Bike Forums - Touring

Custom lightweight rack for rack pack

mikeread — Tue, 28 Apr 2026 15:34:18 GMT

My touring bike (now over 26 years old) was in need of some TLC. The transmission was worn out, the Campy ergo levers on their last legs and the rims about to explode, so a re-vamp was in order.

It doesnt do big tours any more and just carries a rack pack. The Tubus rack is a bit of overkill and quite a lump so I decided to build a light weight rack specifically for the rack pack - and to include a pump mounting to save space in the pack.

I used 10mm x 0.9mm wall chromoly and the finished rack came out at just over 400g. It is solid as a rock and could certainly carry full panniers at a push. With hindsight I would have used thinner wall tube (10mm x 0.5mm) but this is no lightweight racing machine so not too bothered.

It is quite easy to do with a few basic tools and a gas torch. MAP gas is sufficient for these small tubes though Oxy/Propane or similar would make it easier. Just take care not to burn your bike - I did manage to melt the mudguard a little :-(

Wyoming Transamerica-trail info?

Tandem Tom — Mon, 27 Apr 2026 13:47:18 GMT

We will be riding eastbound through Wyoming. Anyone with firsthand info of the route from Dubois to Rawlins?
Thanks!

Water Bladder?

Tandem Tom — Sun, 26 Apr 2026 14:05:16 GMT

With an upcoming tour later this summer we will be crossing Wyoming. Wondering if anhas a suggestion for some type of water bladder ?
Thanks!

Touring frame with disc mounts and canti posts

demondizzle — Thu, 23 Apr 2026 09:53:23 GMT

Hi folks, I'm on the hunt for a steel touring frame with both disc and canti mounts. Current options on my radar are spa wayfarer (cant afford to buy new, none on ebay), and the dawes sardar/orbit romany (not fond of 26ers, too twitchy and juddery on the rough stuff).

Does anyone have any other recommendations I can set up an ebay alert for? Thanks!

Review Microshift 1x11 bar end shifter

TiHabanero — Thu, 23 Apr 2026 00:36:54 GMT

Was planning on putting out 150 bucks for the Uno bar end shifter, but came across the Microshift 11 speed bar end shifter and figured at 55 dollars I had nothing to lose by ordering it.
It came in a simple box, with the shifter itself packed into a paper bag, and a cable included with it in a separate bag. Inspecting it for finish blems and general workmanship, it appears to be what I can call near perfect, and it presents itself as a well made product.
Installation was no different from any other bar end shifter. Simple and easy, as I was able to use the existing cable housing that I routed for an old Suntour Barcon shifter. Mated to a Sram GX rear derailleur and a Sram 10-46 cassette in 10 speed configuration (of my own doing) the indexing almost works, but not quite. No worries as I do not use indexing on my touring bikes.
Set to friction it works perfectly fine as it should. After all friction is as simple shifting as one can get. The shifter runs the entire range and the tension at the lever is adjustable and I am able to dial in the tension and gear range without issue.
Overall I am thoroughly impressed with the quality and oddly enough, don't miss the ratcheting of the Suntour Barcons. I think that is because the jumps between sprockets is large enough to where the ratchet function is not a necessity because there is little fine tuning to settle the chain onto the sprockets.
Spent about a 90 bucks less than the Uno shifter and am very pleased with it.

Some Comments About Bicycle Camping in Yellowstone and Grand Teton

jamawani — Mon, 20 Apr 2026 16:40:45 GMT

I have camped at nearly every campground in Yellowstone and Grand Teton.
The few I have missed, I have visited to assess for cycle camping.
The availability of hiker/biker campsites make touring fairly easy,
eliminating the need for reservations months in advance.

Yellowstone National Park

Yellowstone’s roads make a figure 8 pattern in the center of the park.
The lower loop is the most visited and has the largest campgrounds.
Smaller campgrounds are in the northern part of the park.
There is also one campground south of the lower loop.
Fishing Bridge has been restricted to RVs since the early 1980s.
All other campgrounds have hiker/biker campsites except Slough Creek.
(Pebble Creek has been closed since the 2022 floods.)
Some of the campgrounds open quite late because of wildlife safety.
Others close early in the fall because of staffing.

Large Campgrounds - Concessionaire operated

Canyon - The best large campground in Yellowstone.
The hiker/biker campsites are on a quiet loop.
with the option to camp downhill, albeit in bear country.
Nearby services - Showers, Laundry, Store, Dining, Visitors Center
Spectacular hiking, the crowds disappear 100 yards from pavement.

Madison - A pleasant campground not far from the West Entrance.
The hiker/biker campsites are near the entrance with traffic noise.
Camp hosts have offered cyclists free coffee for decades.
Incredible wildlife along the Madison River morning and evening.
Flush toilets, but no other services nearby.

Grant Village - A huge campground on Yellowstone Lake.
The hiker/biker campsites are just a single regular campsite.
Site has moved over the years, but is in the middle of all the others.
Because of its size, noise tends to persist late into the night.
Nearby services - Showers, Laundry, Store, Dining, Visitors Center

Bridge Bay - Like camping in a Walmart parking lot.
Great views of Yellowstone lake and all the other campers.
Site has moved over the years, but is in the middle of all the others.
Because of its size, noise tends to persist late into the night.
Gull Point on the old section of the Loop Road is rarely visited.
Services are at Lake and Fishing Bridge a few miles east.

A Reminder -
There is no camping at Old Faithful.
There is no tent camping at Fishing Bridge.

Smaller Campgrounds -

Norris - A mid-sized campground on the Lower Loop.
The hiker/biker campsites are more like “Tent Only”.
So, they fill up, but I have always been able to camp.
The main attraction is the nearby Norris Geyser Basin.
It is glorious early morning and evening without the crowds.
No services nearby.

Indian Creek - Between Norris and Mammoth.
The most beautiful hiker/biker camping in the park.
Near the back of the loop with views of Electric Peak.
Lovely meadow hiking, but in grizzly country.
No services nearby.

Mammoth - Just downhill from park headquarters.
Campground is in a bend of the main entrance road.
It used to be loud with no privacy.
Better since the floods closed the old entrance road.
Nearby services - Store, Dining, Visitors Center

Tower Falls - Between Mammoth and Canyon on North Loop
Small campground up a steep hill. Limited space.
Hiking to the falls and Yellowstone River.
Small general store, dining at Roosevelt Lodge.
Horseback and wagon rides. Kinda “Old West”.

Slough Creek - Off Northeast Entrance Road
No hiker/biker sites. Almost impossible to reserve.
Remote, lovely, small campground. Quiet.
Favorite of longtime Yellowstone visitors.

Pebble Creek - Near Northeast Entrance
Spectacular scenery and nearby hikes.
Rarely visited by cyclists, even motorists.
Closed by 2022 flooding - still not reopened.
Precludes cycle touring in the park’s northeast.

Soda Butte Creek near Pebble Creek

Dispersed camping -
Random or dispersed camping in Yellowstone is prohibited.
Dispersed camping is also prohibited in adjoining national forests.
Damage was so severe that this was required by the 1990s.

Grizzly regulations -
Food storage is required at all times while camping.
NEVER eat or bring food/beverages into your tent.
If you have EVER eaten in your tent, consider using another one.
No tent camping is permitted east of Yellowstone on US 14/16/20,
From the East Entrance to Rex Hale campground.

Grand Teton National Park

There are 5 campgrounds in Grand Teton.
Two have hiker/biker campsites - Jenny Lake and Colter Bay.
The hiker/biker campsites at Jenny Lake are beyond stunning.
Why camp anywhere else when you have the best spot in the world?

Jenny Lake - On the Old Jenny Lake Loop
There are about a dozen hiker/biker sites - reserved only for hikers and bikers.
There may be times when groups stretch the hiker/biker capacity.
There have also been non-hikers/bikers who have used these sites.
(Hard to blame them because they are so amazingly beautiful.)
Best strategy - arrive moderately early and enjoy the rest of the day.
Camp store, visitor center nearby. Dining, groceries at Moose.
Incredible hiking into the backcountry.

Juan at Jenny Lake Campground

Colter Bay - North of Moran Jct.
Plenty of campsites in the woods - not much of a view.
Store, cafe, showers are part of the complex.
Dining at Jackson Lake Lodge just down the road.
Eye-popping views from the dining room.
The bar has the same views and menu without the wait.

Gros Ventre - East side of the park
Huge campground on the Gros Ventre River.
No hiker/biker campsites so reservations are essential.
Tucked behind Gros Ventre Buttes so no view of the Tetons.
Excellent wildlife viewing early morning and evening.
Close to scenic Mormon Row. No nearby services.

Signal Mountain - On the Old Park Loop
About 12 miles north of Jenny Lake.
Heavily wooded car campground on Jackson Lake.
No hiker/biker campsites so reservations are essential.
For cyclists, Jenny Lake is easier and so much better.
Store and restaurant nearby,

Lizard Creek - 13 miles north of Moran Jct.
Small campground on the north end of Jackson Lake.
NNo hiker/biker campsites so reservations are essential.
They used to not charge for picnicking, but do now.
No nearby services.

<<<>>>

Flagg Ranch -
Flagg Ranch is a private operation between Yellowstone and Grand Teton.
There is a store and restaurant, but camping costs $60 for tents to $100+ for RVs.
Totally insane!

Hiker/Biker Campsite-Yellowstone & Grand Teton?

Tandem Tom — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 13:51:41 GMT

Do all campgrounds have the above?
Thanks for your replies!

Deciding on new touring bike

sforst — Sun, 12 Apr 2026 16:05:59 GMT

I am new to the site I am a 74 year old male planning on a 750 mile road trip from Milwaukee to Kansas. I am 5 feet 6 inches and am in good shape I plan to ride around 50 miles per day on a mix of bike trails and county roads. Much of the trip will be supported by a friend with a camper trailer but I may need to carry some gear along the way. Comfort would be a priority as well as versatility. I am looking at a budget of around $2000. I would appreciate any recommendations>

Routes across Nebraska?

Tandem Tom — Fri, 10 Apr 2026 12:21:06 GMT

Wondering if anyone has some routes they have ridden across central or southern Nebraska? We have ridden the northern part already.
Thanks!

Tour-de-Sri-Lanka 2026

Ron Damon — Wed, 08 Apr 2026 01:47:27 GMT

A travelogue of my ongoing tour of Sri Lanka is live on the Folding Bikes channel. Check it out.

Cgoab?

sam21fire — Sat, 04 Apr 2026 23:45:12 GMT

My link to CGOAB won't load, does anyone know if Neil has shut it down?

Sam

Public R16 At The Thrift

StarBiker — Sat, 04 Apr 2026 18:06:38 GMT

Rarely come on here and rarely find bikes anymore but I thought this was a good buy. It won't be for me, Not exactly sure on the model.

Japan gets tough on cyclists

jkinner — Sat, 04 Apr 2026 10:11:59 GMT

From 4 April Financial Times: If you're touring in Japan be warned the police are imposing fines for 113 cycling infractions. Use your bell the wrong time: $19. Brake suddenly: $38. Parking in a spot reserved for the elderly: $76. There are also fines associated with using headphones, cycling with one hand, using fixed gear bikes with no brakes, for unevenly loaded cargo, riding while holding an umbrella. The reason for the crackdown? Research shows that in 75% of accidents the cyclist was in violation of existing traffic laws..