jteighty

Hi,

I've got a racing bike ritchey 6061 t-6 alloy etro # 622-14 wheels. My frame has no holes for racks at all. I'm left with 3 options for racks plus a saddlebag option:

1) Tubus QR adapter + tortec ultralite rack (most expensive but puts weight on axel)
2) Tortec ultralite with p clips (cheapest but can damage frame)
3) Topeak RX (max 15lbs)
4) Carradice Super C saddlebag with sqr adapter (expensive and only 23l)

I plan on using an Altura Arran 16 litre pannier on both sides..

https://www.evanscycles.com/products/...nnier-ec008437

My budget for a rack is max £45 ($70).

I'm riding London to Paris and in the future I'd like to do perhaps LEJOG. I'd most probably do credit-card touring..

What do you advise? (please not axiom streamlined as causes problems with changing flats)

How much weight can my wheels take?

Thanks

JT80

Tubus QR: https://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/Tu...ng/5360025907/
Tortec ultralite: https://www.sjscycles.co.uk/product.a...93&src=froogle

serra

I can answer the wheel part.

They can take as much weight as you'll be able to fit in the panniers, provided you aren't quite heavy, and your spokes are properly tensioned and such.

Bacciagalupe

Get a basic rack and use some p-clamps to secure it to the stays. P-clamps have a rubber jacket, so unless the stays are carbon, I can't imagine you will damage the frame.

Or, get a rack that secures to the brake bosses. Old Man Mountain makes a few, I'm sure there are other vendors or ways to do that as well.

Or, use a trailer. Weight has a minimal effect on performance, especially in a touring context. This would likely end up the most convenient option, especially since you can use it to haul stuff around after the tour.

Get the widest tires you can fit on the bike. I'd also consider using a stem to raise the bars for the tour.

15 lbs is probably not going to be enough, even for a CC tour.

nun

I'm biased, but if you're credit card touring I'd do a saddlebag and handlebar bag combo. Buy a Carradice Expedition bagman and a Super C, camper or nelson longflap saddlebag. If you don't have to carry tent, sleeping bag, pad and cooking stuff you'll have loads of room. Also 15lbs for credit card touring is easily done.

jteighty

Thanks for all the responses. I'm thinking of heading towards the p clip option like Bacciagalupe was suggesting. Do the p clamps limit the weight allowed?

On the long run would the qr adapter be a better buy? (perhaps more stable and safer for bike??)

If I use a saddlebag is there a weight limit? Will I also need to sort out my spoke tension?

nun

If you are credit card touring don't worry about the weight or spoke tension. With 5lbs of stuff in a handlebar bag and 10 to15lbs on the back of the bike you'll have everything you need. Don't assume that you need to take a lot of stuff, it will just make the cycling less fun. I rode from London to Middlesbrough last year with a nelson Longflap and a small handlebar bag staying in B&Bs and had a great time

sstorkel

I spent a week riding down the California coast with a Carradice Nelson Longflap bag and a Bagman QR support, along with a handlebar bag. Worked well and allowed me to carry more gear than I could possibly use on my credit card tour. The setup is pricey here in the U.S., but perhaps you can find good discounts in the U.K.?