raria

Hi,

I'm riding this bike now in France https://www.decathlon.fr/velo-route-...d_8377732.html

Note that the eyelets on the seat stays are perfectly aligned with the rear brake caliper so voila - no easy rear rack attachment.

Any other suggestions on how to carry enough stuff for a five day credit card tour? Staying in hotels each night. I'm hoping to pack at most 15-20 pounds (on days when I'm riding between hotels). I can fit all of this in a largish canvas backpack (45cm x 25cm x 15cm)


Thanks.

Brad_AZ

Would a seat post rack work? This one is rated at 22 lbs and fits 22-32mm seat posts.

https://www.blackburndesign.com/rack...post-rack.html

GrainBrain

I don't think this is a problem? Have you looked at racks, it seems I've seen a few with the rack set back from the seat stays and longer anchor bars to clear the brakes.

raria

Thanks. I guess so if they do hold 22 pounds. But how good racks anchored to the seat post (I show about 8 inches of post)?

GrainBrain

How about this rack from Zefal?

The universal racks Zéfal Raider R50 is ideal for recreational use.

cyccommute 

That's not really a problem. There are several solutions. One is to just use one rackstay on the right side. This works better with a rack like a Tubus (or similar) which uses round stays which are stiffer and stronger than the flat metal stays on most aluminum racks. Some aluminum racks, like this Sunlite, use this kind of stay as well. You might even be able to use both rackstays if you run the stay flat and bend it at the end. Bend gently and with a fair amount of radius as the aluminum doesn't like to be bent. Some racks with flat stays use this kind of mount as well. The Delta have a sharp down turn at the end so that the rackstays are flatter as can be seen in the link which will do the same thing.

The Delta also has the ability to mount a single stay that mounts behind the brake. The Axiom Streamliner comes in that configuration but you can do the same with other racks as well. With flat stays, you can flatten out the stay and rebent it if you can't find the proper mount. You could also do the same with the round stays but you'd need to fashion a bracket to go behind the brake to attach to the stay.

Personally, I would avoid the seat mounted rack. I've tried it before and never found it to be satisfactory. The clamp is large and hits your legs and the clamping mechanism isn't usually tight enough so it moves when bumped. It also should be mounted to a carbon post if you have one.

Happy Feet

It sounds like a Carradice product would be right up your alley. https://www.carradice.co.uk/bags/saddlebags

I bought the carradry PVC bag last year and really like it but there are also more traditional duck cotton ones of various size. Here's a look on my road type bike. I have used a small rack but Carradice also sells a rack system that suspends from the saddle as well as a quick release system. With a shoulder strap it would be the perfect CC tour bag that can be taken off the bike when you go inside somewhere.

saddlesores

dozens of options....

*bend the stays
*brake mount rack adapter
*p-clamps on the seatstays
*seatpost clamp rack mount
*p-clamp on the seatpost
*bike-a-packing setup
*single wheel trailer (overkill)
*front rack with small panniers

misc rack parts (salsa bent struts on page 2)
https://www.modernbike.com/rack-parts+page2

tyrion

Bikepacking bags are one option.

raria

Thanks everyone for the suggestions. The idea of buying expensive rack or bending the stays in Iraq isn't going to work, because I intend to sell the bike shortly. But a backpack as mentioned is a good idea because I can take it with me to the US.

What manufacturers and models do you suggest question mark

​​​

fietsbob

Extra wheel bike trailers, will take the panniers instead of the frame ..

use a 2nd front wheel* like on your bike, so tube spares are good for all 3
(its quite light, minus the bags, too)

*That one can have the phone charging hub dynamo, etc.
if you're into the phone a lot



....

CliffordK

Perhaps take your bike into a bike shop that specializes in touring/commuting, and look at the rack or bag options they have available

Different shapes of rack mounts, mounting from brake bridge, etc.

tyrion

I haven't used any, so can't recommend a brand.

seeker333

Aluminum, steel, etc rack stays are sold as straight or with bend, and it's not difficult to bend them yourself to make a rack fit. This is SOP for installation of racks (or fenders) on most bikes. You have to have a little gumption to makes things work. If you can't bend a small metal rod, there's also these:

https://www.tubus.com/product.php?xn=60

Rob_E

Tourist in MSN

I am not sure if you can easily hang a saddle bag like the classic style of Carradice bags on the saddle you have or not. In the photos I am using a Brooks sprung saddle, I ran the straps through the springs to hang that bag to my saddle. In both photos I am also running a handlebar bag, not sure if you want to use a handlebar bag or not.

First photo is of the Pendle bag on my folding bike.
https://www.carradice.co.uk/bags/sad...ndle-saddlebag



Second photo, same saddle bag on my expedition bike on White Rim trail in Canyonlands.



There are other larger saddle bags too.

The leather straps on top of the flap are old toe clip straps, they can be used to strap something on top of the bag too.

saddlesores

what does iraq have to do with it? you say you're in france.

1. if selection is limited, get it shipped.
2. if shipping is a no-go, then asking about mfg/model is pointless, you're stuck with local availability.
3. no need for an expensive rack. you'll see locals riding with 1 or 2 passengers on cheap-arse racks. go buy you one, and bend to fit.
4. what's the problem with bending the RACK stays? sell rack with bike.
5. no one mentioned backpack other than you. they were suggesting bikepacking bags, likely unavailable locally in IRAQ, but you could easily get a local to make you something out of canvas quickly and cheaply.
6. most find backpacks uncomfortable for riding, but your choice.

u235

I have a Streamliner. I have stanard rack mounts and use them but the option for alternatives is a bonus.

prathmann

Don't see anything about that bike that precludes use of a standard rear rack. I've had no problem attaching such racks to bikes that lacked any eyelets so this bike looks much more suitable. Sure it may require putting a little bend into the upper rack supports - but those supports are generally made to be easy to bend for just that reason.
Personally I prefer a regular rear rack to the alternatives for their versatility since I use my bikes for lots of utility rides. Whether I'm carrying a normal grocery load or some extras like a pizza (or 2-3) or a cake/pie or if it's my camping gear for a tour I have no problem using the same rack for all functions.

dh024

Bikepacking bags from Apidura, Ortlieb, Revelate, Porcelain Rocket, etc. would be ideal (backpacks get old really quickly, IMO).

If you don't like the idea of soft-attach bags, Arkel has some very nice solutions:
https://www.arkel-od.com/en/tailride...-rack-bag.html
https://www.arkel-od.com/en/seatpack...-seat-bag.html
https://www.arkel-od.com/en/rollpack...-seat-bag.html
https://www.arkel-od.com/en/arkel-la...lebar-bag.html

staehpj1

I think the Streamliner line are all nice racks and one would be a good choice for this bike.

I am not crazy about seat post racks they tend to be heavy, awkward and easily knocked crooked.

djb

the streamliner rack on my wifes road bike stays on very well using the rear brake setup just like on your bike.

but I too am confused, do you live in France? Are you planning to bike in Iraq? Why the Iraq comment?

raria

I'm not going to Iraq ! Thanks for all the suggestions. But the products you're suggesting are hard to get in France. Has anyone tried doing a credit card to a using just a backpack to hold say 5 pounds? I'm thinking of limitting myself to a hub and spoke tour.

CliffordK

How about we back up a bit.

• Do you actually have this bike (or an identical one?), or is it something you're planning to acquire on the road?
• Is this a real tour, or just brainstorming? Where?

It is much easier to do the configuration and setup if you can acquire all the parts and assemble before the trip. Or, do as NASA does, have a full scale mockup on Earth, and the real one at the remote location.

You can't necessarily base decisions based on sales photos. Details are frequently subject to change, or something that might be an issue for one size might not be an issue for another size.

Your bikepacking bags may be an option for something that is easy to carry around. Even seatpost racks and small trunk bags.

As far as acquiring stuff... with internet access, I'd be surprised if it was impossible to order, just perhaps hard to test before you buy.

Certainly big European bicycle companies will ship around the world, and I presume American companies would ship at least to Europe. Chinese companies (Alibaba, AliExpress, and now E-Bay and Amazon) will also ship anyplace.

I thought the Germans were big on Hiking and Camping, and I presume bike packing. So... look at German companies. Or, even hop a train to Germany.

My old bike that has done quite a few miles, including several short tours, doesn't have a single eyelet anywhere. No dropout eyelets, no seatstay eyelets. Yet, It has had a rack on it for decades. Perhaps it is time for a rack upgrade as there is a lot available now that I just couldn't get in the mid 80's.

Rollfast

^^^This especially. You can get bigger panniers if you look hard enough, people travel by bike like this all the time.