Touring - your best buy.

what's the biggest improvements you have made to your entire touring rig.
bike
cloths
camping
bedding
wheels /tires
do you use gps.
whatever it was please list.
myself only in the past few weeks i bought the thermarest compressible pillow excellent piece of kit as is my optimos crux stove .
I'm working now on getting the lightest strongest set of 599 wheels to replace my heavy sun rhyno wheels, great wheels no doubt but to heavy. so if you know of a great wheelset please let me know :thumb:

I'm still in the process of acquiring a touring rig, so the only improvements I've made so far have been a Brooks saddle, a rear rack, (with only one pannier so far) and a hammock - I'm planning on doing a tour across Canada next summer, so I intend to spend this fall/winter getting both prepared and in shape.

I didn't really know what I was getting myself in for when I decided to do this!

better start saving your pennies can get quiet expensive but worth it. best of luck .

I don't know if this is my best buy.... But I bought it this morning... Still planning and getting ready for my first tour later this month... http://www.geartrade.com/item/207738

Click here to see my LONG WINDED tale of getting gear and setting up my bike for my first tour.. (in the Southeast forum here on bikeforums.net).. http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php/745363-Sooo-starting-to-plan-my-first-bike-tour...

Jay....

I added front rack, front and rear battery lights, dynamo hub and light, Planet Bike fenders, B17 saddle, racktime panniers, and tireliners. If you carry much weight and ride very far you will know why the wheels are "heavy". You might want to carry the spokes and tool with you and learn to use them. Other ancillary things were to make an alcohol stove and cook kit, Hennesy hammock, and added LED flashlight, bike tool kit and tubes, CO2 inflator, and energy chews. I have a goodly supply of home made energy bars with me at all times. Water bottles and cages with extra one liter bottles to carry water gave me some choice as to rest stops. The panniers have an external one liter pouch per side. I need front panniers now to spread the weight evenly front to back.

Hmmm. A toss-up. LED headlamp (just about any smallish model) or MSR pack towel. Okay, the towel gets the nod. I love my pack towel.

Speedo

Keen commuter sandals. Priceless.

1. When I lived in an area with fugly chipseal roads I bought a "softride suspension stem."

2. 48-36-24

3. Paul shorty V-break on the front.

Strip of velcro for holding the front brake.... Learned that on here.. Haven't even went on tour yet.. just test rides and i KNOW i don't want to leave home without it.. LOL

Hands down, the bike. I purchased a Cannondale T800 in 2003 to replace my 1984 Miyata 610 and it was like night and day. The T800 is a far superior machine. Lighter, stiffer, hauls the load better, etc. All the other stuff is just gravy.

My best buy hands down is the Brooks B17 saddle, without a comfortable all day saddle under you, your ass is grass, you ain't going to be touring that's for sure, at least not for long because you'll be on the grass and not on the bike.

Keen commuter sandals. Priceless.

I agree. They are great.

Aerobars. Wouldn't leave home without them.

B17 might be the best improvement that isn't just too personal. My favourite gear are the bamboo fenders I made, and the racks I made.

I have a totally custom set up in the works. The wheels are White industries, and wheelsmith, and the rims are aeroheat, or whatever the equivalent you want for the size you will run. I also have a white/ rohloff set, but I don't have a frame for those yet, or really a trip.

Stuff I really like but hasn't really helped is probably lead by Paul brakes. I find the best simple brake for touring is the petersen self energizers. The problem with all brakes is that the drop levers lack the leverage we are used to with MTB brake levers, and the petersens use bike loading to clamp on the wheel. They aren't made any more but they are pretty easy to find.

This is a good question.

There are things I don't notice (waterproof panniers, for example), that would be indispensable. I've had non-waterproof, too, and they are a pain.


... without a comfortable all day saddle under you, your ass is grass
In terms of the cockpit, I would go with the B17, too.

The other thing that is super, super, super useful is a handy change of shirt, preferably to something that does not hold water (like nylon or equivalent).

My $0.02...........

The B17 gets my vote also. There are other items that make life more comfortable but the B17 makes the difference between GO and NO-GO.

good stuff ,i never hear of the keen commuter sandles must look them up but i take a pair of crocks there pretty good.yeah the brooks would take some beating thats for sure.
when i first started this touring lark only about 5 years ago now i decided to try and buy the best i could in bike and gear so far i've done ok. the only thing i don't like in the lightweight gear it the blow up pillows just cant get on with them at all. also the marathon plus tires would not be my favorite tire .if i was to change anything on my thorn sherpa it would be the wheels and front fork .the wheels are sun rhyno on xt m770 hubs 36 spokes great wheels dont get me wrong but to heavy for my liking , the front fork on the sherpa weighs as much as the frame. so i will change it for a carbon fork when i can afford it.
btw did i mention alpkit down sleeping bag excellent bag just thought I'd mention that LOL.
keep it coming folks nice to know other tourers favorite piece on gear.

For touring ...

-- Brooks B17
-- Axiom panniers
-- MEC handlebar bag
-- Carradice Nelson longflap
-- Shimano PDM324 Multi-Purpose pedals
-- Convertible pants
-- Wicking T-shirts

Keep in mind when you say "the best you can buy" you need to be asking yourself a question: is this purchase for a one time tour, or is this purchase for a lifetime of touring? In other words are you only going to tour once or are you planning a hundred tours. There is no need to have the best if it's only going to get used once, so a $1,200 set of panniers for one tour is a waste of money when you could a set of panniers for $300 from Performance that would work very well on one and probably two or three long tours. Same is true with length of tours, if you only going on a bunch of overnight tours then again you probably don't need the best, but if your going on a bunch of month or longer tours then you should buy the best. The Performance line of touring gear is not bad stuff by the way, it won't last 4 or 5 several month long tours but it's more then adequate for a bunch of overnight or a couple of month long tours.

Keep in mind when you say "the best you can buy" you need to be asking yourself a question: is this purchase for a one time tour, or is this purchase for a lifetime of touring? In other words are you only going to tour once or are you planning a hundred tours. There is no need to have the best if it's only going to get used once, so a $1,200 set of panniers for one tour is a waste of money when you could a set of panniers for $300 from Performance that would work very well on one and probably two or three long tours. Same is true with length of tours, if you only going on a bunch of overnight tours then again you probably don't need the best, but if your going on a bunch of month or longer tours then you should buy the best. The Performance line of touring gear is not bad stuff by the way, it won't last 4 or 5 several month long tours but it's more then adequate for a bunch of overnight or a couple of month long tours.

emm kinda have to disagree with you on this one sorry. but the way i look at it you get what you pay for.
besides what if it rains for a week on a a short tour better to be dry and warm with your top of the range gear that soaked and freezing cold just for the sake of that few extra bucks. nah i really don't believe in buying crap it's just not wort it in the short or long term.IMHO.

emm kinda have to disagree with you on this one sorry. but the way i look at it you get what you pay for.
besides what if it rains for a week on a a short tour better to be dry and warm with your top of the range gear that soaked and freezing cold just for the sake of that few extra bucks. nah i really don't believe in buying crap it's just not wort it in the short or long term.IMHO.

Have to agree with rekmeyata on this one, the amount of people who spend fortunes buying top of the line gear and sitting at home talking about their gear and touring on forums proves that its best to make do with cheaper kit until you get to the stage where your needs demand better kit

but thats we all do for god sake buy gear and talk about it on forums ,isn't that why we are all here talking to one another. every bit of quality gear i've bough i've used ,i bough a rain jacket for my france tour i binned it on the third day absolutly useless so much for buying cheap gear.
anyway we could get all kinds of arguememts on this subject lets stick to whats your best buy.

but thats we all do for god sake buy gear and talk about it on forums ,isn't that why we are all here talking to one another. every bit of quality gear i've bough i've used ,i bough a rain jacket for my france tour i binned it on the third day absolutly useless so much for buying cheap gear.
anyway we could get all kinds of arguememts on this subject lets stick to whats your best buy.



Would have to disagree with you on buying gear and talking, I prefer to spend more time touring.

And again when you talk of arguments, I don't consider talking and questioning someone's responses an argument, after all it was you who opened the whole thing up for debate by quoting and disagreeing with Rekmeyata.

If you were to total up how much your touring kit (inc bike, tent, panniers, sleeping bag and pad ,cooking equip, stove.) How much would it total up to?

Even the cheap stuff can be considered a lot of money..... to some.... When I first started riding I didn't know if it was something I was going to like... Bought a Mart bike rode it till it died... Bought what I thought was a better Mart bike at the time... rode it till it died.... Decided I liked riding & was going to continue doing it.... Bought good bikes.... Now trying the same thing with touring (better bike to start, thought not a touring bike).... If I like touring..... I'll buy better stuff as time goes by.....

Either way without this forum I would be WAY more lost than I am setting up the bike and planning my first tour.......

Thanks to all on here..

autokelly, By far the pre owned Cannondale T700 has been my best buy (I paid the same price for it as I would've asked!). Next was the wheelset followed by a sturdy carrier. To me the 'best buys' are made on those items you don't want to think about when touring on a bike.

Brad

Would have to disagree with you on buying gear and talking, I prefer to spend more time touring.

And again when you talk of arguments, I don't consider talking and questioning someone's responses an argument, after all it was you who opened the whole thing up for debate by quoting and disagreeing with Rekmeyata.

If you were to total up how much your touring kit (inc bike, tent, panniers, sleeping bag and pad ,cooking equip, stove.) How much would it total up to?

well a police officer wouldn't ask me that question lol ,so are you saying all your gear is cheap stuff you have no quality gear what so ever,i doubt that very much .
this may have passed you by but this is a talking touring forum is it not ,please stop nitt picking every word .
this is a friendly forum and you seem to be hell bent on starting to argue with everything i say.
btw
LOVE TO GO ON TOUR WITH YOU what fun we would have..

well a police officer wouldn't ask me that question lol ,so are you saying all your gear is cheap stuff you have no quality gear what so ever,i doubt that very much .
this may have passed you by but this is a talking touring forum is it not ,please stop nitt picking every word .
this is a friendly forum and you seem to be hell bent on starting to argue with everything i say.
btw
LOVE TO GO ON TOUR WITH YOU what fun we would have..

First off I never said one thing about my gear, so your first assumption is wrong.

Nothing past me by about the purpose of this forum, I know what its functions are, so do not presume to lecture me on them.

If anyone was nitpicking it was you with your disagreement of a response and my then response to your views.

As for the friendliness of the forum I am fully aware of that, but am also now aware of your hostility to your views being challenged that can clearly be seen in your last reply, maybe instead of trying to lecture me on the friendliness of the forum you should try to loose your attitude and hostility to those who question you in a constructive way.

As to going on tour with you, dont think so, as with my bike and all my equipment I like my touring partners to be stable.

And do not presume to weigh your argument with the number of post you or I have on this forum, I am every bit as entitled to my say as you or anyone else is.

I could write a book on this one. When I started I was a poor student/musician. I had a 10 speed, a tent, and a sleeping bag. I cobbled together enough stuff to tour (including self-sewn panniers) and hit the road. I had a blast! I was hooked!

Years later I had a real job and a tax refund, but not much knowledge. I bought a Nashbar tourer from the catalog, a set of panniers and matching handlebar bag from REI, a tent, stove and other camping gear from Campmor, and embarked on my biggest tour to date - the west coast form Seattle to Santa Cruz. It was the best thing I had ever done, but I did have some issues with my equipment. I toured for many more years on that rig - with a few upgrades.

About four years ago I decided to upgrade again. I bought an LHT frame, built it up with the components I wanted (I had quite a bit more knowledge by this time), bought a set of Ortlieb panniers and matching handlebar bag, racks from Tubus and Jandd. My first tour was on the Northern Tier. Awesome.

Now that I have some money I don't go with the "best that money can buy" approach - more of a "get what you want and don't settle for less." It can get expensive, but good touring gear should last for decades. My old Nashbar bike and REI panniers are still going strong in the hands of my nephew, 20 years after I bought them. However, I remember the days when I couldn't afford much, and for people in a similar boat I'd recommend doing what they can do to get touring. A tour on cobbled-together equipment is still much better than no tour at all.

Anyway, back to the topic. Some items I've found that have proven to be gems include:

The LHT
Ortlieb panniers
Tubus and Jandd racks
the Stein hypercracker cassette removing tool
Thermarest pillow (small)
L. L. Bean Microlight 2 tent (if you're tall.)
Big Agnes Air Core sleeping pad.
Kindle
Sansa Fuze mp3 player.
a little bag that straps on to the top of the top tube - right behind the stem. I put my camera and glasses there for easy access. I take lots more pictures now!
LED headlamp.
Mity Bright LED lamp for Kindle
Camelbak - fill it up with ice, then water on a hot day. Ice water for at least 3 hours. Nice!
24-tooth granny and big cog in back (Cyclotouriste cassette from Harris Cyclery) Really low low for climbing mountain passes - priceless (my knees thank me.)
Schwalbe tires
Brooks B17 saddle
Topeak Road Morph pump with gauge.


:thumb:

relax relax man your hyper sensitive. i can safely say LOL you totally destroyed this thread.
listen why dont we just ignore each other best for all i reckon.

I just re-read the original post. You asked about gps and bedding. I have a Garmin Vista hpx. It has been useful at times, and got more useful as I learned to use it and the waypoints from ACA. If you like to spend money on bike touring stuff, and want to try things for yourself, get one. I'm not giddy that I bought it, but I don't consider it a waste either. As I get more skilled in using it I'm finding it more valuable.

When I was younger I liked a 3/4 length Thermarest to sleep on. I tried a simple foam pad and it was too uncomfortable. As I've gotten old, I need more comfort. Now I have the Big Agnes Air Core pad and it's great. It's very compact, but a little heavy. My next big purchase may be a Thermarest NeoAir pad. The Big Agnes has survived four tours without a leak.

I used synthetic-fill sleeping bags for years. Then I took a tour in southern Utah in early spring. It got down below freezing and I froze. When I got home I bought a down bag and I've been warm ever since, even on my Great Divide tour this summer where it got really cold. I was warm and toasty. People shy away from down because they're worried about what will happen if it gets wet. I've never had a sleeping bag get wet (well at least not since Scouts in junior high.) I think the amount of warmth you get for the little weight and bulk is worth it. Just be careful not to let it get wet.

Always best to let others be the judge of threads, Cannot see how you can determine that I destroyed this thread, its still going and there is no reason why it shouldn't unless your fear of scrutiny should request it stopped. As for ignoring people or things, that is never conducive to a friendly forum, you should know that, was it not you who not so long ago espoused that.

hi anto, good idea for a topic to go over, am happy to discuss this stuff with you and others, no need to get confrontational about it Backwheel.

off the top of my head, I'd have to say that waterproof panniers are up there and the one I think of first. Yes they happen to be Ortliebs but any well made waterproof ones are worth the extra money, especially when I look at with my biking experience in that I use my bike nearly daily, and not having to worry about the contents of the bag with rain is well worth it.

All in all, outdoor stuff that we will use for many years is no diff than regularly used stuff in any area, it usually is worth it and even cheaper in the long run to get good quality things. They last longer and work better, all the while often times having less problems. Its always figuring out what point is the good balance of cost/performance, but thats part of the fun of thinking about gear. I love hearing about doo-hickies, which is why this is a good thread idea, yet I dont go and buy something on the spur of the moment, and tend to own things for a long time.

this thread could be a bad idea however, because much of our family camping gear is getting on a bit, so there may be tempting ideas for me to look into....

when i started touring i think about 5 years ago i joined a club in the uk the fell club .all these guys a expert tourers as in there doing it most of there life's. so anytime i need to buy something i usually run it by these folk first.a bit like the folk on this forum always ask someone that knows.
only last week i had one of the lads over here and we toured northern ireland a beautiful part of the world. he had a garmin sat nav on his bike ,didn't really need it as i knew the way.lol. but yeah another great device if your in strange lands.

emm kinda have to disagree with you on this one sorry. but the way i look at it you get what you pay for.
besides what if it rains for a week on a a short tour better to be dry and warm with your top of the range gear that soaked and freezing cold just for the sake of that few extra bucks. nah i really don't believe in buying crap it's just not wort it in the short or long term.IMHO.

Even the best bags like Ortlieb and Arkel recommend you put things in zip lock bags...interesting huh? I knew a husband and wife that toured on Performance bags that came with rain covers and nothing got wet...not even the zip lock bags on the outside got wet. So I stand by what I said. If your only needing a set of panniers for one tour or two tours Performance stuff works fine. Granted the freezing cold you mentioned could be an issue, but I never known anyone who has toured in the winter months, not saying no one ever has, but you have to admit it would be extremely rare. You would have more problems then panniers if your were riding in and on snow and sleet and ice.

Even the best bags like Ortlieb and Arkel recommend you put things in zip lock bags...interesting huh? I knew a husband and wife that toured on Performance bags that came with rain covers and nothing got wet...not even the zip lock bags on the outside got wet. So I stand by what I said. If your only needing a set of panniers for one tour or two tours Performance stuff works fine. Granted the freezing cold you mentioned could be an issue, but I never known anyone who has toured in the winter months, not saying no one ever has, but you have to admit it would be extremely rare. You would have more problems then panniers if your were riding in and on snow and sleet and ice.

While the water proofness of Ortliebs is a major selling point, the attachment system is also far superior to just about anything I've used. If they were made of sponges, I'd buy them for the mounting hardware.

I put stuff in bags for organization more them for water proofing, too. It's a hold over - and rather lucky happenstance - from the old days of bags that were made of sponges.

While the water proofness of Ortliebs is a major selling point, the attachment system is also far superior to just about anything I've used. If they were made of sponges, I'd buy them for the mounting hardware.

I put stuff in bags for organization more them for water proofing, too. It's a hold over - and rather lucky happenstance - from the old days of bags that were made of sponges.

Sponges? I know there is a joke in there somewhere.

I agree that the better bags have better attachment systems, made of better materials and will last longer then less expensive Nashburn or Performance stuff. I'm simply saying that those less expensive stuff will work just fine for a one or two and maybe three time long touring trip and their especially good enough for the person who is only going to tour once in his/her life. I've known people who bought cheaper panniers due to going on a once in a lifetime bicycle tour of either the N America, or Mexico and parts south, or Europe and never had an issue with the stuff. I too am planning a major tour across the USA when I retire, right now I do weekend tours so I'm going really light, but when I do the USA trip I'll probably do it in sections which means probably 4 or 5 different tours, I will buy better panniers, but right now, talk about inexpensive, I use Avenir waterproof series panniers, not very high quality but I'm not going for a long time and not carrying much, and so far they've worked great no problems whatsoever.

All this talk about panniers ...

As I indicated in my first post, I have been very impressed with Axiom panniers, and if I were to have to replace my panniers at some point in the future, I'd want to go with Axiom again. The price is very good (mine were $99 for the set), and despite having toured and travelled with them for thousands of kilometres and several months, they look as good as new. Maybe slightly faded ... maybe not quite as black as when they started ... but that's it.

They are not waterproof, and I'm not convinced that I would want waterproof panniers, but I line the pannier with a large garbage bag ... and use my bright yellow rain covers on rainy days ... and everything remains dry.

Those panniers were definitely a very good buy. Inexpensive, durable, and functional.

Now if I divide the price by the estimated kilometers those panniers have done, I end up with approx. $0.01/kilometre. One cent per kilometre is a pretty good deal. :)

re panniers, as my Ortliebs are rather old now, their "handle activated top lock onto rack system" with the simple moving ratchet-thingee was another big factor for me (no bags jumping off anymore on hitting a big bump going down a hill sort of situation)

but

I am rather impressed by what is available now from diff companies for panniers, with many options of well made, well thought out bags out there.
and yes, of course this is all a plus for someone starting out, or not sure how much they will use panniers, so whatever works, its all good (and especially with inexpensive rain covers readily available too)

but listen folks what do you call expensive i can't remember what i paid for my ortlieb bikepacker plus panniers but i know it didn't break the bank.i think t most expensive item i bought was my wheels now they were expensive but having said that there as good as the day i bought them .so all in all buying the best gear thats out there it can work out cheap at the end of the day.and it's going to last years .btw i don'y recall saying buying cheap was a crime or whatever lol .
maybe i shoul start a thread on cheap V expensive now that would rattle a few cages.LOL.

Not bike related, but weight related, for us camping cyclists. Don't know if it is a best buy, haven't used it on a trip yet, but I recently picked up a GSI Halulite Ketalist cookset. Most of what I use a cookset for is heating water to make other things, thought I would try the Ketalist, very lightweight. Had already switched over to an alcohol stove, which is a big reduction in weight from the old single head burner w/propane bottle. So, from a couple of years ago, the cookset and stove+fuel weight is about 1/4 of what it was. Has potential of being a best buy.

On the bike, the Roadmorph pump is a best buy and a definite improvement, snapped off a presta valve with the old pump.

I'm with you Machka. I have a set of Axiom Lasalles, as for practical functionality and price, I am very pleased with them. The new ones look a little different and are a little more expensive but I'm sure they are still a good value.

Oh! And the fact that they are made in Canada, well that's nearly as good as being made in the USA. ;)

I'm with you Machka. I have a set of Axiom Lasalles, as for practical functionality and price, I am very pleased with them. The new ones look a little different and are a little more expensive but I'm sure they are still a good value.

Oh! And the fact that they are made in Canada, well that's nearly as good as being made in the USA. ;)

Not "nearly as good" ... "better than". :D

And I like the look of the new Lasalles. If my Laselles ever wear out, I'll go for the new ones.

Shoulder season air fare.. late feb, early march.

But, while on the road :beer:

Big Bear Vault. Put all the stuff the critters want in it, hook it to a tree away from my hammock, no worries. No critters awakening me by trying to rummage, or chew, through my panniers, everything in the "jug" stays dry and safe, plus if it rains, I have a stool upon which to sit and read.

Re Axiom panniers, we used Axiom Seymour LX as our front panniers for our month-long tour and had multiple problems with them. On one, the bungee on the back came detached from the bag. On another, the flap covering the side pocket started unravelling. I don't get the sense at all that they are high quality panniers. In general, I've been satisfied with Axiom products but these particular panniers were lemons!

Winners for me:
* Crank Brothers multi-tool
* Merino hoodie
* Thermarest pillow
* Vittoria Randonneur tires (not one flat over 2000 km, except for one that was caused by tube fatigue.. split at the seam)

what's the biggest improvements you have made to your entire touring rig.

Synthetic undies.

a $1,200 set of panniers for one tour is a waste of money when you could a set of panniers for $300 from Performance that would work very well on one and probably two or three long tours.

There are $1200 paniers?

There are $1200 paniers? I didn't realize I goofed on the number, good catch. Bruce Gordon makes some for $275 for the pair; Arkel has a set of rear for $380 add a front set and those are $178; Berthoud has a rear and front set for $450 a set-that's $900 right there. But yeah, I'm made a typo on the $1200.

I didn't realize I goofed on the number, good catch. Bruce Gordon makes some for $275 for the pair; Arkel has a set of rear for $380 add a front set and those are $178; Berthoud has a rear and front set for $450 a set-that's $900 right there. But yeah, I'm made a typo on the $1200.

I actually thought you were serious, I didn't mean to pick at a typo.

Best for comfort, I'd have to say my Brookes. Best £60 I spent.
Best value for money - North Face Tadpole, £30 off a guy on a camping forum. Was light blue, but I successfully managed to dye the fly sheet green, so stealth camping here I come.