Rack or Back??

"TrailRat" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I want to hear the opinions on carrying things from A 2 B.

I'm used to carrying about 25-30kg in a rucksack on my back before now.
But I have only ever done this over short distance. Never more than 10
miles. It has never concerned me or caused me bother as I make sure the
load is balanced and securly packed. I know this load can be transfered
to a rack but what effect would this have on me and on the bike. I ask
because of my ride to Cornwall. I'm hoping to cover 70 mile a day. I
will not be carring full camping gear as I'll be making do the services
of friends and B&B. So I'll be carrying clothes and essential gear
only. Would I be wise in transfering this minimal load to a rack? Like
I said I want to know what difference it will have on me and the bike.
Will it affect performance, stability and control?

Love to hear your opinions.

Many Thanks

TR

Rear rack and load in panniers mounted on the rack. It's the choice of
touring cyclists for years and with reason. Stable, bike handling not
adversely affected, and no sweaty back. You really don't want to be carrying
that sort of load on your back when cycling.

Cheers, hele s

TrailRat said:

I want to hear the opinions on carrying things from A 2 B.

I'm used to carrying about 25-30kg in a rucksack on my back before now.

Quoted message said:

only. Would I be wise in transfering this minimal load to a rack? Like
I said I want to know what difference it will have on me and the bike.
Will it affect performance, stability and control?

Rack. You'll be far more comfortable, particularly shoulder and
neck-wise, and far less sweaty. If the rack panniers are properly
attached it'll have minimal affect on stability and control; just don't
pile heavy [censored] on /top/ of a rack if you can help it.

R.

TrailRat said:

I want to hear the opinions on carrying things from A 2 B.

I'm used to carrying about 25-30kg in a rucksack on my back before now.
But I have only ever done this over short distance. Never more than 10
miles. It has never concerned me or caused me bother as I make sure the
load is balanced and securly packed. I know this load can be transfered
to a rack but what effect would this have on me and on the bike. I ask
because of my ride to Cornwall. I'm hoping to cover 70 mile a day. I
will not be carring full camping gear as I'll be making do the services
of friends and B&B. So I'll be carrying clothes and essential gear
only. Would I be wise in transfering this minimal load to a rack? Like
I said I want to know what difference it will have on me and the bike.
Will it affect performance, stability and control?

Get it off your back. Let the bike take the weight. After all, you
don't want to have to carry it as wella s pedal it up all those Devon
hills.

...d

I agree. You may find that cycling hills with any weight on your back
makes your back ache. I notice it even on a 4 mile commute. If I've put
any shopping in my rucksack on top of the usual lightweight stuff -
towel and clothes, I notice my back aches a bit on the hills. Get a
rack or try a large saddle bag. Some larger saddle bags have a saddle
bag support which attaches to your saddle or seatpost and it may be
easier to fit than a rack, especially if your bike doesn't have any
bosses for fixing a rack to.

"TrailRat" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I want to hear the opinions on carrying things from A 2 B.

I'm used to carrying about 25-30kg in a rucksack on my back before now.
But I have only ever done this over short distance. Never more than 10
miles. It has never concerned me or caused me bother as I make sure the
load is balanced and securly packed. I know this load can be transfered
to a rack but what effect would this have on me and on the bike. I ask
because of my ride to Cornwall. I'm hoping to cover 70 mile a day. I
will not be carring full camping gear as I'll be making do the services
of friends and B&B. So I'll be carrying clothes and essential gear
only. Would I be wise in transfering this minimal load to a rack? Like
I said I want to know what difference it will have on me and the bike.
Will it affect performance, stability and control?

Love to hear your opinions.

Many Thanks

TR

as per the other replies, its a no-brainer, put the load on rack or in
panniers depending upon volume/weight ...want to buy some panniers? :-)
Not needed after completeing E2E but in good nick, (keeping rack for day
trips).
Otherwise will be ebaying the panniers soon. PM me if interested.

--
Tumbleweed

email replies not necessary but to contact use;
tumbleweednews at hotmail dot com

On 21 Jul 2005 07:02:01 -0700 someone who may be "TrailRat"
<[email hidden]> wrote this:-

Quoted message said:

I'm used to carrying about 25-30kg in a rucksack on my back before now.

Why, when there is a bike to carry it instead?

Quoted message said:

It has never concerned me or caused me bother as I make sure the
load is balanced and securly packed.

Do you feel more stable without the rucksack?

Quoted message said:

I know this load can be transfered
to a rack but what effect would this have on me and on the bike.

It will have a beneficial effect. The bike will be more stable and
you will find it easier as you are not carrying the load.

--
David Hansen, Edinburgh | PGP email preferred-key number F566DA0E
I will always explain revoked keys, unless the UK government
prevents me by using the RIP Act 2000.

Thanks for the responses. I think I'll be getting a rack then.
In response to David question "Do you feel more stable without the
rucksack?", I have never not worn a rucksack while cycling. Not for as
long as I can remember, even when I off road I wear a rucksack.

TR

TrailRat said:

I'm used to carrying about 25-30kg in a rucksack on my back before now.
But I have only ever done this over short distance. Never more than 10
miles. It has never concerned me or caused me bother as I make sure the
load is balanced and securly packed. I know this load can be transfered
to a rack but what effect would this have on me and on the bike.

I just did my first bike tour (London to Scotland), and the
few people in the 70 strong group who attempted to carry stuff
in a rucksack suffered for their lack of rack!

I am used to carrying heavy rucksacks when doing long walking,
climbing or cross country skiing tours but why do it when you
don't have to? (On the Scotland trip I was often also pulling
a trailer with communal gear, or on a tandem towing a 50kg
soundsystem).

The only time I would want to wear a rucksack on a bike ride
is if I were mountain biking and had to frequently get off to
lift the bike over tall obstructions.

--
Ian Gregory
http://www.zenatode.org.uk/ian/

70 miles a day with a loaded rucsac - very uncomfortable and could do
you damage particularly in the bum area! Madness. Don't even think of
it.

cheers

Jacob

That's a first then. URC in complete agreement.

Iain

In message <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

That's a first then. URC in complete agreement.

Iain

Nah, OP wants it on his back, standing in the peddles. This will increase
the work his legs do, helping to build his leg muscles. :-)

Martin.

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