Even with compatibility problems, a little Yankee ingenuity can get you far. When I installed my fenders, I found that the hardware that they came with didn't fit the eyelets on my bike (Miyata 210, 1986). So I went out to the hardware store and picked up on 6mm bolts. Then, when I got my Jandd front rack, I had the same problem. Another trip out to the store, and I had rack and fenders screwed into the same eyelets (same arrangement in back, actually, with only one set of eyelets on the dropouts). After that, I wanted to use my Jandd economy panniers for front panniers, in order to save on dough. Only problem was, the bungee and hook mounting system wouldn't work with the rack design - the panniers are only really intended to mount on a rear rack. Another trip to the hardware store to get some 3/8" rubber-coated hose clamps, and I was all set.

It seems that setting up a bike for touring is all about solving lots of little problems .