Touring - Two strange bikes for touring, but I'm going to give it a go.

I'm going to buy a couple of new bikes and test them out as light tourers. Each one is obviously not purpose built to tour on, but I think they will both do reasonably well with loads less than 25lbs and a rider around 180lbs. I don't use any racks that attach to the bike frame so I have a lot of options, and anyway I need a new carbon bike and a folder to take on the T and bus.

The first is the Cervelo RS. I went through numerous "plush bikes" and considered the Pinarello Rokh, Specialized Roubaix, Cannondale Synape etc........it was a long list, but in the end the Cervelo RS has a very good reputation and history and is was one of the least expensive and least gimmicky of the bunch, not cheap, but good value.

http://university.tri-sports.com/2011/03/31/cervelo-rs/

and the second is the Tern Verge X10. I considered a Brompton, but the weird gear setup, weight, 16" wheels and poor quality of equipment on it turned (no pun intended) me off it.

http://www.ternbicycles.com/bikes/verge-x10

Don't flame me too much, I'm not going to be going over any mountain goat paths on these, just paved roads in reasonable weather.

Racks on that RS I dont think so. Using a backpack I assume?

Racks on that RS I dont think so. Using a backpack I assume?

No racks or backpacks, Ortlieb handlebar bag and Carradice saddlebag

Sounds fun! That cervelo is less expensive then I thought it would be.

I'm not familiar with Tern bikes, but now my curiosity is piqued. Why are you going with that over something like a bike friday tikit?

No racks or backpacks, Ortlieb handlebar bag and Carradice saddlebag

You might want to check to see if the seatpost is carbon. There are many ways to hang a saddlebag, some of which might be best on a metal seatpost if they hang from more than just the saddle.

Sounds fun! That cervelo is less expensive then I thought it would be.

I'm not familiar with Tern bikes, but now my curiosity is piqued. Why are you going with that over something like a bike friday tikit?

Tern is brand new this year. The company is a spin off from Dahon.

Aaron :)

nun, dare I ask how the other requirement is going vis-a-vis your deal with yourself?

have you had a chance to ride the RS?
cheers

nun, dare I ask how the other requirement is going vis-a-vis your deal with yourself?

have you had a chance to ride the RS?
cheers

Sure I was at 183lbs last time I weighed myself, so I'm down around 10lbs. Nothing spectacular just steady progress from riding (it's been a warm winter) and cutting way back on the starches.

I haven't riden an RS yet, but will now that I've done all the research.

Sounds fun! That cervelo is less expensive then I thought it would be.

I'm not familiar with Tern bikes, but now my curiosity is piqued. Why are you going with that over something like a bike friday tikit?

Yes the RS is pretty good value. I don't like the fold on the Tikit and the Tern seems like a very simple clean design that uses good quality components.

I think the RS is a good choice for you . Very nice bike and great quality. Enjoy the new bikes .

Thom

Fenders?

Fenders?

Yes on the X10, no on the RS

Sure I was at 183lbs last time I weighed myself, so I'm down around 10lbs. Nothing spectacular just steady progress from riding (it's been a warm winter) and cutting way back on the starches.

I haven't riden an RS yet, but will now that I've done all the research.

nice and steady is the way to go, my father lost a bunch of weight a number of years ago by being careful of portions and especially the starches, plus doing pool fitness. Thats great that you've been able to ride, its been mild here too but as I dont have a beater, I am not fond of both the salt and icey patches, as well as the narrowness of roads in winter due to snow piles. My commutes include dodgy bits to begin with so have no inclination to do them with the various winter stuff thrown in as well. If it were dry and cold I would consider it, but its usually a rather mucky affair et al, so its a no go for me.

that folder looks quite the little jewel--spoke count is rather eyebrow raising isnt it?

You are really going to have a fun spring this year with the new toys, Im sure you will have a blast.

Yes on the X10, no on the RS

Silly rabbit. Don't you know that you are not really touring if you don't use fenders? That's a known fact.

that folder looks quite the little jewel--spoke count is rather eyebrow raising isnt it?



Yeah when it doesn't get up to double digits it looks strange. I'll probably get a second set of wheels with more spokes for touring. I can use any 130mm hub on the back with something like this

http://www.universalcycles.com/shopping/product_details.php?id=10973&category=2723

Nice bikes. I assume that's a compact crank on the Cervelo? The Verge looks like it may ride pretty hard - noticeable during long days in the saddle.
I've done credit card tours with a Carridice - works well. I also have a Bike Friday.

Nice bikes. I assume that's a compact crank on the Cervelo? The Verge looks like it may ride pretty hard - noticeable during long days in the saddle.
I've done credit card tours with a Carridice - works well. I also have a Bike Friday.

cervelo comes with 50/34, and the verge with a 55. I'll probably tinker with them though

I test rode a Cervelo RS the weekend and was impressed. Riding carbon for the first time was fun and I could definitely feel a lot more "snap" form the rear of the bike when I got out of the saddle than with my steel bikes. The rear cassette is an 11-25, but the Rival rear derailleur will work up to 28t and if I replace it with a longer cage version I can use an 11-32 cassette
which would give me 34/32x27 = 28.6" (the stock lowest gear is 34/25x27 = 36.7"). There's room for 25mm tire at the front and 28mm at the rear and the riding position is very comfortable. At $2600 it's one of the least expensive of the "plush" carbon bikes form a major maker and looks like a good bet for a 17 to 18lb lightweight touring bike

Did you consider the Volagi (http://volagi.com/bikes/introducing-volagi%E2%84%A2-liscio-rival-smooth-operator-msrp-289500)? Not a major name and probably hard to get one to test ride, but in concept it looks pretty cool.

Did you consider the Volagi (http://volagi.com/bikes/introducing-volagi%E2%84%A2-liscio-rival-smooth-operator-msrp-289500)? Not a major name and probably hard to get one to test ride, but in concept it looks pretty cool.

I've see it before, but don't like the look and wanted a bike from a major company with some history

I test rode a Cervelo RS the weekend and was impressed. Riding carbon for the first time was fun and I could definitely feel a lot more "snap" form the rear of the bike when I got out of the saddle than with my steel bikes. The rear cassette is an 11-25, but the Rival rear derailleur will work up to 28t and if I replace it with a longer cage version I can use an 11-32 cassette
which would give me 34/32x27 = 28.6" (the stock lowest gear is 34/25x27 = 36.7"). There's room for 25mm tire at the front and 28mm at the rear and the riding position is very comfortable. At $2600 it's one of the least expensive of the "plush" carbon bikes form a major maker and looks like a good bet for a 17 to 18lb lightweight touring bike

must have been fun. Your description of more "snap" is a good way to put it. When I rode my Specialized Tricross for the first time, it had way more "snap" out of the saddle compared to my old steel touring bike, and I imagine that a bike like this would be another level of this above my cross bike (which is really a light tourer in terms of geometry) with its alu frame and carbon fork. Nice that you can put a 28 on the rear and 25 up front. Im a big fan of 28s, I like how with pressures of 90 or so (I weigh 140 tops) they are a nice combo of reasonable lightness and speed, and comfort (tire model specific of course). I presently have Gatorskins on it and I like how they feel and ride.

must have been fun. Your description of more "snap" is a good way to put it. When I rode my Specialized Tricross for the first time, it had way more "snap" out of the saddle compared to my old steel touring bike, and I imagine that a bike like this would be another level of this above my cross bike (which is really a light tourer in terms of geometry) with its alu frame and carbon fork. Nice that you can put a 28 on the rear and 25 up front. Im a big fan of 28s, I like how with pressures of 90 or so (I weigh 140 tops) they are a nice combo of reasonable lightness and speed, and comfort (tire model specific of course). I presently have Gatorskins on it and I like how they feel and ride.

Yes I think I'd go with 25mm Ultragator skins on the front and 28mm on the back and this for a saddle

http://www.brooksengland.com/catalogue-and-shop/saddles/road+%26+mtb/Swift+Titanium/