Touring - Another 'What bike?' thread...

I have been reading threads on this website for the past few months, and, impressed with the quality of the posts, I thought I'd ask a few of my own questions.

First, I am currently living in South Korea teaching English, and am planning on doing a bike tour around SE Asia (Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia) in late September of this year. I will be heading back to Canada in a few weeks and I have about two months to find a bike, panniers, and learn a little bit more about bike mechanics.

Now, I do have sufficient funds to pay for a touring bike, but don't want to for several reasons. First, I'd prefer to travel on 26" tires (The whole 'It can be difficult to find 700cc wheels in third world countries) and secondly, I'd feel much more confident and comfortable knowing that I didn't spend $1000 plus for a bike while I was without a steady income.

So, this leaves me with the choice of finding a second hand bike or buying a new mountain bike. Does anyone have any suggestions in terms of finding a new mountain bike that would be suitable for touring?

I have been searching craigslist.com for the past month, and recently I have stumbled upon this: http://edmonton.craigslist.org/bik/353653924.html

The price is right for me, but how much money am I looking at to fix it up? Also, I am 6'0 tall/180 pounds. Will this bike fit me? In reality it will probably be my only chance to get a used bike. I live in Saskatchewan and my chances of stumbling upon something are slim to nil. My brother is living in Calgary right now and would probably drive to Edmonton to pick this bike up for me if I asked. What do you guys think?

So, should I consider this bike, or should I get a new mountain bike and fit it for touring? If you think I should get a new mountain bike, do you have any suggestions? Any tips or advice would be greatly appreciated. I'm new to this whole touring thing but am excited to get started...

As you've read here a lot, an older mtn bike is a great second choice for a touring setup (a touring bike being first....) The one you link to looks like a great candidate -- good wheelbase, comes with bar-ends, rack, fenders... My wife toured with her Rockhopper (1995 model) and did OK, but greatly prefers her new touring bike.

But three caveats:
1) Gotta mount more water bottle holders, especially for the tropics.
2) My wife's Rockhopper has LX-level components; you'd want at least this level of quality for third-world touring. But of course you can't tell if they're worn out on this bike. I wouldn't go for it unless I checked with the owner about this. Upgrading this stuff -- hubs/derailleurs/BB/shifters -- would cost over US$200, plus labor.
3) The posting says the owner is 5'9", and it fits comfortably for him. You're 6'0" -- this bike probably won't fit you. THIS IS A DEAL KILLER. The primary rule for choosing a bike is: if it doesn't fit, it isn't the right bike.

On the other hand, $50 is too tempting.... you can take a chance and not lose much if you find it doesn't fit. But if it doesn't fit, don't make the mistake of embarking on a months-long tour on this bike.

-- Mark

Thanks for the reply.

I think the most frustrating thing for me right now is that I am in Korea so I can't check out this bike, or any others. I guess I am going to pass on the bike for now, and hopefully I can find a decent bike in Calgary when I am there.

Does anybody know any good bike shops in the Calgary area? Or have advice on what type of mountain bike would be most suitable?

Thanks again...

Oh, and has REI stopped production on the Novara Safari? It isn't listed on their website. That is one bike I'd be willing to splurge a bit on, and I have an American friend here who has an REI membership.

The bike is mosdef too small for you. At 5'10.5 I ride between 56.5/57cm. Listen to EmmCeeBee, when it comes to bikes size is everything!