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[saltdawg]

OK bike people. I know that there a couple of you on my list. I am the new owner of a trek 4500 (or something) (updated for model.) I don't think the bike is really the thing. My request is for advice on what the best bags/rack to get for this bike are. I'd like waterproof, but that's just the seaman in me. I can't really see riding in driving rain

Comments

[mallorys_camera]

I spent 7 weeks riding around Italy on my bike. This was in the mid 1980s before I became a breeder. Great trip because when I got tired of riding, I coud load the bike on to a train. I had side panniers and a map bag. Company that made them is probably out of business now. That was my last major trip.

[saltdawg]

I have been excruciatingly frugal for the last couple of months, but the closer I get to unemployment, the faster I'm spending my cash. Kind of like I better spend it now on stupid stuff I want but don't need before I fritter it away on things like the gas bill and food.

The point is that this current spending spree was set off when I bought a top-of-the-line GPS for the auto/bicycle. I'm not going to need a map bag!

[mallorys_camera]

Unemployment? For real? That's the part of the story I missed. Email please.

[saltdawg]

Now you know the rest of the story.

[randomdreams]

Best frame pump: Zefal HpX. They'll last you 20 years. Best patch kit: Rema. Don't even look at glueless patches. I really like Continental tires because they're durable. They're not cheap, especially good ones. If you're going to be taking road trips you want way skinnier tires, unless you're thinking about doing some offroad.
There are some good multitools around. I'll do some digging to find specifics.
I don't know a lot about good panniers but I'll ask skazat, who just finished riding from canada to mexico offroad, about what he uses.

When you go to change the grips, get a small thin screwdriver, pry up the edge of the existing grip just a little, and pour in some rubbing alcohol and moosh that around. It'll end up lubricating the whole grip right off, easily, and likewise putting the new one on -- and it even makes them sticky inside once it dries out so they don't move around once they're on.

[saltdawg]

Thank you for this response. I will take your advice to heart, and to the letter. I have a shipmate who is a gearhead when it comes to his bike, but he won't help me at all because he wants to have the best/most tricked out bike on the boat. But then again, he's a douchebag. I'm planning on using the bike as primary transport to ther store, to work or whatever, so I think I'm going to stick with the thick tires...And your grip trick sounds great. I can actually use that on some of the gear here on the ship!

[morty_baby]

I have a back rack that has to be free-floating because of the way my bike is built. That means it's bolted to the seat pole and keeps moving around on me. I put way too much weight in my basket (a metal basket zap-strappped to the rack) and it's a pain in the ass. I see that looking at pics of your bike, you won't have that problem. Get a heavy duty metal rack that bolts to the wheel as well as the seat pole (for panniers) I went to a second hand store and asked to buy one of their shopping baskets as a metal basket and for the front of my bike, I use a velcro-closed lunch bag. It's good for carrying things THINGS that you want to stay cold *vink* and I can fold it up when not in use. I carry a goodly supply of zapstraps as they are handy for all kindsa fixes and I have a little tool kit with a multitool, a multi-sized hex ring, a stubby screwdriver, a litltle wrench, a tube patch kit and a beer can sleeve. For the THINGS you want to stay cold.

[saltdawg]

Yeah, after I posted this I got drunker and went on amazon and bought a pretty sturdy back rack, and a folding front basket/booze holder which got pretty good reviews. I think I'm more of a rigid front rack kind of guy than a bag dude. Of course I will have some sort of space blanket or small cooler strapped down into the basket thing for privacy and insulation.

Have you ever seen "POLLOCK"? the bike scene is one of the saddest things I've ever seen on film.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fZZyx4LvLVY

Look familiar to you? It does to me.

Smooches!

[saltdawg]

I think this is a better clip: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=endscreen&NR=1&v=YcT9WokwZV4

[emma_rising]

My Continental tires have been great - I have the ultra sport - they are pretty puncture resistant but pretty hard to put on (I think they'll get easier, eventually). Also I am a big fan of Chrome bags - they have some repurposed military bags these days, and their bags are very much waterproof and all around cool - but I don't think they make saddle bags. (chromebags.com). Also I feel like everyone just getting into bike riding thinks road (skinnier) tires / slim seat are uncomfortable, but the more you ride, the more you will want them. Unless you are doing all of your riding through the woods, road tires are so much more efficient.