Search found 2 matches

by daviddobedoe
31 Jul 2012, 10:28am
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: New to Touring
Replies: 30
Views: 10543

Re: New to Touring

Unless you are planning an 'extreme' trip i wouldn't recommend a steel frame to anyone these days and given the carbon forks are nigh on indestructable, whats to worry about?

Whatever you decide to go with remember the most important things are:-
    Enjoy yourself
    maintenance
    enjoy yourself!

in that order :D


Somebody had to respond to this so. :D
I have several bikes including steel, carbon and aluminium frames.
Unless your wanting to ride competitively I would recommend a fairly good to great steel frame every time. The frame weight issue is a non issue. (I can't comment on titanium never had one)
Me, and my mates have broken carbon. aluminium and steel frames but the steel ones do take a lot more use/abuse before they fail. Carbon and Aluminium are in my experince less reliable.
My personal preference is for something at the sporty/credit card touring end of design unless carrying a lot of kit. which I don't have the time for at the moment. (Small children and all that)
Once you've been cycling long enough to start know what you like, there is still a very good case for putting together/selecting exactly what you want rather than a factory put together machine.
My steel bike
My steel bike

I'm guessing this steel machine cost me about £1000. I won't be asking 'upgrade' questions because its great as it is. No rack on in this picture but it has the braze ons to make fitting easy when needed.

Whilst I'm at it, I would recommend good enough hand built wheels. I think they are more comfortable to ride, wheels wear out and they are repairable.


And yes enjoy yourself and enjoy yourself.
by daviddobedoe
29 Jul 2012, 8:59am
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Panniers
Replies: 14
Views: 7434

Re: Panniers

I have just broken the plastic clips on my Carradice pannier bags. I think they are 20odd years old and plastic don't last forever. I am not what you call a heavy user. (Odd trip every now and again) A fairly thick cable tie was all that was needed to fashion an acceptable repair. When the hook failed we did have a bit of a moment!

Can anybody tell me if the hooks/ rail arrangement is compatible with the current hooks for replacement?