I don't own a Hilsen; I came close to buying one then opted for an Ebisu. which is a similar frame with different braze-on and paint. I wouldn't hesitate for one second to load up the Ebisu for inn to inn or even brief camping touring, however I don't know about the brakes. They may be OK under load, but if your worried, a set of Pauls center pulls would cost less than converting the Surly from single speed.
Michael Westford, VT Rambouillet, Ebisu, and Mainoni On Jun 26, 9:29 pm, Steve Palincsar <[email protected]> wrote: > On Fri, 2009-06-26 at 16:34 -0700, Mike wrote: > > So I'm curious what constitutes light touring. I ask because in August > > I'm doing a 7 day bike tour that will take in paved and unpaved roads > > in and around Mt St Helens and Mt Adams. My initial plan was to use my > > Surly Cross Check which I have no doubt about being able to handle the > > load and terrain. But currently it's set-up as a single speed and I > > kinda want to leave it as such. So I'm thinking about using my Hilsen. > > Can the Hilsen handle a large Berthoud HB bag on a Mark's rack and > > rear panniers and rack. > > How much are you planning on putting in the panniers? The Hilsen's not > different in any material way other than tire size from the Bleriot. > I've been on two tours with a friend who has carried around 20 lb in > rear panniers on her Bleriot with total satisfaction; and I'm sure you > would be able to do the same. Load those panniers with a load twice > that and maybe you wouldn't be so happy. I'd definitely call a 20 lb > load "light touring", and equally definitely would say a 40 lb load was > no longer "light". > > > > > > > I have Ortlieb Back Roller Cassics and a rear > > Surly rack. I may even use small Ortlieb panniers as I'm trying to > > pack light and only what is absolutely necessary. I really like the > > way my Hilsen rides and it's a comfortable position. I imagine going > > with the biggest tires possible takes some stress off the frame. > > Right > > now the Hilsen is sporting Panaracer 700x35 T-Serves (Paselas > > basically). I guess I should add that I weigh just under 200lbs. My > > Hilsen is a 63cm. > > > I also have some concern about the stopping power of the Silver > > brakes. > > > I imagine that the Hilsen is probably a sturdier bike with better > > brakes than many of the bikes marketed in the 70s as loaded touring > > bikes. > > > What do you think? > > I think you're worrying too much. You own the Hilsen. Go load it up > and take it on some rides and see. --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
