mello velo

I've been posting mostly in the touring forum. I'm looking for a bike to commute to work, exercise, and then occasionally tour to a local state park, probably not going more than 100 miles round trip, but will carry tent and camping gear. I've looked at some used bikes, the Trek below is the favorite so far. I'm a little on the fence right now. I'm torn between getting a dedicated touring bike, and getting a bike that I can occasionally take touring.
Here are my choices, maybe you can help me decide. The challenge for me is that the sport touring and touring bikes are not carried in stores, and I'm a tall person, so most stores don't carry taller bikes. I'm fairly sure I will need a 61cm up to 63cm bike, based on bikes I've tested.





Here's my thoughts on Pros/Cons of bikes I'm considering

Old Trek 620 pros:
-this bike is at an old LBS, that has lots of old bikes laying around. The manager doesn't want to negotiate, he's going to put new tires on, but that's probably it, he wants $330.
-I took it out for a spin, wheels are true, good fit excepts handlebars are narrow
-inexpensive compared to new
-not as much concern about theft
-older parts and construction are familiar to me, I know how to raise handlebars, etc
-Good bike to build up some, get familiar with what I really need before spending much

Old Trek Cons
-Will need more work probably, re grease bearings, new cables, etc., I don't know if they will do this for me before selling
-My time is limited as I work full time and paint pictures on weekends
-Why invest in old bike when I can get a new one?
-Will need overhaul, likely to pay LBS to do it.
-I will want to replace parts probably, costs add up



Cross Check and Bianchi Volpe pros:
-These are more all around bikes.
-Can take big tires, so could go down dirt roads or on trails
-New bike would not require overhaul
-LBS would help with any issues hopefully
-New technology, versatile, can take big fenders
-Can handle some load

CC and Volpe Cons
-Expensive (though I can afford it)
-I am not as excited about the look of the Cross Check as some other bikes






Dedicated Touring bike Pros, like LHT, Fuji Touring, new Trek 520, Raleigh Sojourn
-long chainstays, I have size 14 feet, good to avoid heel strike with panniers
-Still good bike for commuting, getting groceries, exercise

Dedicated Touring bike cons:
-Possibly more sluggish, heavier, therefore not as fun for kicking around town?
-I have not found any to ride at LBS except the Raleigh Sojourn, so hard to tell really





Raleigh Clubman sport touring bike pros:
-Good looks
-Includes fenders
-I imagine it will be peppier than all the above, therefore maybe more fun to ride

Raleigh Clubman cons
-Max tire size is 32 I think, stiffer ride?
-Gearing not as suited for touring?
-Tires not built for loaded touring?





If any have experience that might help me make a choice, i'd appreciate it....

old's'cool

Seeing that you're considering the old Trek 620 (which IMO is way overpriced at $330), I'd recommend you spend some time searching & reading on the C&V forum https://www.bikeforums.net/forumdispl...ic-amp-Vintage; even post your own thread, to get up to speed on all the choices of older bikes that would fit your needs, what they are worth in your market, and how to go about snagging one.

Oil_LOL

Just get the Volpe or Cross-Check. You came to Commuting... no, but really - the Cross-Chock could handle light touring, but it is made to be ridden unloaded, so it'd be fine for commuting - from what I've heard, the LHT handles like crap unloaded. Also, don't get the Trek - it looks overpriced, and you'll have to buy new parts and fix stuff anyway. Also, a bike shop selling a new bike to you could help dial in your fit, which is nice. The Clubman looks awesome for commuting and light touring or maybe randonneuring, but if you ever want to take your bike off-road - don't think about it. It'd be too much of a hassle.

SlimRider

I say stop your search and stop playing around. Purchase a LHT frameset and every Sat. and Sun. devote your time from 6am -9am to just building your bike. Once your crank is installed, everything else should be easy. If you get stuck, just go to video mode and watch a video on your mechanical installation. There's tons of info on the INTERNET. Also, you can borrow videos on bike repairs and installations from your local library.

Surly LHT framesets can be purchased for as little as $430. By this time next month, you'd have a bonafide touring bike that is a real hill climber and not a real slouch on speed either.

I've never known anyone who was dissatisfied about owning a Surly anything, especially a LHT! Most say, that they ride just as well, loaded or unloaded. Any differences are very minor. That's pretty much what the reviews say too. All agree that they are more comfortable than fast.

OTOH you could just buy it outright and not be bothered with the building adventure..

- Slim

PS.

Go to a LBS that has dealt with Surly. They can fit you!

SurlyLaika

As far as the debate between the CC and the LHT, I have ridden both and while the LHT was comfy, it wasn't very exciting, either. The CC can definitely handle touring, I took it for a 2,000 mile tour and as my first time, I obviously packed way too much. It did fine. If anything, it was me who couldn't hang. Well, I'll just give you the advice the LBS gave me: if you're going to use the mostly for commuting, but might use it for touring get the CC. If you want a dedicated touring bike, get the LHT. The CC is just a better do-it-all bike. Of course, plenty of people use the LHT for commuting but it isn't a very fun ride unloaded.

SurlyLaika

oh and for longer chain stays on dedicated touring bikes and reducing heel strike. If it happens, it's more of an annoyance than a real problem. I'm size 12, it never happened to me. Also, for commuting I don't see a need to use my rear panniers so I just use the smaller front panniers on the rear.

GamblerGORD53

I vote for the LHT as it's the only good choice of the bunch for a big guy. The Trek 620 would be ok for less money, but I can't see why the LBS would sell a $330 bike not lubed ready to ride. There has been an explosion of fixies around here and at least half are Surlys and those are half LHTs I think. I don't see any of them going slow or hear any owners complaining. The Clubman is just a short and pretty steel road bike IMO.

mello velo

The shop owner is elderly, and runs the store alone. I'm sure he could do the work, but is preoccupied with running things. He has someone helping him at times...... Super nice guy, but short handed shop.

mello velo

Great input everyone, thank you.

ces

The ride of the LHT (or any bike) can vary a lot based on the components used to build it up. With 26" wheels and wide tires with low rolling resistance and supple sidewalls it will handle somewhat better unloaded than with 700C wheels and narrow and stiff tires.

One issue I have with the Cross-Check is toe strike with the front wheel and heel strike when I have panniers mounted. As the OP said he has large feet this could potentially be a real problem for him.

mello velo

Toe strike when you're going very slow, or all the time?
What about just using a Jannd brand expedition type extra long rack for heel strike clearance?

SurlyLaika

Someone rides an LHT! haha, no really...plenty of people like both. I like the CC. I test rode both and the CC just made me smile more. The LHT, I'm sure, is a fine bike. You just need to test ride both or rather both types of bikes. You'll be able to tell which kind of bike feels better to you. Toe-strike could be more of an issue for the OP...only on the sharpest of turns. Heel-strike, I'd bet, really is negligible. I wouldn't let that be a deciding factor. I worried about the same thing. It happened a handful of times, but not enough to get under my skin and I was using the big rear Ortlieb panniers. The issue really is overstated.

mello velo

I rode a Cross Check, belonging to a LBS store manager, but it was in a 58cm frame, and loaded down with about 30 pounds of racks, so hard to get a sense of what it would be like unloaded. It felt about the same as the Raleigh Sojourn I had tested as well, solid and grounded.
None of the stores carry anything like the LHT unfortunately.

Schwinnrider

Of the bikes you've listed, I would be hard pressed to decide between the Trek and the LHT. The benefit of the Trek is the frame is nicer than the LHT. It should be a bit lighter since the steel is better. It's a legit touring bike, so easy to set up for a tour---proper braze ons and such.

But---unless I'm wrong, the Trek came with 27 inch wheels, not 700c. That makes buying tires and tubes a bit of a PITA.

The LHT has 26 inch wheels(or can be specced with 26 inch wheels, regardless of size). That pretty much eliminates the possibility of toe overlap, unless you have feet like Bozo.

I think the LHT is the best choice.

pdlamb

Test ride every one on the list you can get your hands on. Buy the one you like to ride.

You can commute on anything on your list, and most of them will do fine for possible touring. So it gets down to personal preference. If you like to ride the bike, you'll ride it and find more ways to ride. If you don't, you won't. It takes a lot of trust in someone else to let them buy your shoes; why do you ask total strangers what bike will fit you?

jr59

The 620 came with 27" wheels, yet fit 700 wheels very nicely!

In fact, I sold my CC to but a Trek 620, same color, same year.

I love the trek, I have 32 size marathons and fenders on it.
It hauls more than the CC, because of the heel clearance, and
It much more fun to ride, It's lighter, and doesn't feel like a pig.

I liked the CC, it did a lot of things well, but always felt dead.
Please don't tell me to build it with lighter stuff. I did! Full campy 11 speed chours!
So I have some idea of what I am saying.

I know nothing of the exact bike you are speaking of, but from an overall outlook.
The Trek is a better bike. It does everything the CC does and is a lot more fun to ride.

Either way, as far as any of the bikes listed, you can't go wrong!

IMO; Most that are saying CC or LHT, have never rode a old steel trek like the 620.

Good luck and post pics.

SlimRider

Hey there Mello Vello!

I don't know what some people are saying here. All I know, is that whenever, I'm comfortable on a bike, that bike is enjoyable to ride. Otherwise, it's a PITA!

Of course, different people ride bikes for different reasons and get varying results, depending upon the criteria they're using by which to judge. IMHO comfort trumps any other aspect of riding assuming that control is not an issue. If control is an issue, it shouldn't be called a bicycle.

I think at this point you need to just go out and find a Surly LHT and test ride it. Also find other bikes too! It may make for an interesting day, just riding different bikes all day. However, after trying the Cross Check and the LHT, your mind should be made up.

- Slim

PS.

I have some information below that you'll be certain to use upon your return back home:

www.universalcycles.com/shopping/product_details.php?id=35739&category=4342

SurlyLaika

FWIW, the LBS I got mine at Orange 20 in Hollywood let me order both the LHT and the CC in the same size, with half a deposit and my word that I would buy one. Of course, they sell all sorts of bikes not just Trek or Specialized so they would have been able to put the other one on the floor for sale. My current LBS which is much closer sells mostly Specialized so I don't think I could do that there.

DrJim

Hey there SlimRider, we meet again!

I like Universal Cycles also but Amazon has the LHT frame for $400 + $5 shipping:

https://www.amazon.com/Surly-Frameset...7057862&sr=8-7

SlimRider

Hey there Dr.Jim!

Yeah! I think I saw the same add. Only thing is, he's limited to a specific size as I recall...

- Slim

jr59

The Surly complete will cost around 1100 or so.
That's w/o pedals.

The Trek 330. That's 770 worth of new stuff to put on the Trek, and at the end of the day, it always comes down to the frame.

DrJim

I agree. Buying old is the cheapest way to go. New is expensive and building new is especially so. And old bikes are (can be) great.

DrJim

I didn't check on the sizes that are available on Amazon but I think there is some selection. The one (62 cm) I linked to is in his size range, I think.

MK313

One factor leaning towards buying a new(er) bike is that you are busy & don't have a lot of time. Older bikes are fun, but if things need to be fixed (cables/regreasing/ etc) it's likely that other stuff may also need to be fixed soon. You also run the risk of things breaking at inopportune times. If it were me & I was working full time, plus busy on the weekends, I'd buy a new bike.

SlimRider

Once again. Just go to your friendly neighborhood bicycle shops and ride all of their touring bikes.

Check out Fuji Touring...the Trek 520...the Marin Four Corners...the Raleigh Clubman...and the Surly's.

If you still can't make up your mind, then just take the Trek 620 off the bike peddler's hands. Tell 'em to knock thirty bucks off and you'll pay him fifty bucks to install new handlebars, tires, and a new seat. Additionally, you won't purchase a bike that hasn't been properly lubed all 'round. That means the BB, the headset, and the hubs.

Good Luck!

- Slim

PS.

Since he already agreed to the tires, you'll just have to spring for the seat and handlebars. He should have lubed the other stuff anyway if he's a legit bike peddler.