Front panniers for Claude Butler Dalesman

[Rob D]

Hi. I've managed so far for touring with rear panniers and bar box. This includes camping gear down to freezing levels. The simplicity of this is great for ferries, buses and boxing for air travel. But new plans suggest a bit more capacity would be useful. I can't use anything else on the bars due to cables.
Is there a halfway house to going for front rack and panniers?
Thanks, Rob

[rotavator]

Do you mean "How can I increase luggage capacity without adding a front rack?"

If so, you could:
1. Tie things to to top of the rear rack e.g. a tent
2. Add a saddle bag
3. Add frame bags that are the current fashion for bikepackers

[Brucey]

...I've managed so far for touring with rear panniers and bar box...... I can't use anything else on the bars due to cables....

do you have 'washing lines' from shimano STis by any chance? If so these can be routed around quite large bar bags by using V-brake noodles (eg flexi-noodles) in the shifters.



Also you can fit 'quite large' bar bags using a small front rack and a 'decaleur'.



this can give about as much space as a third rear pannier would.

cheers

[whoof]

Another eight litres
https://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/BAPODTFB/ ... e-and-ties
Eleven litres
https://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/BAPODTFBL ... e-and-ties

I have seen this on offer for a tenner.

[Rob D]

Crikey, many thanks for the quick replies! Really useful. Didn't know about the flexi noodle thing, nor the decaleur idea. I have a reasonable sized bar box so wonder if I'd be able to squeeze a bag underneath that. Will investigate.
I'd seen the Podsack idea or similar in a photo somewhere but didn't know what they were. Anyone used them?
Thanks again,
Rob

[Rob D]

And yes, I do have STI washing lines! Hadn't heard them calked that before.
Rob

[Rob D]

Rotovator, thanks, and yes, need more capacity and it would help to have it forward. I carry the tent in a drybag on the rack and will also have in that a small rucsac and perhaps a thin fleece. That leaves just enough space for the saddle bag with puncture stuff etc.
I've tried a frame bag but couldn't easily squeeze it in.
Rob

[rotavator]

I don't know what fittings your front fork has but may be a porteur style rack would be useful, e.g.:
[url]
https://www.velovitality.co.uk/collecti ... nier-racks[/url]

[zenitb]

Not sure this is good advice .. works for me though

[Brucey]

flexie-noodle

from spa cycles
or from SJS
https://www.sjscycles.co.uk/brakes/diacompe-flexie-cable-adjuster-silver/

in the photo above rigid V-pipes are used; I think they risk damage to the shifters if they get knocked, and flexi-ones are better in this respect. They are available with and without a barrel adjuster.

cheers

[Rob D]

Again, many thanks all. Plenty of food for thought. Quite intrigued by the fork bags as they seem to be least bulky for travel. We have mounts/braze ons on the fork legs so it would be nice to be able to use them somehow.
The extra space is for a 3 month trip to N Norway where we hope to do some walking along the way. It's the 'Midnight Sun to the Northern Lights' trip. Russia - or the border as they don't make it easy or cheap - to our friends in Narvik. Via Nordkapp and possibly into Finland and Sweden, but have to check for mozzies.