Touring - Advice for new touring bike / Cannondale Tesoro

Hi folks,

I have done 3 months touring (Holland-Portugal) on a cheapo BTwin 7, with both front and rear suspension, and i was surprised how it could handle 5500 km, the "only" problems being a broken rear axle twice (easily reparable in any bike shop, was i lucky?). So as i want to fully-loaded-tour more in the future and i need a bike to successfully handle it. I just need to add i did and will cycle on road and well paved european roads, so i don't need any expedition or mountain bike to tour offroad somewhere.

I live in Portugal and touring is unknown around here, and as a result no used touring bikes exist for sale. Buying new isn't easy as well, the only store with good bikes is Specialized, but correct me if i'm wrong, they have no touring bikes in catalog (they have a Tricross, but some research in the forum told me it is not made for fully loaded tour). The other option is the one on the thread title: Cannondale Tesoro (http://www.cannondale.com/2013/bikes/recreation-urban/urban/tesoro … attention: this is the 2013 model and the bike shop where i can buy it lists as 2012 model… don't know if anything changed). My budget (around 1000€) would buy the Tesoro 2 or Tesoro 3 (which already includes a nice rear rack). I didn't even contact the bike shop to check whether i can try them out (it's 400km away!), but first i want to have your opinions on it.

Anyway, how would any of you proceed if you want to buy a touring bike and live in a country where you can't find one?

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I leave now some details on what i want in a touring bike. What bike could fit this?

1 - Road use (i don't think the steel/aluminium debate would fit: you can never destroy an aluminium frame even after 2 trillion km on paved roads, can you?)

2 - No drop bars.

3 - I don't think the front suspension would be needed but give your opinion if you think i should have one.

4 - Solid frame for fully loaded touring.

5 - Don't need dynamo or lights and don't consider that a plus.

6 - Need to be able to use a front rack.

7 - Needs granny gear, of course (but this might be changed; actually i couldn't find that info about the Tesoro).

Any comments appreciated. If there was no internet i would have never entered the bike touring world!

How about ordering a touring bike from the UK, Germany or even Italy and have it delivered in Portugal? I understand logistics (high shipping costs, customs, etc.) is a thing of the past within the E.U. Thorn from the U.K. comes to mind, but there are many other online bike shops. Check Thorn's forum as owners often sell used bikes there in great condition.

I live in Mexico and face the same dilemma. No one sells touring bikes here. So, I purchased my touring bike (custom) in the U.S. (Seattle), had it delivered to a friend's house in San Diego, made a trip to San Diego to pick it up and flew back with it. No customs taxes because Mexico allows to bring one bicycle into the country as part of one's personal belongings (won't work if shipped into the country.)

nondo, It was a little difficult to find data on this bike. It's more or less what is classified as a hybrid in the US, but if equipped like this http://www.bonthronebikes.co.uk/26-226427 would certainly do the deed.

Brad

Just has to be comfortable to ride all day , then get up again the next morning,
and repeat..
so does it fit comes before what brand and groupset ..

NB; C'dale has different bikes in the EU market than they sell in the US/NA.

Chris, i could buy online but i was kind of afraid of buying a bike, even if new, that i haven't at least seen. However i've been searching some info in forums and apparently people do it all the time! I found a store that ships free from Germany and fell in love with the Cube Touring RF. Now i have two choices,this one or the Cannondale... I'm not considering buying a used one if i can't test it.

The link for the Cube Touring RF: http://www.cube.eu/fr/tour/travel/touring-rf

Orbea is just across the border in Basque Spain , a Mondragon Co-Operative.

http://www.thebikelist.co.uk/orbea/touring-trekking/?pg=2

Orbea is just across the border in Basque Spain , a Mondragon Co-Operative.

Yeah, I also thought of the Spanish brands sold "next door." I would be surprised if Nondo didn't know about Orbea. It might be the best chance to at least get on the bike before buying. But then it occurred to me that maybe a Portuguese person would not be so enthusiastic about riding a Spanish bike. :rolleyes:

BTW, the Orbea Mendaro looks like it might fit the bill.

Yeah, I also thought of the Spanish brands sold "next door." I would be surprised if Nondo didn't know about Orbea. It might be the best chance to at least get on the bike before buying. But then it occurred to me that maybe a Portuguese person would not be so enthusiastic about riding a Spanish bike. :rolleyes:

BTW, the Orbea Mendaro looks like it might fit the bill.

However spanish it looks nice... ;)

Now i have one more doubt, for touring bags in the front wheel, you think a bike with suspension is a good option? I don't even know whether i can put a rack in those.

But now i am also considering some 3 other models of german bikes, some of which 2011 models which have nice discounts. Too bad i find no reviews in english. I believe i will buy with no testing, would you do the same? I was convinced by a guy basically arguing that 1: no bad bikes exist at this prince ranges and 2: the most important characteristic for a touring bike, which is comfort after lots of days in the saddle, can not be tested before buying.

I think i'll open a thread later asking for advice, as soon i have collected the possibilities.

Thanks!