Touring - MTB or 700c?

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zlj75
09-07-02, 09:46 PM
Trying to figure out what the rest of you guys tour with. My tour rig is a 700c set up, but am beginning to think I like the upright feel of a MTB...please help, what's best? Confused in Massachusetts.
PS> I tour with a BOB trailer, if that makes a difference

MichaelW
09-08-02, 02:04 AM
Your riding position has little to do with the wheel size.
MTBs suitable for touring (ie cross-country style) generally have a pretty low aggressive riding position.
700c touring bikes from better manufacturers usually come with a more upright riding position than road racing bikes.

If you dont like your riding position on your current bike, you can change it with a replacement stem and/or seatpost.

I ride a standard English 700c touring bike (Bob Jackson) with 32mm tyres and a relaxed touring position. It is light enough to ride well unladedn, strong enough for riding mountain trails and carrying heavy loads.
For a BOB tourist, you could gp to a light-touring bike, but you would lose some off-road capability.
A modern style of bike is the 26" touring bike. This is not an MTB, but a tough, fast road and trail bike. If I was buying a bike today, I would probably go for one of these:

http://www.sjscycles.com/26solobrochure2002/solop2.asp
RoadDog
09-09-02, 10:23 AM
About 2 years ago I purchased a Litespeed Appalachian frame and had it built up with straight mountain type bars, V-brakes, 28x38x48 front and 12x28 rear, and 32mm Avocet cross tires. I've used it for many 100 to 150 mile day tours and am pleased with the relaxed geometry. With the addition of ATB bar-ends extending nearly straight-forward I can stretch out nicely.

Also, I've used the bike on mountain gravel fire roads and am just as comfortable with it as I am with my non-suspension mountain bike.

RD

zlj75
09-09-02, 03:26 PM
Thanks for the replies. Have been thinking about the mtb bar setup with bar-ends like you speak of, and have thought of adding some Scott Drop-Ins, which add drop bars to any straight bar. They are probably not made anymore, so it would take a little searching, but a guy in Telluride, Colorado was riding that setup as his commuter bike, and it looked pretty cool...lots of hand positions: flat bar, bar ends, and Drop-ins...comfort city.