vintage touring gear
 

Is anybody still using old gear? I have a complete set of original Jim Blackburn racks and was wondering how they compare to the current racks. They seem well build, just a little thin

the 8mm rod is solid, the bigger looking ones are tubes , hollow.

dont sweat it ..

I still use some Blackburn lowriders and a Blackburn rear rack from the early '80s. They're not out of place since my touring frame is from '81. Gear that can put up with the rigors of touring should be tough enough to last a few decades.

Let's do this: Post pictures of your classic/vintage touring gear!

Sounds good! Gotta finish my Trek first

I used my Jim Blackburn front rack (circa: 1978) on my cross-check for bike-camping:
http://ziligy.com/photos/posts/CrossCheckUltralight.jpg

I've since move the rack back to my 1970 Paris Sport, which is now a fixed-gear. I use the rack for grocery shopping and day-tripping with my Ortliebs. Great rack!

http://ziligy.com/photos/posts/Paris...onMonument.jpg

Full set of Blackburn panniers
 

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=404798

I still have Blackburn racks on a couple of bikes. Also have OEM Presstube Minor on my 1971 Raleigh Superbe. Not to mention the Pletscher and Esge stuff. :D

Aaron :)

I still use my Tailwind front panniers with Blackburn lowriders.

Every time I see a pic the FL-1 rack I wonder how panniers are supposed to be mounted. Most panniers attach to round rails but this rack looks like there's reinforcement plate under the rails.

Mine has been modded to accept the security clips on my front bags. sawed out a slot for them. When I was first touring my cannondale bags just had a couple of hooks, they worked fine. Lots of miles on my old Blackburn racks, I don't use them much anymore but they are still in good shape.

I still have and occasionally use a 1980s vintage Cannondale SLEEPING BAG :-) They made tents, sleeping bags, etc., for a while in the 1980s. Good stuff at the time.

I have some 30 year old cannondale panniers, only used on a dozen week long trips and some utility use, some old racks. I also have a 20 year old burley that I took on one tour. I also have some old handlebar bags but these were never stable, still have my first ortlieb handlebar bag it still works fine its about 10 years old. I still have an old tent but don't tour with it since I got a new marmot ultralight down bag, the old bag is about 10 times the size and weight

Here is my Jim Blackburn rack that I bought in 1980. It is still solid as a rock.

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=406679http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=406680

I took F&R Jim Blackburn racks on my TransAm this summer. No issues -- used P-clamps on the front as my Cross-Check lacks lowrider mounts. Also used a pair of old Pa.-made Cannondale panniers in the front. Not waterproof, but they worked great.