trailmix

As the title says, I am in need of some advice on which direction i should take in equipment selection. I am new to randonneuring but i did a 200 and a 300k last year. I would like to also do a 400 and maybe a 600 in 2015 and i am wondering if i need to make any changes to my bike or look at getting something different altogether. My bike is an 85 Cannondale ST500 with fenders and a rear rack. I am using 28mm Pasela Tourguard tires and a 3x6 drivetrain.

Also, do you guys prefer to carry plenty of extras in case of an emergency or do you prefer to pack light? Thanks.

Steamer

How did the bike perform for you on your 200 and 300? You'd know better than we would if you needed to address a problem with your current bike.

I pack medium to heavy. This is a personal preference. I am not worried about finishing fast, just finishing at all is fine. So, I'd rather have what I need to deal with all reasonably possible contingencies with respect to weather, mechanicals. Everyone has to draw their own line in the sand on this subject.

bikemig 

+ 1.

trailmix

I think I packed pretty heavy but the 300 was 37-40 degrees and pouring rain the whole time so I brought extra stuff. I need a lower gear small chainring because there are a couple of climbs that were 18-19%. Other than the gearing I can't think of much to change. I guess I am wondering if a touring frame is a good choice for this type of riding. Thanks for the replies.

kingston 

I had a similar question about bike choice a few weeks ago and the BF experts convinced me to try again on the same bike as last year.

Which bike for an SR series attempt?

thebulls

A touring frame is generally overkill for randonneuring, you don't quite need such a beefy frame. It won't be quite as responsive, so it takes a little more out of you. That said, I've ridden a 200 on a borrowed Cannondale touring frame and it was just fine. Many people ride brevets on Surly Long Haul Trucker's.

If I were you, I would put on a triple with lower gearing, e.g. a Sugino XD600, and then have fun riding an SR series next year. As you gain more experience, you'll get a better idea of what style of riding you would like to do (e.g. minimal load vs kitchen sink; skinny-tire vs fat-tire; fenders vs no-fenders; handlebar bag or not; etc.). Then maybe you can eventually buy yourself just one "ultimate rando bike" instead of buying one too soon and then having to buy yourself another when you find out the mistakes you made with the first.

Nick

MilesDealer

If the question is "should you get a new bike for randonneurring" then I'd say "no" unless your current bike frame does not fit you. Of course most people get new bikes simply because they want new bikes. You can certainly use randonneurring as an excuse if you feel you need one.

Bike comfort is THE most important requirement for long distance cycling and you should be able to obtain that on any frame that fits you, unless it can only take 20mm tires. There are all types of ways to carry your gear even if you ride a sleek racing bike.

Randonneurring will not be the only type of riding you'll do. Take the rest of your cycling into consideration. I ride a "racing" road bike on brevets because I like the way it performs on shorter, quicker rides. If, however, you want to do some touring then a touring bike can serve both your touring and randonneurring needs. that said, I'm certainly not against owning multiple bikes if you have the funds.

unterhausen

I agree with keeping the bike you have until you have a better idea what you want. Fenders and larger tires are nice. My current thinking about the perfect randonneuse is that it should be a racing bike that takes 650bx42mm tires with fenders. I'm currently randonneuring on my touring bike because reasons. It works, but it's far from ideal.

I like to be able to save myself, so of course I'm always fighting the last battle as far as spares. But traveling light is the best policy. I think you should be able to fix a chain and replace a derailleur cable. I carry some wire ties. I saved someone's ride with some monster cable ties. I started carrying wire ties after a friend saved my ride with a couple of cable ties. And I carry a tire, two tubes and a patch kit. I have known people that would have dnf'd if someone riding with them hadn't had a spare. I know someone who saved a blown tire with duct tape, but he bought that on the road. And you can always use a dollar bill as a tire boot, but some tyvek works well too

downtube42

Ride it until either it's a problem or you have money burning a hole in your pocket.

What you carry depends on a lot of things... weather being one, your mechanical abilities another (no point bringing tools you don't know how to use), and your tolerance for risk being the last. Flat tire is an eventual certainty, the next mechanical issue is a distant second. If you're doing the Louisville series, you can expect to freeze your tail off on at least one ride; rain gear and clothing for 10 below the forecasted low is a safe bet.

trailmix

Sounds like we have a lot of the same questions, thanks for the link.

trailmix

Thanks for the advice, I am running a triple (Sugino AT) but I need a little more grunt on the tough hills so I am thinking about running a 26 or 28 instead of my 30.

bikemig 

You have a good bike that does most of what you want. I'd tinker with it and let this stew for a while. I'll bet as you do more rides, your ideas on what you need will shift a bit. Sometimes you need to just keep working on what you have to figure out what you really need.

I'm thinking that it's not quite time for N + 1 yet.

trailmix

It wouldn't be a matter of buying a new bike but rather converting a different bike that I already have, I guess I should have mentioned that before.

trailmix

Cable ties do seem like a good idea. I carry most of the stuff you mentioned except for an extra tire, hard to find 630 folding tires.

trailmix

Yes, I do the rides with the Louisville group. That 300k this year was pretty brutal, I rode for about 5 miles with sleet blowing right in my face.

Steamer

Ok, there is something you might want to change. Being on a different size than everyone else isn't ideal. Not a deal breaker, but definitely not ideal. (says the recumbent rider with weird sized wheels....)