jmio

I have a k2 mod 5.0 with 9 speed ultegra, compact double crank. It's an aluminum frame with carbon fork, seat and chain stays. It's a super comfortable ride and i'm capable of cruising for hours upon hours. my question is, do you guys think I could put a rear rack with panniers capable of holding supplies for a few days of camping and touring. i live in nw ohio and don't plan on leaving the state, just riding around ohio visiting mohican, hocking hills and camping entire time.

as of now I have a spare set of rims, 36 spoke(dt swiss) mavic open pro rims with dura ace hubs, trying to decide best wheel for this set up. Any suggestions????

Is there any fenders out there for road bikes such as this that would work with these? this is what I was thinking of purchasing for my short tours,

https://treefortbikes.com/#product.as...31&parent=a141
https://treefortbikes.com/#product.as...78&parent=a395

does anyone think these will do the job for a roadbike that's not setup for rear racks? any other suggestions for me that might work?

Oh yeah, my tent I have is a family tent, HUGE, need to find one more suited to load up on rear rack and big enough to fit my wife and I. Thank you for your help and consideration!

MichaelW

If you have a roadbike you should think about ultra-light camping, maybe with a tarp-tent or hammock.
You can fit small panniers to a seat-post clamp rack but dont overload it and dont clamp to a carbon post and think carefully before using an ultralight al post.
As an alternative you could fit a large carradice saddlebag as well as a bar bag.
You only need fenders if you expect rain. You can get clip-on roadbike fenders from SKS.

Dan The Man

I've done a lot of touring on a rode bike. It could take a regular rack though. I wouldn't trust a cantilever rack. I also packed light. The problem I had was mostly with heel strike because of a shorter back stay. I wouldn't worry about a carbon fork, just don't abuse it. I saw a lot of people touring the coast with 20 spoke wheels and no problems. None of them were heavy guys though.

neilfein

I assume both you and yoru wife will be hauling stuff? If so, you may be able to take a larger than normal tent.

I tour with the REI Half Dome 2HC - 5lbs 11oz, a grea tent.

I haven't used it, but I'd check reviews on the 4 person version - 8lbs 3oz packed. We take a long a hobitat 4 when car camping, but it's far too heavy for bike touring - around 16 pounds.

neilfein

I'd strongly consider a trailer. Anyone have experience pulling a trailer on a road bike?

jmio

my efforts are aimed toward budget upgrades lol, i'm even thinking about going withh the nashbar rainproof rear panniers(i've heard good things), trailers are pricey and I like the idea of panniers better.

10 Wheels

on sale now

https://www.nashbar.com/webapp/wcs/st...1_19501__19501

10% Off Code WOW W257

jmio

wow thanks, that was fast, your good! lol

10 Wheels

Get one of these. They hold a lot.



https://www.nashbar.com/webapp/wcs/st...1_19501__19501

Torrilin

If your wife is joining you, what's her bike like? How strong a rider is she? (I'm not a hugely strong woman, but it's pretty much always better to put cargo on my bike than my partner's. First, mine's *built* for cargo. Second, I'm a much more efficient rider than he is. Third, I'm a lot more used to riding loaded.)

I'd be fairly nervous about a rack on a bike with carbon chainstays, especially if you were planning on more than 20lbs back there. (call it 5lbs for sleeping bag, pad, pillow. 5lbs for clothes. that leaves you 10lbs for tent, food, cleaning supplies, towels, spare water, tools...). A handlebar bag/saddlebag setup might work better since it would let you distribute the 20lbs over more of the bike... and in places where the designers expected weight. It's probably doable, but it will take some thinking and planning.

LeeG

I'd suggest getting creative with loading gear on the front end, frame and top of the rear rack instead of a big set of panniers hanging off the back. What you like about your road bike will be retained by keeping the front/rear balance as close to original.

valygrl

Yes, great idea, pack really really light, forget stoves and cooking, get an 2 person ultralight tent. shop rei-outlet you can often get a good deal on something. Here's the one I use now: https://www.rei.com/outlet/product/767268 - it's not luxury, but me and my 6'3" boyfriend lived in it for 6 weeks, and it only weighs 4 pounds.

give up everything you can in terms of camping luxury, to make the riding nicer. Put the biggest cassette on the bike you can fit with your derailler - I think SHeldon Brown's site says you can use a 30 tooth cassette with a regular road derailler. 27 or 28 for sure.

That's a nice looking rack! If you need <40 pounds of carrying capacity, and don't mind spending a LOT more $, Tubus Fly fits road bikes with a QR accessory, and is very light. https://www.thetouringstore.com/TUBUS/Fly/FLY%20PAGE.htm I have this for my road bike for credit card touring.

Use the strongest wheels you have.

I guess, with the carbon rear triangle, it would probably be wise to contact the bike manufacturer and/or the rack manufacturer to see if it's a safe setup.

jmio

my trips will be short and sweet, long weekends here and there so i don't think the weight would be that much. My wife is in good shape but i would like to keep her from being a work horse and carrying more than is comfortable. I'll be carrying the tent with accessories/ my sleeping bag/cooking supplies/ my clothes, she'll be carrying her sleeping bag with food/first aid/her clothes/etc. I was looking at front racks/bags but was thinking it might be a little overkill. but the weight distribution does make a lot of sense. I've got a handlebar bag for my repair kit/tubes/tire/maps and snacks. i guess it'll be a trial and error, if my bike falls apart on the side of the highway i'll probably be mad, then laugh, then be mad when i have to buy a new bike! lol

AndrewP

I like the rack in your original post but the panniers are twice as big as you need. Use bar, frame and saddle bags. Dont take any more cooking gear than needed for soup or coffee.

Mr. Jim

I did some touring on my Giant road bike a couple years back, worked ok but not great convivnced me to get my LHT. I would recommend a trailer, nashbar has theirs on sale for what a decent rack and panniers would cost atm.

https://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product..._200277_200508

jmio

yeah, those panniers do look over kill, i like the nashbar ones for sale that 10 wheels posted. I heard trailers put more stress on your bike than panniers/rear racks do. anyone know anything pertaining to this?

10 Wheels

I would not put a trailer on your road bike.

It would add stress and just one more item to have problems with.