Hybrid Bicycles - If you were travelling 200-500 miles by bike, what would you choose under $1200.00?

I'm eventually thinking about doing an INTRAstate or or multistate right. Not quite cross country.

I've been looking at the Bianchi Cross Country bikes and the Specialized Secteur bike.

What would you choose (not limited to these) and why?

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Ooops, didn't mean to post this in hybrid forums, but anyway, your thoughts?

I'm eventually thinking about doing an INTRAstate or or multistate right. Not quite cross country.

I've been looking at the Bianchi Cross Country bikes and the Specialized Secteur bike.

What would you choose (not limited to these) and why?

I'd need a touring bike for this one, Ricky!

I'd have to go with the Raleigh Sojourn, since your price point excludes the Surly LHT.

Surprised you didn't mention the Jamis Aurora, Slim.

REI/Novara has the Safari, which is under $1000, and has trekking bars.

For Bianchi, the Volpe is marketed as their cyclocross bike, but it gets good reviews from all sorts of different users.

Surprised you didn't mention the Jamis Aurora, Slim.

REI/Novara has the Safari, which is under $1000, and has trekking bars.

For Bianchi, the Volpe is marketed as their cyclocross bike, but it gets good reviews from all sorts of different users.

Actually, I was between the Aurora and the Sojourn. However, I don't want people to get the impression that I'm a total shill, so I therefore, opted for the Sojourn. :)

PS.

I was also thinking about that new Fuji Touring, as well....

Have you seen it?

www.fujibikes.com/bike/details/touring5 (http://www.fujibikes.com/bike/details/touring5)

The Black Pearl.

Actually, I was between the Aurora and the Sojourn. However, I don't want people to get the impression that I'm a total shill, so I therefore, opted for the Sojourn. :)

PS.

I was also thinking about that new Fuji Touring, as well....

Have you seen it?

www.fujibikes.com/bike/details/touring5 (http://www.fujibikes.com/bike/details/touring5)

Yeah, that looks pretty nice.

These all seem to be great touring bikes components wise, but I'm not too crazy about the aesthetics of any of them.

Actually the Sojourn grows on me the more I look at it. I see that it's made of Steel though. If I were to get caught in a downpour a few times is that gonna rust and ruin it? Also from the reviews it looks like it may be a heavier bike... still I like it lol.

As long as you don't leave it out for long periods of time in a wet environment, a steel frame should serve you well. Take care of it, and it can last for a lifetime. A little bit of rain isn't going to make it rust. Besides, should a catastrophe occur, a steel frame can be repaired, while an aluminum frame will be toast. Most touring bikes being sold will have steel frames.

Don't worry about weight--you'll be loading down the bike anyway, so you'll want a bike that can take it.

Still, the most important thing is having a bike that fits you, and which you'll enjoy riding for long distances.

A page to take a look at is this one-- http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/page/?page_id=8364

It's written by a guy that's done a lot of touring. That page is his section on frame materials, but the rest of the site is well worth reading.