Mangizmo
Raleigh Fan
YAYYYYYYYYY thats the way to do it......all worked out decades ago nice one
YAYYYYYYYYY thats the way to do it......all worked out decades ago nice one
I agree, but I also see bike packing as a genuinely viable alternative. More than one way to skin a cat as the saying goes.YAYYYYYYYYY thats the way to do it......all worked out decades ago nice one
Your MKM is lovely.In the eighties, there was a school of thought that saddlebags and handlebar bags were too loose and didn't help handling. I therefore kitted my cycle camping tourer of the time out with the newly available Blackburn rear rack (triangulated aluminium and very rigid) and 'Low riders'. Low riders held the front panniers low - adjacent to the front hub - and didn't affect the feel of the steering in the way a handlebar bag or normal front panniers would. Frame is needed for the pump and battle cage; optional bottle under the down tube. Primus stove with special brazed on clamp mounted on the handlebars so it didn't leak paraffin everywhere. Triple TA chainring 46/36/26 with 14-28 on the rear could get up most things. Worked beautifully on rough stuff. The (heavy) weight was well distributed front & rear and held firmly so the bike handled well on fast mountain descents and kept the front wheel on the ground going up Hardknott Pass. Here are a couple of pictures - one going over a drove road in the Cairngorms.
Having eulogised about the old days, I should say that I love my 1x11 set up and the availability of decent gravel tyres, and like the idea of frame bags. As long as what you are carrying is rigidly held. Some gravel bike frame builders are still catering for the rack/mudguard fraternity - e.g. the Laverack GRiT albeit with some of the bespoke options. And there is the debate over hub vs derailleur gears too, or dynamos!
Thanks v much. For this discussion, the crucial bit for me is that it has eyelets for mudguard and racks (rear & low rider) to attach bags securely and distributed evenly, and low at the front. To continue the Mercian theme @bagpuss , here is a picture of my wife’s well-worn Mercian similarly kitted out, but with the Mk2 Blackburn Low-riders, so she can carry as much as me with similar ease. Or she can travel light & fast, with little handicap, as she wishes - the frame geometry is suitable. And using some of the modern bikepacking bags too would be preferable to an overloaded saddlebag IMHO.Your MKM is lovely.
Many people have no interest in touring and simply want the equivalent (but with discs/ tech) to a high end 90s mountain for fast gravel/road use.
If you add luggage mounts I’d expect the area would need to b reinforced and therefore heavier to contend with the possible added weight. Thus making the whole frame heavier which doesn’t appeal to someone simply wanting a fast/light bike. Same as someone buying a high end XC bike from the 90s.
I’d guess the majority of peoples rides don’t warrant any luggage beyond a saddlebag. All you need is a phone, tube and a small multi tool.
I see many of them on the local canal loaded up like they are travelling the world when they are doing the local 20 mile loop. It seems to be fashionable to have as many bags as possible , similar to those lambrettas you see with a million mirrors.
This is very much me, I use my gravel bike for rides from my door, usually below 40km. I just stick my phone, wallet and a snack in the top tube bag, stick on a bottle or two and set off. Not having to sort the Camelbak or pack the car to drive somewhere is the whole appeal. yesterday I bunged on a Crud Catcher and clip on rear guard but usually don't bother.
Saying all that, I'm struggling with drop bars having tried a few different styles so am considering a XC bike.....
View attachment 721589