Long Distance Competition/Ultracycling, Randonneuring and Endurance Cycling - Bike across America, any bike recommendations?

Next summer during my leave period from the Naval Academy I will be riding a bike across the US. I have the plan already set... but I need a bike. I've ridden road bikes for long distances but this is a little farther than I have ever travelled. I have no real price set but I'd like to keep it under five grand for bike and equipment. I'm just looking for pointers on where to start looking for a comfortable good ride.

That's an ample budget.

A few questions, will you be camping the entire distance? Will you stay on-pavement or also use gravel roads?

Visit the touring forum, in-fact this thread might get moved.

Just to get you started, look at these bikes: Salsa Casseroll, Surly Long Haul Trucker, Salsa Fargo.

Salsa: http://www.salsacycles.com/bikes.html

Surly: http://www.surlybikes.com/lht_comp.html

That's an ample budget.

A few questions, will you be camping the entire distance? Will you stay on-pavement or also use gravel roads?

Visit the touring forum, in-fact this thread might get moved.

Just to get you started, look at these bikes: Salsa Casseroll, Surly Long Haul Trucker, Salsa Fargo.

Salsa: http://www.salsacycles.com/bikes.html

Surly: http://www.surlybikes.com/lht_comp.html

I plan to camp half and stay in cheap motels the other half of the ride. And definitely on pavement for the roads. Thanks for the bike tips

Are you riding by yourself ? Will you only ride in daylight hours ? Are you carrying all your gear with you or is some kind person/spouse/friend driving gear from point-to-point ?

Everyone's definition of a comfortable ride is different. The amount of gear that you need to carry will partly define your needs ... also, the number of miles that you intend to travel each day.

Presumably if you are going to carry camping equipment you need a tour bike, and quite a few companies make them. Trek 520 (http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes/road/520/520/)is one of the well known standards, but there are many others.

depends on how often will you do such trips. If this is just a one or maybe two time event I would just get the Trek 520 that Cooker recommends, it's cheap but very capable. If your going to be doing this a lot in your lifetime then look into something better like the Beckman Sakkit Expedition 26, this is a very capable bike and should last forever. Read about it at: http://www.coinet.com/~beckman/bikeframes.html

I got the Mercian to do what your going to do and I like it. I bought it instead of the Beckman even though the Beckman was probably a better bike but it was too expensive for me to rationlize the purchase. Plus the Mercian is one of those artsy fartsy bikes made in the old world ways which appeals to me.

depends on how often will you do such trips. If this is just a one or maybe two time event I would just get the Trek 520 that Cooker recommends, it's cheap but very capable. If your going to be doing this a lot in your lifetime then look into something better like the Sakkit Expedition 26, this is a very capable bike and should last forever. Read about it at: http://www.coinet.com/~beckman/bikeframes.html (http://www.coinet.com/%7Ebeckman/bikeframes.html)

Has anyone here actually seen a Sakkit? Anyone? Anyone? Bueller?

From what I understand, if you order one today, you *might* get it next year.

BTW, here's a list of touring bikes that might work:

http://bicycletouringpro.com/blog/touring-bikes-bicycles-made-specifically-for-long-distance-touring/

Looking at the specs, the Trek is likely a bit better than the Salsa Casserole for hardcore loaded touring as it has a wider gear range, and especially a much lower lowest gear for hauling your stuff over the Rocky Mountains. It also has eyeletss for front racks halfway down the forks. However, the Casserole has full fenders, not the partial ones the Trek has as stock.

I'll be riding with at least one other guy. Maybe two or three others and as far as things we're bringing it won't be much. I plan to pack as light as possible and the guys I'm planning to ride with don't need many creature comforts. I want to do this in a rather short time frame also since my leave periods are short, around four weeks to complete the ride. Based on others who've completed the ride we'll need to cover around a 100 miles a day. We're all in good marathon shape too so long hours shouldn't be too grueling. And as plans continue I think we'll be staying in a room more than camping in order to move faster with less gear. Thanks for the help so far, they're helping.

I'll be riding with at least one other guy. Maybe two or three others and as far as things we're bringing it won't be much. I plan to pack as light as possible and the guys I'm planning to ride with don't need many creature comforts. I want to do this in a rather short time frame also since my leave periods are short, around four weeks to complete the ride. Based on others who've completed the ride we'll need to cover around a 100 miles a day. We're all in good marathon shape too so long hours shouldn't be too grueling. And as plans continue I think we'll be staying in a room more than camping in order to move faster with less gear. Thanks for the help so far, they're helping.

So, you don't want a fully loaded touring bike. Too heavy, IMHO.

If I were you, I'd look at two bikes as "thought starters" --

-- Study the Co-Motion Nor'wester, and the Co-Motion Nor'wester Tour.

In order of "light" to "heavy duty", Co-Motion makes the:

- Nor'wester
- Nor'wester Tour
- Americano
- Pangea

That gives you a good idea of the range of approaches to bikes out there that might be suitable for a cross country trip, but given the speed at which you want to ride IMHO you want to stick with something like the Nor'wester or Nor'wester Tour.




There are plenty of other bikes out there, this is just a guide to help think about your options.

Adventure Cycling (http://www.adventurecycling.org/) has lots of information on riding cross country. Look in "How To" for articles on touring and selecting the appropriate bike, among other things.

Presumably if you are going to carry camping equipment you need a tour bike, and quite a few companies make them. Trek 520 (http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes/road/520/520/)is one of the well known standards, but there are many others.

Adventure Cycling Magazine has an annual review of Touring bikes. Think it is available on line.. When it comes to touring bikes, i'd not go cheap.. My biggest questions would be . What time of year to go and what routing to take.. The route thru Colorado is the most difficult. With the southern route thru New Mexico to be the easier.. Certainly something you'd not want to do in the Summer.

That's an ample budget.

A few questions, will you be camping the entire distance? Will you stay on-pavement or also use gravel roads?

Visit the touring forum, in-fact this thread might get moved.

Just to get you started, look at these bikes: Salsa Casseroll, Surly Long Haul Trucker, Salsa Fargo.

Salsa: http://www.salsacycles.com/bikes.html

Surly: http://www.surlybikes.com/lht_comp.html

A few other classic options: a Bruce Gordon tourer, the Trek 520, and a custom from the likes of Peter Weigle, Coho, or Boulder Cycles. Also, check out the Rivendell website. I know they have a loaded tourer, but can't recall which one it is.

The Trek 520 is a GREAT inexpensive touring bike for someone who is not going to be touring more then a few times; and Adventure Cycling rated it very high. Those posters saying not to go cheap have more money then brains and expect us to think the same way...kind of like the politicians in Washington!!

Have you looked on the Touring forum (http://www.bikeforums.net/forumdisplay.php?f=47) of BikeForums.net? This board seems more appropiret for you. The board is very active and will already contain more than enough information for you if you read the first 3-4 pages and use the search feature. It seems the Surly Long Haul Trucker (LHT) is pretty much the favorite bike these days. There are plenty of others out there but the LHT gets a lot of love on the touring board.

Google "ultralight backpacking". You should be able to get your load down to under 15 lbs. If you go that route, it will influence your choice of bikes. Going up a 6% grade, every pound = 1w power consumed. 5 lbs. isn't noticeable. 25 lbs. is! The other thing you'll get with a lot of gear is increased headwind resistance. That can be the worst. I'd look hard at trying to reduce that with aero packaging. Bar bags are excellent. Trunk bags on a rack are excellent. Your choice of bar bag might influence your choice of shifters.

Once you have a bike, you might want to attempt back-to-back centuries while experimenting with saddles. The saddle can be a deal breaker.

Those posters saying not to go cheap have more money then brains and expect us to think the same way...kind of like the politicians in Washington!!

I don't think anybody above said "not to go cheap." The OP said he had a budget of $5,000; several options are presented above, including some that are *cheaper* than the LHT (check out the list I posted).

I don't understand the sarcasm in your post - you're the one who recommended a Sakkit.

Nun put together this list for ultra-light touring gear, the thread is here: http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=271722&highlight=20lbs

Here's the list, total weight 18.5 lbs.
If I credit card it I simply leave the camping gear at home and the weight comes down to
13.5 lbs.

CAMPING
Tent, Contrail
Summer down Sleeping Bag
Prolite 3, Sleeping Pad
Pepsi can stove, pot, cup
Denatured Alcohol
Ti Spork
BIC Lighter
50' Cord

CLOTHES CARRIED
MTB Shorts
Convertible Long Pants
Wool Long Underwear
Padded cycling Underwear
Wool Short Sleeve T-Shirt
Long Sleeve "Adventure" Shirt
Microporous Rainsuit
2 x Socks
Flip Flops
Gloves
Insulated Primaloft Jacket
Windshirt
Beanie hat

TOILETRIES
Mounthwash
Razors
Skin Cream
Sunscreen
Microfiber Towel
Shampoo
Toothpaste and Brush
DEET
Dental Floss
Toilet Paper

BIKE STUFF
Bike Cable Lock
Multitool
Leatherman, Juice
2 x Kevlar Spokes
Chain Lube
2 x inner tubes
Pump
2 x Patch Kits
Tire boots
2x Powerlink
Brake cable
Gear cable
Brake Pads
Misc Nuts and Bolts
4x AA batteries
Plastic Bags
Duct tape

MISC
Wallet
Map
notebook and pen
First Aid Kit
Sewing kit
small FM radio
Cell phone/camera and charger

CLOTHERS WORN, NOT INCLUDED IN WEIGHT
Padded Underpants
Long Sleeve T-Shirt
Cycling Knickers
Socks
Cycling Shoes
Helmet
Bandana

BAGS
Carradice saddlebag, small handle bar bag and 2x silnylon compression sacks

I don't think anybody above said "not to go cheap." The OP said he had a budget of $5,000; several options are presented above, including some that are *cheaper* than the LHT (check out the list I posted).

I don't understand the sarcasm in your post - you're the one who recommended a Sakkit.

The sarcasm was a political cut...ill attempt at being funny.

My position on the other part about cheap bike was that one poster mentioned not to go with a cheap bike like the 520...that post is now either deleted or the statement was deleted.

By the way I too stand corrected about buying the Trek 520 if your only going to tour a few times. Today in my travels I ran into a local guy who's been touring for 8 years across the USA and Canada on a 520 and it still works just fine. He's had to replace the saddle right away with a Brooks B17; after the first tour decided to change to a 11-34 rear cassette; later upgraded the transmission, and wheels and hubs (Woods I noticed), and replaced the racks because the racks that came with the bike were not that good. He said the bike is extremily comfortable and stable under load and has no plans to buy another.

Nun put together this list for ultra-light touring gear, the thread is here: http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=271722&highlight=20lbs

Here's the list, total weight 18.5 lbs.
BAGS
Carradice saddlebag, small handle bar bag and 2x silnylon compression sacks

Why the Carradice saddlebag? That bag alone weighs as much as all the gear your carrying...not really but it is way heavier then even the highest quality bags from Ortlieb.

after the first tour decided to change to a 11-34 rear cassette; Many posters have complained about the Trek 520's gearing and lack of a super low gear, and Trek seems to have taken the criticism to heart. The 2009 model has an 11-32 cassette and 26 tooth front granny gear - to give a pretty good lowest gear of 22 gear inches as opposed to 25 gear inches in 2007 or 2008. If you put a 34 tooth inner cog on the cassette you get down to 21 gear inches, assuming the rear deraillueur would work with it which it probably would.

Why the Carradice saddlebag? That bag alone weighs as much as all the gear your carrying...not really but it is way heavier then even the highest quality bags from Ortlieb.

Nun's set-up is extremely cool, IMHO.

The Carradice isn't that heavy - compare the weight of a single large Carradice + the bag support that holds it vs. two full-size Ortlieb panniers plus a rack.

For a lightweight tour - like the OP is attempting - I think Nun's set-up is pretty interesting.

I have a Carradice Nelson Long Flap and Bagman support. The set up is surprisingly light. I plan to do a three day tour in a few weeks with the Carradice/Bagman in back and a randoneer front rack with Acorn Boxy Rando bag in front. My camping gear falls into the ultralight category. I am a bit of a novice at bike touring but experience backpacker.

I would venture to guess that the gear I'm carrying on my three day tour would be close to everything one would need for a extended tour in the States with adequate access to regular food resupplies and water. However personally if I were doing a cross country trip I would likely carry more "creature comforts."

Presumably if you are going to carry camping equipment you need a tour bike, and quite a few companies make them. Trek 520 (http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes/road/520/520/)is one of the well known standards, but there are many others.

I just completed an 8 day 730 mile trip on my road bike and am looking into getting a touring bike. I like the Trek 520, but don't understand why the bar end shifters are desirable. What's the advantage?

^^no idea

I like the Trek 520, but don't understand why the bar end shifters are desirable. What's the advantage?

1) They are a very simple design with basically one moving part. Whereas as bifters (brake/shifters) are complex and difficult to repair.

2) Shimano shift cables on bifters get in the way when using handlebar and rando style bags.

3) I think non bifter brakes and bar end shifters are cheaper than bifters.

I am wishing I had downtube shifter brazons added when I had my DeSalvo built. I would like continue to use my Ultegra bifters but the down the road flexibility would have been nice.

I have a Carradice Nelson Long Flap and Bagman support. The set up is surprisingly light. I plan to do a three day tour in a few weeks with the Carradice/Bagman in back and a randoneer front rack with Acorn Boxy Rando bag in front. My camping gear falls into the ultralight category. I am a bit of a novice at bike touring but experience backpacker.

I would venture to guess that the gear I'm carrying on my three day tour would be close to everything one would need for a extended tour in the States with adequate access to regular food resupplies and water. However personally if I were doing a cross country trip I would likely carry more "creature comforts."

So is Nun carrying all that on his list in a Carradice Nelson Long Flap? I looked at the web site for Carradice and that bag doesn't look large enough to carry all that stuff-but maybe.

Also with such a large saddle bag does the back of your legs contact the bag while riding?

Everything you said is correct about the barend shifters, that's the same reasons I'll be going with barend shifters on the Mercian which Campy makes as does Shimano, and you can even still find Suntour barend shifters.

1) They are a very simple design with basically one moving part. Whereas as bifters (brake/shifters) are complex and difficult to repair.

2) Shimano shift cables on bifters get in the way when using handlebar and rando style bags.

3) I think non bifter brakes and bar end shifters are cheaper than bifters.

I am wishing I had downtube shifter brazons added when I had my DeSalvo built. I would like continue to use my Ultegra bifters but the down the road flexibility would have been nice.

One more thing came to mind. When indexing is off or totally jacked you can switch to friction shifting with bar ends/downtube shifters as well.

So is Nun carrying all that on his list in a Carradice Nelson Long Flap? I looked at the web site for Carradice and that bag doesn't look large enough to carry all that stuff-but maybe.

Also with such a large saddle bag does the back of your legs contact the bag while riding?

I have seen many of Nun's posts and seen several photos. He uses lots of little stuck sacks attached to front and rear racks if memory serves me correctly.

As for the Nelson, I was able to carry all necessary items for a one night tour last year.

Pack list:
"tent"
pole
6 stakes
stove
fuel
pot
spoon
cup
bowl
dinner
breakfast
sleeping bag
change of riding clothes
camp clothes
headlight
solar charger
tools

Now mind you my gear was pretty small and ultralight, plus some items played double duty. My legs didn't hit the bag at all.

+1 on the 520.

I've owned three of these excellent bikes. All three are great bikes. Inexpensive, yes. Cheap, no way!

I have an 1988 Trek 520 with thousands of miles on the clock that could go coast to coast today.

In his book "Bicycling Beyond the Divide... " author Daryl Farmer rode his 20 year old 520 thousands of miles.

The 09 520 finally addresses the gearing crit, which, by the way i doubt would have been a problem for an in shape Naval Cadett.

The 520 is one of the go-to bikes of the touring set. And the bike can be used as a general fitness bike, commuter, or utility bike when not touring.

On the higher end, the recco to consider Co-motion is also a good idea.

I'm just looking for pointers on where to start looking for a comfortable good ride. Find a local cycling club and ask if anyone in the club has done that kind of touring. Tourists love to talk about their rides and equipment.

Thanks a lot for all the replies, I'm seriously looking into the 520. It sounds and looks like a good pick.