On Fri, 11 Feb 2005 16:05:02 +0000, jfgorham@... <jfgorham@...> wrote:
>
>
> The list has been pretty quiet. Have we said all there is to say?
>

I hope not. Nobody has really discussed the bikes themselves yet (?!?!)



>
> So what is the goal of going ultralight as opposed to loaded?
Interesting choice of wording. I see any touring where you carry your
own shelter as loaded... As opposed to credit card touring where you
stay in (m)ho(s)tels. I wrote in one of the very early posts that
perhaps there should be a new word for what we do... "unloaded
touring". I have an interest in ultralight camping and by extension am
drawn to the idea of ultralight loaded touring. But I also believe
that the same principles could be used for so called credit card
touring.

I do see it as a simplicity thing. I've never understood why cycle
tourists have prided themselves on how much weight they can carry.
Just as in ultralight hiking the basic idea that when freed from the
burdon of overload you can concentrate more on enjoying the
environment.
This whole ultralight cycling thing is a pretty rare concept. As far
as I know we're the only ones discussing it in an organized manner. So
there isn't any credo or philosophy yet and no Jardinian holy people
either. There's lots to be thought about and lots to be discussed.


>
> Do we need a contingency for every issue that might arise, or can we reduce
and do without a significant amount of "what if" equipment?

Good question. I see tools as falling directly in this category and
the biggest dilemma when it comes to ultralight cycling. The fact is
they're steel... they're heavy and if things go right you shouldn't
need them. The other fact is that things rarely go right.
I think if there was a market for ultralight tools we would see more
of them... but there just isn't. Imagine an aluminum chain tool or a
titanium cassette tool... if ultralight touring took off would people
be willing pay a premium for light tools that in all likely hood would
be less durable than the traditional ones?

Lots of stuff left to think about.