Originally Posted by
Squeezebox
So I want to do some light - UL touring. I've been looking around and keep coming back to the Trek 720. I think I like the 14 L fork bags. A 7L handlebar bag. I'ld probably put on a rear rack and 20L panniers on that, colder weather probably 30L. bags. I would go to 34-46 chainrings from the 36-50 it comes with. I would consider the FSA MTB crankset with 27-39 that Wouldn't cost much more. Nashbar. So what do you think of this setup as a fast and light tourer? What do you ride for fast and light? Opinions appreciated.
Please & Thank you.
Cool bike. "Fast and light tourer"
1. Eliminate panniers/fork bags. The chainstays of the 720 aren't especially long, in other words not optimal for rear loads. That's why it's shown with front fork bags. Panniers/fork bags add windage which is counter to "fast" and they aren't needed for light loads. The 720 has great features but I wouldn't consider rear pannier placement on the list.
Basically keep the load within your profile on the bike.
Basic rear rack w plate. The cheapest lightest rear rack to hold a dry/ stuff bag snug on top. Something less than 8" in diameter held lengthwise. What was in panniers goes there.
Front load spread to front bag and frame bags.
wrt what I did ride on when I was fast and light 30yrs ago was a variety of road bikes w no braze-ons. As described above a Blackburn rear rack attached to the holes in the Campy dropouts w Army Surplus poncho folded on bottom, camp pad on that then sleeping bag stuff sack lined with a couple medium garbage bags. Spare pants, clothes and windbreaker in bag. About ten lbs worth strapped down tight.
Front handlebar bag was a about the size of a 8liter dry bag with horizontal zip nod plastic stiffener. Suspended by four Velcro straps on brake hoods and drops. Maybe 2 lbs of stuff. Fast means your front profile doesn't look much different loaded or unloaded as everything is within the outline of your body.