Rowan

https://www.bikeforums.net/touring/12...ps-tricks.html

rex615

Good read, thanks for putting it together. Some I already knew, but some were new to me and I must definitely try (#61 for example). #60 is something I need to work on

I just "discovered" #83 last Monday as I was preparing for a trip (flying). I loved finding out someone else does that too.

Machka 

Yes this ^^

There are probably more than 99 in that list.

mdilthey

I almost never make campfires on tour. Maybe once a mont, MAYBE. But, that being said, a fire can save your life in the late fall, winter, and early spring. My inordinate amount of fire tips comes from having multiple ways to start fires, especially with wet wood or sour weather, because it might just save my life!

Though, I carry synthetic sleeping bags so even if I'm soaked and no fire, I'll likely live (grumpily).

mdilthey

You're right, we can all stop offering touring advice anywhere else in the forum. Good addition to the conversation.

Ah, Machka and Rowan, you guys are on my case like clockwork every time. Determination and perseverance are good traits for cycle-tourists.

Rowan

But you are such fun when you bite.

nickw

Briefly glanced through based on comments from others, these jumped out at me as being a bit off-mark, ymmv.

Coat your tubes in baby powder (corn starch) before installing them to reduce the chance of a pinch flat.

Baby powder and corn starch are very different, neither of which are going to reduce pinch flats while riding. It can make it easier to install a tube, some cite better performance, maybe less of a chance of pinching the tube on install, but really helps keeping the tube from sticking to the tire, which never seems to be that bad in practice. I wouldn’t recommend corn starch because it can get pretty nasty / moldy once wet and has been sitting around a while.

A quick 10 second google search seems to agree:

Talcum Powder for Tubes and Tires by Jobst Brandt

Ditched the racks, full framebags are easier to ride with, have a better capacity/weight ratio, and are safer (no load shifting or rack failure).

I think it’s a major stretch to frame bags are safer. I don’t like frame bags personally and much prefer racks for road tours. Problem with frame bags, while they may offer a better capacity/weight ratio, I’ll take your word for it, your capacity is fixed. Many times I’ve grabbed some wood, a 1-gallon container of water, 6-pack of beer prior to arriving to camp….or decided to grab some bigger panniers for a longer tour, lots of options with racks. I also think frame bags ruin the aesthetics of a proper touring bike.....but that's just me.

Used cork bartape protects the drive side chainstay for less weight than a heavy neoprene sleeve.

Heavy – which is a stretch, granted I’ve never weighed it, but what are we talking, 10 grams? Nice thing about neoprene is that they can be removed easily, washed and tossed back on. Bar tape is easy when you have bare frame, but a major PITA to wrap with a rear derailleur cable in the way.

3M Safety Glasses are lighter than sunglasses and protect from kicked up rocks on the road.

I’ve never weighed, or cared about it, but what are we talking 5-10 grams? Cycling glasses are designed for riding, are cut appropriately and are comfortable. The ONLY thing safety glasses have going for them is they are cheap, for better or worse. The weight doesn’t seem to bother those cool Euros climbing big mountain passes in the Tour.

fietsbob

vacate your apartment shut off all your utilities and you can tour Europe, for what it costs to stay Home.

nickw

#98 . Told to me by a veteran 20-year mechanic and ex-professional Cat 1 cyclocross racer. I trust him more than I trust your personal anecdotes about your personal brakes that you personally tried. He's adjusted several thousand, you've adjusted a handful? At this point I'm just getting a strong sense that you're being pedantic to be pedantic.

So, there, I humored you, and thanks for the help with two typos, but the rest of your comments... [/QUOTE]

This 'tip' doesn't work with BB7's like the he's alluding to. The BB7's have an inboard pad that is static, if memory serves, so if you use the lever clamp method you'll get rub.

N

rex615

BB5 have a static inboard pad. BB7 have an adjustable inboard pad.

nickw

Poor use of words on my part, my point was that the inboard pad doesn't move with the cable pull, it remains static.

rex615

Right, I mean, you can just pull it away from the rotor after you tighten the caliper to avoid brake rub. Or better yet, click it in a bit before you perform the adjustment and then back it out again.

nickw

Exactly - I think the 'proper' way to do it adjust both inboard and outboard snug against caliper, tighten caliper down, then back them off until they don't rub. The inboard one in my experience needs to be as close as possible since the outboard is effectively bending the rotor until it makes contact with the inboard pad....it's been a while though.

erig007

#4
probably a good idea to have spare documents somewhere if you're abroad but you're also inviting identity theft since you don't know if the thief won't be selling your identity to the highest bidder.

#5
a tire itself can last hundreds of miles. Cost more to replace but can do the trick in case of emergency.

#39
no need for quicklink or extra pins. Just bring part of an old chain. You have pins and links all together in it and can even replace part of your broken chain. I find it way easier to handle than quicklinks.

#57
i don't see the point. You increase the risk of having puncture at the front.
Just change both tires when the one at the rear is completely done.

#65
There is no need for toothpaste. White vinegar is a better option for temporary use during a tour.
Disinfect wounds, rinse mouth (add at least 10 times more water and rinse with just water after), clean clothes (let it soak), bottles...., keep food fresh longer (prevent food from rotting) and can even kill enough germs to make water drinkable. (12% white vinegar is as efficient as bleach as long as you increase exposure to compensate the lack of acidity according to a recent study)
According to another study that i haven't read but heard about on the radio cheese could protect teeth for a few hours. So finishing a meal by eating cheese may be a good idea if true.

#66 glueing is better than sewing. It will last forever.
Can repair punctured tubes, protect frame from corrosion, protect open wounds....

#70
works when next to the skin. If not loose white clothing is better.

#92
carrying some kind of dog spray is mandatory if one plan to camp in order to protect against wild animals so one should be able to defend against dogs though when taken by surprise water is ok.

indyfabz

Not sure if this was mentioned anywhere....Sun block makes grease stains on your body dis-dis-disappear like magic.

gemini

"34. Pizza has lots of calories, lots of salt, protein, veggies, and it’s inexpensive and widely available."

Not to get into a debate/flamewar about nutrition, but... Cheese and processed meat are very bad for you, whether you're pedaling a bike all day or not, and most of the calories in a pizza come from fat. You probably won't develop heart disease, type 2 diabetes or cancer over your tour, but food actually makes a difference in recovering from cycling, day after day. Cheese and pepperoni sausage are not the calories you should want.

mdilthey

Depends on the pizza. The fresh avocado, mozarella, and tomato slice at my local pizzeria is definitely a good cycling food. Dominoes is not.

spinnaker

A lot of good ideas. some just absurd.

Learn to brush your teeth while riding to save time
I don't need to save that much time. I would rather take the time for proper hygiene.

Ditch your camp shoes.
Not a chance. I would rather be comfortable for the small amount of weight

Ditch your clothesline.
I'd rather have dry clothes for the small amount of weight. Then I don't have to sleep in the, another ridiculous idea.



I hang my helmet on my handlebars with gloves inside. That way I don't walk away with it sitting on a store counter or park bench,

I like to wrap a bungie or tie wrap around the seat post an top of the rack. Saves you if a your rack stays shake loose.

Machka 

I agree. Touring is not randonneuring. When I'm randonneuring, I am in a rush, I want to travel light, and comfort isn't all that important. But when I tour, it's a different story. I like to relax and be more comfortable.

indyfabz

Yum. All pizza is not equal.

mdilthey

As with anything in life!