Re: Using racing bike for touring

Simon Brooke <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote in message news:<[EMAIL PROTECTED]>...
> [EMAIL PROTECTED] (Yvonne) writes:
> 
> > Has anyone used a racing bike for touring (carrying 15kg/35lbs max)? 
> > If you have, what pannier system did you use, and was it succesful or
> > were there any problems?
> >      I've been looking at an entry level racing bike for this purpose.
> >  It doesn't have braze-ons for panniers and have been advised that a
> > seatpost carrier would be unsuitable for this weight.
> 
> I've used racing bikes for touring using a trailer. The particular
> trailer I actually used was a thing called a 'bike hod' which I cannot
> recommend since its center of gravity was too high and it had an
> unnerving propensity for overturning on fast downhill bends. I plan to
> buy myself a BOB Yak or similar one-wheel trailer which I believe will
> be a better solution.
> 
> However, I'm completely sold on the principle of using a trailer. The
> benefits include at the end of the day having an uncluttered bike from
> which you can simply unhook the trailer and go off for a blast; having
> relatively little effect on the handling and feel of the bike; and,
> when manhandling it for example when getting on and off trains, having
> two easy loads instead of one awkward and unmanageable one.

    Thanks to everyone for your really useful suggestions and for
letting me know about your experiences.  From your replies I can see
that it might still be possible to tour on the (small) Giant OCR1
compact road bike, maybe using the Old Man Mountain pannier system if
it will fit.
    Since posting my message I've found out that there's a Tifosi CK7
Audax bike (with pannier system on) available. It has to be built up
(approx 10kg in weight when built) and would work out at a similar
price to the Giant (perhaps a bit more expensive).  This might be a
good option for me as I'm in Ireland and the only touring bikes
available here are Dawes.  I'm trying to avoid getting one of these as
I'd like a bike with a more lively feel and one that is not going to
put me too much over the 20kg weight allowance on planes.  (I'm also
keen to continue using drop handlebars as I've been very happy with
these on my old bike.)
    Has anyone had any experience of touring on the Tifosi Audax bike
that you could pass on?  Thanks again.  Yvonne