Retrobike Touring.

[Trebz]

I forgot to mention, if you buy steel racks it's easier to get them welded back together if they break during a ride, a good aluminium welder is much more difficult to find. You can pretty much drop into any high street or village car repair or MOT centre and they are guaranteed to have a welding unit somewhere in the building. I also know for a fact there are a lot of hobbyists who have them in the garage of their home, hardly used. A knock on someones door will soon lead you to a tinkerer down their street who can weld two pieces of metal back together for you to limp home with.

Failing that you can get a nut and bolt drilled in there somewhere with some scrap steel to act as a brace.

 

[greencat]

Re:

Second (or third?) the recommendation on steel rack. More likely to tolerate bending back after a crash or shunt too. I've had similar wear issues with aluminium racks, but nothing terminal.

And a note of caution on blackburn. They build them so tough your frame may suffer. A friend of mine did a small shunt into the back of me while touring in Tunisia. The blackburn bottle cage - didn't bend or break - but instead tore off my frame - initiating the frame cracks which would eventually prove terminal.

 

[widowmaker]

Re:

Thanks for the info peeps!!

 

[widowmaker]

Re:

I have just got a Scott Windriver frame and Forks. It's Double Butted Tubing and stays.

I did plan to build into an mtb but was thinking.

Could this be suitable for touring on ?? Strong enough ??

I seem to remember someone touring on a similar Scott but can locate the post.

I'll be up picture up later.

 

[hamster]

Sounds perfect. Any steel MTB will be strong enough, the only difference is that high end frames tend not to be so nice when laden.

 

[widowmaker]

Sounds perfect. Any steel MTB will be strong enough, the only difference is that high end frames tend not to be so nice when laden.

Thanks, just wanted to check that before I built it up. It feels light too

I am I total novice about touring

 

[hamster]

We all start as novices at touring! It's one of those areas where there is no single right answer, so it's very much trial and error for daily distance, camping or accommodation, how much stuff you like taking, comfort level tolerated, what kind of terrain etc etc.

30 mile round trips with an overnighter are every bit as much touring as are long self-supported expeditions in remote areas or fast dashes between city centres on road bikes staying in hotels.

Start with short runs, see what works and slowly extend. A 10 mile trip to a campsite and an overnight might be a good starter - or a longer ride to stop in a B&B, explore a bit and ride back.

Speaking personally my typical trip is 40-60 miles riding on quiet lanes and old railway tracks, camp and a nice meal in a small bar or restaurant.

 

[widowmaker]

Re:

Thanks Hamster !

I see you are in the New Forest, not far from me. Have you any routes you would recommend that are in the area that avoid (as much as possible) roads, lunatic cars.

Just to test the equipment/bike/tent.

 

[ILoveEnriqueAli]

Re:

Ooooh, prime opportunity for some Singletrack Bikepacking!

Way more fun than road touring for me, but also tends to cover far less distance. Worth it for the more interesting riding though

 

[widowmaker]

Re: Re:

Ooooh, prime opportunity for some Singletrack Bikepacking!

Way more fun than road touring for me, but also tends to cover far less distance. Worth it for the more interesting riding though

I try my best to avoid cars, too many inconsiderate muppets about so disused railways etc are perfect. I travel light generally through life, like Kwai Chang Caine