a couple of days. Keep cooking gear to an absolute minimum.
The hub durability is not the same as wheel failure under camping load. A **light** camping load shouldn't collapse a normal midmarket road wheel.
As far as a rack is concerned, my advice would be get the best you can afford - after all you can always transfer a rack from bike to bike. A really cheap rack could well turn out to be a false economy - Blackburn racks have a good reputation if you don't, at this stage, want to spring for a Tubus.
For sleeping you need something to lie on - I've done a lot of walking and camping and the roll mat is more for insulation than padding. there is nothing worse than being cold at night - you wake up tired in the morning with little energy to get on your bike (or feet in my case).
As a minumum a lot of the weight weenies running up mountains and such like cut a roll mat in half widthways so at least your torso and head is insulated - a pair of tights (cycling or otherwise) can be worn on the legs but with a modern sleeping bag this shouldn't be necessary.
I always go for a pillow, clothes and rucksacks (or pannier bags) just don't have the 'squish' factor to support your head and neck properly. Most camping shops have small lightweight folding ones.
2014 Genesis Equilibrium 20
yeh im new to al lthis so thanks for the tips! imthinking about getting a tortec or a topeak rack, only problem is finding some none resiculous price panniers haha im thinking small 1 person tent, one of those tiny solid fuel cookers just to boil things like water and such, will mainly eat cold food i think plus clothes buy food as i go and a roll mat too. shouldnt be too too heavy i would have thought at max another 15kgs which would take it to 80kgs so thats your average joe really so shouldnt be too bad.
thanks again gents!
Ben
I also bought a Coleman Bedrock 2-man tent (£54.00 at present) which is light and plenty big enough for one person and baggage.
'Rubble bags' are a bit more durable, but the same principle.
The only thing to watch out for with cheaper panniers is the system for securing them to the rack. get some that use the 'Rixen Kaul' system if you can.
Decathlon own-brand camping stuff is extremely good value (Decathlon for anyone who hasn't heard of them is like the IKEA of sports and outdoor stuff).
I second the advice on getting a good rack and have good attachments for you panniers.
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Also, since you are concerned with weight on the back wheel then consider front panniers as well.
If you want to be a strong rider you have to do strong things.
However if you train like a cart horse you'll race like one.