touring with carbon

Quoted message said:

I have a customer thinking about doing some touring with a carbon
racing frame. I have found some Old Man Mountain Racks that would
allow him to mount panniers on the bike. But my question is whether or
not you have any recommendations as to whether carbon frames can handle
these loads.

Depends upon the frame, and how you plan to attach the racks. Most carbon
frames wouldn't be appropriate for touring use, simply because their
geometry isn't suitable. Too short a wheelbase, too-quick handling. Not
minor considerations, especially the wheelbase issue, since that's going to
really shorten rear wheel life (plus the problem that there's probably not
enough clearance for a decent-width tire).

But if someone still wants to do it, you face the issue of how to mount
things to a frame that wasn't designed to have things mounted to it.
Clamping around carbon is *not* a good idea, unless it was specifically
designed (reinforced) for it.

Having said all that, we are beginning to see some carbon bikes that will
allow the use of racks and wider tires, such as the Trek "Pilot" series.
There are probably others out there as well.

--Mike-- Chain Reaction Bicycles
www.ChainReactionBicycles.com

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

Quoted message said:

I have a customer thinking about doing some touring with a carbon
racing frame. I have found some Old Man Mountain Racks that would
allow him to mount panniers on the bike. But my question is whether or
not you have any recommendations as to whether carbon frames can handle
these loads.

Anyone ever done it?

Anyone know anyone whose ever done it?

thanks,

alan.

[email hidden] wrote in
news:[email hidden]:

Quoted message said:

I have a customer thinking about doing some touring with a carbon
racing frame. I have found some Old Man Mountain Racks that would
allow him to mount panniers on the bike. But my question is whether
or not you have any recommendations as to whether carbon frames can
handle these loads.

Anyone ever done it?

Anyone know anyone whose ever done it?

thanks,

alan.

I think he should avoid it, the chain stays will be too short and his
heels will end up hitting the panniers. How about trying a BOB trailer,
not only does this solve the heel strike problem but it takes most of
the extra weight that he plans to carry off of the frame.

Rich

[email hidden] wrote in news:1148004453.523483.8010
@j33g2000cwa.googlegroups.com:

Quoted message said:

I have a customer thinking about doing some touring with a carbon
racing frame. I have found some Old Man Mountain Racks that would
allow him to mount panniers on the bike. But my question is whether or
not you have any recommendations as to whether carbon frames can handle
these loads.

Anyone ever done it?

Anyone know anyone whose ever done it?

I've a friend who's using a generic Taiwan-made carbon frame built up with
Shimano 105 as a day-tourer/commuter. Just rear panniers. So far so good.
However, I wouldn't advise using one as a loaded expedition bike. :-)

There're plenty of carbon racing frames out there in the 'stupid light'
category which should be handled with kid gloves. So it's 'user beware'.

Knog

Mike Jacoubowsky said:

Quoted message said:

I have a customer thinking about doing some touring with a carbon
racing frame. I have found some Old Man Mountain Racks that would
allow him to mount panniers on the bike. But my question is whether
or not you have any recommendations as to whether carbon frames can
handle these loads.

Depends upon the frame, and how you plan to attach the racks. Most
carbon frames wouldn't be appropriate for touring use, simply because
their geometry isn't suitable. Too short a wheelbase, too-quick
handling. Not minor considerations, especially the wheelbase issue,
since that's going to really shorten rear wheel life (plus the
problem that there's probably not enough clearance for a decent-width
tire).
But if someone still wants to do it, you face the issue of how to
mount things to a frame that wasn't designed to have things mounted
to it. Clamping around carbon is *not* a good idea, unless it was
specifically designed (reinforced) for it.

Having said all that, we are beginning to see some carbon bikes that
will allow the use of racks and wider tires, such as the Trek "Pilot"
series. There are probably others out there as well.

Such as the Giant OCR Carbon series.

--
Phil

Quoted message said:

I have a customer thinking about doing some touring with a carbon
racing frame. I have found some Old Man Mountain Racks that would
allow him to mount panniers on the bike. But my question is whether or
not you have any recommendations as to whether carbon frames can handle
these loads.

Anyone ever done it?

Anyone know anyone whose ever done it?

thanks,

alan.

I'd think that if the frame is full carbon, it's probably a fairly race
orientated bike, so they've probably got fairly lightweight wheels,
high and close spaced gearing, and sharp handling.
Even if you could physically mount more racks and bags, the wheels
might not be up to the extra weight, the gearing may be too big for
comfort on longer climbs, and given the short wheelbase and steep
angles, the handling may go "funny".

You could avoid the whole racks/heel clearance thing altogether.
How about a large saddle bag?
For example. at 23 litres:
http://www.carradice.co.uk/expedition-touring-bike-bags/super-c-saddlebag.shtml
or
http://tinyurl.com/nnglj

Paired with a fair sized bar bag, that could get them to 30+ litres -
you won't go camping with it, but it's plenty for credit card touring.
30 litres would give about 20-25kg. of weight (assuming you're not
packing too many lead blocks or bags of feathers), which the bike
should be able to deal with. The saddlebag/barbag combo would be
mounted high though, so a shake-down day ride or two would be in order
before setting off on a multi-day tour.

You could also look at a trailer with a seatpost mounted hitch ( I'm
not sure that one of the ones with a mounting at RH dropout would be
suitable on carbon). This would get the weight off the bike frame to a
large extent, but again, most people who use a trailer would have a
wide range casette and/or triple chainrings.

Finally, depending on where they're planning on touring to, they could
consider travelling ultra-light, and sending a box of stuff ahead
(fresh clothing etc). to intermediate destinations as they go. If they
use a courier service, they can keep it ahead of themselves. It means
you're not so independent in your touring, but possibly they can conver
more ground, or cover it more easily, without carrying so much weight.
That's a horses for courses one - it may or may not suit their idea of
touring.

I'd encourage them to think about paring down their luggage to an
absolute minimum (then throwing out another 30% ;-) ). Any time I've
come back from a tour, I've always had a few things in the bottom of a
bag I never used during the trip.

hth,

bookieb.