Touring - new bike...new to touring...

Hey guys. I was just recently introduced to bike touring and I'm pretty excited about it. I hope it lives up to my expectations because I just dropped $800 on a new bike. Probably should have asked around first...

After spending a few days researching in-store and online, I chose the Schwinn World Tour DLX - mainly because it was the cheapest bike that still seemed to have every essential component for somewhat-serious touring (steel frame, touring handles, etc). The full specs are on Schwinn's website. It appears to have everything a typical touring bike like the LHT or Trek 520 have yet it's $200 cheaper. Sounded cool to me.

Does anyone else own one or at least heard of it? It would be helpful if someone was able to give me the go or at least let me know that my bike will give me hell a few miles in...I have found literally no reviews or comments about this bike (probably because it's new?), so I'm turning to you experts on this forum. Thanks for any advice.

Here's to hoping I wasn't an impatient fool buying the bike without asking around first. . .

It looks okay, I can tell where they cut the costs though.

#1. Sora front derailer isn't great. People here will mostly tell you that you need Deore or better. Front Derailers don't break often, but getting them to behave properly with a triple front chainring is hard enough with a good quality one, never mind an entry level FD.

#2. Speaking of the front crank, it's a triple, but it doesn't say what kind, or how many teeth it (or the cassette) has. It's probably not a big deal, but even nice touring bikes like the Trek 520 can be road geared and therefore a pain for loaded touring.

#3. The pedals aren't SPD, they're TPR. I don't know if that's a big deal, but you're going to want to double check any shoes you get. SPD, from what I understand, is the far more prevalent cleat type.

edit: okay, wait, it says one side is "clipless" (but not what kind of clipless) and the other side has a TPR insert. I have no idea what that means.

The tires and wheels seem fine, and that's a big deal, and the geometry seems okay (Chainstays maybe a LITTLE bit short but nothing ridiculous). That's actually a pretty cool bike, when people ask about touring bikes around here the answer seems to be either the Windsor at 600 bucks, or the LHT at 1100 bucks, this looks like a nice intermediate bike.

Wish I knew what the gearing was, still. It's odd they don't tell you, for hilly fully loaded tours the gearing is wicked important.

Never mind, found it.

SRAM PG-950 8-speed 11-32T cassette
FSA Vero compact triple 50(Alloy)/39/30T crank

Still no idea what a TPR insert is. That gearing is a bit high, but shouldn't be a huge deal. If you're fully loaded and climbing a huge hill you might be in a bit of trouble.

Jeez, that's a nice bike! Schwinn is definitely in the game.

It That's actually a pretty cool bike, when people ask about touring bikes around here the answer seems to be either the Windsor at 600 bucks, or the LHT at 1100 bucks, this looks like a nice intermediate bike.


Especially with a rear rack and fenders, this bike looks to be a great choice value and component wise if you can't (or just rather not) spend the extra cash for the LHT (which is also a great value at it's price point).

Edit-- And it comes with pedals as well- which the LHT does not- so definitely a solid value for the price.

"SRAM PG-950 8-speed 11-32T cassette"

I think this is a misprint in the specs. The SRAM PG-950 is a 9 speed cassette which makes sense being that the Tiagra shifters are 9 speed.

It looks okay, I can tell where they cut the costs though.

#1. Sora front derailer isn't great. People here will mostly tell you that you need Deore or better. Front Derailers don't break often, but getting them to behave properly with a triple front chainring is hard enough with a good quality one, never mind an entry level FD.

#2. Speaking of the front crank, it's a triple, but it doesn't say what kind, or how many teeth it (or the cassette) has. It's probably not a big deal, but even nice touring bikes like the Trek 520 can be road geared and therefore a pain for loaded touring.

#3. The pedals aren't SPD, they're TPR. I don't know if that's a big deal, but you're going to want to double check any shoes you get. SPD, from what I understand, is the far more prevalent cleat type.

edit: okay, wait, it says one side is "clipless" (but not what kind of clipless) and the other side has a TPR insert. I have no idea what that means.

The tires and wheels seem fine, and that's a big deal, and the geometry seems okay (Chainstays maybe a LITTLE bit short but nothing ridiculous). That's actually a pretty cool bike, when people ask about touring bikes around here the answer seems to be either the Windsor at 600 bucks, or the LHT at 1100 bucks, this looks like a nice intermediate bike.

Wish I knew what the gearing was, still. It's odd they don't tell you, for hilly fully loaded tours the gearing is wicked important.

Just wanted to point out that a Deore FD wouldn't work with his crankset and shifter, he'd need a Tiagra or equivalent triple road FD as an upgrade. I just got a FD-R443 that was cheap and works well.

.(but not what kind of clipless) and the other side has a TPR insert. I have no idea what that means.



It's an SPD clipless pedal with a platform and toe straps on the other side.

http://www.bikeparts.com.tw/pedals/NWL-326.jpg

Thank's for everyone's input - this is a solid forum.

I'll most likely replace my front DR (when it arrives in a week) before my first tour. It'll probably be a Tiagra - but 'll continue to look around since I have time.

I'd put a smaller granny on. I'd want at least a 26, and 24 would be better.

It's an SPD clipless pedal with a platform and toe straps on the other side.

http://www.bikeparts.com.tw/pedals/NWL-326.jpg

Well then there we go. Good lookin' pedal.

I'm sorry if I phrased it badly, I didn't mean he should put a Deore front derailer on there (which is obviously impossible), I simply was saying something "Deore level" which would be a Tiagra or maybe a 101 (weird one-off FD that was on my Trek 7.3FX, seemed decent enough and can be found pretty cheaply)

The more I look at that bike the more I like it.

I hadn`t seen that one until somebody asked about it maybe two weeks ago and put up a link to Performance`s website (just the link- didn`t mention the model in the post, so if you did a search and it didn`t show up, that`s why). Yeah, I thought it looked like a good buy too. Also, maybe there`s a misprint on the cassette model, but the thought that originally came to my mind was that it was assembled wtih older parts, hence Tiagra 8 speep. That`s good though- eight is better than nine, in my book.

So you already bought it? How does it fit? It`s a nice bike and I hope you enjoy it. Happy pedalling!

EDIT: If you don`t know much about bikes, it`s probably a good idea to have a bike shop or a knowledgeable friend give it a thorough inspection, including the wheels. There`s no telling how carefully it was assembled.

rodar,

I bought it yesterday (from Performance's website actually) and it should arrive in a week, or so they say. My local Performance Bike shop is going to assemble/inspect it when it comes in. Hopefully next weekend I'll be able to take it on my first tour. I'll let you know how it feels then.

I've got a similar bike. The discontinued World DBX. Pretty much the same components. I've done light touring (30 lbs of gear) and was fine. If I do more heavy duty touring with the bike I'm definitely getting lower gearing so that's something you might want to keep in mind. It's also a great commuter.

I've been running a Sora FD on my commuter bike, planning on replacing it when it failed. It has been on the bike for five years and gets used almost daily. It is still going strong. The Tiagra FD is a good component. Most touring bikes, even the higher priced ones, seem to use it. We have two touring bikes with Tiagra FD's and they have approximately 12,000 mile between the two bikes without any problems. I believe like most components on a bike; they last longer if kept cleaned an lubed. I suspect that a well cared for Sora will last as long as a "higher "end component that is neglected. It sound like a good bike, and like any of the "off the shelf" touring bikes, you may want to change the gearing to suit your ability and the terrain you ride in.

High end front derailleurs are nice, but overkill on a touring bike. Frankly, a touring bike could get away with using a stick with a hook on the end to move the chain on the front. A bike tourist isn't going to miss a front shift and lose a sprint to the finish line.

On the front, anyway, if it shifts, it shifts. Just ride.

I'd put a smaller granny on. I'd want at least a 26, and 24 would be better.+1 on this, especially as it's a pretty cheap and easy modification and possibly save you from walking up some steep hills

High end front derailleurs are nice, but overkill on a touring bike. Frankly, a touring bike could get away with using a stick with a hook on the end to move the chain on the front. A bike tourist isn't going to miss a front shift and lose a sprint to the finish line.

On the front, anyway, if it shifts, it shifts. Just ride.

In my experience, with a triple front a poor quality derailer is a source of unending frustration. I actually can't speak to the Sora or Tiagra stuff personally, as my bike has something by Shimano called a "C101" and I'm constantly 5-10 seconds away from stabbing it with a screwdriver. Every time I bring in my bike for random work I ask them to try adjusting the FD to get rid of a slight chain rub and some really rough shifting, and they've been unable to get it to cooperate (this includes simply replacing it once)

Shimano Sora is a perfectly fine FD. If it works, I wouldn't bother changing it.

Shimano Sora is a perfectly fine FD. If it works, I wouldn't bother changing it.

+1 Sora's fine.

Looks like you made a great buy! Enjoy.

For anyone interested, a closer look at the bike. Thanks OP for the update and everyone for your help! http://www.flickr.com/photos/21674382@N08/sets/72157622046869804/

What do folks here think about this bike's quill stem?

Very nice bike for the money. The Surley Long Haul Trucker is pretty much considered the be all to end all of touring bikes if there is one. But either way, nice pickup.

Your bike will be just fine. Any bike you spend more than 500 dollars on will at least be a decent strong ride. Touring is extremely fun and once you complete your first tour you will have a whole new understanding of freedom and decreasing limitations. Welcome to the sport/hobby.

Regarding the Sora FD, I quote a great man who used to post on this board.

"All Shimano systems shift equally well, generally. When you go for the "higher level" components you're mainly gaining lightness and, in some cases, long-term durability. The more expensive stuff is often prettier too."

Sheldon "Sora Is Just fine" Brown
(Bikerforums 1/30/2008)

I'll most likely replace my front DR (when it arrives in a week) before my first tour. It'll probably be a Tiagra - but 'll continue to look around since I have time.
If it works, don't replace it. If it doesn't work, get it adjusted. Sora isn't junk.

I have full Tiagra on my Sherpa 30, so far it's been working lovely. I looked at bikes with Sora, but I just can't stand the Sora shifters. Personal preference. If it's working, don't replace it. This philosophy will save you a lot of money :).

Congratulations on your new bike!

If it works, don't replace it. If it doesn't work, get it adjusted. Sora isn't junk.

A variation on this theme:

If it works properly after being adjusted, you are good to go.

If it will not STAY properly adjusted (and therefore working "as designed")- junk it and replace with a higher quality component.

Life is too short to be regularly distracted by poorly designed equipment begging for our attention.