Going on my first ever trip this summer, and this is how my bike is looking so far. Im planning to bring along a tent. The frame bag is custom made, so theres a small hole in it so that i can have hose from a water bladder go up to the handlebar or something.
Been looking at some fork bags, do y'all think i need any?
Thanks for the help 🙂
by Squawker_Boi
10 Comments
Pack all your gear in advance to check if everything fits in your panniers. If it doesn’t, try to reduce your load to the essentials. If that’s still not enough, consider getting some Ortlieb fork packs or a handlebar roll.
We always tend to pack too much on a first trip, try to bring the essentials only.
Also your saddle looks shite, so maybe try to find one with a perineal relief channel, or a trekking saddle like a Brooks or a SMP 🙂
Not a big fan of camel pouches as they’re harder to keep clean, otherwise you can buy an adapter for 2 bottles at the back of the saddle !
Cheers and most importantly, enjoy your adventure !
Where do you put your water bottles?
Nice! Tips: frame protection to stop rubbing, light pointed down. I’m not sure how you’d successfully get fork bags on that fork, it might not be possible. The clamp on the seat stays – not overtightened, is it? I’d be concerned about it damaging the frame. Have you considered a more typical pannier rack? It looks like the bike has mounts for it
https://preview.redd.it/sywqia9hs41f1.png?width=747&format=png&auto=webp&s=0dea7ad569ebd4391db3af95389e278e2e4316ba
Close the lever in the direction of red arrow to prevent anything snagging it open on your trip.
Tell me please, where you found and how you mounted those bags at the back?
Cleats.
if you are not using the free 2 boss mount on the toptube behind the stem, perhaps utilizeitt with bottle cage n put generic bidon there for quick drinking. this will release soace in your drame bag, or extra water.
there is a bottlecage position-shift plate you can get, to shift the cage further back
https://preview.redd.it/zjydczj6x41f1.png?width=1080&format=png&auto=webp&s=d6b09cef7cdaf51833a15d71f668a159a2fe605f
This was my setup for the NC500 last summer. Similar weight distribution to yours. That would be my only issue on long hauls. You might consider redistributing some of this weight onto your handlebars, fork bags or a front mounted rack. But it’s fine I think.
Just ride….
https://preview.redd.it/4q3yqd2ky41f1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=de4ca11565b1b5971db454d5cb90249194773b03
A few tips:
– Ensure that the bags are not clamping any of the gear or brake cables. They can cause malfunctions
– Use heavy duty transparent tape (I call it helicopter tape 🤷♂️) to protect your frame from any rubbing caused by the bags
– front wheel level on the brake side
– try your setup on short trips to find what works and what’s too much. You’ll learn so much from it.
– I have similar frame bag with a water bladder. Make sure to use only clean water without anything added and keep the mouth piece protected. Important to avoid bacteria development and bad flavours into the liquids.
Have fun!