Touring - got the bike, what next?

I have finally replaced my touring bike, I have been without one for a year and half, I had a old Gary Fisher Sphynx, incredible bike for touring, and after my Bianchi Boardwalk broke I had a Trek 7500fx that I had fit problems with. I have the Surly LHT, due in this week. I had some thoughts on what I need to get the bike dialed in. I have perused the forum for racks, but haven't seen anything on Jaand racks, they seem pretty sturdy and the front extreme seems like it will carry a heck of a lot. I did run into a friend who advocated for just using a rear rack, as the handling of the front end can be problematic with a load on the front rack. I haven't had that as a problem in the past. My past experience with racks have been the real light ones that I had for commuting, and broke one once upon a time.

Among the other additions to the LHT, a Brooks B-17, and SPD pedals, but wonder if platforms should be something to consider. Of consideration is the fact that the SPDs would require shoes, where platforms don't, but you have more chance of loosing footing on pedals when riding.

I have thought of switching out the "road" bars for mustache bars, I have them on my fixed gear, and enjoy the variety of hand positions, but will reserve this decision until I have tried out the bike in a shakedown ride. Anyone add areobars? I had read somewhere that anything that was extra weight but aided in the streamlining of the bike and rider was worth the weight.

Your thoughts?

I can't wait to get back touring, it's been a long year and a half.

I'm in the rack search mode myself, but with nominal to no experience to draw on for touring. My thought is a styraight up commuter rack is probably not durable enought to use for extended loaded touring.

I can offer some input on the pedal choices though. Using SPD is a personal choice. Personally, I think it is a good thing and doesn't have to limit you to having to use cleats all teh time, like around town when you stop for teh day in civilization. There are MTB pedals that offer dual sided use, one side is SPD and one side is platform so you can use regular shoes, although they do have the non slip edges.

Another option is the clip in platform from Shimano. It is as it's name suggests, a platform that clicks in to your SPD pedals to allow use of regular shoes. They run around $30, The dual sided pedals from Wellgo run around $35 and you have your patform and SPD pedal all in one. Shimano makes a dual sided as well, but they run around $55 and are actually a bit heavier than the Wellgo model.

. I have perused the forum for racks, but haven't seen anything on Jaand racks, they seem pretty sturdy and the front extreme seems like it will carry a heck of a lot. I did run into a friend who advocated for just using a rear rack, as the handling of the front end can be problematic with a load on the front rack. I haven't had that as a problem in the past..

Jandd racks have a good, solid reputation. I am surprised you did not find any comment on this in this forum; I've seen many comments posted here about their functionality. For example:

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=407904&highlight=rack+jandd+front

I know some folks note that front racks and luggage can create problems for front steering, but in 15 years of commuting (using primarily only my front rack) and touring I have never experienced any handling problems due to weight on the front of my bike. In fact, when training for a tour in the mountains this summer, I put 30 pounds (13.5 kg) on my front rack and 10 pounds (4.5 kg) in my handlebar bag as resistance for several weeks worth of daily riding. In addition, I use a high, platform front rack, not a low rider -- even with that weight I am able to ride without hands on my handlebars for a short distance.

Among the other additions to the LHT, a Brooks B-17, and SPD pedals, but wonder if platforms should be something to consider. Of consideration is the fact that the SPDs would require shoes, where platforms don't, but you have more chance of loosing footing on pedals when riding.



Your thoughts?

I can't wait to get back touring, it's been a long year and a half.

I have the LHT myself, and it's a really nice touring bike for the money: sturdy and pretty comfortable. I tried out several types of pedals on mine, including SPDs, but finally decided to go with large-ish platform pedals with little metal studs on them. (Speedplay Drillium pedals, to be precise). I decided against the SPDs mainly because of the shoe issue; I like to ride places, and then get off the bike and walk around, and I don't like doing that in stiff-soled shoes with pieces of metal stuck to the bottoms, and I don't want to have to carry extra shoes with me. The Drillium pedals keep your feet glued to the pedal even in a downpour, and I've found their power going uphill to be about the same as clip-ins, even when hammering aggressively. They're actually even more expensive than most clip-in pedals, but when you factor in the price of the shoes, it looks a little more reasonable.

BTW, replace the saddle before you leave the bike shop; the saddle that comes with the LHT is easily the most horrible thing ever made to be put on a bike.

http://www.mtbr.com/cat/drivetrain/pedal/speedplay/drillium/PRD_365156_135crx.aspx

I have thought of switching out the "road" bars for mustache bars, I have them on my fixed gear, and enjoy the variety of hand positions, but will reserve this decision until I have tried out the bike in a shakedown ride.

I just put one of these:

http://seaotter.mtbr.com/files/2007/04/titec.jpg

on my mtn bike, after a quick 9 mile outing I would totally line them up to succeed the drops on my LHT whenever that time (that I can't bend over so much) finally comes.

I have an LHT with a Jandd Extreme rack on the front. I commented on it in the thread listed above. It's very solid and I like the platform (which is why I bought it.) The mounting is problematic on an LHT. I used spacers from a Tubus rack. Then it fit fine. Another poster used washers.

I strongly prefer using both front and rear racks, as opposed to carrying everything in the back. My biggest reason is that I'm paranoid about breaking spokes in the rear, having had a serious problem with that on my first big tour. You're much less likely to break spokes in front, even if you load it up, especially if you have a really strong wheel. So I put as much weight as possible in front. Sure, it affects handling, but it's not a big deal. Once you're underway, you're fine. You have to watch what you're doing so you don't wander, but that's true with an unloaded bike too, don't you think? When you're going really slowly uphill you have to focus on keeping a straight line, but anyone with any kind of bike handling skills should be able to handle it easily.

I'm a Luddite who uses platform pedals. I like not having to worry about falling cause I can't get my feet out. I also like taking only one pair of shoes on tour. That saves weight, especially because of my size 14 feet, and the shoes I do bring are really comfortable. I usually treat myself to a brand new pair of cushiony running shoes right before I leave on tour. They work fine for me on the bike and I can go on hikes in the afternoon and be comfortable.

I tried aerobars once, but found the hunched over position uncomfortable. They added some speed - I could usually pedal one or two gears higher when hunched over - but I didn't enjoy them. They're out in the garage with all the boxes of stuff I bought for my bikes and then rejected. :lol:

Just one guy's preferences.

I'm a Luddite who uses platform pedals. I like not having to worry about falling cause I can't get my feet out. I also like taking only one pair of shoes on tour. That saves weight, especially because of my size 14 feet, and the shoes I do bring are really comfortable. I usually treat myself to a brand new pair of cushiony running shoes right before I leave on tour. They work fine for me on the bike and I can go on hikes in the afternoon and be comfortable.


The beauty of MTB shoes is that the cleat is a bit recessed and the shoes are designed for walking which eliminates the duck walk of roadie shoes.

That being said, I'm curious about platform pedals and "Power Strips". I hate clips, but the strips intrigue me.

I did do some research on the Jandd, I didn't put the word in, I just went for racks, then looked at the threads. I have experience with the front end packed, but the rack was a low profile, so the center of gravity was lower, and panniers weren't huge.

One of the things I am running into is no one has any worthwhile racks in town. REI you can't find one, all the LBSs have them on order, I've been told the Surly are two-three weeks wait, while Jandd could be this weekend. I did run across a Tubus cargo, it seemed rather sturdy, but the frame of the rack angled to a point that I thought might be tough to deal with if I got larger tyres (ie 29ers), and it didn't look like a good set of fenders would fit in them.

I'm still wondering about the pedals. I saw the Crank Bro.s Candy, and I have had problems with SPDs in the past. I had them on my MTB and one broke up and came off the spindal, it was crazy trying to ride back to camp with my foot sliding off and the pedal still attached. I did the Power Strips on my winter ride, as I was wearing big heavy boots, they worked okay in that aplication, not sure on a long haul. I do agree that it is nice to be able to walk around without the cleats, I hate going to the grocer and sliding across the slick floors, but I also just figured on carrying the weight of a "camp" shoe, or sandals, not always weather wear though, so I'm still looking.

I looked up "Trekking bars" I saw a guy with a set today, wasn't able to ask what he thought. They sort of look like the old MTB butterfly bars, I had a set of them but didn't like the "springiness" of them, most of the Touring bikes I've owned had straight bars that I modified with bar ends, but it really does a number on my wrists on long distances. I rode around Paris in 00, the cobble stones were murder, in Paris, and outside, I don't know that there is any bar that will accommodate that sort of punishment, although the pros stick with drops on the Pave in Paris-Roubaix, but that's some sanction by the governing body.

Thanks for the response, you helped with jogging my memory, I've done a lot of touring, I just don't consider it a lot, always thinking someone has a better way of doing things than what I've got. Why I like reading the journals at CGOAB.

Looks like the cargo is meant for a 26" wheel, not 700, keep looking.

the jandd racks are great, just pick up 1/4" spacers from the hardware store for the front extreme rack, where the racks attach to the threaded holes in the middle of the fork (and use washers where the screw meets the rack (general rule for anything)). Theyre huge and not to heavy, and Ive sat on both at 200lbs.

I tried aerobars once, but found the hunched over position uncomfortable. They added some speed - I could usually pedal one or two gears higher when hunched over - but I didn't enjoy them. They're out in the garage with all the boxes of stuff I bought for my bikes and then rejected. :lol:

Just one guy's preferences.

Now for me, I just had to put aerobars on my LHT immediately. I love them on the long rides, as they really help my hands and back and shoulders stay comfortable. Plus I can go a bit faster, especially into the wind.


BTW, replace the saddle before you leave the bike shop; the saddle that comes with the LHT is easily the most horrible thing ever made to be put on a bike.

Put some sort of Brooks on that bike. The LHT without a Brooks saddle just doesn't look right. :)

I also put a Blackburn rack on mine, one that I already had lying around. And some Ortlieb rear panniers and decent lighting were essential. Then I added some P65 SKS fenders and swapped the tires for Schwalbe Marathons. Shown here without the panniers:

http://lh4.ggpht.com/wewilsonjr/SJSaNnu1-aI/AAAAAAAAAJE/1lLqzpPaggQ/s800/IMG_0337_edited-1.JPG

I did do some research on the Jandd, I didn't put the word in, I just went for racks, then looked at the threads. I have experience with the front end packed, but the rack was a low profile, so the center of gravity was lower, and panniers weren't huge.

One of the things I am running into is no one has any worthwhile racks in town. REI you can't find one, all the LBSs have them on order, I've been told the Surly are two-three weeks wait, while Jandd could be this weekend. I did run across a Tubus cargo, it seemed rather sturdy, but the frame of the rack angled to a point that I thought might be tough to deal with if I got larger tyres (ie 29ers), and it didn't look like a good set of fenders would fit in them.



I tried to order Jandd racks for my new LHT, they are sold out, possibly for the year, Quality Bike couldn't even give the shop an estimate when they might be in. Ended up with Axiom racks, really impressed with them the rear is rated at 70 pounds! Front is something like 40 or 50 pounds. They look nice and are sturdy as hell and were cheaper than the Jandds. Haven't had panniers on them yet as i am still deciding on that.

There are tons of high-quality racks out there. I don't think you need to sweat the details on that one.

Re: pedals, any pedal can break. Millions of people ride on Shimano (and other) pedals without issue. The only thing I'd be careful of in that respect are ultra-light ti pedals, which sacrifice durability for lower weight. I'd also go for SPD's with recessed cleats.

Fenders are another good addition.

Re: bars, obviously it's a personal taste. I prefer drops though.

I love my power grips. I wear any shoe I want and they're adjustable to accommodate shoe sizes. I know a lot of commuters use them in winter with winter boots.

I also love my clipless, but for commuting, I get sick of clicking in/out all of the time. For touring they would be good as long as you have some pedals with some float to them or you'll end up with numb feet. Power grips allow you to move your foot around and by rotating your feet determines how tight the strip is.

Most times when I see someone muttering about front load... they haven't handled a front load since they were a kid with a paper route. And a Wald basket loaded with newspapers on a sporty 10 speed is not a good combo.

A front load can make things a bit twitchy, so it's a bad idea on an already twitchy bike. Most modern tourers are the opposite of twitchy tho... and if you're fussy about load balancing and *practice* with a front load, you should be more than fine. I would be careful about loading up the platform on the Jannd Extreme, but I'm the kind of rider who really notices a high up load. If you're the kind who really likes trunk racks, it's probably no big deal.

Okay, so it looks like the topic for a new thread, alternatives to the big name racks...

I am still waiting for the LHT to show up at my LBS, I was told it would be there yesterday, but I got stuck at work and couldn't get away to pick it up, and my cell phone company pulled the plug two days before my paycheck, so I was without phone. I have the day off, so I was hoping to pick it up do a ride to have lunch with my brother, and then do some more miles on it. Or go hang out at the beach, work on my tan read some, and watch the off duty waitresses... what choice do I have?

Logged the first 30 miles today, will have to post pictures, "Utility Blue" looks pretty green to me. And either the B-17 is going to get broken in or my butt will. Everyone has admired the new ride. But there is so much work to still be done, the handle bars, the seat height, pedals, fenders, racks, lighting, computer/GPS, bottle cages, bottles, not to mention a whole different cassette for in town/non-tour riding. OMG I have to come up with a name.

I have had only a few bikes I have enjoyed as much as I am beginning to enjoy this one. I don't know what to do with all those gears, I'm used to fixed gears, where you are always pedaling, and in the same damn gearing into the wind and with it, so I am having to adjust and learn a little, but man is it a blast.