Touring - new to touring, what's some common gear to start out with?

i got my road bike not too long ago, and decided since i probably wont really want to ride at that really fast pace for a long time, i checked arround to see what else i could do, and came upon touring, and it sounds great to me, i live in southern california, where all i see are houses big buildings, cars, and smog in the air, i've always wanted to get out of the city on my bike, and ride to somewhere and enjoy nature, and get away from the hustle and bustle, im not planing to ride across the country like some others on this forum do, but i would like to ride maybe like a double century, or something like that, just wonder what kind of gear i should get?

my start is a brooks saddle upgraded from my stock saddle, some conti gator skins, and dont know what else besides maybe a rear rack? not too sure on how to strap my stuff on and what not, but any list of supplies or tips would be greatly appreciated, thanks!

what bike do you have?

nobody said you have to go fast on daily rides. You don't have to go on tour to see the countryside, get out there and ride your bike however slow or fast you want. Build up your endurance and a daily ride can take you 30 miles from your house easily.

what bike do you have?

nobody said you have to go fast on daily rides. You don't have to go on tour to see the countryside, get out there and ride your bike however slow or fast you want. Build up your endurance and a daily ride can take you 30 miles from your house easily.

i have been 30 miles from my house, its still houses and cars, and big buildings, but thanks for reply

EDIT: i bought a bd bike
http://bikesdirect.com/products/windsor/knight9.htm

i dont plan to take long tours, probably only at most 3 days

and im trying to double the one bike as my regular road bike, and a touring bike, dont really mind swapping off parts

What you have is primarily a road bike meaning the gearing is on the high side for heavy loads and hill climbing. Also touring bikes have 32 / 36+ spoke wheels for added strength. You could pull a Bob trailer if you wanted to go fully supported or just do credit card tours where you stay in hotels and stop at restaurants to eat. Unfortunately, no bike is made that covers all spectrum's of cycling very well and in your case, you'd have to change a lot of stuff (think big $$$) on that bike to make it a true touring bike. Many have ridden cross country on true road bikes though you're limited to what you can carry and where you can ride due to the narrow tires.

or you could get yourself a good saddlebag and barbag ,you would be surprized how much stuff you can carry.Take a look at nun's set up on this forum.

Your bike will be fine for credit card touring with a seat post rack/bag and a handle bar bag. You can go as far as you want.

If you decide that touring is your thing and that you'd like to get into camping and cooking, get yourself a dedicated touring bike. The Windsor Tourist for $600 will work just fine for that. Or a $1400 Trek 520. Or a $1200 Surly LHT. Many others.

You can use a seat post rack:
Add a trunk bag, and even panniers.
A frame bag can hold many items.

This one has a quick release which is nice.

http://www.ebikestop.com/topeak_beam_rack_mtx_v_type_for_large_frames-RK2541.php

http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh187/10wheels/TMT%20BB%20Ride/Colors.jpg

Very nice cc rig there 10 Wheels.

Get out and try a tour. I started with three-day tours and did several before I did my first week-long. It was decades before I did my first 1,000-miler. Take a really light load on that bike. Credit card touring would be ideal, or wait until there's no chance of rain and just take a sleeping bag and pad.

If you get bitten by the touring bug you'll start figuring out your own answers really soon.

Can you hop on a train to get away from the city, so you can spend more time pedaling out there? Start with dayrides, 6-8 hours a day with a picnic stop in the middle. You will figure things out by yourself. Once you have your gear and stuff figured out you can try one-nighters. I'm going to do just that.

Adam

You can use a seat post rack:
Add a trunk bag, and even panniers.
A frame bag can hold many items.

This one has a quick release which is nice.

http://www.ebikestop.com/topeak_beam_rack_mtx_v_type_for_large_frames-RK2541.php

http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh187/10wheels/TMT%20BB%20Ride/Colors.jpg

I notice your not riding 24 / 20 spoke wheels like the OP so I'd caution how much weight should be put on those wheels of his.

Another way to start touring is to use one of the hospitality sites, like couchsurfing.org or warmshowers.org, to find hosts for one or more nights and to tour with only changes of clothes and biking food.

Another idea is to do supported tours. That is, you get someone else to take your gear (i.e. car) to your next destination for you while you ride your bike there. I once tried to arrange such a trip with a friend who had an RV. He would drive the RV to the next stop while I rode there. It never worked out but I liked the idea. Obviously, you can also go with organized tours, as well.

While touring on a road bike is doable, it does limit the kinds of tours you can take. To do "grand" bike tours (say 1000 miles or more), you will likely need to get a bike specifically designed for touring.

That said, not every one wants to carry 15 pounds in camping gear and sleep on the ground.

Ray

10 Wheels: I've noticed in the past that you were using a seatpost rack on your Felt along with panniers. What rack is that? I see two or three online that are seatpost racks with panniers, but wonder which one actually works well.

10 Wheels: I've noticed in the past that you were using a seatpost rack on your Felt along with panniers. What rack is that? I see two or three online that are seatpost racks with panniers, but wonder which one actually works well.

Rack:
http://www.ebikestop.com/topeak_beam_rack_mtx_v_type_for_large_frames-RK2541.php

Wheels:
http://www.everybicycletire.com/Shopping/pc-943-53-700c-eb-tire-silver-line-wheelset-622.aspx

I notice your not riding 24 / 20 spoke wheels like the OP so I'd caution how much weight should be put on those wheels of his.

Wheels with 700 X 28 tires:

http://www.everybicycletire.com/Shopping/pc-943-53-700c-eb-tire-silver-line-wheelset-622.aspx

10 Wheels: Thanks. That's the rack you posted about earlier. I'm confused how you used it with panniers, though. How do you keep the hanging panniers out of the wheels when there are no side supports?

i have been 30 miles from my house, its still houses and cars, and big buildings

Wow, you have my sympathy. I don't think I could live like that.


i've always wanted to get out of the city on my bike, and ride to somewhere and enjoy nature, and get away from the hustle and bustle

For starters, I'd just put my bike in the car early in the morning, drive some place nice, take a ride in the country returning to my car, throw my bike back in the car and then drive home. Try that for a while to see how you like it before committing to something more.

The rack has a frame you also have to buy:
Here

http://www.ebikestop.com/topeak_dual_side_frame_mtx_quick_mount-RK2544.php


http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh187/10wheels/TMT%20BB%20Ride/Nice.jpg

10 Wheels: Excellent! Does it come with that nifty fender-like extension, too? I'm assuming you've had no problems with yours. Given your mileage and pictures of it fully loaded, that's a pretty good testimony!

I made the fender thing. That is why I frist bought the seat post rack.

Total Loaded Here.

http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh187/10wheels/502%20Mi%20Tour/FeltF-80502mitour.jpg

My down tube tent holder:
http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh187/10wheels/502%20Mi%20Tour/IMG_3131.jpg

10 wheel's you've made full use of your bike no doubt about it,but be honest fully loaded how steady is your bike,is it a full carbon frame folk,if so i think your asking for troble those bikes are not made to carry loads like you have.please don't get me wrong im not condemming you in any way more concern ,have you ever seen carbon when it breaks deadly stuff.

Felt F-80 aluminum frame (19.5 lb race bike). I weight in at 200+ lbs.
The bike was fast and steady on chip seal roads in 25 mph head winds.
Rode 75 miles one day in those conditions.

It is just a bike that has a good warrenty.

Here is the tour:

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?524843-500-Mile-Tour-from-League-City-TX

I made the fender thing. That is why I frist bought the seat post rack.

Total Loaded Here.

http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh187/10wheels/502%20Mi%20Tour/FeltF-80502mitour.jpg

10 Wheels, nice setup. I've considered small internal frame packs, but I've always been concerned about inner thigh rub. I see lots of setups with frame packs particularly on the bikepacking sites and I've always wondered if it's an issue.

With a steel road bike frame that also doesn't have fender/rack mounts near the rear drop outs, would a seatpost-mounted rack still be preferred over a more traditional rear rack that could be mounted with p-clamps?

The first step is to find a way to get somewhere you want to ride. Sometimes I rent a SUV or van, throw the bikes in the back, and head off
to where I want to ride. I haven't used the train that way yet, but I'm thinking about it. Perhaps a friend could drop you off an hour away from home, for example.

So where do you want to ride? I suggest starting easy. You need to get your legs used to carrying extra weight.

You do not need to go crazy on stuff to start and have decent overnight rides. I did my first tour from Pittsburgh to Portland, ME with an old set of used panniers that I lined with garbage bags because of all of the leaks. There is great equipment out there, but start with a cheap set of new or used panniers on eBay to find out what you really need. A front rack to distribute weight front and rear is great, but for initial tours you can get by with rear bags and maybe a handlebar bag for frequently used things. If you plan to camp, it complicates your equipment list and loads you down quite a bit more but gives you more flexibility. A great first trip is a simple out and back overnighter to a destination park, campground or nice B&B; you could do this with minimal equipment. The only thing bikwise is an expanded repair kit to include a chain tool (I just broke a chain that derailed on my last trip), spare folding tire, extra spokes, and the usual wrenches. One thing you might not expect, but find out quickly is that a loaded bike breaks stuff and gets out of adjustment way more than an unloaded bike. Shifting under load, etc. means you will have more repairs and need more tools than you normally need for day trips. More flats too with heavier loads on less familiar roads. Extra water bottle cages and water because you can wind up pretty far between water stops is a good idea too. And I bring powdered Gatorade for end of day bonk cure too when you did not plan for all of the hills before you have a place to stay. Last thing i think of is a journal to keep track of thoughts and be able to share your trip later with friends that could not make it, but might be tempted next time to come along. And a cell phone and a credit card and a good easygoing companion who likes journeys more than destinations!

And skip training. Why ride in circles getting in shape when you can ride to a destination getting into shape. Just plan shorter days for first few days as you biuld up your weight carrying ability.