Bikeforums.net is a forum about nothing but bikes. Our community can help you find information about hard-to-find and localized information like bicycle tours, specialties like where in your area to have your recumbent bike serviced, or what are the best bicycle tires and seats for the activities you use your bike for.scudiac
06-15-05, 12:44 PM
Hi,
I'm starting on the path to getting a touring setup. I haven't done any long distance touring, so this will be my first purchase. I'm from a BMX background and I am curious about the different types of bikes used for touring. The bikes I see marketed as touring seem to be little more than roadbikes with a few additions. I also see/hear people using cyclocross bikes (with some part additions). I've pretty much decided that I want steel instead of aluminum in the frame. All of these "touring" bikes seem to be in the $800+ USD price range. A bit steep to me for what you get. The Fuji Touring is a bike I'm starting to hear a lot about for entry-level. I really like the Surly Long Haul Trucker frame, but at about ~$450+ USD for the frame, I would be looking at over $1000 USD after I had the bike completed. I want a bike that is going to be strong, can be fully loaded and if possible provide durability if I happen to wander off paved road. I've been to a few bike shops and all they seem to want to do is sell me some $1500 bike I don't need or know anything about. I wouldn't even mind picking up an older road bike off craigslist.org and adding parts I needed. In addition to touring, I would also like to make this my daily commuter (unloaded of course). So, for a first timer, what does everyone think would be fitting for a newcomer?
I'm starting on the path to getting a touring setup. I haven't done any long distance touring, so this will be my first purchase. I'm from a BMX background and I am curious about the different types of bikes used for touring. The bikes I see marketed as touring seem to be little more than roadbikes with a few additions. I also see/hear people using cyclocross bikes (with some part additions). I've pretty much decided that I want steel instead of aluminum in the frame. All of these "touring" bikes seem to be in the $800+ USD price range. A bit steep to me for what you get. The Fuji Touring is a bike I'm starting to hear a lot about for entry-level. I really like the Surly Long Haul Trucker frame, but at about ~$450+ USD for the frame, I would be looking at over $1000 USD after I had the bike completed. I want a bike that is going to be strong, can be fully loaded and if possible provide durability if I happen to wander off paved road. I've been to a few bike shops and all they seem to want to do is sell me some $1500 bike I don't need or know anything about. I wouldn't even mind picking up an older road bike off craigslist.org and adding parts I needed. In addition to touring, I would also like to make this my daily commuter (unloaded of course). So, for a first timer, what does everyone think would be fitting for a newcomer?