openmindedgent

All summer long I have been inching towards having a good touring bike to ride back to Richmond with as well as do many more extended camping tours in the future. I built up a Fuji Gran Tourer frame (not sure the year) with parts from the bike shop I work at. Most parts are used and or cheap but I feel really good about the bike and I have already gone over 150 miles around the island testing out the components. I am adding to the handle bars for more hand positions and I am adding shimano rapid fire shifter/brakes as well as new derailleurs. I have a BoB yak trailer (note the specialized skewer for trailer attatchment) and I am waiting for the dry sak to go with it but otherwise I have saddlebag panniers and a handlebar bag so I am almost set to go. Just seeking further suggestions. If you have read any of my threads before you will notice I have come a loooong way from my rig I came down here on. Let me know what you think!

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thecrunge

That's a fine machine you have there. One suggestion I'd make is to look into obtaining lower gearing. It appears you have a 30T or greater granny ring. (Is that a triple crank?) Maybe you could find a smaller ring for the hills and mountains in your area. And possibly a wider range rear cassette/freewheel?
Also I'd suggest putting a mud flap on the front fender, maybe the rear fender as well; doesn't seem to extend down far enough.
Do you think you'd put something on top of the rack? Those water bottles might take up some valuable real estate.
Other than that, I think you're good to go! Good luck!