u/Eat_my_farts__

I have the white preamble and id like to start kitting it out for an upcoming trip.

No idea where to start as I’ve never used bags or racks on my bikes before. I am also a sucker for value buys.

Preferably waterproof bar and frame bags
Definitely a seat post rack for a backpack or dry bag.

I’ve been looking into rockbros stuff, it’s cheap but how do I know if these racks will mount up to the studs on the preambles fork and seatstays?

Apologies if this is a jumbled mess, To get it out of the way, I’ve been to Ireland twice, and spent most of my time in the west, near Killarney, dingle and Galway.

Anyway, I’ve had this crazy idea for a while now to fly to Dublin with my bike and just set out on an adventure. Ireland has rural roads and such spanning the entire country, so it’s the perfect place for touring. Castles and historical places with proud and kind people are around every corner and most importantly pubs as well. I will be going in either September or October for two weeks.

Planning a route makes my head spin with options, I like to have a general idea, then plan as I go. To get out of Dublin I plan to take the grand canal way to Shannon harbor. (117km iirc) I happened to spot this trail just looking at Google Maps. I have a steel frame hybrid bike with drop bars and plenty of luggage mounts and will likely fit some XC or gravel tires. (Shoutout surly bikes)

I have looked into a lot of the routes along the west coast, and I’ve decided it would be a bit too much for my first big biking tour. I’ve already seen a lot of the wild Atlantic way, and while I don’t mind a climb or two, those route are full of climbing. I’d also lose a day taking a train or bus out there rather than just leaving from Dublin. I’ve decided my first leg will be from Dublin to Galway, about half of which on the canal path. I will be brining a tent to use at campsites to save money and will probably stay at inns when available, with maybe an air bb if I need a full rest day. In cooler weather I’m comfortable with 20-30 miles (around 40km) a day, but I’m always improving and training.

After Galway I’d like to head for cork, since I’ve never seen that region.

As far as seeing the sights go, I’ll probably just look up stuff to see as I go. I’m not picky with finding things interesting. Every little town is neat, to me.

I will likely have to take a train back to Dublin from cork. Thankfully you can bring a bike on the trains for free if you book a slot in advance. So I won’t be stranded if I can’t make as many miles as I’d like. This isn’t a fitness challenge but more of an exploration trip.

So if anyone has any tips about bike touring Ireland, please share!

From my experience the drivers in Ireland have some sense, but I’ll be as cautious as I would here in the states. I’ll stick to rural tracks as much as possible. Wear bright colors and have a taillight

No idea what I’ll do with my bike bag while I’m off on the trip, a locker rental maybe?

Had never heard about surly till I went shopping for a reliable do it all bike. For around $1000. Even polygons cheapest gravel bike was $1300

I’ve been mountain biking for a while and have an older Cannondale road bike on pizza cutters that I really enjoy riding, but I hate that i have to be on smooth pavement to ride without being beat to death.

I couldn’t care less about weight, I ride for exercise and fun. I want to bike pack eventually and the steel frame is attractive because I’m a big guy and I’m hard on shit. I also wanna rip corners and the 35c tires will help.

Their hardtail mountain bikes also look sick, if my old hardtail frame ever breaks I’m probably gonna get one!

Any tips for maintaining the preamble? Any cool mods you guys recommend? Lmk!