Touring - Touring newbie asks "would you do this on this bike?"

The only current bike in my possession right now is this:

http://www.raleighusa.com/bikes/steel-road/commutertouring/clubman-13/

Actually it's last year's model but the same bike. I have the opportunity to take a 4-5 day quick tour, which will be all pavement and mostly flat. I guess it's a credit card tour of sorts, so lightly loaded is the goal, cheap motel to cheap motel. I'm thinking of buying a front and rear rack, coupled with Ortlieb's smaller front roller classic panniers both front and back. Main concern is the factory wheelset with only 32 spokes and 25mm tires. The spokes do not have eyelets. I bought this bike with the intention of having 28's, but there's not enough room with fenders. I must add I've ridden this bike and wheelset at least a 1,000 miles so far and they've stayed true with no spoke issues.

The two racks and four panniers are going to weigh 5.3 lbs. empty, which I don't think seems excessive for the bike and wheels. Not quite sure how much crap I'll be adding. I weigh around 165. Should I just have my guy recheck the spoke tension and truing before I go, and not worry?

Or does this combo sound like a dumb idea too you seasoned tourers?

Thanks in advance!

I'd say go for it.

Just carry a 25mm tire that folds, and a tube (or maybe a couple, as well as a good patch kit). Obviously a good pump, like a Lezyne Micro Drive Floor pump (love mine).

Only thing I did different in my bag setup is to use the Axiom Journey rear rack, and Axiom DLX panniers. I don't use front panniers (have a BOB ibex trailer, if I'm going out with a larger load, i.e. with family).

And...report back on your trip (pics absolutely required).

I say go for it, too.

I just finished a 4500 mile trip with about 20 pounds of stuff in two rear panniers on 25mm tires and 32 spoke rims. I mostly camped (in a minimalist sort of way). For a credit card tour, you should do fine without front packs, or even with the packs lightly loaded if you need that much volume. I used heavy Schwalbe tires, so I did not bring a spare and the one set of tires still have plenty of tread. Only one flat the entire trip.

The one thing that bothered me about my setup was the weight of the rack and the two rear panniers, over four pounds total in my case. That seemed excessive for my sub-20 pound load, but it's what I had and I'll work on lighter packs when it's time to replace my current set-up (I've had it for over 20 years).

uprightbent, That bike will be fine. Wouldn't hurt to have the wheels checked just to prevent any worries on the tour.

Brad

The two racks and four panniers are going to weigh 5.3 lbs. empty, which I don't think seems excessive for the bike and wheels.
It seems extremely excessive for what you describe as a "credit card tour". It wouldn't be too hard to do that with a handlebar bag and jersey pockets as the only luggage. One pair of very small front panniers (they can be mounted on front or back) should allow a luxurious amount to space for a credit card tour.

The bike and the tour sound like a good idea even though the luggage seems to suggest you might be planning to take way more stuff than you need.

Have a great trip!

BTW, I'd be curious what 2 racks and 4 panniers you have in mind that will only weigh 5.3 pounds.

Edit: I see you mentioned front roller classics. I think they are more like 7.5 pounds for 4 without any racks and racks are typically 2.5 more pounds for the two. So you are probably closer to 10 pounds than 5.3 empty weight.

The only current bike in my possession right now is this:

http://www.raleighusa.com/bikes/steel-road/commutertouring/clubman-13/

Actually it's last year's model but the same bike. I have the opportunity to take a 4-5 day quick tour, which will be all pavement and mostly flat. I guess it's a credit card tour of sorts, so lightly loaded is the goal, cheap motel to cheap motel.



This bike is a great choice for your tour. I would not bother with panniers and racks. You have a Brooks saddle and its a Raleigh so it screams out for a Carradice saddlebag. FYI I'm a bit biased when it comes to saddlebags, but you can definitely do your tour with a handlebar bag and a rear trunk bag of some kind. If you do go the
pannier route I'd only use a couple of small ones.

BTW, I'd be curious what 2 racks and 4 panniers you have in mind that will only weigh 5.3 pounds.

That's a good observation, I knew I'd get good advice. I was only counting two panniers instead of four, which is obviously excessive as you've suggested.

Anyways, Ortlieb's site reads 56.1 oz for the front roller classic pair, or 3.5 lbs. I'm thinking about a front and rear rack from Velo Orange, since I like the polished look and smaller size, both rated together at 810 grams or 1.8 lbs. So I guess 5.3 is possible with just one pair, or 8.8 if I bring the kitchen sink with all four panniers.

It seems extremely excessive for what you describe as a "credit card tour". It wouldn't be too hard to do that with a handlebar bag and jersey pockets as the only luggage. One pair of very small front panniers (they can be mounted on front or back) should allow a luxurious amount to space for a credit card tour.



Exactly.

That's a good observation, I knew I'd get good advice. I was only counting two panniers instead of four, which is obviously excessive as you've suggested.

Anyways, Ortlieb's site reads 56.1 oz for the front roller classic pair, or 3.5 lbs. I'm thinking about a front and rear rack from Velo Orange, since I like the polished look and smaller size, both rated together at 810 grams or 1.8 lbs. So I guess 5.3 is possible with just one pair, or 8.8 if I bring the kitchen sink with all four panniers.

I can't imagine what you would bring that would warrant 4 panniers if staying in motels. I'd say do yourself a favor and keep it light.

When and where are you thinking of going?