Just picked up a new Disc Trucker and need to get a rear rack, water bottle holders, etc.

Any advice on a rear rack? I was thinking Tubus as they seem to be the best with several variations?

I'll probably only have 2 water bottle holders on for this trip, any hints on what I should be looking at there as well? I've done many long distance backpacking trips(AT, JMT, SHT, etc.) but never a bike tour so the bike side is a new endeavor! Thanks for your help.

Rear Rack: Yes, Tubus! There is another thread right now getting a lot of responses. It comes down to personal choice and budget. All models designed for touring are great.

Water Bottle Cages: Look into King Cage for about $20 each (can get them for less if you search online.) They are stainless steel. Handmade in the USA. For long distance touring, I would go for three water bottle cages. You won't regret.

Go to your local shop, grab a bottle, stick it in a random cage, then try to pull it out. If the bottle is easy to remove, try another cage until you find one that has a decent grip on the bottle. I usually buy whatever cheap metal cage is in stock at the local bike shop. If they're a little loose, you can always bend a metal cage to make the fit tighter. I've yet to have one rust, break, or drop a bottle...

paintplongo, Tubus, Bruce Gordon and Old Man Mountain have excellent rack systems. I like the plastic buttons on the Elite bottle cages. The ones on my tourer are at least 20 years old.

Brad

LHT have a mount for bottle #3 under the down tube..

I find that bottle cages take a beating, esp in transit, so I prefer flexible plastic to metal. I have an old one by Elite in glass-reinforced Nylon that encircles the bottle. This is especially important under the downtube where gravity pulls a springy metal cage open.
Ive had cheap brittle plastic cages crack and snap.

paintplongo, Just a gratuitus shot of the water bottle cages. Of course buy three at the same time for a good match.

Brad

Extra Toe strap goes around the cage underneath, added security..
I've put my G/K MSR 22floz stove fuel bottle in it..

I would second the recommendation for King Cage stainless bottle cages - not only handmade in the USA, but I find steel bottle cages much easier to flex to fit around different sized bottles. I've broken a half-dozen cheap-o aluminum cages (fitting different size bottles, particularly stainless steel and random convenience store purchases) but never a King Cage.

Since King Cage is getting brought up, look into their top cap cage mount. Kinda gimmicky, but I love it, especially since my bike only has the two regular bottle mounts inside the frame. It does a nice job increasing my capacity on day rides or longer rides and maximizes on-bike storage space.

Blackburn stainless steel cages. Like $14 each and they are great. Mine have 1000's of miles on them and they are still in great shape.
Jensonusa has them.