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81  Forums / DIY / Make Your Own Gear (MYOG) / Re: Trail a bike modification on: March 01, 2016, 06:32:22 AM
I'm torn currently.  Do I modify the trailer and have something that is very heavy but very usable, or do I go full "bikepacking" style and make mini/micro racks and panniers.
As far as the trailer, I'm down to adding rectangular plywood "racks" attaching them to the seat and chain stays with P clamps.  I could also strap a few small bags to the "front" triangle.  An angle grinder and possibly a drill would be used to remove as much unnecessary weight as possible.  I also need to find a hub that I know I have somewhere in my trash pile to replace the bolt on axle with a quick release.  I have two days off and no plans so I might putz with it.
82  Forums / DIY / Make Your Own Gear (MYOG) / Re: DIY rain gear on: March 01, 2016, 06:22:03 AM
http://thru-hiker.com/projects/knee_articulation.php
When I made my pants, I cut the front pattern in half at the knees and added X inches to the middle to take into account for the articulation.
83  Forums / DIY / Make Your Own Gear (MYOG) / Re: DIY rain gear on: March 01, 2016, 06:18:19 AM
Why not.  The seams will not be sealed which will make anything you make "highly water resistant" but not waterproof. 
I made a pair of shoe covers some years ago out of waterproof breathable fabric and still use them.  A very difficult pattern to make but possible.  I made them so long ago that I don't remember how I made the pattern.
I made a pair of articulated knee wind pants that lasted a for a while (cat pee killed them).  The backpacking light forum is where I got advise for it.  I recently replaced the old pair and did not articulate the knees.  I didn't think it was necessary.  Scrub pants are a cheap easy pattern for pants, BTW.
As far as the need for rain pants... I am a former AT thru-hiker and long time cyclists.  I go with wind pants and a rain jacket for hiking and would probably go with a rain jacket for camp and a wind jacket for riding (assuming its warm outside).  Just too much sweat unless they are breathable.  You could go crazy and make a water proof front and butt and water resistant back and waist band.
84  Forums / Question and Answer / Re: attaching a cage to a suspension fork on: February 21, 2016, 12:34:08 PM
Cool...  I'm a DIY junkie and want to put on some kind of micro pannier rack maybe out of a plastic cutting board or plywood.  I also have the original canti studs on the fork so maybe kill a V Brake for one more solid attachment point.
85  Forums / Question and Answer / attaching a cage to a suspension fork on: February 21, 2016, 05:43:58 AM
So I have been doing some internet research (bored and thinking about spring) about the anything cage.
Can I actually just tape the things to my fork legs or use hose clamps???  Is it really that simple?  Any tips for doing this?  I typically keep my sleeping bag and tent up front.
Thanks,
86  Forums / Question and Answer / Re: why not small panniers on: February 20, 2016, 09:27:52 AM
So I did some reading after doing a search for "pannier" and came up with two ideas.
Per this website, bikepacking is devoted to large amounts of single track, not mostly dirt roads.  It seems many people like the idea of ultra-light travel and have taken techniques intended for single track and used them for dirt road touring.  For dirt roads, small panniers seem to me to be the best option.  I realize small panniers are few and far between on the market but that relates to my second thought...
The thing I like about the bikepacking idea is innovation.  Taking what was out there and innovating so you can ride single track.  But seriously... wearing a backpack was the best idea that people have come up with???  I surprised no one has come up with bike mounted and SMALL bags to take the backpack away.  I guess that is where my confusion comes from.
Thanks,
87  Forums / DIY / Make Your Own Gear (MYOG) / Re: Trailers on: February 20, 2016, 05:31:26 AM
I'll give this one a shot even though I'm new myself.  I would depend on what you are riding on.  Paved roads, why not?  Aside from the extra weight of the trailer itself, no issues on the road.  Go for it.  Off roads, the wider trailer would be bad idea, very bad idea.  Most off road trailers use the one wheel concept (like the Bobs trailers).  They follow you better.  Another issue would be that the larger capacity would encourage you to pack more with more weight.
Hope this might help.
88  Forums / Question and Answer / why not small panniers on: February 20, 2016, 05:22:14 AM
In another post about "how many liters/cc of bag space..." someone named Andy Marx posted a pic of an absolutely awesome idea of using fork braze ons to add water bottle racks (seriously, I absolutely love that idea).  This got me thinking about why would you not use a touring fork to mount panniers instead???
I'm new to the idea of "bikepacking" but an confused why people completely do away with traditional techniques.  Mountain bike with suspension and trail obstacles I fully understand, but it appears many people are using fire roads and dirt roads.  I also understand that traditional panniers are big enough to pack the kitchen sink but small panniers are available.  Personally I went from two back panniers to two front panniers and came to the conclusion that four small panniers are the best, but this was all on roads/dirt roads.
Why not use four small panniers placed correctly?  If you are going without suspension then it seems two small mid mountain front panniers and two small lower mounted rear panniers would do everything a frame bag, handlebar bag and seat post bag would do the same.
I'm not trying to step on toes or get anyone mad.  I am genuinely very curious about new techniques of packing and the adventures that can come from them, but I have always wondered why people shun panniers completely (mt bikes with suspension aside).
Thanks,
89  Forums / DIY / Make Your Own Gear (MYOG) / Trail a bike modification on: February 08, 2016, 08:37:45 AM
Hey all,
I have a trail-a-bike (normally for kids to ride on behind an adult attached to the seat post).  I have stripped it down and have contemplated how to turn it into a mt bike trailer for about a year now.  Has anyone seen such a conversion or have idea on how to do it?  I'm very handy on a sewing machine and am pretty handy with wood working.  My ideas are for keeping the center of gravity low and strap dry bags too it, but how to do it???
I have a dual suspension mt bike with no hope of a frame bag.
Thanks,
Scott
90  Forums / Routes / Vermont/New England routes on: February 08, 2016, 08:30:55 AM
Hey all,
New here.  Are there any sources of good Vermont or New England routes?  My current health and endurance would be for about 50-60 miles a day and 2-3 days.  I'm pretty skilled on and off road and very skilled at camping.
Thanks,
Scott
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