Retrobike Touring.

[The History Man]

Re: Retro MTB Touring.

Sounds a bit anal but on only three items, tent, sleeping bag and inflatable mat I've cut over 2 kilos. That's without leaving behind all the unnecessary stuff I didn't use.

 

[Cavalier]

Re: Retro MTB Touring.

What bike are you riding? I'm building up an early 80's Saracen conquest as a tourer at the moment and would live to see some pics of what you are planning to ride.

 

[The History Man]

Re: Retro MTB Touring.

Not retro but steel bespoke 29er. Did a few days a month ago. Now weight watching for next tour. One thing I did go heavy on is cooking pots. The light thin ones I took the first time suffered central hotspots that burnt anything other than simmering water.

 

[Cavalier]

Re: Retro MTB Touring.

That's a good looking and capable bike, must be a treat to ride fully laden. Can I ask what steel is it made from and who the manufacturer is? My Conquest is going a slightly different route in that I'm planning to use some large gauge steel Steco racks and stainless mudguards, so, possibly a bit more mud-proof and heavy.

I know what you mean about light weight pots. Ally pots may tick the weight box but you have to keep continuously stirring them. One idea is titanium pots as ti is such a poor conductor of heat that it tends to spread heat better without adding too much weight.

By the way that's a lovely looking pub. If it's yours I'd be tempted not to leave and if it isn't yours I'd camp up on the front lawn!!

 

[The History Man]

Re: Retro MTB Touring.

Columbus Thron. Builder: coastroadcycles.com He's on here.

 

[Muddy paw]

Re: Retro MTB Touring.

Tent is looking good mate and dropping a couple of kilos out of the original weight from last time is always a wise move although it is a shame about the light pans not being much upto their intended job but glad to see you've got a heavy set of pans available even it is a slight ste backwards on the weight scale but sometimes these things can't be helped but at least the trusty steed is more than up to the task ..

 

[The History Man]

Re: Retro MTB Touring.

Trying to think where else I can shave a bit off. Sporks x 2 and an opinel knife for prep. I bought a cheap plastic mug as a lot lighter than the thick stainless one. Titanium stuff is nice but out of my budget. Lightweight mallet, thinking flip flops as second pair of shoes. Military can opener. Tested it and it's fine fir the odd tin that doesn't have a ring pull.

 

[xerxes]

Re:

2 kilos is a pretty worthwhile saving.

With regards to thin cooking pots and hot spots, what stove are you using? I have a little butane gas stove and the flame is quite controllable, such that I've never really had an issue with hot spots.

And as for can openers, I find the one on Victorinox pen knives works really well and I can open a can pretty much as quickly as I can with a proper kitchen one.

 

[The History Man]

Re: Retro MTB Touring.

Using a little butane job. Controllable but did burn the corned beef hash. 2kg is just the start. That's a six can pack of cokes in my mind. I reckon I can double that without much more expense, just being careful. Thinking of another trip in October. Weather will be more 'interesting'.

 

[NeilM]

Re:

Bringing this thread back to life with my experiment.

I have been looking at both 700c and 26" wheeled tourers, but was advised that a 1990's mtb can be turned into a capable touring bike, so I splashed out £16.50 on a Trek 830.

First job will be to strip everything down, clean, asses and lube.

The bike has had so little use from new that it still has moulding whiskers on the tyres.

Plans are to change the stem or maybe the bars, saddle to Brooks B17 or similar, new pedals, 9 speed conversion, new tyres and then see how it rides.

Racks and pannier hunt underway with Blackburn racks looking favourite along with Ortlieb or Carradice panniers, but we will see what comes up s/h initially.

I'm aiming to get it ready for some testing over winter and then a couple of test runs down into West Somerset or over to Brecon, after that, we will see.