Touring - No rear mounts on frame?

I'm planning on an ussupported 200-250 mile ride from Central PA to Pittsburgh. I've got 2 frames I'm debating using. My problem is racks.

The bike that is currently built and that I'm leaning towards using is a KHS cyclocross bike. Problem: no rack mounts. I fiddled around with those rubber coated rack mount straps and ran the upper mounts through the upper shock mount bolt(its a softtail).
I don't really trust the strap things. Anyone have any experience with these things? When I worked in a shop I used these as upper mounts plenty of times, but never lower mounts.
The other option with this frame is drill and tap some mounting holes in the drop outs. Unfortunatly the dropouts are not very beefy and I'm worry about the softail thing. I don't want to break my frame in the middle of the woods.

I'm planning on using the cyclocross bike rather than the other option, a KHS road frame. This does have mounts, but I want to travel on some dirt roads and snowmobile trails, but I don't think there will be enough clearance to run any tire above 28c.

I have two mountain bikes but one is a SS and the other has only 2 chainrings (36-22) and no mounts either. I'd love to just buy a BOB trailer, but right now I'm having a hard time keeping myself fed, let alone dropping $200 on bike stuff.

What do you say?

I'd use a good back pack. you don't need all that much stuff. there is a good artical about some thing simmiler in last months Dirt Rag. or you could look here (http://www.oldmanmountain.com/index.htm), but I warn ya, they are not cheep. maybe you could gangk the basic idea and fabracate.

I've thought about the backpack/messenger back route, but I don't own a bivy sack. I'd love to travel lighter but I'm already going to be cutting it close to the bone. Sleeping bag, tent, groundcloth, change of clothes, 35mm SLR,
and maybe a CD player, and a bit of food.

I have a messenger bag big enough to fit all this stuff, but riding with a 30 bag all day is not my idea of fun. I've thought about switching to a blanket and a tarp, but summer in august in PA can be very rainy and I don't want to be sleeping soggy every night.

I read that artical in Dirt Rag. It was great.


And thanks for the link. I knew about those racks but I am really broke.

I have used those clamps on my front rack without a problem, if used, bring spares and mount them over rubber or tape to give them a little bit of vibration dampening.

Or use a Carradice saddlebag.

Regear the SS for the trip and use that if it has rack mounts. Otherwise, use the clamps on the cyclocross, but watch the weight. I broke a pair on the C&O Canal last fall. The rack and gear weighed about 40-45# (it was winter) Trip info here (http://www.mtbjournal.com/article.php?sid=333)

I'm trying the mounts again, and going super lightweight, so it shouldn't be a problem. This time it will be 2 days, 150 miles (out and back on the Greenbrier trail). Hoping to use the rack for just my bag, tent and sleeping pad. Other stuff in my Deuter pack.

http://www.singlespeedoutlaw.com/pix/canal/FieldRepair.JPG

Madison produce a replacement seat clamp that has eyelets for a rack...

i had the same problem as you on my mtb.i got my rack from old man mountain and couldnt be happier there not cheap but they are the best.

It is not the upper mounts I am worried about. I used the upper shock bolt for these mounts and it is solid. I'm worried about the lower mounts, and using the straps to carry the majority of the strain.

Any one have anything to say about drilling and tapping the rear dropouts?

Again I am poor and new gear is NOT an option.

suck it up, ditch the tent, take a tarp and ride. It most likely won't kill ya. ;) :crash:

On my old steel road bike I have eyelets at the dropout but not on the seatstay. I took it to my LBS who is fairly nifty with a brazing torch, and for £13, he attatched some threaded eyelets.
You could probably braze some eyelets to your dropouts.

If your frame is AL, then it is more difficult. There may not be enough metal to safely drill a 5mm hole, and you can't attatch more metal.

Originally posted by jonassterling
Again I am poor and new gear is NOT an option. Use the clamps, take an extra set and don't overload it. I'm betting you'll be fine.