Steel touring bike flex issues?

[BikEthan]

Hi Folks.

I'm planning on doing a bike tour in Europe in the Summer of '09 and I've been posting questions and thoughts about touring bikes on the Touring forum but wanted to check in with the big guys. I'm 6' 2" 230lbs (down 15 lbs in the last few months!) and I was wondering if anyone has had flex issues during fully loaded tours on larger steel touring frames? I'm really close to buying a 66cm Rivendell Atlantis, but I've also been considering a 25" Trek 520. The Surly LHT is pretty much out because it just doesn't fit me right. I've got long legs and even the 25" 520 feels a little small (funny coming from a guy who started out mountain biking on compact frames). In either case I will probably have a new bike next weekend!!

[Halthane]

I wouldn't expect to have flex issues on either of those bikes. No they aren't going to be crit bike stiff. That back end is definitely going to have some play designed into it, but they are designed like that to make them more comfortable when you have been on them for hours a day for days on end.

[1-track-mind]

I'd at least have to consider an old MTB bike which is what I hear most Europeans tour with, or a Cannondale T-2000 to alleviate flex issues.

[jimblairo]

[QUOTE=BikEthan;6196099]Hi Folks.
I'm 6' 2" 230lbs (down 15 lbs in the last few months!) and I was wondering if anyone has had flex issues during fully loaded tours on larger steel touring frames? I'm really close to buying a 66cm Rivendell Atlantis, but I've also been considering a 25" Trek 520.

I'm 6'6" with a 99cm standover and a 66 is too big for me. The Atlantis is really a light touring bike and bikes with lugs tend to be more flexy than touring bikes using tig welding on Zona type tube sets.

I have a custom Marinoni touring bike and it is stiff even with my 230 lb. body and 50 lbs of gear.Their frames are very reasonable for a custom builder. I also use a ti mountain bike for off road touring but the bike with drops is more comfortable for long rides and riding into the wind.


The Cannondale T2000 is a great bike and they have an XL model.

[solveg]

Hi Folks.

I'm planning on doing a bike tour in Europe in the Summer of '09 and I've been posting questions and thoughts about touring bikes on the Touring forum but wanted to check in with the big guys. I'm 6' 2" 230lbs (down 15 lbs in the last few months!) and I was wondering if anyone has had flex issues during fully loaded tours on larger steel touring frames? I'm really close to buying a 66cm Rivendell Atlantis, but I've also been considering a 25" Trek 520. The Surly LHT is pretty much out because it just doesn't fit me right. I've got long legs and even the 25" 520 feels a little small (funny coming from a guy who started out mountain biking on compact frames). In either case I will probably have a new bike next weekend!!

Here's a couple things... Apparently Rivendell sizes things differently. I have a 56 cm Atlantis, and it feels closer to a 58 to me. The LBS explained it to me, but I can't remember anything except that they were indeed bigger than other 56 cm bikes.

The LHT and the Atlantis are supposed to have the same geometry, exactly. But, like you, I felt a difference and preferred the Atlantis.

The Atlantis is a stunning bike. I have 26 inch 2" wide Big Apples on mine, and I could sit on it all day. Plenty of room for fenders. Brazeons for front and rear racks, and 3 water bottles. They told me I'd have no problem hauling a trailer with a 100 lb dog behind me. I've gone on single track, on wood chip, on gravel, on sand, and on pavement.

I had a hub generator put on mine so I didn't have to worry about lights and batteries. I really like it...I don't have to worry about getting home before dark or try and remember when I last replaced the batteries. The only problem is that the light stops when you stop, so if you get one, keep a flashlight with you for repairs.

It weighs a lot. It's beautiful. Mine has a nice range of gears, so I'm getting over my fear of hills.

I can't imagine anyone not liking the Atlantis. Having said that, I've heard the LHT can be the same bike for less money... but it didn't feel the same to me.

http://homepage.mac.com/sbacig/.Pictures/Bike/IMG_1730.jpg

[solveg]

LOOK!

http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/bik/579802870.html

58cm, $325 surly LHT frame

[Caincando1]

LOOK!

http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/bik/579802870.html

58cm, $325 surly LHT frame


You beat me to it! I was thinking about posting that also.

BTW I love the picture with the woods as the background. VERY NICE!

[late]

Call Waterford. They make a great touring bike. Also call Rivendell, you sound like you need something that isn't off the shelf, and their waiting line is incredible. I doubt they can get a suitable bike to you in the amount of time you have before you leave. But call them, maybe they make the larger sizes beefier.

Harris Cyclery is not too far out of town and they have demoed Waterford Adventure Cycles. That's where I tried one. You could also look into the Indy Fab touring bike, Belmont Wheelworks is a dealer for them.

[BikEthan]

I have definitely considered the Cannondale touring bikes. However I haven't been able to find one to test ride as the Cannondale dealers in my area (they're rolling over from 07-08 and often don't stock larger sizes anyway). I'm also partial to steel after having owned a couple of Cannondale bikes I've gotten rather tired of the harsh ride. I have heard that a completely loaded bike doesn't have the harsh ride issues but I plan on riding this bike fully loaded and completely unloaded as well.

As for the 66 Atlantis I would have thought that it would be too big for me as well but it just felt right during the test rides, I wasn't straining or having to do anything strange to keep myself in a good comfortable position. The only time it felt slightly weird was when climbing out of the saddle. The 66 Atlantis has the same 61cm TT length as the 62 LHT but on the Atlantis the threaded headset and stem as well as the additional HT length (although I am making an assumption here as the HT length is not published on Rivendell's web site) make it possible for me to get the handlebars to a reasonable height relative to my saddle.

A little flex in the frame is all well and good, dangerous wobble on descents or excessive flex while climbing etc... is more my concern.

[BikEthan]

Harris Cyclery is not too far out of town and they have demoed Waterford Adventure Cycles. That's where I tried one. You could also look into the Indy Fab touring bike, Belmont Wheelworks is a dealer for them.

Harris is actually the main shop that I've been working with. They didn't mention Waterford but I think that had as much do to with my time frame as anything else. I'll contact Rivendell and see what they have to say.