Touring - NYC touring bikes

have been to several Manhattan bike shops by now, and the only 'touring' bike i've been able to ride is the Trek520 (didn't like the feel, or the rack).

I was looking to replace my stolen Bianchi Volpe, but no Volpes anywhere - TogaBikes are pushing an Axis 04 at me but it is a 'loud' bike click here (http://www.bianchiusa.com/axis.html) and not sure how it would deal with a clamped-on front rack. Anyone any experience of touring on one?

or how about a Spec Sequoia?

maybe i just hit the bike-shops in that 04-05 lull - none of them seemed very sure if they would be getting any tourers in.

I don't think I'd tour on aluminum... though the Axis is a pretty bike, it's probably not really cut out for touring, given its aluminum tubeset and lack of rack mounts front or back.

Given that you know you liked the Volpe, and that you know your size in it, I'd probably be shopping Ebay and online if I were you... I had such a time finding a tourer I was happy with here in the city (or even getting to see any other than the 520) that I wound up buying while on vacation in another state and shipping the bike (a Fuji Touring) back to New York...

Good luck!

-chris

jonnygold-

You're more than welcome to come by our place and test drive either my 56cm Rivendell Atlantis or my wifes 53cm Atlantis. Both are set up for touring/commuting/all-rounders.

In about 45 days I'll have my Bob Brown custom touring cycle delivered and you can stop by and test ride it as well.

PM me if you're interested

How about a Surly Crosscheck? I hear good things about this bike. Bike Works sells them for $800 or so complete.

have been to several Manhattan bike shops by now, and the only 'touring' bike i've been able to ride is the Trek520 (didn't like the feel, or the rack).

I was looking to replace my stolen Bianchi Volpe, but no Volpes anywhere - TogaBikes are pushing an Axis 04 at me but it is a 'loud' bike click here (http://www.bianchiusa.com/axis.html) and not sure how it would deal with a clamped-on front rack. Anyone any experience of touring on one?

or how about a Spec Sequoia?

maybe i just hit the bike-shops in that 04-05 lull - none of them seemed very sure if they would be getting any tourers in.

Where were you able to test a Trek 520 in NYC? What size was it?

I agree with BrokenRobot: aluminum is not an optimal touring frame material. Chromoly or titanium is the way to go, imho.

Another good manufacturer is Bruce Gordon Cycles: http://www.bgcycles.com/

brokenrobot - the '04 axis got upped from last year to have rear rack-mountings, and it's now got a triple as well, but you're so right about the aluminium. The 58" they had in stock also shifted like a dog on the front, even after their mechanic did some work on it.

Istanbul_Tea - kind offer, but i'm over from the UK, and here for 10 more days only.

NYCpistarider - you could well be spot-on there. Been checking out the other thread on the LHT, and i'm thinking the best deal now is to go and pick up a Surly Cross-Check or LHT frame. They seem to get good recommendations, and the build and geometry is much more what i'm after. Bicycle Habitat quoted me 3-4 days to get one in, are BikeWorks any better to deal with ??? they were closed today Wed.

Steve - the Trek520 was up at Bicycle Renaissance : 430 Columbus (around W 80th) - they had a couple on display, $1000 with 10% off, but I think the guy said they were 02/03. Been gathering dust ....
Size was good for me - am 6". Can't remember frame size exactly - give em a call.

Have you looked at any jamis bicycles?

i didn't even smell a jamis, let alone see one

Dahon.Steve - I know that the Metro Bicycles cartel carries the 520 - when I was looking, they stocked it at both the Canal Bikes store and one of the uptown stores near Columbia someplace at the very least. Might be worth calling them if you're in the market...

-chris

It might be hard to sniff out as there are so many good ethnic restaurants in NYC competing with it's odor .

Sorry about the stolen bike. My commuter is a 58cm 2001 Volpe I bought NOS from a nice little bike shop in New Hampshire, no sales tax, for $599.00, Norm's Ski and Bike in Keene. You can't beat that unless you buy used or parts. They have a 58cm in stock and I think a 55cm for ~ $650 2001 was Tiagra with Sram MTB cassette. If I were to do it again, however, I'd buy a Soma 853 or an old Fuji Cross frame and build up with, yes, old stem shifters and 7-speed freewheel (if a lock outside bike) or Centaur (if no lockee outsidee) Old Stem shifters are the way to go for a lock-outside bike in NYC, they're just so unsexy. Downtube shifters make you lower your torso and crane your neck in traffic, and Ergo/STI is just too 'steal me.' I know the Sequoia, I think it's geared too high. If you don't see an appropriate used bike around in good shape, why not get another Volpe? BTW Norm's carries Jamis also, including the (relevant to this discussion) Aurora and Ventura

I also have a Jamis (an Aurora); their website will give you a LBS. Excellent tourer and a great value