Originally Posted by
Raiden
That was my first thought, TBH. I think you might be happier putting the weight lower on the bike and strapping it down, if the option is there.
Where do you keep your tent, sleeping bag, etc?
Have you tested your light with the big handlebar bag on an un-lit road yet? I had a similar setup once and found that my handlebar bag blocked my headlight from throwing light down to the angle that I wanted. It seemed ok on test rides in town, but was no good on pitch-black nights.
I find flat-topped racks and fenders to be a little redundant for keeping me dry. Just the racks are sufficient- if its pouring so hard that I also need fenders, I'm getting drenched from above anyway. Just my opinion.
What model tires are those?
And last, have you looked into a Topeak Road Morph pump? Those old Zefals are nice, but I'm great at breaking my valve stems- the hose on the road morph makes all the difference. Just a thought, since cost and wieght in accessorizing don't seem to be limitations
I wanted to be able to put on front panniers for one reason I want the surly nice front rack.And yes my light light's up the road good at night I have done a lot of test riding the way it is set up now.As far as my Zefal pump I wanted that kind of pump.I know a lot of people don't like them but I sure do and I use it two time already just to test it out it work fine for me so I am happy with my set up at this time.My flag is just the Orange Bell flag good old cheap kind.The tent and sleeping bag is in my camper long flap.My total weight in gear with out food is less than 40 pounds.The back panniers has 10 lbs in each pannier and the camper long flap has 10 lbs as well.My tire are the Panarace TG Now for the front panniers left side full of cooking gear 6 lbs right side will be food only in it.And my handlebar bag is for my Acer oneAspire computer and a few other things I might want to take with me some of it I will eat while riding.I did a 65 mile test run the other day with all this stuff and no problem at all.I know ever one has there own way of setting up there touring bicycle whats good for one may not be good for the other person.I hope this will answer most of the ? for all here.A lot of people like the barend shifters I for one did not like them at all that's why you see down tube shifter on my LHT and same way with my crank set I now have 22,32,44t with 11/34 on the cassette I have change so much on this LHT to get it just right for my self even the handlebar is not stock and the break leaver and the breaks them self is not what came on my LHT I have done a lot of work to get it this way and still have a little more work to finish it.It's always nice to be able to work on your own bike to get it dial in no one knows how it should be better than your self.I look into the Topeak Road Morph pump and just did not like them at all some do but it's not for me lol.And I do have some good tools to take with me too and they are in the camper long flap as well.I think I answer most of the ? here if not feel free to ask some more.Have a great day/night.