Commuting - Anyone here commute on a touring bike?

I just lost an argument with a car, and my bike is dead. (I'm fine, only minor scrapes and aches. There are details in this thread (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=416775) for the curious.) It's time for a new bike.

My commute is mostly by train these days, shaking it up with commuting the full 40 mile RT around once a week. Folding bike/train commute soon a well.

I'm planning to replace my MTB with a touring bike along the lines of a Surly LHT or a Trek 520. Anyone have experience commuting on a touring bike?

I commute on a 1984 Trek 720. The geometry is very similar to a LHT. Works great for a commute bike. I updated my drive train with a Nexus hub, but I commuted on it with the original 6 speed on the rear and triple up front for a long time before doing the upgrade.

Does sport-touring count? I do all sorts of riding ... commuting, recreational riding, centuries, randonneuring brevets, and touring with my Marinoni Ciclo.

I commute on a Trek 520 that I bought new in 1983.

Rides smooth as butter... tracks straight and isn't twitchy like a short wheel based bike. Carries a load well.

I ride my aluminum Trek 1000 when I don't have a load to carry, or I want to get there fast.

I've commuted on an LHT for the past year. It's about 20 mi. RT. The only bike I can compare to was my old Raleigh hybrid, which sucked, but the Surly has been fantastic! It's an extremely stable bike, and carries a load very well (as one would expect from a touring frame). Based on my experience with the hybrid, upgrading to a touring frame from a mountain bike should be like night and day. If you go the Surly route, make sure to test ride extensively, and try different sized frames if you can. I almost got a frame that would have been too small for me.

Novara Randonee, 36 miles round trip, made for it!

-Barry-

I just lost an argument with a car, and my bike is dead. (I'm fine, only minor scrapes and aches. There are details in this thread (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=416775) for the curious.) It's time for a new bike.

My commute is mostly by train these days, shaking it up with commuting the full 40 mile RT around once a week. Folding bike/train commute soon a well.

I'm planning to replace my MTB with a touring bike along the lines of a Surly LHT or a Trek 520. Anyone have experience commuting on a touring bike?


I ride 17 miles RT on a Jamis Aurora. Touring bikes are great for commuting, they will take fenders and racks, and in a straight line will be nearly as fast as a road bike. They don't have quick handling, but whatever.

I ride a Trek 520. Perfect for commuting.

Yes, I commute on a Trek 520. It is the best commuting bike I've had, and I've tried hybrids, racing road bikes, and the accessory-laden Specialized Globe "commuter bike."

Personal taste matters, of course; but I like having drop bars, 700x32 tires (wide enough to absorb bumps, but not so wide that it slows you down), and a geometry that doesn't waste your energy. Plus, it comes standard with Kevlar beaded Hardcase tires. Also, with any touring bike, you are certain to be able to attach fenders -- real fenders -- to your touring bike, and no serious commuter should be without those.

I didn't really shop beyond Trek's offering -- I was raised in Wisconsin, so I feel I have no choice -- but I also hear great things about the Cannondale T2000, the Fuji Touring, and the Jamis Aurora.

Cyclocross bikes are also a fine choice, by the way, but they often come with knobby tires that aren't as good for commuting.

I always thought touring bikes were an evolution of commuter bikes. In that they're way more functional for commuting, especially carrying a load.

My old Specialized expedition touring works great. ~35-40mi round trip.

I highly recommend a touring bike for commuting. But, it might depend on your route, road surfaces, amount of stuff you need to carry, weather, etc.

My commute is about 45 miles roundtrip (about 20 if I put my bike in the car and drive halfway for early or late season commutes. My route includes bridges, dirt trails, rough roads, and paved bike paths and I carry a bike briefcase and bike garment bag. My touring bike is the perfect commuter bike. For my commute, a steel frame long-wheelbase bike is ideal (Connondale is aluminium), couldn't do without fenders(!), need those racks, Kevlar belted 700x32 tires, drop bars....all features of a touring bike....make it the perfect commuter. A couple times I wasn't able to ride my touring bike so once I rode my 20lb aluminium road bike (fast but couldn't carry anything and a stiff, rough ride) and another time I rode my mountain bike (slow, required far too much effort, missed the variety of hand positions). I'd never commute again with a non-touring bike if I can avoid it.

You can't go wrong with a 520 or LHT.

I always thought touring bikes were an evolution of commuter bikes. In that they're way more functional for commuting, especially carrying a load.

Other way around;)

A Cannondale T800 is in my stable and works very well as a commuting bike. Much better than a cross bike...which I also use.

I think touring bikes make great commuters. Very versatile in how you can set them up. Wide gearing range is nice too. I only every used the granny ring on mine while actually on tour, but ona long hilly commute, it's nice to know that it's there. My 'cross bike with a low gear of 38 x 26 has no such bail out option.

I commute on a 2006 Trek 520. Great commuting bike -- I have around 2,000 commuting miles on it, maybe more.

I put on lower gearing (a Shimano Deore LX triple crank) a Brooks saddle, SKS fenders, and a kickstand. I rode it all winter in Seattle, and also use it as my "rain bike" on weekends when I want to ride but the weather is too crappy to go out on a better bike. I rode in all kinds of junk this winter and it's holding up well -- the paint seems very durable.

I think it's a great commuter -- plenty of low gearing for the hills I ride; the 32c tires soak up bumps and city potholes; it's very strong and stable...I feel like I can load it up with anything and it will keep ticking. So far, not a single flat on the stock tires.

Best of all, it's ready to go touring, too. I feel like that at practically any time I could just throw on a front rack and go off on an extended tour.

I commute on my new Sherpa 30.
I think its the best commuter I've ever had.
And it is my main touring bike.
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b400/fj40/DSC02421.jpg

Jamis Aurora. Love it.

There's really nothing in any of the previous posts with which I disagree. The Trek 520 and the Surly LHT are both fine bikes. My personal choice for a tourer is a 1996 Softride World Traveler. I don't use it for anything except touring. When I decided to get a new commuter many factors were considered. Componentry, quality, price, etc. Ended up getting a Motobecane Fantom/CX from bikesdirect.com. Entry level componentry, but a fine bike for the money(499.00), nonetheless. There was an LHT right in the same line of choices and it WAS tempting, but I wanted funds for the airless tires and some high quality raingear, which I lack. My daily commute is 40 mi rt. For fenders I use SKS Raceblades as I can transfer them from bike to bike. They don't have the coverage of full fenders obviously, but will keep alot of the spash off. The tires are off-road semi-knobbie 30mm, but I've got a set of 28mm 130 psi Nu-teck airless on order and they'll be here in a couple of weeks. Otherwise, I'd get 28mm Schwalbe Marathon plus w/tuffy liners. The frame is aluminum w/a cro/mo fork. The bike is surprisingly stable w/rack, panniers, lights, etc. W/my lunch, clothing, raingear, etc. it weighs in between 47-50 lbs, loaded depending on the day and what I need to haul.

The stock gearing was supposed to have been 2x8, but they slipped in a 2x9 upgrade. The stock front was 50/36(which I swapped out for a 40t right away...I never use it, but it's there if i need it) and 26-12 in the rear. They added a 13t cog(sort of a waste, really) to bump it up to nine. I really liked the idea of a double for a commuter as I've been running 1x7, 8 or 9 for years and find triples to be a PITA in varying the trim all the time. All in all I rate it a 9 out of ten only deducting for the entry level componentry. The generic saddle is comfortable and I've got no probs w/ 'numbness'. Spenco Ironman gloves from bikeisland take care of any potential wrist probs. It's only been 2 weeks and about 400 miles, but so far it's money well spent.:)

BTW, That Rocky Mountain Sherpa 30 looks like a formidable ride. Love the Blacl/black/black color scheme. No BS, just a good no-nonsense tourer/commuter worthy of much respect. Gotta love the Brooks saddle...what is that, a B-72 or B-17? It's hard to tell.

I just lost an argument with a car, and my bike is dead. (I'm fine, only minor scrapes and aches. There are details in this thread (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=416775) for the curious.) It's time for a new bike.

My commute is mostly by train these days, shaking it up with commuting the full 40 mile RT around once a week. Folding bike/train commute soon a well.

I'm planning to replace my MTB with a touring bike along the lines of a Surly LHT or a Trek 520. Anyone have experience commuting on a touring bike?
I don't commute with a touring bike, but I see many, many, many people on them here, as well as cyclocross frames. My conclusion is that they must be good bikes for the job.

Uuuuuummmm, I guess I m on my own here...a Bianchi Volpe. 2 yrs and 2600 miles apprx. Love this bike.
If I were to do it again...I'd get a frame & build up the components for better value.

I commute both on touring and cyclocross bikes. I prefer the cyclocross bikes for commuting as they are faster and more agile in traffic, although for heavy loads the touring bikes are more stable.

I use my Surly LHT to commute on when I am not riding one of my other bikes. Its my first choice if I have to travel any farther than about ten miles and if I want to carry a bunch of stuff. I am currently running some 40mm wide Marathon tires with the reflective sidewalls and I love them. I put 70 psi in them and never worry about what I roll over. These fatties are great for absorbing bumps and they grip well at 40 mph on corners. There are not many bicycles out there that can take 40mm tires with fenders and still sport racks and bags along with lighting etc. In my opinion, a touring style bicycle is simply the best all around road bicycle and when you add in wide tires, you can take it off road on gravel or dirt trails too. The long wheelbase makes for a comfortable ride that tracks well on 95% of the riding we commuters do. A zippy short wheelbase race bike is like a Ferrari, nice on a sunny day but not something you want for day in and day out riding. Unlike a full on mountain bike, a properly setup touring machine really lets you maximize your commuting comfort and convenience while still keeping a decent speed.:thumb:

I commute with a Rivendell Atlantis which has the same geometry as the LHT. I ride with 1.3" Ritchey Crossbite tires which can be fast when I want to be and can also handle the potholes, gravel etc. The bike has a longer wheelbase and is a bit heavy but it is also very stable in decents and high winds. I commuted with a hard tail mountain bike for a while but a touring bike is a lot less effort and a much better choice for me. Sorry to hear about losing your bike. I was hit a few months ago and lost the bike - the Atlantis has been a great replacement.

One of my touring bikes is a Surly Cross Check. I'd almost always prefer the Surly. Carrying your stuff in a backpack on your race bike, as opposed to a set of Panniers is a real pain. With the weight factor, touring bikes work out just fine as a commuter.

I often use an 26" wheeled LHT for a Thirty Mile round trip commute. It's particularly nice, when tired at the end of the week to have the wide gearing and stable handling. Having racks and panniers makes for a very pleasant commute as well.

The only thing I would want you to be aware of has to do with the weight.

If you need to be able to carry your bike, at any point during your commute, a fully loaded touring bike can become a logistical nightmare. So, if you are doing a mixed commute you might want to consider a CX bike and forego the racks and panniers.

BTW, glad you are okay. Pretty hairy accident, that.

My brother commutes every day on a Surly LHT, and he loves it. I ride my 83 Univega (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v214/lamplightsg/Univega/IMG_0935_filtered-small.jpg) whenever it's not just really nasty outside, and it's the best bike I've ever owned. Occasionally I ride an 85 Miyata 210, which is good but I'm not quite as fond of it as the Univega. Touring bikes can make perfect coommuters.

I'll be starting this week on a touring bike, Jamis Aurora. I specifically bought a touring bike for commuting because of the stability and gearing the bike offers. Whether I'll like it compared to my old Myiata may be another story.

Also check out the Salsa Casseroll and Soma Smoothie ES. Both of these frames have eyelets and braze-ons for fenders and racks as well as clearance for larger tires. They are both much lighter than the typical touring frame and would handle quicker. They don't have super long chain stays or stout tubing so wouldn't be suited for loaded touring, but would work fine for commuting and light touring.

Thanks everybody! I'm probably gonna get either a Surly LHT or a Trek 520, since they're easily available, but keep the bike pr0n coming!

1984 Trek 520.

Factors:

1. Terrain & road surface. Some commutes are smooth sailing, so are rougher than normal touring roads. Some might work fine on a track bike, some might need a full suspension mountain bike.

2. Traffic & associated handling needs. Heavy traffic, a tendency to ride too fast for conditions, and complete disrespect of traffic laws calls for a nimble mount. A mellower environment doesn't.

3. Carrying capacity. If you're not carrying anything, much of what a dedicated touring machine does isn't needed.

I'll commute on a rather decent CF Italian go-fast bike. And the same route on a 3x9 steel monstrosity. Depends on the day and my needs.

Just some factors to consider. I used to use my touring bike as a utility / commuting bike. Unless I took a fixie for fun. Just different compromises.

Yes a Trek 520 is my main bike and commuting bike. And a Marinoni Special - sport touring bike I use as my backup. I love touring bikes they are very versatile and I own two!

I recently bought a LHT complete which now has fenders, a rear rack, and wald black wire frame grocery getters. Its my one and only and does a great job. Its not the fastest thing around but its smooth as silk. There is a pic of it in the commuter pic thread around page 107

I've called around about the Trek 520 and the Surly LHT - nobody I can find in NJ stocks them. Int he case of the LHT, it's because they're all pretty much special-ordered when you get the complete bike. Trek has stopped makign the 520s, I assume because next year's model is coming out soon.

Help! Need to get this ASAP for a tour coming up.

JensonUSA

Make SURE to get the right size. They tend to size big.

Size by top tube length.

I've called around about the Trek 520 and the Surly LHT - nobody I can find in NJ stocks them. Int he case of the LHT, it's because they're all pretty much special-ordered when you get the complete bike. Trek has stopped makign the 520s, I assume because next year's model is coming out soon.

Help! Need to get this ASAP for a tour coming up.

Look into the jamis line. I think you might be pleased.

I commute on a Windsor Tourist from bikesdirect.com. It is a great deal for $600 if you plan on doing a lot of the mechanical work yourself. The frame and components appear to be the same as that on the Fuji Touring that retails for $950.

I've put about 500 miles on mine so far. I've done a lot of tinkering, including switching to bar end shifters, Nitto Noddle handlebars, Nitto Technomic stem, E3 Form Gel saddle, new platform pedals, Campagnolo front derailleur, and new panniers. I love the way it is set up now. It hauls a lot of stuff easily and is plenty fast enough for me.

Check out the Fuji Touring. Its about the same price range as the Surly LHT (maybe even a little cheaper). I've been riding its vintage predecessor for over 6 months now on a 24 mile RT commute and I love it. About 6 miles of my commute are dirt bike trail and the rest is paved roads or bike path and its great all around. Great for the loaded panniers and various stuff picked up on errands, nice smooth ride and just so comfortable.

Based on my experience switching from a hybrid to a touring bike, there will be an adjustment period. For about a week my touring bike seemd really twitchy and overly reactive to my steering. After that I learned that she needed a more delicate touch, so now we ride along quite peacefully.

I think the Trek Portland is still available.

I've had my new LHT for two weeks. It was bought specifically as a commuter, with the intent of doing some touring later. It's been a real joy! I got mine from webcyclery.com.

I commute on a Novara Randonee I bought new last year. I commute 2 days a week (20mi round trip), and occasionally do 20-25 mile rides on the weekend, I have about 1600 miles on the bike. It's been a good bike and is a great value if you can get it during a 20% off sale.

When I got my Randonee I thought I would be riding with panniers more than I do, and also envisioned pulling my kid's bike trailer with it. I discovered a rack trunk is all I need most days (I bring lunches and clothes in when I drive in), and I prefer using an MTB to pull the kid trailer.

For my present commute a touring bike is a bit of overkill, and sometimes I wish I had a sportier road bike to commute on. Eventually I would like to get a go-fast roadie for weekend rides and commuting in nice weather.

I commute on a bike which started life as a touring bike - Bianchi San Remo. I have changed the gearing around a bit (went to bar end shifters for the rder, and a downtube shifter for the fder), and have fenders and beefier tires than the bike came with (Schwalbe Marathon Plus). It works great - I usually commute with one pannier, but when I have extra stuff, I can add more - this morning I had a large rear pannier and a briefcase, in addition to the usual junk that I haul. My commute is 30 miles RT.

Most of my commuting is done on my touring bike (2005 Fuji World). On nice summer days I like to take the road bike and on replenish days I no longer have to drive everything in, I just use the Big Dummy!

I just purchased a 1980's Miyata 615 touring bike for the express purpose of using it as my 16 mile round trip daily commuter. I'm really looking forward to getting it fully set up.

My wife and I both do, every day. I'm on a 1994 Bridgestone RB-T, she's on a 2001-ish Novara Randonee. Someone else said it perfectly, 700x32 is enough to smooth things out without slowing you down. We've got about a 15-16 mile round trip.

I've called around about the Trek 520 and the Surly LHT - nobody I can find in NJ stocks them. Int he case of the LHT, it's because they're all pretty much special-ordered when you get the complete bike. Trek has stopped makign the 520s, I assume because next year's model is coming out soon.

Help! Need to get this ASAP for a tour coming up.


Surly's are a Quality Bike Products build. Most bike shops do not stock them, but order them just like any bicycle component.

http://aebike.com/page.cfm?PageID=30&action=list&Category=905&Brand=405&type=T

I prefer a steel ride. Yes, it's a little heavier. But you need a workhorse of a bike. Especially when toting 50lbs of groceries. :)

Ricohman, That is a beautiful bike!

88 Schwinn Voyageur does double duty.

Sadly, even a lot of "touring" bikes still have racing cranksets with chainrings that are much too large.

I've commuted on a variety of bikes and so far my favorite is my Surly Cross Check. It's set up as a touring bike with a build kit pulled off of a 2003 Trek 520. Compared to the 520, the Surly is much more agile and has a better ride, although it doesn't have as much heel clearance when using good sized panniers (which make sense considering that the Surly is intended to be a cylcocross bike).

One word of advice when shopping for a Surly, be it a LHT or Cross Check: size by the top tube length, not the frame size! Surlys tend to run long for their stated height. I typical take a 56cm, and I've even fit on an occasion 58cm, but my Cross Check (with a 56cm top tube) is a 54cm! So be careful, I've seen more than a couple of people end up buying a second Surly frame after making a sizing mistake.