craigcraigcraig

I am looking into (applied and waiting to hear back) riding with a group across the country to raise money for wells to be built in Africa. I have been riding pretty consistently for the past few years but never consistently on a road bike. I have ridden my fixed gear and mountain bike and a little bit with an old trek 420.

The question comes with geometry for riding across the country, I don't have to carry anything with me but the riding days are an average of about 70 miles or so. Comfort is obviously a big issue. From reading around I see carbon and aluminium are "harsh" so steel would be fine, now should i be looking at race geometry bikes or will that be uncomfortable or whatever. Some insight into the world of road bikes is really what i'm looking for I guess. Budget is flexible but likely nothing over 1300. Also the sram apex group looks appealing to me for this situation.

bikerjp

I'm new to the road game as well, but I've been doing a lot of reading, test riding and talking to lbs people. The most comfortable bike I've ridden so far is the Specialized Secteur comp. It's more than you want to spend but I found a 2010 model for $1299. The elite is cheaper than a comp (msrp) but doesn't have the carbon stays so may not ride quite as smooth but I haven't ridden that model. Plenty of other comfort bikes out there but I liked this one best. Also road a Cannondale Synapse which is pretty nice too and a bit cheaper iirc. Fwiw, I didn't buy either of these as they were not really what I was looking for. If I ever wanted a bike for long rides, however, I'd seriously consider the Secteur (or it's carbon brother the Roubaix).

jr59

Whats wrong with ridding what you already ride? You don't need to carry anything.

Out fit the 420 with what ever group that you want. The Apex, with it's compact gearing works.
Get good wheels and away you go.

craigcraigcraig

Oh I no longer have the 420. I got rid of it to fund a summer trip. So I'm going to need a whole bicycle.

MinnMan

You should not be looking at race geometry frames. Get a steel touring bike like the Surly Long Haul Trucker. You don't need to go fast to cover 70 miles/day, but you do want to be comfortable and you want a minimum of mechanical problems with wheels, etc.

Get the bike well before the trip and ride it a bunch. You don't want to find out during the ride that your saddle isn't right for you.

MinnMan

And though you say that you don't have to carry anything with you, you still want a setup where you can carry quite a bit. Maybe there's a support vehicle that carries your changes of clothes, sleeping bag, etc., but you still need a set up that will allow you to deal with changes in weather, to carry your camera, your tools, etc. It's going to be more than you can fit under your saddle.

craigcraigcraig

sure, I would ride the size LHT that would have 26in wheels which seems almost counter productive for the type of riding that will be done. While I don't need to ride fast I much prefer the feel and performance of a 700c wheeled bike on the road to 26in. Are there bikes like the old trek that I once had that are seemingly like a cross-breed of a tour/relaxed road bike? If so what does that geometry look like and I can do some of my own research.

MinnMan

This is a little out of date, but it might be a good start for what's out there:

https://www.adventurecycling.org/feat...uide_bikes.cfm

craigcraigcraig

that's a pretty good link despite the date, thanks.