Touring - Road Bike - Touring

I'm looking for a roadbike that can handle light touring, eg, 10 - 20 days.

Any recommendations?. I'd like aluminum(preferred), steel ( maybe carbon fibre ). Perhaps a Jamis?

Thanks,
Jaret.

Budget?

Cannondale T800, find a left over 2006, I found a left over 2005 for 800. Well worth the money I spent.

The usual recommendation you will hear is Trek's 520. It's not aluminum but butted Cro-Moly would be my pick over that. Too bad the gearing isn't any better after all of these years. :)

$1500.00

I test rode a Argon 18 (plutonium) which I'm rather fond of. I prefer the handling of aluminum over chromoly. Perhaps it's because I'm not accustomed to cro-mo...but I've rode a Urbanite and Bianchi Volpe and they both seemed kinda wiggly to me.

If you plan to use this bike for one 10 - 20 day tour, and as a road bike the rest of the time, you could probably use almost anything as long as you find it comfortable. Trailer is probably a good plan -- it'll cost about the same as racks and panniers. You might want to avoid carbon seatstays, but unless you're carrying a huge load, even that isn't a big concern. That said:

The Trek 520 is a great touring bike, but it's a tank. I'd skip it if your tours are short and/or rare.

- Specialized Sequoia
- Jamis Satellite or Aurora (if speed isn't a huge issue)
- Bike Friday Pocket Crusoe (folding bike, can fully customize it)

The Sequoia is aluminum and iirc can take slightly wider tires. So pick up a pair of wide tires and a trailer, and you should be all set.

I'm in the same market: mostly daily rides but some light touring (a man can dream, after all). For what it's worth (I've only ridden hybrids up to now) I'm trying to decide between the Jamis Quest and the Bianchi Eros. I did a short test ride of the Jamis and really liked it. One bike shop guy at store that sells both suggest that the Jamis was better value for the money (higher end Shimano vs Campy), but I certainly like the look of the Bianchi a lot, and would like to be able to ride one.

(All the bike shops around here seem to expect you to order a bike in your size and hope for the best. Which as a newbie I'm almost ok with, but it certainly adds to the difficulties of deciding).

This is all assuming that a non-touring bike will stand up to the light touring, and others of this forum have suggested that should be ok, possibly substituting sturdier wheels. But I'd be interested in other opinions.

I have a Surly LHT for touring. I also have a Surly Pacer road bike (that I consider a sport-touring bike). I think this bike would also do well for light touring. It's a steel frame and fork, maybe a bit heavier than most road bikes, but it sure is comfy on long rides. It can take wider tires and has rack and fender braze ons. The steel fork could probably take a front pannier rack. They are only sold as frames so you get to build to suit.

Surly Crosschecks seem to be quite popular also. My bf has one and he likes it.

$1500.00

I test rode a Argon 18 (plutonium) which I'm rather fond of. I prefer the handling of aluminum over chromoly. Perhaps it's because I'm not accustomed to cro-mo...but I've rode a Urbanite and Bianchi Volpe and they both seemed kinda wiggly to me.

for that price you can pick up a cannondale t2000 check with your connondale dealer or if you really aren't looking for a heavey touring bike you can use something like a trek 1500 which can be fitted with a rear rack and clip on fenders and runs about 1150 and can come with either 2 or 3 speed front cranks..

I'm in the same market: mostly daily rides but some light touring (a man can dream, after all). For what it's worth (I've only ridden hybrids up to now) I'm trying to decide between the Jamis Quest and the Bianchi Eros. I did a short test ride of the Jamis and really liked it. One bike shop guy at store that sells both suggest that the Jamis was better value for the money (higher end Shimano vs Campy), but I certainly like the look of the Bianchi a lot, and would like to be able to ride one.

(All the bike shops around here seem to expect you to order a bike in your size and hope for the best. Which as a newbie I'm almost ok with, but it certainly adds to the difficulties of deciding).

This is all assuming that a non-touring bike will stand up to the light touring, and others of this forum have suggested that should be ok, possibly substituting sturdier wheels. But I'd be interested in other opinions.

find a bike shop that allows you to test ride and don't settle for less i have test ridden all my bikes before buying them and if they don't have one in your size find one that does...

More of a factor is how much weight you plan to carry. For heavy loads (50lbs) most will recomment a dedicated touring ride (e.g Trek 520) with front and rear racks. An alternative for loaded touring is a regular road bike with a trailer (Bob or burley).

For light loads (<30 pounds) you'll be fine with only a rear rack and panniers. Make sure there are braze-ons.

But... you'll need something that can take widish tires (28 minimum) with fenders since you plan on leaving 10-20 days. Sadly most modern road bikes can't do that, but like was said (tuffwolf) clip ons fenders might be acceptable (personally I don't like them).

Basically any bike with cantilever brakes and some braze-ons would be fine. If you really like aluminum then I would look for some cyclocross bike.

I think that bike fitting is more important that frame material though, so make sure you get good advice.