LeeG

HRC, It's kind of funny about loads on a bike, while there are general guidelines about what is preferable there's nothing like taking it out and seeing what happens. I got a stock LHT a half a year a go and with some rear loads there's a front end wobble with hands off riding. Last week I was riding with a gallon can of paint on the rear rack,,about 15lbs., and the wobble totally disappeared.

Lamplight

Very nice. I love those older Specialized bikes.

LeeG

they are great, I had one and sold it to a friend for $350, not as solid as a LHT but mighty comfy.

DukeArcher 

The old chap back in action after the accident

Elad63

I just finished building up my Scott Seattle commuter/touring bike. Shimano drivetrain with barcons. Road Winner II hybrid 700x28 tires. Shimano 42/32/22 triple with 14/32 cogs.

Took for test ride in backyard and parking lot, didn't do to well in snow and ice, but handled well on pavement, might have to get different tires..

I was given the bare frame and fork for free, and just used various parts left over from other trash bikes lying around.

TOTAL COST; $ 0.00

not bad, unless you count all the gas money I used searching for trash and abandoned bikes for local CO-OP for past 5 years..

tomn

DukeArcher,

Glad to see you are riding again!

Tom

Grundly

Just got the nashbar cheap bags. I definitely didnt read the size on the website, they are probably more like front bags, but they will do for weekend trips.

Right now I have 700x23c tires. I dont know much about tire widths (I'm more of a BMX background), would you all suggest a bit wider tire for a tour? I don't have much brake clearance is the problem.

kipibenkipod

I had trek 1200 racing bike and did with it a tour for a week.
I was able to fit a 32x700 tire without mudguards.
My recommendation is to find a shop that have touring tires and let them fit the widest tire they can.
Usually it will be hard to know in advance what tire to buy.

What model are the bike?

Good luck,
Kfir

whatroad

More here

Hot Rod Lincoln

Cool pic and great set up on your bike

antokelly

great stuff,can i ask what do you think of the etrek gps.is it easy to use.thanks

whatroad

I have the vista hcx. Great unit. Batteries last a long time and it gets great reception even under the forest canopy.

Hot Rod Lincoln

Nice pics and good story. Just goes to show that you don't have to ride thousands of miles to have a good time

LeeG

that is a nice and neat set-up. My initial reaction was the redwood forest above Legget then I saw Big Basin,,it's such a perfect Norcal photo. I like the front bags. Most rigs look like they're exploding gear.

conor

whatroad, are those midge bars (or a similar dirt drop)? how do you like 'em?

Grundly

Cool, I will take it to the shop and see what tire they can fit, I think a 26 or 28 is the biggest.

I seriously have no idea what brand the bike is. It says "Aero" on it. I tried to search it online but couldn't find anything. My friend sold it to me for $100 and it runs great. All the parts are some old type of Shimano Line (it says either "ox" or "dx"), and it has wierd parts like an aerodynamic seatpost and bladed spokes. And brakes like I have never seen before (or the people at the bike shop). I reckon it was pretty good in it's day. And it still runs fine.

Flandry

This is The Tortoise, AKA TT. He carries my home on his back and is very slow.



Sorry about the fuzzy pic; my phone has delusions that it has photographic capabilities. That's my little stealthy campsite with an Emerald Mountain 2 tent next to TT.

This is from my only tour so far, an overnight, 100 mile shakedown during the cold spell in October (frost everywhere in the morning--and me with my 55+ sleeping bag). TT is still a single speed (a Specialized Tricross Singlecross, to be specific), but just yesterday i finished agonizing over wheel particulars and bought a black Velocity Dyad rim and 36 DT Swiss Competition double-butted black spokes to lace up my Alfine hub that i have been respacing to fit...

bokerfest

I guess you lived to tell about it at least. Did it feel like a 25 degree difference of sleepingbag climate to outside?

Flandry

This is what i had. I took a small fleece blanket to wrap around me inside it and wore a few layers and a stocking cap. It definitely felt very cold whenever i shifted around, but was tolerable. Actually, what kept me up was worrying about being discovered, as i couldn't find a spot as secluded as i wanted and could see lighted windows through the trees. My brain isn't all that rational late at night in the cold.

whatroad

Yeah,
they are midges. I love em... I go trail riding with the trucker once in a while. It is really a cool drop...

irideacenturion

what front rack is that, whatroad? I'm in the process of building up my LHT (yeah, yeah, I'm on the bandwagon, but I got an INSANE deal on the frame and lots of parts) and I'll be in the market for a front rack soon.

maha

irideacenturion: It's the Surly Nice Rack.

https://www.surlybikes.com/parts/nicerack_pop.html

xB_Nutt

Not loaded, but ready to be...

GTPowers

My new Safari on Chicago's LFP!

DukeArcher 

I love those (26in) Safaris!