Advice for a heavier load

In article <1igm4ex.xatyb18faupxN%real-not-anti-spam-address@apple-
juice.co.uk>, D.M. Procida
[email hidden] says...

Quoted message said:

I'll be making this journey next Thursday, carrying clothes for five
days, camera and so on in my panniers:

<http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=d&hl=en&geocode=&saddr=pedre%C3%B1a+spa
in&daddr=llanez&mra=cc&dirflg=h&sll=43.399645,-3.62113&sspn=0.232738,0.3
06244&ie=UTF8&ll=43.39956,-3.632355&spn=0.232738,0.306244&t=p&z=12>

Firstly, should I change my usual 23mm tyres for something heavier?

I wouldn't go touring on less than a 28mm tyre, but I'm pretty heavy and
I also like the comfort of a slightly lower inflation pressure.

Quoted message said:

Secondly, I'd like to replace my falling-to-bits commuting pannier with
a pair of larger and more waterproof bags.

These look OK:

<http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=14322>

<http://wiggle.co.uk/ProductDetail.aspx?Cat=cycle&ProdID=5360033204&N=dh
b%20Marsden%20Rear%20Panniers>

Any suggestions or recommendations?

A handlebar bag is good for things like cameras and food that you want
to access easily. It also adds capacity and takes a bit of the load off
the rear wheel, as do front low-rider panniers. If rain is likely to be
a problem then putting stuff in plastic bags inside your panniers will
keep it dry.

D.M. Procida said:

I'll be making this journey next Thursday, carrying clothes for five
days, camera and so on in my panniers:

<http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=d&hl=en&geocode=&saddr=pedre%C3%B1a+spa
in&daddr=llanez&mra=cc&dirflg=h&sll=43.399645,-3.62113&sspn=0.232738,0.3
06244&ie=UTF8&ll=43.39956,-3.632355&spn=0.232738,0.306244&t=p&z=12>

Firstly, should I change my usual 23mm tyres for something heavier?

I don't know the roads in question, but I reckon 25 or 28mm tyres are more
sensible for general cycling anyway.

Ultimately, you will be limited by what can fit in your frame or mudguards,
and it's a good idea to allow a bit of wobble room in case the wheel ever
goes slightly out of true.

~PB

D.M. Procida said:

I'll be making this journey next Thursday, carrying clothes for five
days, camera and so on in my panniers:

<http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=d&hl=en&geocode=&saddr=pedre%C3%B1a+spa
in&daddr=llanez&mra=cc&dirflg=h&sll=43.399645,-3.62113&sspn=0.232738,0.3
06244&ie=UTF8&ll=43.39956,-3.632355&spn=0.232738,0.306244&t=p&z=12>

Firstly, should I change my usual 23mm tyres for something heavier?

I would, but mileage varies and I wouldn't typically ride on anything
less than 28 anyway. You've still got a week to get a tour in with the
heavy load and try it on the 23s and see how it goes.

Quoted message said:

Secondly, I'd like to replace my falling-to-bits commuting pannier with
a pair of larger and more waterproof bags.

These look OK:

<http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=14322>

Ho hum. For another tenner you can have a pair of Ortliebs which are
widely regarded as being as good as you can get.

Quoted message said:

<http://wiggle.co.uk/ProductDetail.aspx?Cat=cycle&ProdID=5360033204&N=dh
b%20Marsden%20Rear%20Panniers>

Those are a bit cheaper which would make sense if you don't plan on
using them very often. But if you are going to get extended use I've
yet to come across someone who's miffed they bought Ortliebs.

Quoted message said:

Any suggestions or recommendations?

Wot Rob Sez concerning some of the load up front: it's a good idea.

Even if you get fully waterproof panniers don't forget that if you put
something wet (like a post-storm raincoat) inside then the contents will
still get wet, so get some liners in any case. Binliners are widely
used but frankly [censored] as they tear too easy, rubble sacks (from B&Q
etc.) are miles better and are still only pennies.

Pete.
--
Peter Clinch Medical Physics IT Officer
Tel 44 1382 660111 ext. 33637 Univ. of Dundee, Ninewells Hospital
Fax 44 1382 640177 Dundee DD1 9SY Scotland UK
net [email hidden] http://www.dundee.ac.uk/~pjclinch/

D.M. Procida writtificated

Quoted message said:

Firstly, should I change my usual 23mm tyres for something heavier?

Assuming you're sticking to tarmac, 23mm have two disadvantages. They are
uncomfortable and prone to pinch flats should you reduce the pressure.

If you're doing less than 20ish mph then a wide tyre run at a high pressure
would be more comfortable and more efficient than a 23 or 25mm tyre. That
said, I've toured on 23mm with 30kg of luggage and 80kg of me without
problems, it's just that when touring you don't want to feel every single
chip of tarmac you pass over 🙂

Peter Clinch said:

Ho hum. For another tenner you can have a pair of Ortliebs which are
widely regarded as being as good as you can get.

That's also what I'd recommend.

[---]

Quoted message said:

But if you are going to get extended use I've
yet to come across someone who's miffed they bought Ortliebs.

Mine get used two to three times a year on long-distance tours. But
every week carrying loads of shopping. And they're as water-tight as
the proverbial duck's a***.

Quoting Andrew Price <[email hidden]>:
[ortliebs]

Quoted message said:

Mine get used two to three times a year on long-distance tours. But
every week carrying loads of shopping. And they're as water-tight as
the proverbial duck's a***.

My left one isn't, it's got a 3mm hole in the bottom. They don't last
_forever_...
--
David Damerell <[email hidden]> Distortion Field!
Today is Second Tuesday, May.

David Damerell of Linux Unlimited said:

Quoting Andrew Price <[email hidden]>:
[ortliebs]

Quoted message said:

Mine get used two to three times a year on long-distance tours. But
every week carrying loads of shopping. And they're as water-tight as
the proverbial duck's a***.

My left one isn't, it's got a 3mm hole in the bottom. They don't last
_forever_...

How long is your not forever? I bought a pair of Ortliebs for a six month
tour in 1995, where they proved their complete watertightness by
withstanding tropical downpours. I still have one of that pair in daily use
for commuting to work and gets packed to the top for the weekly shop, and it
does not have any holes in. It's badly faded in colour but is still
waterproof.
--
Steph Peters
Chorlton Wanderers Cycling Group
Monthly slow and easy rides from South Manchester
http://www.sandbenders.demon.co.uk/cycling/chwan.htm

On 14 May, 23:40, Steph Peters <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

David Damerell of Linux Unlimited said:

Quoting Andrew Price <[email hidden]>:
[ortliebs]

Quoted message said:

Mine get used two to three times a year on long-distance tours. But
every week carrying loads of shopping. And they're as water-tight as
the proverbial duck's a***.

Quoted message said:

My left one isn't, it's got a 3mm hole in the bottom. They don't last
_forever_...

How long is your not forever? I bought a pair of Ortliebs for a six month
tour in 1995, where they proved their complete watertightness by
withstanding tropical downpours. I still have one of that pair in daily use
for commuting to work and gets packed to the top for the weekly shop, and it
does not have any holes in. It's badly faded in colour but is still
waterproof.

I've (more or less) trashed two pairs of Ortliebs in just a few
months.

To be fair, I'm carting a lorry-load of tools around in them, and
where a
chisel has gone through the end it's not really Ortlieb's fault, but
I'm a
bit disappointed in the fact that the welds are splitting at the
corners.

Given the loads, I think it's a toss-up whether the abraded holes are
fair wear and tear or not too - certainly they haven't proved as
robust
as I had hoped.

Still, it's doubtful whether any other brand would be any better:
having
said that, I see the treatment I'm giving them as heavy use rather
than
getting anywhere near abuse.

Suppose I should really see what the shop says about warranty ...

John

Steph Peters said:

How long is your not forever? I bought a pair of Ortliebs for a six month
tour in 1995, where they proved their complete watertightness by
withstanding tropical downpours.

13 years is good, but it's quite a long way short of forever!

However, I doubt that you'll get significantly tougher than Ortliebs,
and they remain a benchmark for ease of mounting/dismounting and general
user-friendliness.

Pete.
--
Peter Clinch Medical Physics IT Officer
Tel 44 1382 660111 ext. 33637 Univ. of Dundee, Ninewells Hospital
Fax 44 1382 640177 Dundee DD1 9SY Scotland UK
net [email hidden] http://www.dundee.ac.uk/~pjclinch/

Quoting Steph Peters <[email hidden]>:

Quoted message said:

David Damerell of Linux Unlimited said:

[ortliebs]
My left one isn't, it's got a 3mm hole in the bottom. They don't last
_forever_...

How long is your not forever?

Four years, that pair. I suspect user error, though, carrying sharp
objects.

Also, if you fill them full and do them up with the shoulder strap through
the hook on the front, they eventually go at the top corners. So don't do
that, then. :-)
--
David Damerell <[email hidden]> flcl?
Today is Gloucesterday, May.

Steph Peters said:

David Damerell of Linux Unlimited said:

My left one isn't, it's got a 3mm hole in the bottom. They don't
last _forever_...

How long is your not forever? I bought a pair of Ortliebs for a
six month tour in 1995, where they proved their complete
watertightness by withstanding tropical downpours. I still have
one of that pair in daily use for commuting to work and gets packed
to the top for the weekly shop, and it does not have any holes in.
It's badly faded in colour but is still waterproof.

I have a pair that are similar age (possibly a year or two older)
that have had daily commuting use and abuse.

They are the normal pannier type closure, not roll-top, and there is a
small region on each end of the lid of both where the coating has come
off the fabric. This only appeared a year or so ago, but grew quite
rapidly when it appeared.

The region is on the end panel of the lid, near the attachment to the
body of the pannier and is about 25mm long and 3mm wide and is a
'hole' with respect to watertightness, though the woven underlying
fabric is intact so it's not a hole regarding things falling through.
Id doesn't let rain into the pannier, however, because the body of
the pannier continues up inside the lid - the hole is about 80mm
below (and outside) the lip of the main compartment.

My Ortliebs have got closer to 'forever' than any other bicycle or
bicycling component I have owned (with the possible exception of my
Brooks B17 which moves from bike to bike as well). Since I bought the
Ortliebs I've replaced bikes more frequently than panniers, and that
wasn't true before.

regards, Ian SMith
--
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