Long Distance Competition/Ultracycling, Randonneuring and Endurance Cycling - Buy a Giant FCR3 for a first bike tour

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jopoulos
06-12-09, 02:25 PM
Hi Brothers and sisters Bikers !

I will go for my first big tour from Vancouver to San Francisco for around the end of august. I will allow me 1 month to do it (Actually i might start from Seattle)

So here is a post i just found out on Craiglist:
http://montreal.en.craigslist.ca/bik/1217664954.html

Its a giant FCR3 2008 like new condition for 300$
Seller replied to my first email when i asked the size by:
The Bike is XS size with rigid suspension, the bike is still breaking in, but all in all ...I love a Giant...had a 2007 Boulder SE with street tires before this.

XS seems to be a 53cm and i'm 5'6'' tall (1m70), so it should fit me.

My questions are:
Do you think that its a good bike for a first tour like it ?
Is it a good deal ?
Do you any advise to give about preparing the bike for the tour ?

And any others comments would be so appreciated :)

Thanks a lot in advance and i wish everybody some nice experience during your tour.

Cheers

Poulos

Metricoclock
06-14-09, 07:27 PM
i wouldn't recommend a tour of that length on an FCR3, aluminum frame and short wheel base.
Look for a steel frame with a longer wheelbase, your body will thank you.
unterhausen
06-14-09, 10:36 PM
go look in the touring forum, they are a lot more calibrated to the kind of riding you are talking about.

jopoulos
06-14-09, 11:03 PM
hi

thx Metricoclock (http://www.bikeforums.net/member.php?u=99086) for your reply.
Yeah i guess it will be not the best bike for a long smooth ride.
Anyway, i finally bought it for just 250$ and it's really like new condition.
After i bought it, i just found out on this forum a guy who did the same tour during 6 weeks on the same bike, so i feel better now :) and know thats possible.

Unterhausen, yep i was new on this forum and thought at first that that was the touring forum. I now started another thread on the touring forum.

Have a good ride guys !

Poulos