FFXI_Shibaa

I have not ridden a bicycle since college, but had plans before college to ride across state that then never happened. Now I'm at a cross roads and will have the time to do the trip I wanted, but bigger, across country. I reside in central NY, but will be going to Wilson NC in June, and will be planning a trip from there to either TX or WA. I will be taking my time, figure I can do 2-3 months. I want to camp along the way and enjoy the sights. I want to stay connected socially with friends, so am looking to get a smart phone for that. Need to have power so am looking at solar stuffs and batteries. I have not purchased anything yet, and am planning to purchase some stuff very soon and ship to NC. Recently got new of Amazon sale on related stuff too.

Looking at the various stuffs to get I need some advice.

seen this tent on sale https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/ref...SIN=B001TSCF96 its bigger than I would need unless I meet someone along the way, but outside that maybe I can use the extra space to store gear during the nights. Other than electronics to you folks usually put gear in tent over night?

I also see various Pannier Set, for example https://www.amazon.com/Axiom-Lasalle-...ywords=pannier I have never had panniers before, so will be new to me, and I'm curious do these types of bags fit all racks or do you need specific racks for bags? I would assume its a universal but who knows.

speaking of racks, I see a lot of bikes with a rear rack but not a front rack. I came across some front racks by themselves but depending on option chosen I might need eyelets in the front forks to mount to. Some offer other mounting option for forks that do not have eyelets, but how do they compare. for example https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...20Eyelet%20Kit. It indicated in specs "Includes hardware to retrofit to non-touring-specific forks" is this a good rack? seems it a bit costly but generally has good reviews, but one person updated their review with "Tubus for example, makes a stainless steel model (Nova) that is tour worthy, weighs less than half the amount of the front surly rack, comes from a more dependable brand, handmade in germany, completely corrosion resistant, and can handle a greater load. They also make a rear rack (Cosmos) that is by far superior to the surly option. In addition to the reasons listed above the Cosmos allows you to mount your rear panniers on a lower tube, which means greater stability and easier mounting on the top platform." I have yet to look for this other rack they speak off. I see various mountings, the eyelets as mentioned, others will mount to the brake posts, others include hardware to hook to the forks. I just don't know how these all compare and not sure if i want to mount to brakes.

In terms of a bike, I think hybrid is way I'm going, will be in several state parks, but the biking will be mainly roads and paths, I will do seperate hiking beyond that, so I don't think a straight mountain bike is way to go expecially given the distance I will be going. I had a street bike when I was younger and it held up well for that I did, but I mainly was on a paved surface and think I need more rugged with the areas going to, need for wider ties, support more weight, so it seems the "hybrid" bike is my choice. That said there are still so many to choose from. I'm 6 foot 1 inch. Currently weight 170 lbs though dropping, but height wise i will need a larger bike. I do not want to build a bike fro scratch, but I understand that none of them are perfect and will need to do some mods. Here is the section I am looking at https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=sr_nr_p_...qid=1368372841 Should I get a bike that already has a rear rack and then just get a seperate front rack? Or should I get a bike with no racks and get a matching set for front and back? I see the bikes that have rear racks also generally have lights with a generator too, but had to tell what kind of gen they have. for example https://www.amazon.com/Tour-De-France...&keywords=tour lists to have a generator, but not the type. I dont want the type that rides against the rim or sidewall of the tire, did that as a kid, it worked but was not good. I have been reading about the Sanyo H27 hub as a good option for cost vs resistance, but don't think I can get a bike shipped with it already on. I have come across a site advertsing to "build" a tire, but seems expensive thought I imagine all quality parts. Is it possible to just change the hub on the existing tire that comes with the bike? I see when ordering there are various options for the number of holes needed for the spokes. Is there a way to know exactly how many holes will be needed before the bike arrives. For example does a 26" rim always have a set number of spokes vs a 700 c ? If I get the Sanyo H27 should I just avoid any bikes that already have a generator as will just be added cost I'm not going to be using and removing in favor of other option.

I also plan to be using solar power too. Came across this site: https://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/?doc_id=9258

It talks about the Nomad 7 and its bigger and better brother 10 Watt Instapark. these are things i think I will be getting, but wear to put them on the road....so would be good to have both hub and solar and be able to switch between the two. I understand my smart phone will be the most power consuming. Its unclear if I will bring a laptop, I'm thinking not, and just do everthing from smart phone. Looking at getting the samsung galaxy s2. It seems like it would do what I need, and not be top dollar for the last model. will also bring a point/shoot camera that relies on 2 AA, that I use rechargeable with and need to charge and the article on the page disscusses that. But I'm wondering with the 2 different power systems is there a way to connect them to a central battery and go from there, or will I be shuffling things between one and the other depending on cloudy day?

I also was thinking about wind power seeing as we are discussing solar. Have not see it but am wondering if there is something we can attach to the spokes of say the front tire, and have the bike propped up at camp to make the tire like a windmill to run the hub generator, and take advantage of wind energy while at camp. Presumable just need to plastic wind blades for example to attach to the spokes and just detach/store them for later.

How many water bottles is a good setup on the bike. I can see 3, but most bikes come with 1 so will need to add, but what is a good number? Will also need a comfy seat. Need to figure out what tools to bring with me. will be needed spare tubes and patch kit, tire levers. Should I try to have the quick release tires or do that not do well if part of the mounting of a rack?

TucoSupreme

I can't really give you any personal advice as I haven't attempted a trip like this, but something came to mind:

There is a semi-internet-famous homeless man who lives off of his bike (a Surly Big Dummy with a Bob Trailer). The reason I bring this up is weight. He has a cargo trailer, and he carries clothing, a tent/bedroll, food, water, etc, and I just want to point out the weight. His bike weighs almost 400 pounds with him on it and his gear, and it is apparently very difficult and slow to pedal around. I'm guessing you won't be hauling quite as much stuff, but I think it's worth taking a look at, just to get an idea of what your setup might be.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_JB0x...advIQ&index=30

bikemig 

I have taken a number of trips like this and I couldn't imagine bringing all the gear you plan on hauling across the US of A. Lighten your load and you'll be a lot happier. Also don't load so much info in one post. No one can answer all your questions. Start with questions about a bike. You should seriously consider a dedicated touring bike like the Surly Long Haul Trucker, the Surly Soma, the REI Randonee. If flat bars are your thing, this would be a good choice: https://www.rei.com/product/807245/no...fari-bike-2013

TucoSupreme

Yeah, I agree. Less is more, in the end, especially in terms of mileage. I was just thinking that seeing all of that gear on a bike would put what it looks like and how much weight is really involved in perspective.

I think if I knew I'd be sleeping outside frequently, I'd just get a mummy bag instead of hauling around tent stakes and such. A good one will have a face net cover and a rain hood, and be able to be rolled up on a pack, so ideally that would save you some weight and space.

qcpmsame 

Hi, welcome to BF, that is quite an undertaking you are setting up. Not experienced in the bike touring and camping area but we have a Long Distance Touring Forum you should post this introduction in. there are folks on that forum that have done, are planning or are doing they type of trip you are looking at. Best of luck on your trip.

Bill