Touring - Thinking about a touring bike....need advice.

Hey everyone,

I am just now getting back into shape after a long time off. I am about 6' tall and currently weight 235lbs. I am probably going to end up around 210-215lbs when I am at my goal weight(very broad shouldered/muscular build). I have a mountain bike and a trek 5200 carbon road bike now but I am thinking about getting a touring bike for riding on the road. I'ld like something that is more comfortable and less likely to break things than on my trek that I have now. I was looking at a cannondale touring bike on their website that looks ok but I don't really know which other brands I should check out. For arguments sake lets assume I'ld be willing to go $1500-$2000 on a new bike even though that is the higher end of what I'ld prefer to spend. Also am I correct in assuming that the touring bikes will be a less aggressive riding bike? I know I could always get an aftermarket wheelset for my trek with some wider tires but I don't know if I really want to ride a bike with the aggressive geometry on a regular basis. Any help/advice would be appreciated.


-lee-

Hey everyone,

I am just now getting back into shape after a long time off. I am about 6' tall and currently weight 235lbs. I am probably going to end up around 210-215lbs when I am at my goal weight(very broad shouldered/muscular build). I have a mountain bike and a trek 5200 carbon road bike now but I am thinking about getting a touring bike for riding on the road. I'ld like something that is more comfortable and less likely to break things than on my trek that I have now. I was looking at a cannondale touring bike on their website that looks ok but I don't really know which other brands I should check out. For arguments sake lets assume I'ld be willing to go $1500-$2000 on a new bike even though that is the higher end of what I'ld prefer to spend. Also am I correct in assuming that the touring bikes will be a less aggressive riding bike? I know I could always get an aftermarket wheelset for my trek with some wider tires but I don't know if I really want to ride a bike with the aggressive geometry on a regular basis. Any help/advice would be appreciated.


-lee-

I'm as big as you and I ride a T800. I have a steel touring bike but it has some problems with shimmy on high speed descents. I've never had a problems with the T800. There are a few touring bikes out there (do a search in the forums since it's been discussed before) but, for us big guys, there are few that will match the Cannondales for price and strength.

Others besides the Cannondale I have looked at are the Trek 520 the Fuji touring and a couple of others. What I will probably get is a Black Cherry colored Surly Long Haul Trucker through my LBS and built up with components of my choosing... Probably lower grade components than many would use for a custom build, but still I think I will be happy with it.

The down side with the LHT is that no place around keeps them stocked (and built) so I will have to order everything without ever test riding.

With a component group of acceptable quality for me, I should be able to get into a LHT for under $1500 with racks etc.

I'm a bit lighter but have been very happy with the cannondale t800. Some complain it is too stiff, but it hasn't bothered me and also with some extra weight on it, it should be better.

I'm a bit lighter but have been very happy with the cannondale t800. Some complain it is too stiff, but it hasn't bothered me and also with some extra weight on it, it should be better.

It does ride much smoother with a load. It is pretty stiff without one but you get used to it.

I'm 6'1" 230 and I have a Fuji World, but they discontinued them for 2006. If you are not actually doing loaded touring, but looking for something for commuting, road, rec, light touring and whatever, I think the Jamis Aurora is a great choice, as well as the Bianchi Volpe. They are both in the $800 range and the money you save can go into upgrades and gear.