Touring - How heavy is too heavy?

I've been invited to tour through northern California, Oregon, and Washington this summer. Now, I have a hybrid set up like a range bike (looks like many tourer specials I see posted). It has 35cm tires, flat bar with long, comfort bar ends, fenders, lights, rack, etc. Without gear, this bike weighs in at 42.8 lbs. (It could be the piston forks on front.) My questions is, "how heavy is too heavy?" When the bike is loaded, it may come close to 100 lbs. Climbing hills and light trails may be a problem? Should I break down and buy a lighter framed bike. I use it for commuting right now. Thanks for the tips.

Urbanmonk :D

Koga-Miyata has a $2500-$3300 Trekking bikes that weigh in at 35-44lbs.

http://www.kogausa.com/GlobeTravellerspecs.htm

That includes fenders, racks, lights, etc.

I know my Trek 520 can easily get to around 55lbs with the heavy tires/rims, some racks, water, bags, a few items (not a full camping load).

I guess it's too much if you can't pedal it safely up and down the terrain you choose to cover. I know I couldn't pedal a 100 lb bike up a mountain pass, and I'd be very worried about descending. But you may only save a few pounds by switching to a lighter bike. Loaded tourers are heavy by design.

I say gear your hybrid as low as you can; 22/32/42-44 crankset and a 32or34 tooth cassette and carry as little gear as you can get by with. Better to have a bike thats built to handle it than something light that might break.

Very good point. Thanks.

Urbanmonk :D

Very good point. Thanks.

Urbanmonk :D

Don't forget to try and trim down as you train for the tour. Ya lose ten pounds and you end up stronger and lighter!

roughstuff

I toured several thousand kilometres on a bike that was only slightly lighter.
as long as you have low enough gears you should be okay.
but 100lbs! What are you going to carry ? Thats 60 lbs of gear-you should be able to get by on half that!

Well, a small keg has to weigh at least 50 lbs.; then there is the trailer to consider. Just kidding:) Actually, having never done a tour like this one, the weight was a wild guess. As I get closer to the planning stages, I'm sure only the bare necessities will take the trip. Thanks for the tips; I really appreciate.

Urbanmonk

Try simulating the load, and ride in hilly terrain.
Check out some of the ultra-light camping websites for inspiration on cuting weight.

My wife and I tour on tandem with no more than 60 lbs of equipment for a self supported ride. That is gear for two people. So you should be able to get by with a lighter load.

I've been invited to tour through northern California, Oregon, and Washington this summer. Now, I have a hybrid set up like a range bike (looks like many tourer specials I see posted). It has 35cm tires, flat bar with long, comfort bar ends, fenders, lights, rack, etc. Without gear, this bike weighs in at 42.8 lbs. (It could be the piston forks on front.) My questions is, "how heavy is too heavy?" When the bike is loaded, it may come close to 100 lbs. Climbing hills and light trails may be a problem? Should I break down and buy a lighter framed bike. I use it for commuting right now. Thanks for the tips.

Urbanmonk :D

that sounds like too much. remember, touring is supposed to be fun. it wont be fun if you are dying going up hills and being left behind by your friends that are 20 lbs lighter. regardless of how friendly you two are, one or both of you will be frustrated by your slow pace...

You might be "pleasantly" surprised when you weight in your bike. I find that I don't carry that much more for a lenghty tour than for a 2-day tour or even for a single-day ride out in the boonies.

It's a good idea to look at your gear for places to save weight, but it's also a good idea not to be weight-obsessed. There is nothing more miserable than a tour you do while shivering because you only brought 2 sweaters! After 1 such bad experience (got snowed in in August), I like to have clothing for anything from -5 C to +30 C and from light snow to rain to sun, even if it's a summer tour.

Do a few shake down rides beforehand, including 1 or 2 with an overnight. These will test your gear, but also your ability to carry it. It's easy to carry 50-60 lb of gear on a bike, if if is well attached to it; otherwise, it will shake around and will be a pain in the...

I spent almost a month touring parts of England, France, and Wales with my bicycle last summer. The bicycle complete with the load I was carrying weighed in somewhere near 100lbs . . . and I'm not much more than that myself!

It was a struggle lugging all that in and out of trains, and up and down the hills over there!! If you can get the weight down it would definitely make your trip easier.

Thanks, folks--
I think I will attempt to lighten the load before my tour.

Urbanmonk