wiredfoxterror

Glad to hear you like the grips. I'll have to get some - I have a problem with my hands and had taken the barends off my bikes so I could put ergo grips on them before I heard about these. I like the look of those riser bars -what brand/model are they?

I have the Kendra Kross plus 1.95s on my Cannondale M1000 and really like them. What rims do you have on that bike?

This is an interesting read - keep it up!

zzOtherlandzz

I had to go look and see what wheels were on the bike. The drive train, wheels & tires and brakes are all what came on the bike (so far). The wheels are Bontrager Camino with Shimano Deore hubs. The bars are also Bontrager, Crowbars 5%. There are a couple of listings on eBay for some right now. https://shop.ebay.com/i.html?_kw=Hand...r&_kw=5-degree I rode the bike for a couple of hundred miles before I added the grips/bar ends & the more upright riding position seemed pretty nice. Having said that I need to go on a longer ride and pay attention to the reach, see if I like it or not. Kind of a long stem on there now. After I got the bike I did switch the spacers around a bit on the stem to lower the bars.

I actually traded in 3 text books I found at a yard sale for $3 (while biking) for an Amazon gift card of 120 bux. So for 3 dollars I've got 120 dollars worth of stuff for the bike so far (plus some that I already had on the card). I'm on hold for a few days waiting for more trade in's to arrive at Amazon, when they do I'll have more money to spend... That's my version of budget bike building hahah.

zzOtherlandzz

Loaded up the bike this morning with change of clothes, shoes, 24oz Mt. Dew (diet), 24oz power aide for the nephew, thermos full of ice. Didn't really need all of the stuff for the test ride... but wanted to load it up a lil bit. .. 20 mile ride... 10 in the rain on the way home.

Impressions/Observations.

1: First 4 or 5 miles ... what weight on the back??
2: Next 5 miles.... hmmmm there is weight on the back can't go quite as fast as normal.. LOL
3: Will take a bit of getting used to standing up and riding with weight on the back.
4: I'll say it again... LOVE the grips ... Need to adjust them and the brake levers a bit, but NOT bad for first ride.
5: I wasn't bothered as much as I thought I would be without a bike PC on the bike yet... Surprised me there...
6: I need to NOT try to power up hills... Just go as slow as I need to go with the weight on the bike. NO problem today but on a longer ride ... would be a bad Idea for me.... PACING... Jay pacing....
7: Yep need some NON knobby tires ..... Maybe some fenders too..
8: I think I want a handlebar bag with the clear pouch on the top to put my cell phone in.... Pain in the butt digging it out of the trunk bag to take a call... (will ignore more calls on an actual tour me thinks).

Anyway I'm still having fun.. and still dunno what I'm doing....

zzOtherlandzz

Today I picked up a can of Kiwi Heavy Duty Water Repellent spray to help make the bags and stuff a little more water resistant. Now if it would just quit raining long enough for me to take the stuff outside and spray it. I want to get it sprayed on before I get the bags too dirty or wet. Then maybe do some more test rides. Bought the water repellent based on the reviews on Amazon. Actually bought it at K-Mart though.... Cheaper & no shipping. https://www.amazon.com/Kiwi-Camp-Heav...0854580&sr=8-1

I'll post a little review after I have tried it out.

Also got a new wireless Cateye bike PC.

Ordered a bike pump & new tires from Amazon (more gift card credit from trade in's).

Thinking about changing my route.... still working on that.... Part of the fun

That's all for now..... still having fun..... still dunno what I'm doing...

zzOtherlandzz

Sooo finally got a few hrs in a row of sunshine here in FL.... I got 2 coats of the water proofing spray on the trunk bag. Not much progress on the bike as of late. Waiting for the tires to come in now.

Revised my route, not going to go to Lake City now. Going to head northwest of Gainesville and then south of G.ville and back. Going to make it a 4 day 3 night tour. With about 50 miles a day.


first leg..... https://www.mapmyride.com/routes/fullscreen/41888986/

2nd leg Added a bit to it because I wanted to cross over the Suwannee river on the Nature Coast Trail. https://www.mapmyride.com/routes/fullscreen/41890862/

3rd leg... https://www.mapmyride.com/routes/fullscreen/42261110/

4th & last leg.. I have ridden this whole route before... not on the same day though. https://www.mapmyride.com/routes/fullscreen/41937166/

That is it so far... That's all for now..... still having fun..... still dunno what I'm doing...

zzOtherlandzz

The new tires came today. ...Kenda Kross Plus Front or Rear Slick XC Tire, 26 x 1.95 I mounted them up, which is always kind of a pain when the tires first come in the mail and they are twisted for shipping. Fun fun trying to get them on the rim.. . But hey with 2 hands 2 feet and a tire lever.... no problem.

Loaded up the trunk bag with packages for the post office and took a ride. The bike rolls a lot nicer (and quieter). Even went through sand on the way to the pavement pretty good with the new tires.

Me thinks I'll be happy with them .

Anyway.... Making progress.... still having fun.... still dunno what I'm doing....

wiredfoxterror

The tires make a big difference. I just picked up another bike that has tires similar to these by Blackburn - I can't find them anywhere online so I'm assuming Blackburn only made a short foray into the bike tire business. My M1000 has the Kendras and I love them.

Have you tested the water repellent yet? We've been getting rain off and on. Once you ride thru rain I bet you'll go for fenders, especially if you're going to be on backroads.

zzOtherlandzz

It's kind of funny, it has only rained once since I put the repellent on. So I still haven't had a chance to see if it did any good or not.

I'm liking the tires after a few rides on them, they even go through the Florida sand pretty good.

I have my eye on a couple of types of fenders, it's good the Tassajara seems to have all of the mounting spots for fenders bags and such.

I'm really sold on the grips BTW.... Even the friend who went AWOL (as far as riding with me). Says he is going to get some for his bike.... I dunno if that means he will start riding again or not though..

Right now still trying to decide what bar bag to get.

Still dunno what i'm doing.......... STILL having fun!!

zzOtherlandzz

Well finally got to test the panniers after spraying them with the water repellent. Got POURED on today. The water beaded up really good on the panniers, nothing leaked through the fabric/material. But water did find its way through where the 2 zipper pulls come together. But I think the water repellent stuff worked great... If I had something to cover the zippers i'm pretty sure the fabric/material would be great with the repellent on it.

Ordered my handlebar bag last night I'll post some pictures when it comes in and I get it installed.

Still having fun... still dunno what I"m doing.....

zzOtherlandzz

Found out yesterday that If I put one of the frozen water bottles in the holder behind the truck bag it will still have ice in it about 50 minutes after the one on the bike has melted all the way. And this is in 90deg + heat... I was AMAZED!!! I really was....

That is all.....

zzOtherlandzz

Got the handlebar bag sprayed with water repellent stuff and installed on the bike. Also cut a couple of pieces of velcro. 1 for holding the brake lever & one for holding the front wheel straight (which only works okay).

Well took the pedals off of my 29'er and put them on the tour bike to see if maybe the pedals were causing annoying squeak kind of noise. Loaded up the panniers with some books (for weight) & the bar bag with a few small packages. And headed to the post office with plans to ride to Lowes & pay my bill. The bike went squeak squeak all the way to the post office. Wasn't the pedals. Came back home and took the seat off and replaced it with the one in the pictures.... UGGGGGGGG After about 22 miles (with 10 more to make it home) my behind said NO NO NO more.. I hate that seat.... lol Rode to the nephews place and bugged him for a ride home. OHHH but the squeaking stopped... It was the seat. I'm going to wrap the seat rails with a piece of electrical tape and reinstall see if that will cure the noise.

Velcro on the brake lever awesome Idea (from sticky thread in the touring forum). I like the bar bag... Lots of room, easy on and off of the bike.

Fenders came in late today... Didn't install them yet.

Got a bit sun burned today... WAY TOO HOT!! Glad I bummed a ride home or I would have been really fried.

Making progress..... still dunno what I'm doing.... still having fun..... OK that seat was no fun..... but other than that...

wiredfoxterror

Did you come up with a rain hood yet so the wet doesn't get in the zippers? You're definitely getting there.

zzOtherlandzz

Yep, Actually ordered one with the fenders, just forgot to mention it. I like the way the bar bag is constructed it actually has a flap that comes down over the zippers & the pulls. It might not hold out a downpour but I think it would hold up to some light rain after spraying the water repellent stuff on it. (also got the cover for it too though). I can also put my phone in the clear map holder on top and answer it through the plastic using the touch screen. Or not answer it depending on who is calling haha.

A bit more Amazon credit coming on to my account soon..... Dunno what to buy next .. LOL


STILL HATE that seat from the other day.....

zzOtherlandzz

Well it took me half the day working (off and on) to get the fenders mounted, but I FINALLY got them on. Found out mounting fenders on a disc brake bike with front suspension can be a challenge. I'll post some pictures tomorrow when I can take the bike outside.

Still having fun.... even If it is toooo hot to ride. Supposed to rain again tomorrow maybe I'll load up and test the fenders, pannier & handle bar bag covers. See how dry I can keep stuff...

zzOtherlandzz

Well finally got out for a ride after putting the fenders on last week. I'm not wanting to ride a whole lot in the heat. Anyway took an 18 mile ride in the heat today.

The front fender was a bit harder to get mounted, didn't have any eyelets on the forks for mounting anything. So had to make a trip to the hardware store to buy the cable holder things. A little bending and a couple of nuts/bolts & washers and I was good to go. Picture 2 and 3 ...

The back fender was easier to mount. But still had to bend the the rods coming from the fender a lil bit to clear the disc brake rotor. And had to fabricate a little bracket out of some stainless steel to hold the fender on the bottom front (picture by the bottom bracket).

I sanded & put a drop of grease on the old seat rails and put it back on the bike. I got about half way to the post office and it started making noise again. grrrrr. Moved the seat a lil bit and it was good for a few miles... then started making noise again. Not sure what im going to try next....

Still having fun.. still dunno what I'm doing.....

Grim

Should be a nice ride.
One thing I noticed is the bikes I have fenders on the drive train stays a lot cleaner. The front tire picks a lot of crud up off the road and slings it at the crank. With the amount of sand in your area you will probably notice a big improvement.

I have a simular MTX bag, the Rain fly is a must. It will fit over deployed panniers.

If you want some cold water then hit Wally world and pick up a Thermos brand briefcase thermos for about $10. It will fit in the bottle holders and it will keep ice for 6+hours. Little bit of a weight penalty but not bad. I run Polar insulated 24oz water bottles. They will keep ice (packed with cubes then filled with cold water) for about 2-3 hours depending on the ambient temp.

I have been running Specialized Hemisphere front and Crossroad rear with good luck. The Crossroad is rated to 80PSI and the center is locked and smooth for good straight road manners. Side has some lugs and will do ok in soft stuff (not mud). Just dont lean it real hard or it will slide out.

My Cannondale M400 set up for mixed surface with Trekking bars.

Look forward to reading about your trip. I have been gearing up for some tours as well and look forward to hearing what worked and what didn't.

zzOtherlandzz

Like your bike... Some days I wish mine didn't have front suspension with all the added weight. But on other days, I think I might use it for off road touring someday... hey never know.

Your right the fenders make a huge difference. The other day when I rode and got caught in a few showers my feet hardly got wet. Especially nice when you don't get hit with the rain but still end up riding on the wet roads.

I'll admit I'm a second hand goodwill & craigslist buyer. The other day while at the local goodwill I found one of those insulated bottle holder things. My water bottle does not quite fit in it but its close. I put the frozen water bottle in a sock and then in that... and still had a TON of ice left 2hrs later in the 95deg heat. I can't wait to see how long it will last when the temp is 80 or 85. Plus it was only 49 cents .... LOL

Also found one of those LED light things that slip onto the bill of your hat. 99 cents... I bought all 8 of them they had. You cant even buy the 2 watch batteries that came with them for 99 cents.

The more I read over in the touring forum, the more I kind of want to try the tent & sleeping bag thing. But I really have no clue about equipment (tent & sleeping bag). If I just stayed one of the 3 nights in a motel/hotel. I could take the money I didn't spend on the other 2 motel stays to help buy the equipment. Not only that but I would be able to afford to go on one of these mini tours every few months if I wanted. If I only did credit card touring I wouldn't be able to do that. See just writing this is like talking myself into it... hahah. Used to go camping every summer with the parents when I was a kid... Loved it then.. but haven't really camped as an adult.

Seriously though..... I really am having fun just getting the stuff together & prepping for the trip.

Jay....

Grim

I'm gearing more for a camping trip.

Tents can be very expensive but cheap tents seldom weigh under 10lb and if they do their quality is often low.

I go cheap whenever I can (all my bikes are CL and thrift store finds as is a lot of my gear) but I decided to go new and REI on the tent because of the warranty. Basically their policy is if I am ever displeased I can bring it back. That is EVER. If it fails while I am on the road I can get it replaced for the difference in cost with what I pick out to replace it. So $180 for a 5lb ish tent. I know a few people that have done cross country rides and midway through had equipment fail and REI took care of it. I have one bud that does a lot of Hiking and doing the Appalachian trail in several 1 week sessions. He swears by Hennesee Hammocks. I may pick one up as well but out west it looses some of its viability.

Check out Scott's equipment list. This guy has rode to Peru via Denali NP AK from Miami. www.Powercycle.net

zzOtherlandzz

Wow.... Now a 5lb tent I can handle. I did buy this bike off of craigslist.. But I have bought a lot of new stuff for it. Fenders, tires, rack & bags. BUT... In my defense I did get most of the stuff at a pretty nice discount. (in a round about way). I found 3 books at a yard sale for 3 bucks... traded them into Amazon for a bit over $100 in credit. Which I used towards buying the rack & trunk bag. And I have done that several more times to buy things on Amazon. But none of the other times were as big a score as the first 3 books.

A buddy of mine is really into the hammock thing. He is gathering stuff to make his own based on some plans from on the internet. He is a LOT more rustic than I will ever be camping. I'm the kind of camper that is going to want running water, a bathroom and showers... (state park type stuff). I could see myself spending the occasional night a bit more rustic.. but not much more than that. A couple of months ago he took off on his mountain bike with a broken seat post rack and a backpack bungee'd to it and rode 75 miles to Jacksonville. Slept in a culvert (new one at a place that makes them) one night. Took a shower at a construction site (Sunday morning). He thinks I'm crazy buying stuff... But I tell him you spend your money on beer.... I'll spend mine on stuff for my bike. I bet I'll have stuff for my bike long after his beer is gone.....

Off to check out that site..... and look at tents....

zzOtherlandzz

Well............ I think I'm going to buy a tent.... I've even got it narrowed down to a couple that I like. I just wish there was an REI store closer than a few hundred miles.

Next... Looking at sleeping bags & mats or an air mattress....

Still having fun.....

zzOtherlandzz

I think I have the tent picked out that I want to get. But I'm waiting for it to appear on steepandcheap.com .. Cool site that a few people mentioned over in the touring forum. They put an item up and usually pretty good prices and run that item for 10 to 20 minutes or until sold out. I'm looking to get this tent here... https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...=ATVPDKIKX0DER .. So far in the past 2 days the site has ran the 1 person & the 3&4 person tents of the same make and model... grrrr....

I think I have the sleeping bag picked out that I want to get... Based on my size (too big ugg), the way I sleep (mostly on my side), and where I'm going to be using it (mostly in the southeast for now with a bit more mild weather). I decided on a semi-rectangular bag that will give me a bit more room in the torso (for my size & because I like to sleep on my side). I will go with down for the weight and size saving's since I went with the bigger shaped bag. Although they are out of stock of it on Amazon this is a good link to check it out. https://www.amazon.com/Kelty-Coromell...4254002&sr=1-2 .. Actually I think I'm going to get the 0deg version.. Same bag with all the specs except its rated for a bit colder. And it has a form fitting hood that unzips for warmer weather. Also unzips to use as a blanket if its too hot to sleep in a bag.

I also got a couple of stuff/compression sacks from geartrade.com (another great site mentioned over in the touring forum).

I ordered this pad from steepandcheap.com .... Alps Mountaineering Lightweight Series Air Pad.. It got pretty good reviews from people especially for the price.

When I get all the stuff in I think I'm going to try an over nighter at Golds Head State Park... About 30 miles from me ..

Still having fun (although spending more money now.)... still dunno what I'm doing...

AND.... After spending all this money on more gear I have to re-think my plans a bit... 1: wont be able to afford 3 hotel/motel stays. 2: Gotta find the campgrounds..

sedges

The 25 degree version should be fine for the SE unless you are planning some tours into the Blue Ridge in January or February. You can always supplement the bag with a cover or a liner for colder temps. As it is, the 25 degree bag will be too warm for all but the coldest nights in FL.

You have gone with the rack trunk with fold-out panniers because you were planning a tour with lodging, if you switch to camping all that gear may not fit or ride well in your current configuration.

zzOtherlandzz

Yeah.... I know.... About the rack and panniers.... (sigh)... I mean the rack is fine... but.. the panniers..not so sure. I should have spent more time thinking it through. I really honestly thought I was going to do the credit card tour thing. But the more I read over in the touring forum the more I started thinking about camping. Kept thinking if I only did credit card tours I would not be able to afford to go more than a couple of times a year. (I know.. haven't even gone on ONE tour yet... and already looking ahead to more... Is that normal?...) I could get a front rack for the bike (although kind of expensive for a disc brake bike with front suspension). I don't think I would need panniers just a rack. (but again imma NOOOB so I dunno).

The thing is, I haven't actually planned any tours other than this one (and not doing a very good job at that since I decided to camp in the middle of planning it... DOH!).. But If I really like touring... MAYBE in the future I would plan a longer tour where the weather might get cooler.... Right now.... just a thought/dream.... The Katy Trail... So I guess I was thinking get the cooler rated bag... If it was too hot unzip it and use it as a blanket.... hang half out of it...

Still confused.... Jay......

I keep thinking to myself.... I have friends that smoke & drink too much in my opinion (but to each their own). And they must spend 150-200 bux a month on that stuff, and have NOTHING to show for it. So Im gonna buy stuff and do SOMETHING!! If I screw up and buy something that doesn't work out.... Sell it on eBay buy something else....

sedges

Really. Nobody gets everything the way they want it for the first tour, or the second for that matter. Mostly you don't know until you do it.

My friendly suggestion, but considering I don't know you well, is to do the credit card tour before you spend all your money. You will learn if you like the riding every day part of it. You will also get more comfortable with navigation, managing your energy and caring for your bike on the road. Staying in motels will ease the learning curve a lot since you haven't camped for a long time and never this style of camping. So you focus this first trip on the riding aspect of a tour.

Then I would suggest borrowing some camping gear. It doesn't have to be light weight stuff you would tour with, but just what you can get from friends and family. Drive to a State Park where there are some good loops or out and back day tours that you can begin from the park. Camp, cook your meals, take your rack trunk on the day rides and buy your dinner and breakfast supplies along the way. Get an idea of what camp life is going to be like on a tour. Ride some good distances each day, set up camp and cook when you are tired, etc. Make it longer than a weekend to get the feel of a tour.

If you enjoy the camping aspect then get the gear you want, put the two aspects of the camp touring together and hit the road! If you can't afford just the right gear from the start, go with what you can afford. Then you will piece your ideal outfit together over time. Right now you have no idea what that would be, but if you spend some time on the road you will figure that out quickly.

Make a date for the start of your first tour. Ride every mile you can get in before that date so you are ready for it.

zzOtherlandzz

All good advice... I do have the 5 buck sleeping bag my mom got for me at goodwill the other day... And I actually do have a tent I bought off of somebody for 20 bucks a couple of months before I even got the bike that I'm converting. NO clue why I bought it at the time other than the guy needed money and wanted 20 bucks for it. I have no clue what kind of tent it is.. Haven't even set it up.. It is still in the box, I think it is a 2 person tent... HEAVY though I weighed it a week or so ago, I think it was 10 or 11lbs (in the box) if I remember correctly. So yes what you suggest is very do-able before I spend any more money on gear. I did order the sleeping pad though.

The riding part though... I think I'll do ok with that.... But your right I do need to ramp it up a bit though. Only riding 1 or 2 times a week right now. With working and the heat I just cant seem to get out there and ride right now. Before it got too hot here I was riding about 20 to 25 miles a day 4 to 6 days a week with usually a longer ride on the weekend (on the road bike). Or sometimes a few hrs on the mountain bike. But on those rides I would ride way harder with more effort knowing that I was only going to ride for a specific time or distance. So far I have only taken 7 or 8 rides with the panniers fully loaded with about 20lbs of books. With the longest ride being about 26 miles. I'm getting better but I need to practice pacing myself with the bike loaded like that. Just because I have the energy to ride faster at the start of a ride does NOT mean I should.... Over the years I just got kind of used to riding at a regular pace.. and then I get on a fully loaded bike and if i'm not thinking about it I start to "try" and ride too fast. (which is NOT fast by any means.)

So yeah.... Maybe your right... I will see about pitching that tent I have. If its good figure out how to strap it on the back of the bike. Wait for the 2 stuff sacks & mat I ordered to come in. Load it all up with a change of clothes and head out to Golds Head State Park for a night. About 30 miles away from where I'm sitting. There are actually quite a few place I could camp all pretty close to home but 20 or 30 miles apart. I could start from home and try 2 or 3 of those camp sites. And still be close to home If I needed rescuing or something didn't go right. A mini camping tour. Hmm maybe just do my tour as planned... And like you said if I like the riding part... then try one of those short close to home state park tours and see if I like the camping part.

Camping or not........ I'm still going to go someplace.... even if I just stick to the original plan... (see I put that in bold so I really mean it... haha) As far as setting a specific date though... Not quite yet... Wait for the weather to cool down a bit more... Try to look for a dry forecast..... and head out... Still thinking mid to late September. I work at home... so can be pretty flexible about the date (to a point that is).

Seriously though.... Thanks for the advice........... Jay.....

LONG WINDED again...... Sorry... I think it helps me figure out what I'm doing when I write it out.....

Edit:.... In the mean time if I happen to find a killer deal on a tent or sleeping bag.... Imma still get it ...