Cycling UK Forum

I'm planning a Trans USA trip for next year and am looking for some advice on racks.

In the past I've used Blackburn expedition racks and a front low rider with the support which arches over the front wheel. Ortlieb panniers dont clip on with the old style low rider and its pesky getting them to fit on their custom low rider.

I have a Roberts audax 531frame. I'll be using front and rear Ortlieb panniers. I want to travel as lightly as possible and will travel self supporting, so tent and stove etc will need to come along too. So which would be the best combination of Tubus racks to use.

Over to you?

MC

I've fitted a Campagnolo headset and thought the Dia Compe brake hanger I bought from SJS would fit. Sadly it fouls the top race. So, which hanger projects far enough forward to clear the top race? Any links to a shop which sells it would be welcome too.

Thanks MC

http://www.cycleoregon.com/

This is a great event. I've ridden it over the last two years. The route is kept secret until Feb 4. The two thousand places sell out within a couple of days. Its priced around $800.

I bought a set of Hope Pro 3 hubs to build some touring wheels around. I'm hoping to do a coast to coast ride across the US. I'll be carrying typical camping gear and trying not to overload weight wise.

I'm thinking of using 28mm tyres. An Open Pro can cope with a 28mm tyre as a max width. A Mavic A719, 28mm is listed as their min width tyre fitting.

I'm interested in hearing folks experiences touring with either.

The Blackburn Custom low rider rack I have is pesky when fitting Ortlieb front panniers. Is there a better/easier mounting front low rider rack?

Thanks Peter

Just back from Cycle Oregon 08.

This is a great non competitive event in rural Oregon. The route changes every year and is announced in early January.

The week long route is usually 500 miles long. Trucks carry your and 1999 other riders camping gear from point to point every day. Hot showers and meals are provided.

Cost around £400. plus flights

There were only a handful of European riders there this year. They are keen to attract more.

Check out cycleoregon.com

I'm going back next year.

Peter

Thanks for that, I'll check the headset again.

My xtr front canti squeal like hell. When they are applied you can just see some forward float in the brake. I took them to bits and noticed a wee bit of wear in the brake bush, not the braze on. Is that wear the source of the squeal?

What are my chances of finding a new bush. I'm off to the States for a 5 week tour including Cycle Oregon, so am keen to see off the squeal!

Thanks Peter

I bought a new Blackburn rack from Wiggle to replace an old 80s one that was a bit looking a bit sad. The old one was I think made in the USA the new one in Tiawan.

The new one has longer struts from the dropout bolthole to the rack top raising the centre of gravity far too high. The quality of the welding and finish wasn't nearly as good as my old one.

So its off with the new and back on with the old one.

Is this anyone elses experience? I was suspicious when I noticed the price. I think I paid much the same if not more 20 years ago for the 'same' product.

MC

Do they hold securely without too much wobbling?

I've got a Blackburn custom low rider front rack. I've had it a while and neer really looed at it. I've just noticed that the top rails form a V shape. I tried fitting an old set of Karrimor pannier hooks and they dont fit that well unlike the original type with 'hoop' that goes over the fron wheel.

I'm plnning on buying a set of Ortlieb panniers. Will these fit snugly on the rack? I'm keen to hear your expeiences.

Off to ride Cycle Oregon in Sept then tour downto Sn Francisco.

Although its a timed event, its not a race. Its a very friendly event in the midfield anyway. Most folk I met werent club riders but folk and their mates just out for a challenging ride on closed roads.

I've got a pal who has a bike shop in Pitlochry who says that the rising cost of fuel has had an effect on day trippers to Pitlochry. Grey pound woollen buyers are deserting the town.

Specific events bring a huge number of diverse people to the area who may well come back and revisit the area.

Weather this year was fantastic, last year it poured.

I've ridden it for the last two years.

There is a fair bit of climbing, and the road around Lochs Tummel and Rannoch can get exposed to strong headwinds.

Its a great event, mainly because of the closed roads. Sure there are folk who complained about the rolling roadblock, which left some roads closed for a couple of hours. The event started an hour earlier this year to help ease conflict.

However 2500 cyclists all needed something to eat afterwards, the local businesses didnt seem at all empty when I was there. otels and B&Bs and campsites were full. Many would return again.

Frankly anyone who expects to find Pitlochry as a sleepy highland village should look elsewhere.

Needing to replace old Karrimor Iberian panniers with something more waterproof for a 5 week tour in Oregon and northern California in Sept. Taking camping gear. Though I want to keep the weight down, there are a lot of hills. Things could get wet about then so need a recomendation for some waterproof panniers.

Had a look at Ortlieb on Wiggle. They list 3 rear panniers. Anyone had any experiences?

What are the alternatives? Altura? Arkel? Do Karrimor still mahe panniers

Any advice would be welcome

Thanks Peter

Good point. I might just try that. The did honour their guarentee once before. I used my KS100e panniers for commuting and for various euro tours. Then the semi ridgid back reinforcing plates broke up. I thought I was chancing my arm, but asked them about replacement. They sent a brand new set!