Sorry, need more help finding a good touring bike.
#26
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 3,150
Bikes: 2013 Surly Disc Trucker, 2004 Novara Randonee , old fixie , etc
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 671 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 49 Times
in
43 Posts
You are right about making a bigger problem out of something that is pretty trivia, sorry about that. After all the searching and studying, (I am an aerospace design engineer by trade and am a big consumer of data, facts and specs), I have decided that I will go out and find the right size Trek 520 Disc. Unfortunately it will still be a while before I can start doing any serious riding as my wife is terminally ill and I am her 24/7 caretaker, not complaining but my bike riding, working out, etc continues on hold for now. The best I can do is start planning for something fun that I can look forward to when this is all over. Anyway, I will try not to ask any more stupid questions.
#27
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Madison, WI
Posts: 11,204
Bikes: 1961 Ideor, 1966 Perfekt 3 Speed AB Hub, 1994 Bridgestone MB-6, 2006 Airnimal Joey, 2009 Thorn Sherpa, 2013 Thorn Nomad MkII, 2015 VO Pass Hunter, 2017 Lynskey Backroad, 2017 Raleigh Gran Prix, 1980s Bianchi Mixte on a trainer. Others are now gone.
Mentioned: 48 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3459 Post(s)
Liked 1,465 Times
in
1,143 Posts
#28
Senior Member
I didn't like the idea of having an exposed cable, so I cut off the cable stop and filed it down smooth before getting the frame powder coated.
After getting it back, you can't even notice the cable stop was even there.
Anyways, I bought some NOS Dia-Compe cable clamps to hold the cable housing on the top tube. Much better.
After getting it back, you can't even notice the cable stop was even there.
Anyways, I bought some NOS Dia-Compe cable clamps to hold the cable housing on the top tube. Much better.
I don't find the differences to be enough that I'd bother to change it either way, but I tend to think the exposed cable has a slight edge over full length housings.
#29
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: South shore, L.I., NY
Posts: 6,882
Bikes: Flyxii FR322, Cannondale Topstone, Miyata City Liner, Specialized Chisel, Specialized Epic Evo
Mentioned: 18 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3238 Post(s)
Liked 2,085 Times
in
1,181 Posts
I am curious why you didn't like having exposed cable. I always figured it to be a plus as compared to full length housings. I don't think the differences are very great but there is less friction, less weight, and a cleaner look IMO.
I don't find the differences to be enough that I'd bother to change it either way, but I tend to think the exposed cable has a slight edge over full length housings.
I don't find the differences to be enough that I'd bother to change it either way, but I tend to think the exposed cable has a slight edge over full length housings.
Internal cable routing can be a PITA depending on the design. That same Klein Quantum I owned with the corrosion had internal routing of the shift cables. Before yanking the old cables, I would have to cut lengths of old brake housing to pull into the frame as a guide for the new cables. It took me a few before figuring out this method and I never saw any useful reason. My Miyata tourer has internal routing for the rear brake cable, inside the top tube. It uses rubber gaskets with holes for the housing, so uses full length housing. If the gasket breaks or deteriorates, I'm SOL unless I find or design a clever solution.
#30
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,570
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 6 Times
in
4 Posts
I am curious why you didn't like having exposed cable. I always figured it to be a plus as compared to full length housings. I don't think the differences are very great but there is less friction, less weight, and a cleaner look IMO.
I don't find the differences to be enough that I'd bother to change it either way, but I tend to think the exposed cable has a slight edge over full length housings.
I don't find the differences to be enough that I'd bother to change it either way, but I tend to think the exposed cable has a slight edge over full length housings.
The 29er came with v-brakes and had clips holding the housing. Not like clips wrapping around the top tube. The frame had a few points where the clips snapped in.
So, the TREK had a cable stop positioned to the left of the top tube. Maybe if it was directly centered on top (or under), then I would of left it.
Plus those NOS Dia Compe clamps look nice.
#31
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: McCall Idaho
Posts: 302
Bikes: Salsa Vaya, Salsa Fargo, TREK DS
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 76 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Steve B. I think you might be right...instead of worrying about what bike to ride, I will start extending the rides on my felt. It has a rack on the back rated at 18KG and the engineer at Felt told me that back would easily take that and a little more. So for credit card touring, not sure what all I will need but other than clean clothes and toiletries and some water bottles, I won't need a lot. The V85 only has one water bottle, do they make a rack that I can add to the bike? Might be nice to take along two bottles. Especially if there are not a lot of towns or stops along the ride.
#32
Galveston County Texas
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: In The Wind
Posts: 33,222
Bikes: 02 GTO, 2011 Magnum
Mentioned: 19 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1350 Post(s)
Liked 1,245 Times
in
623 Posts
After seeing that at least 2 of you don't think the cables on the top are an issue, I will go back and give the Safari a good testing. Other than the cables, it looked like a great bike for the money. As for the diamondback, it is very similar to my current ride which is a Felt V85...love the bike and ride it every chance I get. But looking for an equipment truck to do a little bike camping.
__________________
Fred "The Real Fred"
Fred "The Real Fred"
#33
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: South shore, L.I., NY
Posts: 6,882
Bikes: Flyxii FR322, Cannondale Topstone, Miyata City Liner, Specialized Chisel, Specialized Epic Evo
Mentioned: 18 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3238 Post(s)
Liked 2,085 Times
in
1,181 Posts
When I am going a distance where I'll use up 2 bottles and am unsure of water availability, I'll use my 100 oz. Camelbak. keeps the liquids cooler, longer has been my experience.
#34
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,570
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 6 Times
in
4 Posts
This is always an option:
Unless you're the type to mount a bunch of gizmos up front.
I thought about going with the above along with the 2 in the triangle. I got shallow drop bars and can get smaller/shorter bottles. But I'm gonna add a front bag/decaleur that'll sit on a front rack.
Might get a bit crowded, unless I mount them inside the drops. Hmmm...
Unless you're the type to mount a bunch of gizmos up front.
I thought about going with the above along with the 2 in the triangle. I got shallow drop bars and can get smaller/shorter bottles. But I'm gonna add a front bag/decaleur that'll sit on a front rack.
Might get a bit crowded, unless I mount them inside the drops. Hmmm...
#35
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Eugene, Oregon, USA
Posts: 27,547
Mentioned: 217 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 18376 Post(s)
Liked 4,510 Times
in
3,352 Posts
Another option would be to start hunting for the perfect used frame and other parts to build up over time.
Say you're housebound for the next year, or few years... there may be some benefits of escaping into the garage.
Say you're housebound for the next year, or few years... there may be some benefits of escaping into the garage.
#36
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Madison, WI
Posts: 11,204
Bikes: 1961 Ideor, 1966 Perfekt 3 Speed AB Hub, 1994 Bridgestone MB-6, 2006 Airnimal Joey, 2009 Thorn Sherpa, 2013 Thorn Nomad MkII, 2015 VO Pass Hunter, 2017 Lynskey Backroad, 2017 Raleigh Gran Prix, 1980s Bianchi Mixte on a trainer. Others are now gone.
Mentioned: 48 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3459 Post(s)
Liked 1,465 Times
in
1,143 Posts
Steve B. I think you might be right...instead of worrying about what bike to ride, I will start extending the rides on my felt. It has a rack on the back rated at 18KG and the engineer at Felt told me that back would easily take that and a little more. So for credit card touring, not sure what all I will need but other than clean clothes and toiletries and some water bottles, I won't need a lot. The V85 only has one water bottle, do they make a rack that I can add to the bike? Might be nice to take along two bottles. Especially if there are not a lot of towns or stops along the ride.
#37
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 3,150
Bikes: 2013 Surly Disc Trucker, 2004 Novara Randonee , old fixie , etc
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 671 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 49 Times
in
43 Posts
Long ago I put handlebar dual bottle cage on a racing bike & the bottles sometimes bounced out, maybe current cages/bottles work better. Profile seatpost bottle cage works pretty well & is helpful even w/touring bike that includes 3 bottle mount spots. (1 for coffee, 1 for sports drink etc.)
#38
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: McCall Idaho
Posts: 302
Bikes: Salsa Vaya, Salsa Fargo, TREK DS
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 76 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Thanks for the advice, I will make sure that I pack up the rain gear also. I used to do a lot of diving along the N Cal and S OR coast and you reminded me of all the days that it was sunny in the valley but rainy on the coast. Thanks.
CliffordK, you have a great idea. I have a Titus Motolite that was built up in the 2009 time frame in my garage and I have put it on Craig's list. Maybe I need to buy that Surly Disc Trucker frame and take apart the Titus. I was hoping to get enough out of the Titus to pay for most of a touring bike but even dropping the price is not generating any calls....hate to give the bike away as it cost me over $4K back then. Of course, I could always turn it into a full suspension, (locked out) titanium framed touring bike...LOL.
CliffordK, you have a great idea. I have a Titus Motolite that was built up in the 2009 time frame in my garage and I have put it on Craig's list. Maybe I need to buy that Surly Disc Trucker frame and take apart the Titus. I was hoping to get enough out of the Titus to pay for most of a touring bike but even dropping the price is not generating any calls....hate to give the bike away as it cost me over $4K back then. Of course, I could always turn it into a full suspension, (locked out) titanium framed touring bike...LOL.
#39
Señor Member
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 5,066
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 649 Post(s)
Liked 292 Times
in
215 Posts
Being afraid to cycle across Canada unarmed was more of a joke. Spent almost 2 years as a lone trail rider up in the Sierra Nevadas, prior to being drafted in the 60s. Found that what you say is so true, trick is to never act aggressive towards an animal that might be put into a fight or flee situation. After over 36 years in the military, on 6 continents, never had problems with the 4 legged creatures, now 2 legged was a different story.
Four legged animal problems are also very rare - there is always enough space that you and the animals can give eachother a wide berth. The only four legged beasts that regularly cause problems are moose on the highways - cars are upon them too fast for moose or driver to react and most cars make is part way under the moose before it crashes into the passenger compartment. Not an issue at bicycling speeds.
I am reminded of a video I saw of some d-bag snowmobiling somewhere in the northersn US - he came upon a moose in the middle of the trail, and instead of keeping his distance and waiting for a safe chance to pass, he aggressively revved his machine at the moose to try to scare it off... the moose felt threatened and charged the snowmobiler, who, after the moose made his point and was walking away, pulled out his pistol and emptied the clip into the moose before leaving it to bleed out on the trail. My point is that any gun you would want to carry on a bike is likely to not effectively dissuade the animals who are likely to be a problem - moose, grizzly bears, polar bears(should you be up north). We Canadians usually enjoy the outdoors while unarmed and there really isn't a problem.
Six legged creatures, however, are a problem whenever you stop in rural Canada - Mosquitoes, deer flies, black flies, horse flies, noseeums(sp?) are aggressive and very hard to fend off with a firearm.
#40
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: McCall Idaho
Posts: 302
Bikes: Salsa Vaya, Salsa Fargo, TREK DS
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 76 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
You can find idiots in any country in the world, just some areas seem to have a denser population.
Somewhere I heard that the Canadian Mosquitoes are so large that they have been known to carry off small children. LOL
Thanks for the tips.....
Somewhere I heard that the Canadian Mosquitoes are so large that they have been known to carry off small children. LOL
Thanks for the tips.....