UKC

I'm looking at getting into some multi-day rides like the Devon coast to coast: http://www.theguardian.com/travel/interactive/2012/may/05/ilfracombe-to-ply...

I'm not the most experienced cyclist and at my disposal is a 29er mountain bike which is the older one of these: http://www.wiggle.co.uk/felt-nine-70-2015/ and I don't have access to another bike.

My first question is that of tyres. The ones I have are quite chunky and the rims are 700c 56-622 so I was wondering if I could stick these on: http://www.wiggle.co.uk/schwalbe-marathon-original-greenguard-rigid-road-ci...
As stupid as they'd look, hopefully they'll be easier to pedal and looking at the reviews tougher than the nails that'd puncture them. Are they appropriate? Hopefully they'll make 6000ft of climbing a little bit less grim.

My second question is that of carrying luggage.
I've never cycled with anything attached to my bike apart from a bottle. I think I should be able to fit a pannier rack but would like to keep the cost down on bags. Is sticking things in a dry bag and bungeeing it to the rack acceptable? I have a compact sleeping and cooking system that I'm happy with that should fit on the back.
Is using a rucksack less efficient?

Does anyone have any bike luggage they want to sell?



Thanks in advance.

In reply to SteveoS:

Slick tyres like the ones you linked to make a massive difference to rolling speed on a mountain bike, and you are already ahead of many people by having a 29er (same size as road bikes).

I've no real experience of carrying luggage on my bike beyond riding my parents' bikes for a little bit when they are off on a tour, but luggage really alters the handling, even when packing minimally. For non-pannier bike luggage, check out Alpkit - they make loads of things that strap to the frame of any bike and have loads of tips.

In reply to SteveoS:

A few of us are training for c2c, and all running Schwalbe Marathons. They're heavy with a firm ride, and less grip on steep dirt or mud.
But nobody has punctured since fitting them. We were averaging 1 puncture per training session beforehand.

We all started out on hybrids but now nearly everyone has a cyclocross bike except me

I'm trying to avoid rucksacks for comfort reasons. Pannier seems the way forward. Currently using a large saddle bag shored up with a Velcro strap.

In reply to SteveoS:

TobyA of this site has lots on his blog about his bikepacking experiences, which translates as cycle touring without panniers with a lightweight ethos.

For example: http://lightfromthenorth.blogspot.fi/2011/04/bikepacking-first-attempts.htm...

In reply to Monk:

Seconded on Alpkit. Mate of mine has frame bags from Apidura which he used to cycle Newcastle -> London, and seems happy with.

In reply to SteveoS:

Dry bag on a bike rack is fine for small loads.

Mate of mine has some Apidura kit he got cheap from an online outlet shop - Google it.

In reply to SteveoS:

don't forget the 'gas tank'
youtube.com/watch?v=Am1PwvAZ2_M&

In reply to SteveoS:

A 29er hardtail with slick/commuting tyres is a perfect bike for touring - just put a bit of extra pressure in your forks or lock them out if you can.

And panniers are much better than a rucksack

In reply to Siward:

Yep, and if you aren't on a phone, you should be able to see a bikepacking tag at the bottom which will show you all the other posts on it, I have refined my packing system over subsequent trips!

In reply to SteveoS:
My brother and I toured from Holyhead to Cardiff last year With drybags strapped to handlebars and a pannier rack. Do a dry run first to troubleshoot cable issues.
We both put land cruisers on our bikes, no issues at all,http://nextdaytyres.co.uk/details.aspx/SCHWALBE-LAND-CRUISER-MTB-29/236

The weight of anything you put in a rucksack will be transfered through you @rse and therefore best avoided.

HAve fun.

In reply to SteveoS:

Thanks for all the advice. I think I'm just going to go for it and hopefully not make too many mistakes.