Can I tour on this? | Squat the Planet

Can I tour on this?

IntrovertMatt

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Hey guys anyone know if I can just stick a rack on this and a couple of panniers and go away for a few months? I've been thinking about it for awhile but I'm not willing to buy a touring bike if I can use a road bike. Can someone recommend saddle bags, panniers and racks? http://i.imgur.com/WlPS8Ji.jpg it's a Cannondale Synapse 2014 Tiagra 6.
Thanks :).
 
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Koala

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Totally, dude! It's really all personal preference.

I know some guy on here tours on a tall bike! I've toured on a mountain bike in the past, and I'm leaving soon to tour on a road bike.

My rack, back panniers, and front pack were pretty much just whatever I could get my hands on, bought them on GumTree (Aussie Craigslist).

Here's my bike with front pack, haven't installed the back stuff yet.

Good luck and safe travels! Where are you planning to ride?

image.jpeg
 

Matt Derrick

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Hey guys anyone know if I can just stick a rack on this and a couple of panniers and go away for a few months? I've been thinking about it for awhile but I'm not willing to buy a touring bike if I can use a road bike. Can someone recommend saddle bags, panniers and racks? http://i.imgur.com/WlPS8Ji.jpg it's a Cannondale Synapse 2014 Tiagra 6.
Thanks :).

As a former Cannondale owner (loved it) my only complaint was that my bike didn't have screw holes for attaching a rear rack. I ended up making some small clamps that served the same function, so you might want to double check that.

Also I have an interesting front rack for sale in the black market if you're interested:

https://squattheplanet.com/threads/front-bike-rack-for-sale.28786/
 
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briancray

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I used a road bike that was fairly cheap. It actually has about 5,000 miles on it and still runs fine. I set it up with a rear rack and rear panniers along with a front basket. The fork was carbon fiber so front panniers did not work with it. You don't need that much gear anyway. Looking back when I toured from Delaware to Colorado three years ago I ended up packing too much unnecessary shit anyway. If you need a detailed list of stuff to pack let me know and I will post one for you.
 
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IntrovertMatt

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Totally, dude! It's really all personal preference.

I know some guy on here tours on a tall bike! I've toured on a mountain bike in the past, and I'm leaving soon to tour on a road bike.

My rack, back panniers, and front pack were pretty much just whatever I could get my hands on, bought them on GumTree (Aussie Craigslist).

Here's my bike with front pack, haven't installed the back stuff yet.

Good luck and safe travels! Where are you planning to ride?

View attachment 32823

It looks good so far! Gumtree, we have that in England too. I have no plan yet but I've always wanted to start in Scotland and make my way to Greece. What about you?
 
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IntrovertMatt

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As a former Cannondale owner (loved it) my only complaint was that my bike didn't have screw holes for attaching a rear rack. I ended up making some small clamps that served the same function, so you might want to double check that.

Also I have an interesting front rack for sale in the black market if you're interested:

https://squattheplanet.com/threads/front-bike-rack-for-sale.28786/

I have screw holes at the bottom but I think I just need to buy a clamp for the seat post. The harness looks really useful, I could easily put my tent in there. I am curious of much it would cost to send it over though lol.

I used a road bike that was fairly cheap. It actually has about 5,000 miles on it and still runs fine. I set it up with a rear rack and rear panniers along with a front basket. The fork was carbon fiber so front panniers did not work with it. You don't need that much gear anyway. Looking back when I toured from Delaware to Colorado three years ago I ended up packing too much unnecessary shit anyway. If you need a detailed list of stuff to pack let me know and I will post one for you.

I would love it if you could post that list for me, all advice is good advice :p
 
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Koala

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It looks good so far! Gumtree, we have that in England too. I have no plan yet but I've always wanted to start in Scotland and make my way to Greece. What about you?

Oh shit that's right! That's why I have to add the '.au' to the end of gumtree.com. Hahaha.

Dang, Scotland to Greece sounds like an absolutely gorgeous ride! Definitely keep us updated on your plans!

I'm in Australia, biking Melbourne to Adelaide soon, and then hopefully heading to New Zealand to bike one or both of the islands! :D
 
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Tude

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Oh I'd do it on that bike, looks like you have .25 tires on that - I'd do it. Rack and panniers - stock up on tubes and either CO2 (I prefer that) and a GOOD tire pump (I had a crappy one) or both - bike tools and some spare SPOKES and tube/tire repair kit including chain repair (you can buy multi use tool for this stuff).

My brother did cross country on a roadie - don't know the make of bike but it was a brand name - he did a lot of research on bikes, maps and gear before he left. Knowing him I would imagine he did .23 tires cause he did upper US and hit mountains - but with good tires. He had front and back panniers but I think he ditched the fronts mid way through tour. Get some GOOD tires.

I've done some traveling on this bike using a rack with trunk and back panniers plus camelbak backpack with a bladder. I do and would do again for long distance using Gaterbacks. GOOD SADDLE - my current roadie has a lovely all leather no padding Brooks saddle on it - takes a little getting used too for long distance though. I have another Terry's Gelissimo that I would put on for longer distance comfort (kind of a slim saddle with some small gel in there for comfort) so my sit bones won't suffer. I also Love my front safety lever brake options too - gives you some more options to ride with hands/arms yet with brake options versus just the drops. Buying a new roadie this next year and will have the extra safety lever brakes installed as well.

20160901_080652.jpg


And yes there are a bunch of people here touring and when you go - let us know where and what you are doing cause it's cool to keep up on people's travels :)
 
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Tude

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@Koala ---- ohhhhh new zealand!! Land of where Xena and Hercules was filmed!!!! One of my conspiracy sites I'm on has many members from NZ - one woman maintains a huge dairy farm and her pics are awesome. NZ is on bucket list. Enjoy your travels there!!!
 

IntrovertMatt

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Oh shit that's right! That's why I have to add the '.au' to the end of gumtree.com. Hahaha.

Dang, Scotland to Greece sounds like an absolutely gorgeous ride! Definitely keep us updated on your plans!

I'm in Australia, biking Melbourne to Adelaide soon, and then hopefully heading to New Zealand to bike one or both of the islands! :D

Sounds amazing and New Zealand is definitely on my bucket list and has been for awhile. Yeah I've always wanted to cycle around the Greek islands whilst sleeping in hammocks and tents on the beach.

Oh I'd do it on that bike, looks like you have .25 tires on that - I'd do it. Rack and panniers - stock up on tubes and either CO2 (I prefer that) and a GOOD tire pump (I had a crappy one) or both - bike tools and some spare SPOKES and tube/tire repair kit including chain repair (you can buy multi use tool for this stuff).

My brother did cross country on a roadie - don't know the make of bike but it was a brand name - he did a lot of research on bikes, maps and gear before he left. Knowing him I would imagine he did .23 tires cause he did upper US and hit mountains - but with good tires. He had front and back panniers but I think he ditched the fronts mid way through tour. Get some GOOD tires.

I've done some traveling on this bike using a rack with trunk and back panniers plus camelbak backpack with a bladder. I do and would do again for long distance using Gaterbacks. GOOD SADDLE - my current roadie has a lovely all leather no padding Brooks saddle on it - takes a little getting used too for long distance though. I have another Terry's Gelissimo that I would put on for longer distance comfort (kind of a slim saddle with some small gel in there for comfort) so my sit bones won't suffer. I also Love my front safety lever brake options too - gives you some more options to ride with hands/arms yet with brake options versus just the drops. Buying a new roadie this next year and will have the extra safety lever brakes installed as well.

And yes there are a bunch of people here touring and when you go - let us know where and what you are doing cause it's cool to keep up on people's travels :)

I'll definitely let you all know when I start but it wont be until 2017, I need to finish what I started, 1000 more miles to walk. I have a 3l camelbak bladder I guess I could stick that in one of my older bags and just use that as a backpack. I'll definitely look into the Brooks saddles and the other things you recommended. Thank you!
 

Matt Derrick

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I have screw holes at the bottom but I think I just need to buy a clamp for the seat post. The harness looks really useful, I could easily put my tent in there. I am curious of much it would cost to send it over though lol.

it probably wouldn't be more than 10 bucks shipping to the usa... where are you at?
 

briancray

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I have screw holes at the bottom but I think I just need to buy a clamp for the seat post. The harness looks really useful, I could easily put my tent in there. I am curious of much it would cost to send it over though lol.

I would love it if you could post that list for me, all advice is good advice :p

  • Waterproof Jacket
  • Cheap ski hat for cold weather
  • Minimalist shoes/waterproof boots (I like ASOLO)
  • Waterproof ski pants or something similar
  • (1) gallon water jug
  • 1 to 2 person first aid kit
  • Mini Cooking pot/ lighter/ flint + steel
  • Waterproof gloves
  • REI Minimalist Bivy Sack
  • Anker external battery pack/ 5W solar panel from Brown Dog Gadgets or something similar so you don't have to rely on electrical outlets as much
  • (2) Thule Rear Panniers or 5-gallon bucket modification
  • Topeak Rear Rack
  • Front Basket for holding water/ food for quick access...looks kinda lame, but works well....
  • Portable bike pump/ replacement chain pre-cut for bike/ (2) tire levers/ bike tubes/ allen wrenches/ patch kit/ extra brake pads/ WD-40
  • I prefer Schwalbe Marathon tires, also stick with slime tubes or thorn resistant tubes
  • Kelty Comsic 0 Degree Down or something 0 degree if you plan on camping in the cold
  • Bike Lock
  • Knife
  • 35 Liter pack (strapped to rear rack/ good for day hiking, etc.)
  • Trashbags or waterproof pack cover
  • Drybag + paracord
  • Smartwool Socks/ Under Armour Shirts/ Long Johns
  • Some basketball shorts/ t-shirts
  • (All that clothing can be found at Goodwill, just check in from time to time and you'll find it)
 
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IntrovertMatt

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  • Waterproof Jacket
  • Cheap ski hat for cold weather
  • Minimalist shoes/waterproof boots (I like ASOLO)
  • Waterproof ski pants or something similar
  • (1) gallon water jug
  • 1 to 2 person first aid kit
  • Mini Cooking pot/ lighter/ flint + steel
  • Waterproof gloves
  • REI Minimalist Bivy Sack
  • Anker external battery pack/ 5W solar panel from Brown Dog Gadgets or something similar so you don't have to rely on electrical outlets as much
  • (2) Thule Rear Panniers or 5-gallon bucket modification
  • Topeak Rear Rack
  • Front Basket for holding water/ food for quick access...looks kinda lame, but works well....
  • Portable bike pump/ replacement chain pre-cut for bike/ (2) tire levers/ bike tubes/ allen wrenches/ patch kit/ extra brake pads/ WD-40
  • I prefer Schwalbe Marathon tires, also stick with slime tubes or thorn resistant tubes
  • Kelty Comsic 0 Degree Down or something 0 degree if you plan on camping in the cold
  • Bike Lock
  • Knife
  • 35 Liter pack (strapped to rear rack/ good for day hiking, etc.)
  • Trashbags or waterproof pack cover
  • Drybag + paracord
  • Smartwool Socks/ Under Armour Shirts/ Long Johns
  • Some basketball shorts/ t-shirts
  • (All that clothing can be found at Goodwill, just check in from time to time and you'll find it)
Thanks for putting the effort into that, I'll put it into a notepad for safe keeping lol it'll definitely come in handy.
 
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Gypsybones

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I did about 580 miles on a tall bike, but what was really impressive was this guy I met on tour. This guy wasn't a cyclist, had a loaded trailer with his dog in it and he was riding a Wal-Mart special. He road all the way up from south Florida to northern Mississippi (that what's the last time I seen him) and as far as I know, He kept going
 

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