Merida set up for touring ..

[johnfordau]

20 k shake down ride early this morning with gear loaded and nicely balanced. Merida looking pretty in the early morning sun. Tad cold up this way this morning.

Planning trip south later this year.

[}SkOrPn--7]

Looking good what panniers are you using on the rear they look like they hold a decent amount.

Ricky

[Aushiker]

Looking good there. Where are you planning on touring?

[johnfordau]

Thank you Aushiker .. Maryborough to Sydney Sept - Oct probably .. but will be taking the back ways and gravel .. will be quite cold through the highlands area but the days should be good. I'll probably do one or two shorter local tours between now and then ..

Sk ...7, thank you. The panniers are elcheapo style .. The back ones look good but I had to do some adjustments as the plastics hook system jumps off. The front ones where $15 from Aldi. They suit the purpose at the moment. I plan to get front and back panniers from Arkel in the US .. expensive but they have a good attachment system and by all accounts stand up to the wear and tear. I used Karrimor for years which were pretty hardy but the company has gone out of business.

[avolve]

I plan to get front and back panniers from Arkel in the US .. expensive but they have a good attachment system and by all accounts stand up to the wear and tear. I used Karrimor for years which were pretty hardy but the company has gone out of business.

I purchased my first Arkel pannier ~2006, and a full touring set-up in 2010/11. I rate them highly...

[johnfordau]

.. thanks for that avolve

I sent of a email to the advised email address for Arkel well over a week ago but have still received no reply .. disappointing.

In the meantime during my Brisbane I prowled the bike shops looking at panniers and finally settled on a pair of Deuter which look pretty rugger and have a good clasp system.. and all for under $300. Here is the Merida in the new livery.

[Aushiker]

Looking nice John. My first panniers where Dueter panniers ... served me well until I upgraded to more expensive Ortlieb panniers and then even more expensive Ortlieb panniers

[Mububban]

What sort of tyres are you running? 32mm?

[RonK]

I purchased my first Arkel pannier ~2006, and a full touring set-up in 2010/11. I rate them highly...

I'm not disputing the quality but I don't rate them. Maybe ok if you like lots of compartments but it's not an efficient use of the available space.
I prefer a single compartment bag and use colour-coded stuff sacks to organise.

[johnfordau]

What sort of tyres are you running? 32mm?

Yes ..