Touring - Roubaix or long haul trucker

I need some advice from touring rides. Here is my dilema. I have a specialized roubaix and love it. I have done century rides with no issues. Heres my issue. I am going to particpate in a charity ride that will be about 500 miles in a week. Its across the country and i am thinking about getting a surly lht because of the durability as i will need to ship the bike and it should be more comfortable and.... I will be riding with slower riders than me and i wont need the speed. I wont need to have the bike loaded down as well have a chase vehicle. What do you think? Do you recommend any other options? Should i just stick to my beloved roubaix?

Yes.

Yes.

+1

How about a Surly Cross Check? It's not as heavy as an LHT, and is a good do-all bike. It can do road riding, light to medium weight touring, cyclo cross, etc. The LHT is great at being stable with heavy loads, but unloaded you might not be impressed. If this is a loaded tour the LHT is a good choice, but if it's supported, the Cross Check might be better. However, if it's a supported tour, what would be the problem with the Roubaix? I don't think the frame will get damaged during shipping and if a component gets bent, it'll get bent on one of the Surly bikes as well.

For a single ride, or if all you'll be doing is supported rides, there's no need for another bike. You might see if some wider tires will fit in your Specialized to help soak up the bumps over a multi day trip, but even that's optional.

Reasonable reasons to get a new bike include:
1. You want to try loaded touring.
2. You want a new bike.

When I ride loaded with slower riders I take 26" converted hardtail MTB. I'll ride more upright, take in the view. But, Roubaix to a LHT...I wouldn't do it unless you really want a dedicated road bike tourer and tweak your Roubaix for fast rides only.

If I owned a carbon framed wonder bike with brifters and wanted a more durable bike for some long distance riding with a steel frame, I would first consider staying with the same type of shifters that I already am comfortable with. Thus, I would start looking at bikes with brifters. In that regard, I would consider a Windsor Tourist. I actually have never seen one, but it has had favorable comments on this forum. And the price is certainly right. It is similar to older Fuji Touring bikes and I have looked at those pretty closely.
http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/windsor/tourist.htm

I have a LHT, so I am not suggesting that you don't get it. But, the two bikes you are comparing are very different from each other and I wonder if you would really be happy with it?

I have a Windsor Tourist and can recommend it. The Nashbar Touring bike uses the same Fuji supplied frame as the Windsor, but comes with 3x10 Shimano 105 for $750: http://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product_10053_10052_522412_-1_203072_10000_202613

I would also use the Roubaix for supported touring, however. The only reason to use an alternate steel touring bike is if gravel roads are included or to avoid shipping damage to the Roubaix.

Honestly the Roubaix is near ideal for the kind of actual riding you're describing. For the money you can probably just get the bike shipped fully insured. On the ride itself, you're supported, so in the odd chance that something breaks there's the sag wagon. I have a long haul trucker and the idea of riding it in a supported ride of that distance when I had access to a Roubaix (I rode one the other week, was pretty sweet) isn't personally appealing. It would of course work just fine, though. I would only really recommend the LHT if your goals at some point involve fairly substantial loads; there are better bikes for other purposes.

I need some advice from touring rides. Here is my dilema. I have a specialized roubaix and love it. I have done century rides with no issues. Heres my issue. I am going to particpate in a charity ride that will be about 500 miles in a week. Its across the country and i am thinking about getting a surly lht because of the durability as i will need to ship the bike and it should be more comfortable and.... I will be riding with slower riders than me and i wont need the speed. I wont need to have the bike loaded down as well have a chase vehicle. What do you think? Do you recommend any other options? Should i just stick to my beloved roubaix?

I own a Cervelo RS, which is similar to the Roubaix in terms of geometry and ride quality. I also own a dedicated touring bike. If I were in your situation, I wouldn't even think about riding the touring bike! My Cervelo is all-day comfortable, just like the touring bike. Sounds like you don't need to carry luggage, which is the only real advantage a touring bike has over something like the Roubaix or RS. Much cheaper to ship your bike across the country and back than to buy a brand-new LHT and ship it across the country...

If you want to slow your Roubaix down a bit, fit wider tyres. No need to buy an expedition touring bike for a fully supported tour.

Another vote for riding the Roubaix. I find my Trek 520 is less comfortable than my road bike if it's not loaded down with bags - it's a pretty stiff ride. And you don't need a heavy bike to slow you down - either just slow down, or ride fast/hammer and be the first one back in camp with a cold beer. :)

If you really feel the need to drop a grand for no real reason, you can just send it to me.

tow a bike trailer with your plastic-composite wonder bike ..
then all you add to the bike, is a handle bar bag, for snacking while you ride.

Why would you buy a new bike? Yours would fit the demands of the ride perfect, assuming it is in good working order you should have no concerns of durability. If you want to make it a little more comfortable you can always just fit wider and more durable tires. One thing I would consider, if you have some superlight high $$ race wheels on there you can build a simple and durable wheelset for the tour like open pro/ultegra combo but if you have the stock wheels they are more than capable of doing this ride, then some.

One thing to consider, if you really want to spend money before the tour, you can preemptively replace the drive train but even that would probably be wasteful unless you have a lot of miles on your current stuff, in that case, maybe start with a fresh chain?

Stick with the Roubaix.

Makes no sense to get a heavy touring bike designed for carrying heavy loads just so you can ride it unloaded on a supported tour unless you're thinking of getting a heavy loaded touring bike for loaded tours down the line and this is a shakedown ride.
Riding 70+ miles a day doesn't require speed, it only requires sitting on the bike for 6 or so hours. There are a lot of other bikes I'd pick for unloaded riding than a LHT. I wouldn't think of it as more comfortable unless you're seeking a slower handling bike. Can you get 28mm tires on a Roubaix? That'll get you some comfort. Fatter supple tires will be comfy more than a heavy bike with heavy wheels and tires.

If you're concerned about the Roubaix making it just pack it well and if it has racing wheels change them out for training wheels. Is it the logistics of packing and shipping that are a challenge?

If you're greatest concern is protecting the Roubaix for the least amount of money AND getting another bike just for this kind of ride how about this:

http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/motobecane/mirage_xi_steel.htm

replace the 25mm Kendas with 33mm Panaracer Jack Brown tires. It looks like the fork has room, can't tell about the chainstays whether a fatter tire will fit there.

Sounds like you need a beater road bike that can take cushy tires and not a heavy duty touring bike. An old beater road bike made with 531 tubing will still need to be packed carefully so as to not dent the top tube, bend forks or wheels.

i am thinking about getting a surly lht because of the durability as i will need to ship the bike

How do you think your bike got to the shop where you bought it? Pack it correctly (or have a shop do it) and you will likely come out fine.

Unless you are flying Frontier or Southwest, it will almost certainly be cheaper to ship the bike than fly with it. Whatever you do, do not fly U.S Air. They want $200 each way for a bike.

Cb8s, See if you can rent a bike at the ride's local.

Brad

Funny, I've got a Cannondale T1 as a touring bike (which I love, and any problems I've had with it have been self-inflicted), and I'm looking at getting a Roubaix specifically for doing supported tours. I'd stick with the Roubaix, 100%, if you've got it.

I have a Roubaix and would HIGHLY recommend it for your week long 500 mile trip. The only reason I'd pick the LHT over the Roubaix is if you needed to carry all your own stuff. But otherwise, stick with the Roubaix.

During the summer of 2010, I rode my Roubaix from Louisville, KY to Philadelphia, PA - 700 miles in 7 days. Then this past summer I rode from Seattle to San Francisco - 1,100 miles in 11 days. Both times I rode the Roubaix, and both times it was PERFECT!! Just do it and have a blast!

What gear did you carry and how on your Roubaix? I am planning a similiar trip through VT, NH and ME and want to use my Scott CR1 Elite instead of a touring bike. I will have limited support at best.

Were you supported, credit card or what?

I have a Specialized Roubaix Expert that I have ridden in BRAG (Bike Ride Across Georgia) twice and RAGBRAI (the ride across Iowa) once. Both are 450-500 miles including hammerheads and extra miles and the Roubaix was perfect. It's comfortable, durable and I love it. Since you have a SAG your bike is fine

Awesome advice! Thanks i will stick with my bike!

Awesome advice! Thanks i will stick with my bike!

:thumb:

did i accidentally click on the wrong button? :twitchy: there is nothing here but consensus. unheard of!!! :eek:

What gear did you carry and how on your Roubaix? I am planning a similiar trip through VT, NH and ME and want to use my Scott CR1 Elite instead of a touring bike. I will have limited support at best.

Were you supported, credit card or what?

Both times we had a chase vehicle that carried our clothes, food, etc. We just carried a couple water bottles, some energy bars, and enough tools to fix a flat or complete any minor repair. About every 20 miles or so, we met our chase vehicle to eat and resupply as needed. We also carried our wallets and phones ... just in case.

did i accidentally click on the wrong button? :twitchy: there is nothing here but consensus. unheard of!!! :eek:

Oh, no, we can't have that! Buy the LHT, immediately! It'll inspire you to load it up with 50 pounds of gear and head for the opposite coast!

(And if it doesn't, the Roubaix is going to feel light and twitchy, er, I mean responsive, when you take it out the next day.)

You've already made your choice, but I figured I'd chime in since I have both a roubaix and a LHT. First, you made the right choice. Never buy a new bike right before a 500 mile trip. You would regret it unless you got it dialed in perfectly. In my experience, the LHT is perfect for me for riding fat studded tires in winter, and for hauling a weeks worth of clothing, a laptop and lunch. The ride itself is very smooth and I enjoy it tremendously in all sorts of weather. I do not ride it for club rides or on supported rides unless its going to rain.

The roubaix is a much more fun bike to ride. It handles well, is comfortable over long distances and is significantly faster than the LHT. The only reason I'd suggest you buy a new LHT is if you want to do touring or commuting significant distances with lots of stuff. For your charity ride consider a really big seat-bag along with a handlebar bag. If the ride really is fully supported, you don't even need that.

I want to use my Scott CR1 for the VT, NH, ME trip. How do you recommend carrying changes of clothes for 4-5 days and food each day on the Scott? I plan to credit card it and stay in hotels. Any advice would be helpful - thanks.

A large seat bag?
Seat mounted rack with small bag?
Handlebar bag?
Backpack?

I want to use my Scott CR1 for the VT, NH, ME trip. How do you recommend carrying changes of clothes for 4-5 days and food each day on the Scott? I plan to credit card it and stay in hotels. Any advice would be helpful - thanks.

A large seat bag?
Seat mounted rack with small bag?
Handlebar bag?
Backpack?

Old Man Mountain (http://oldmanmountain.com/Pages/RackPages/RearRacks.html) makes a rack that will work with any bike out there. I would use one of their racks and a small pannier or two.

I want to use my Scott CR1 for the VT, NH, ME trip. How do you recommend carrying changes of clothes for 4-5 days and food each day on the Scott? I plan to credit card it and stay in hotels. Any advice would be helpful - thanks.

A large seat bag?
Seat mounted rack with small bag?
Handlebar bag?
Backpack?

Backpacks are tough mile after mile. Let the bike carry the load.

Thanks for the help and the link.

Just for argument, how much load would one think a Roubaix could stand? I love my Roubaix as well; but thinking about some 'non-supported' 2 or 3 day trips [inn to inn probably, but would want more self support with me]. I may even decide to do some camping or something. I also have a carbon 'hybrid' Trek FX, which actually has rear rack stays on the frame. I wince at putting a rack on a carbon frame though, much less any load of any size [though, the designers apparently seemed to think it was ok for the FX I have]. So, I"m like the OP, playing around with the idea of just getting a n+1 steel tour bike. It would be nice to ride the Roubaix though or even the FX and save the money for support items [like panniers etc]. Randonneurs go light; can a large saddle bag hold much?

I think it will be just what you make of it. If you were going to be loading up your bicycle then I would have definitely said, yes get the LHT, or even the cross check. But if all your gear is going elsewhere, why spend the extra money?