pengyou
10-18-07, 09:13 AM
I am guessing that touring bikes, like passenger cars, will provide more comfortable rides if they are longer. What is considered to be a "long" bike? How long is a touring bike with 26" wheels?
Touring - What is considered to be a long bike?
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NoReg
10-18-07, 02:14 PM
Same length as one with 700C, unless the objective is to climb hills or something similar. lengths on the market are in the 43-45 axle to axle length. I know one maker who loved tandems, and occasionally would have to solo them to his partner's house etc... He liekd the ride. His touring bikes are 6-10 inches longer. I think his front end is fairly normal, though some makers lengthen the front end also. What I consider a normal lengthened rear end is probably only a few inches longer. Thorn makes a special long stay 26", and So does Sakkit. In both cases the stays are long enough you could mount a waterbottle behind the seat post. Look at Velonomad's home build in the the pictures section.
Bacciagalupe
10-18-07, 03:36 PM
The geometry feature you are looking for is known as "wheelbase." This is the distance from the front axle to the rear axle. It makes the bike more stable, which is good both for carrying loads and descending fast.
It will also make the bike feel slower though, as it will not turn very quickly.
It's a pretty subtle thing though. A zippy racing-style bike can have a 980mm wheelbase; a plusher bike will have 990mm; a cross bike will have 1005mm; a full-on touring bike will have 1030mm and up. So 50mm -- about a 5% change? -- will actually make a HUGE difference.
It will also make the bike feel slower though, as it will not turn very quickly.
It's a pretty subtle thing though. A zippy racing-style bike can have a 980mm wheelbase; a plusher bike will have 990mm; a cross bike will have 1005mm; a full-on touring bike will have 1030mm and up. So 50mm -- about a 5% change? -- will actually make a HUGE difference.
BengeBoy
10-18-07, 09:13 PM
My rule of thumb for a touring bike:
17" chainstays
41" wheelbase.
I realize there are better metric numbers but these are the numbers that stuck in my head many years ago.
17" chainstays
41" wheelbase.
I realize there are better metric numbers but these are the numbers that stuck in my head many years ago.
Thor29
10-18-07, 10:46 PM
The Surly Big Dummy will be really, really, long bike. At least it will be when it finally is available.
http://www.surlybikes.com/new/bigdummy_pop.html
http://www.surlybikes.com/new/bigdummy_pop.html