cormacf

Hi, folks.

There are two nicely-discounted 2014 road bikes at my LBS (well, one at each of 2 different shops). One is a Felt Z85, and the other is a Raleigh Revenio 3.0. Both are upgrades from the Defy 5 I was considering, and with the jump in components (from Claris to 105 and an aluminum to a carbon fork, in both cases), I think it's worth the extra $350.

Both frames fit me fine. The only major differences I've noticed are that the Felt is maybe 1.5 pounds lighter, and the Raleigh has mount points for a rear rack. Aesthetically, I like the Felt better, and less weight might be better, I suppose (though I'm coming off a 15 year-old mountain bike, so I imagine they'll both feel like rocket ships), but I wonder about the rack mounts.

At the moment, I have a rear rack on my mountain bike that I love. I use it for groceries, holding a pump and lock, and pretty much anything else I need. For a road bike, I wouldn't be hauling anything crazy, but it might be nice to take a lunch and change of clothes if I ever get the guts to do the LA-to-San Diego ride. Without a rack, I'm guessing I'd be limited to a backpack (which would suck in the SoCal heat on long rides) or maybe a seat post pack. Are those sturdy enough to handle what i need? Also, I have short legs, so my seat will be pretty low, if that matters.

Thanks a ton!

cormacf

I was mistaken. The prices and specs were right, but the Felt is actually a 2015. The Raleigh is a 2014.

Juha

I use a saddlebag (Carradice Camper Longflap) with the SQR saddle rack system (click Carradice Bike and Cycle Accessories and Tools and scroll way down). I'm very happy with it. Pretty much the only drawback is, the bag is not very comfortable to carry when off the saddle. They have many smaller bags that would easily take the amount of stuff you're describing.

--J

cormacf

Thanks!

mhifoe

My summer bike has no rack mount points.

I use a carradice barley saddle bag, which is big enough for commuting (change of clothes, lunch, tools etc).
The one juha has is more than twice as big as mine with enough space for light touring.

ekoutdoorz

I don't think I could live with any bike without a rear rack. Just so used to carrying all the little stuff that is so handy and groceries on a daily basis. The extra weight in back really makes it ride smoother, too. Keeps road spray off the clothes, too. But alas, I ride a mountain bike and of course it could be a shame to put one on a really speedy roadbike lol.

and YES, backpacks do svck in my opinion

ocsawdust

Backpacks when riding....... Big yes here as well, not liked at all. I'll have to try them but those hydration packs spook me. SoCal here as well but a little further south in Orange County. ( the ride to the border, hmm, I've done it twice both times I think the early 90's. Maybe ready to do it again...) as for cargo carrying on the bike, I seem to be always trying something different. I've been messing around with baskets for a bunch of years, they can look so ugly but work be extremely handy. Basic minimum, a newspaper and a cup of joe. Ive spent probably a hundred or more hours scanning the net, walking stores, and any other place that might have a basket of some kind. I finally found the basket ( it's for a yeti cooler, found it a rei as a add-on and only $10) and now working on a mounting bracket that I could live with. Last night I realized I never thought of putting it in the rear, that's going to be today's work. A caught a glimpse of that site mentioned, never seen it but it looked promising. My go to bike lately has been a '96 stumpjumper comp and it has no accessory mounts. To make a basket work on the front I got a basket bracket with the 1 1/8" hole. Filed off the nub and pulled off a fork spacer ring and that was what I had hoped, thumbs up. I also got a flower nut ( I've been calling it that for a long time, not sure that it's correct tho) and came up the forks from the bottom with a bracket. Those 2 mounting spots are all that I need. The basket bracket is 2 1/2" wide about, the lower is just an inch or so. That's the tricky one as the forks are manitou and they move. A quick bracket that I made to test it worked great. Ugly as hell but worked. I carried a 12 lb watermelon home from the store that's a little over a mile a way. The next step will involve changing out and tucking them away and making the cables a bit longer. Those pesky things get in the way. Then a new bike came along..... Both will be used tho, not getting rid of anything just yet or ever. I have to check if I even have pics......