Originally Posted by
bikelovers
Hello,
I am building my first touring bike - Bianchi Volpe. I have few questions about selecting fenders, rear & front racks. I am so sorry if all those questions have been asked before.
Goal: ride C&O trail to Cumberland and some dirt road & daily commuting.
1. Fenders : I am intended to use 700cx32 , I like Velo Orage fender either Hammered Alloy or Zeppelin. I am not sure which size to choose to fit best either 37mm or 45mm?
2. Rear and front racks : there are so many - which one should I choose ?
3. Any more advises?
Thanks a lot.
If you are riding the C&O canal tow path, you might want to consider starting in Cumberland. The river and trail go down hill from there. You might also consider starting in Pittsburg and ride the GAP first, then the C&O. I did it this summer and it is very nice. The GAP has a better surface than the C&O.
I rode the GAP + C&O on 700x37 Conti Sport Contact. They worked ok, but something bigger would have been better. After I got back I went back to the tow path and experimented with my 26" tired mountain/off road touring bike. I tried 26x1.6" and they were better, but the 26x2" Schwalbe Duremes were definitely the best. I may substitute Extremes next time.
I like the Velo Orange aluminum fenders. They have better coverage than most of the plastic finders. 8 to 10 mm wider than the tires you decide on, as long as your bike can handle them.
For racks, I like the Tubus Cargo rear. For the front, if you aren't camping, the Nitto M-12 is a great little rack for a front bag, but not panniers. If you aren't camping then there are some nice B&Bs along the route and you will have excess capacity with rear panniers and a front bag like my Acorn bag. Camping along the canal is pretty crude and almost nonexistent along the GAP.