Long Distance Cycling - Bike Suggestion

Having a difficult time deciding on a bike. I just sold my Trek Pilot 5.0 and am looking for something else now. What I want is a steel frame bike with rack mounts on at least the rear. Must be steel. Not interested in AL. Budget is $1400. Been looking at the Bianchi Volpe and Eros, but I have a Trek 520 already and was thinking the Volpe is too close to that. Want something lighter than the 520 for long distance supported rides such as Brevets.

Thanks for the help!

Gunnar, perhaps? They're made by Waterford.

http://www.gunnarbikes.com/

.... Want something lighter than the 520 for long distance supported rides such as Brevets.

Thanks for the help!

Brevets aren't supported.

I think the Volpe's are a little tighter geometry than the 520's, so they're not as much of a true touring bike. I may be wrong about this, though.

Get a Surly Long Haul Trucker.

For $1400 you could get it decked out with some pretty nice components.

That's nice, but what's the difference between a 520 and a LHT? I wouldn't think much. Maybe something like a Cross Check???

Brevets aren't supported.

I think the Volpe's are a little tighter geometry than the 520's, so they're not as much of a true touring bike. I may be wrong about this, though.

Well, I wouldn't say that. The brevets around here have food and water at the checkpoints. But yes, the Volpe isn't a full blown touring bike. Has rear rack mounts, but not one's in the front and the frame isn't as good geometry wise and a regular touring bike. For touring use that is.

I went full custom and got an IF ClubRacer, in Ti. Not in your budget. Check out the ClubRacer's geometry - I think you want something between the 520 and a racing machine and this bike is that. Look for something with similar geometry - and for something that will run canti's or long reach brakes and give you options for fenders and wider tires.

That said BF member spokenword did an entire brevet series on his 520 this past summer and was quite pleased.

The Gunnar sport (http://www.gunnarbikes.com/sport.php) looks like a good candidate - long reach brakes, room for fenders and wider tires, relaxed road geometry... don't know much about them though...

LHT probably would be very similar to your 520, (I have a 520 as well) - the CrossCheck would work well as an all rounder - you'd have to look at the geometry - if its snappy you might not like it for the long haul. I tried to like my 520 enough for brevets but couldn't bring myself to ride it - I stuck with my LeMond last season - carbon and steel and I had to fuss with fenders and a rack - I also had to rig lights and could not run tires wider than 25mm.

Have you considered investing in the 520 to lighten it up. $1400 applied to new Wheels, a lighter crankset and bottom bracket, seatpost etc. I've got a 1983 720 that I put about $600 into and it weighs 24 - 26 lbs depending on what I've got on it (rack, fenders). Key components:

1983 Trek 720
Sun CR 18 wheels
Ultegra RD and 9 spd cassette
105 FD
Nitto hbars @ stem
Stronglight Compact Crankset w/Shimano UN73 BB
Crank Bros Candy SL Pedals
Selle Italia Turbomatic 3 saddle

Have you considered a Marinoni Ciclo? :)


BTW - many US clubs support their members through the brevets, but few other countries do that. If you came to Canada to ride brevets, expect to be out there in the middle of nowhere on your own for the entire brevet ... even the long ones. My 1000K in Manitoba was entirely self-supported (as were all the shorter distances, of course). That's one of the reasons I enjoy most 1200K events ... there's so much support on many of them!! :D The RM1200, PBP, and Great Southern Randonnee, in particular stand out in my mind as very well supported events.

Have you considered a Marinoni Ciclo? :)


BTW - many US clubs support their members through the brevets, but few other countries do that. If you came to Canada to ride brevets, expect to be out there in the middle of nowhere on your own for the entire brevet ... even the long ones. My 1000K in Manitoba was entirely self-supported (as were all the shorter distances, of course). That's one of the reasons I enjoy most 1200K events ... there's so much support on many of them!! :D The RM1200, PBP, and Great Southern Randonnee, in particular stand out in my mind as very well supported events.

Heard those Marinoni's were complete junk. :p Just kidding... Little outside the budget I'm sure.

Yeah, this is one of the main reason why I want a bike I can strap a rack to. I like the Bianchi Eros, but the components are pretty junky from what I've seen. Low level Campy. Something with a nice steel frame for the comfort and rack mounts to drag all my stuff along...

Have you considered investing in the 520 to lighten it up. $1400 applied to new Wheels, a lighter crankset and bottom bracket, seatpost etc. I've got a 1983 720 that I put about $600 into and it weighs 24 - 26 lbs depending on what I've got on it (rack, fenders). Key components:

1983 Trek 720
Sun CR 18 wheels
Ultegra RD and 9 spd cassette
105 FD
Nitto hbars @ stem
Stronglight Compact Crankset w/Shimano UN73 BB
Crank Bros Candy SL Pedals
Selle Italia Turbomatic 3 saddle

This might not be a bad idea. I like the 520 a lot. It rides very nice. It's a little old - '93, but I think it's solid. Mine has Sun CRT16 wheels, 105 FD, Candies and a big fat Brooks B17. 32's on it also. I'm thinking that investing in wheels just for the brevets with 25's might make a big difference. Take the fenders off and it might be a much faster ride. Sorry, can't give up the B17 though..... :o

Jamis Nova: http://www.jamisbikes.com/usa/bikes/07_bikes/nova.html $1,300

or Jamis Aurora: http://www.jamisbikes.com/usa/bikes/07_bikes/aurora.html $850

Fuji Touring: http://www.fujibikes.com/2007/bikes.asp?id=290&subcat=2 $910

Have you considered a Marinoni Ciclo? :)


BTW - many US clubs support their members through the brevets, but few other countries do that. If you came to Canada to ride brevets, expect to be out there in the middle of nowhere on your own for the entire brevet ... even the long ones. My 1000K in Manitoba was entirely self-supported (as were all the shorter distances, of course). That's one of the reasons I enjoy most 1200K events ... there's so much support on many of them!! :D The RM1200, PBP, and Great Southern Randonnee, in particular stand out in my mind as very well supported events.

I assumed that no US rides had support (at least, 600K and shorter)....that's what I've seen, anyway.

Jamis Nova: http://www.jamisbikes.com/usa/bikes/07_bikes/nova.html $1,300

or Jamis Aurora: http://www.jamisbikes.com/usa/bikes/07_bikes/aurora.html $850

Fuji Touring: http://www.fujibikes.com/2007/bikes.asp?id=290&subcat=2 $910

I like that Nova. That's sharp. The other two are too much like my 520... Too bad there isn't a Jamis dealer around.

How bout a road bike with clearance for wider tires, fenders, and eyelets for a rear rack? Examples: Soma Smoothie ES, Gunnar Sport, Surly Pacer, Salsa Casseroll (spring 07).

The Surly XCheck, Bianchi Volpe, Jamis Nova would be good too, but if you're not going to take it off-road you might not need the higher BB (center of gravity).

Since you already have a touring bike, i don't see why you'd want another (LHT)

Machka, I looked at the Marioni, but the website wasn't very clear about clearance (tire). What are the widest tires you can fit with fenders?

Here's a highly related thread:
http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=253194

I recently got a Gunnar Sport and I think it's a great bike for rough roads, but I put a carbon fork on it. It's stiffer than I thought it would be when climbing,(I'm 210#) and it's only a pound or so heavier than my Cannondale.

Ok, one last question. One of the bikes I have is a Eddie Merckx Majestic Titanium with all Record components. Would it not be advisable to use this bike for brevets?

I assumed that no US rides had support (at least, 600K and shorter)....that's what I've seen, anyway.

In Texas, with few exceptions, our controls are at convenience stores and your support is whatever you want to purchase at them. There is definitely no mechanical support provided other than whatever the riders do for each other.

Our 600K routes usually consist of two separate 300K loops that each return to a motel at the starting point so that riders can access supplies at their cars and grab a few hours of sleep midway through the ride.

Every once in a while, somebody will provide SAG support and meet riders at the controls with a car full of food. But that's the exception, since everyone would rather ride.

Ok, one last question. One of the bikes I have is a Eddie Merckx Majestic Titanium with all Record components. Would it not be advisable to use this bike for brevets?


Your merckx would be great for brevets, until you find that point that it doesn't. All you need is a bike and a good seat bag/handlebar bag. I have an older Eddy Ti AX with a bunch of miles that I use for brevets. My only issue with my bike is its limitations with larger tires and fenders. It also doesn't have eyelets for fenders. It's geometry was set for a more aerodynamic set up. I have had to redesign my Eddy in several ways. I've adapted it with a different stem and different gearing. I like my Ti just fine but feel like I'm torquing a racing style bike into a randonee bike. You may find your Ti is just what you want. Great components and very lightweight. Throw a seat bag on and go for it. But, you might have thoughts in other directions after a few really long brevets. A sore neck and shoulders from poor handlebar height can come from the best of bikes. I'm looking at different frames right now that might be built for the long distance style of riding. Actually, if I was a lot younger, any bike would feel good for long distances. Now, with all my creaks, I'm really particular.