Carbon frames for adventure cycling?

[Applejack]

I have been working with a couple of friends on selecting a proper mount for my first ever adventure cycling trip. As I posted here a few weeks back the possibility of the Morewood Kwela 29 as my ride, we have now settled on something carbon. I will be riding a Grammo Toa 29er with a rigid fork for my trip.

The issue I am having is the lack of inserts on the frame/fork for racks. I think I may have the front sorted out, but the rear seams to be a bugger to rig up without breaking the bank. Anyone have any clever, as in cheap yet adventure worthy solutions? Luckily I don't have to pay for the bike because I am embarking on this trip as a promotional deal for my friends business Unreal Cycles. But I do have to pay for the racks, bags/panniers and other gear and that is already adding up.

For anyone interested I have started the write up for this September trip here------> 230 MILES As part of the deal is that I am to document the trip from beginning to end and that includes all the preparations phases as well.

I am gleaning some info over on bikepacking.net but since there is an bike forum here I just thought I'd fish for some help and information here as well. The more ideas the better.

 

[Christophe Noel]

The first think you need to understand is that carbon is very durable in many ways, but it hates clamping forces. Don't even consider mounting racks to your frame by clamping anyting around the carbon tubes. Not a good idea.

Ultimately, you have a choice of one: Soft bags. That's not a bad thing. In fact, that's a great thing if you ask me. Racks are nice for mega-epics, or rides that require gross amount of supplies, but you may find all the storage capacity you need with soft bags. I'd look at frame, bar and seat bags from Revelate Designs, Porcelain Rocket and others. If you use a frame, bar, and seat bag in conjuction with a small pack, that easily gives you 65-75 liters of storage. That's equal to a larger multi-day backpack used by most backpackers.

The advantage is, you'll have a bike that's better balanced than a bike with bulky panniers. It's also more modular so you can use the bags you need to use, when you need to.

 

[Applejack]

The first think you need to understand is that carbon is very durable in many ways, but it hates clamping forces. Don't even consider mounting racks to your frame by clamping anyting around the carbon tubes. Not a good idea.

Ultimately, you have a choice of one: Soft bags. That's not a bad thing. In fact, that's a great thing if you ask me. Racks are nice for mega-epics, or rides that require gross amount of supplies, but you may find all the storage capacity you need with soft bags. I'd look at frame, bar and seat bags from Revelate Designs, Porcelain Rocket and others. If you use a frame, bar, and seat bag in conjuction with a small pack, that easily gives you 65-75 liters of storage. That's equal to a larger multi-day backpack used by most backpackers.

The advantage is, you'll have a bike that's better balanced than a bike with bulky panniers. It's also more modular so you can use the bags you need to use, when you need to.

Thanks Flounder. I did decide to go sans rack and panniers and ordered a revelate vescasha seat bag for now. My reason is that it was cheaper, and your experienced advice just backed up my decision :ylsmoke:.

 

[Christophe Noel]

You could probably fit a medium sized Tangle bag in your main triangle. You'll also likely want a bar bag. That seat bag you ordered is great, but you'll want to keep that load light and you'll likely need to balance it out a bit with a bar bag, or frame bag.

A word about backpacks: If you add a pack, and you probably will, just know those extra pounds reduce saddle comfort. So, be sure your saddle is super comfy and your shorts are primo.

 

[zuren]

As stated, don't clamp anything to carbon. A seatpost rack could work but that will depend if the post is carbon and if the frame can take the stress. Bad thing about seatpost racks is if it comes loose, it will swing around the post on you.

What about a trailer? They are pricey but solves almost all of your issues.

I know it may be too late for this comment, but a carbon frame would not have been my first choice for an extended trek. If you take a nasty fall half way into the trip, the frame could be unrideable. Be careful!