Category: Gear

Product Review: Surly Long Haul Trucker

Posted on November 4, 2015September 14, 2017 by Rich

Going to start with my credentials. I’ve owned a Surly Long Haul Trucker for 5 years now. In that time I’ve put 18,700 miles on it, about 8,500 of them with fully loaded panniers. I also regularly use it for grocery shopping and errands around town. So if you are seeking a solid user’s experience, you’ve come to a good place. What’s to like…? Impeccably strong construction and good materials. The Cr-Mo steel frame is comfortable and has a relaxed geometry that stretches it out just a little. I had to get used to the slightly longer distance between handlebar and seat,

Product Review: Ortlieb Trunk Bag

Posted on March 17, 2015August 12, 2016 by Rich

Rear box trunks are great on touring bicycles. For years, I had a cheap one velcro’d onto the top of my rear rack. I came to use it almost as much as my handlebar bag, storing spare tubes, tube repair kit, bungies, toolset, pump, seat cover, lock, and often my arm warmers, shorts, hats, and food. The reason they’re so great is that they’re easy to unzip, and then you have large square top-facing access in to everything you need. Only a couple weeks prior to this year’s summer tour, the zipper on my cheap trunk finally gave out, no

preRA: Gear List

Posted on May 25, 2011May 29, 2011 by Rich

Gear has not changed dramatically from previous tours, adding more items for the cold and rain plus a few convenience items. Gear list for last year is posted here. Below is a summary of this year’s emerging list with some comments about new additions. Bicycle: Surly Long Haul Trucker, 58 cm Cr-Mo steel frame. After 5,200 miles on it I’ve decided it is too small for me, but what can be done about it now? Racks: Tubus Cosmo (stainless steel) and Tara (Cr-Mo steel). Panniers: Ortlieb Back Packer Plus and Front Roller Classics Other containers: Ortlieb Ultimate 5 Plus Medium

preRA: Weighing and Waiting

Posted on May 15, 2011May 29, 2011 by Rich

Jack sent an email the other day describing a ‘practice pack’ he’d done. Jack’s bike, with filled water bottles, some extra water, and some rations, came out at 89 pounds. I wondered how much mine would be. Spent this afternoon gathering everything, doing some categorical weighing, and then a full load measurement. Unlike Jack, I did not add food or extra water, but did include 3 filled water bottles. Results below: The 12.2 lbs for racks and containers always sounds high. You’d think with aerospace materials and high strength modern fabrics, the container weight wouldn’t be such a high percentage

preRA: Rain Gear

Posted on April 9, 2011May 29, 2011 by Rich

An unexpected opportunity presented itself this Saturday morning. Steady rain and 43°F! A great chance to try out some rain gear! I did a simple 12 mile run out for office supplies and groceries, but did so fully decked out in rain gear. A few things discovered: Rain Jacket – I continue to really like the Performance Ultra rain jacket. I’d say it is practically waterproof. In the hour I was gone, the inside of the fabric just barely started to moisten, and even that could have been sweat. This jacket fits great, is ultra lightweight, and provides excellent

Product Review: Routearrows

Posted on February 3, 2011February 25, 2011 by Rich

Last November, Gary introduced a product to me called Routearrows (find a complete description at routearrows.com). We are always seeking new and better ways to mark the course for PMBC’s Casa Grande Century (CG100) ride. Routearrows are basically colorful shaped paper arrows with a contact adhesive on the back (photos are below). They are potentially attractive in that they’re quite visible to cyclists but not distracting to motorists, and appear fast and easy to apply. The routearrows.com website touts that removal is unnecessary because they “disintegrate from traffic wear and leave no trace.” The site further states that “If they

Product Review: Bike Lift for Garage

Posted on November 19, 2010April 30, 2012 by Rich

Dragging my trash cans around my touring bike was getting to be a pain, so, inspired by Jack’s garage, I bought this ceiling lift online. It is a Racor Pro ABL Aluminum Ceiling Mounted Bike Lift. This lift looks cool and gives you back some garage floor space. However, it has some so-so product features and installation was not smooth. I decided to give it a brief product review… Extruded aluminum top track very sturdy. Product is plenty strong for most bikes. Nice finishes throughout, mostly bare brushed aluminum Pre-drilled holes fit my 24″ ceiling joists perfectly. Other widths are