jcc456

Hey everyone:

I am doing a 3 week tour of Germany, Austria & Croatia next September and considering using my Specialized Epic mountain bike rather than the spanking new Trek Pilot 5.2 I am picking up for my new road bike this season. I am afraid of the chance for damage to a carbon bike resulting from touring and shipping via air as well as theft target.

I have found a rack that is meant for use with dual suspension mountain bikes but was concerned as to whether this would be a wise move. I know many people that happily travel with hardtails as their primary touring bikes, but none with dualies.

FYI: The Epic has a lockable front shock and rear brain shock that remains rigid until activated by a bump. It rides like a hardtail on the road.

Any thoughts???


Thanks,


Jason

bokes

For a short tour thru well developed countries, no problem.
But if you'd ride thru Mongolia, the Saharan or Aussie Desert, or the jungles of Brazil, then i'd say simpler (hard-tail) might be wiser.

becnal

Sounds great to me. Will you be coming through Frankfurt??? =)

paddyob

hey,

i did a 6 month tour of new zealand on my epic (including lots and lots of mountain biking while i was there). The only problem i encountered was having to replace the chain and cassette etc as it eventually got worn out. I can't comment on the racks as i used a bob trailer on the back, but from the bike point of view it'll be fine.

One piece of advice is that if you don't yet have bar ends then put some on as they give you some extra hand positions which makes longer days much more comfortable.

Paddy

jcc456

Glad to hear that this is doable. I was hoping to do some mountain biking in Croatia and this will make it so much easier.

Thanks everyone.

jcc456

We are flying in to Frankfurt and then taking a train to a smaller town (Trier??) to start the tour. I am not sure of the exact itinerary yet as I am not the one planning this part of the trip.

becnal

Cool, you should be able to get on a train right at the airport instead of coming into town to go to the main station. Let me know if you need any assistance with anything Frankfurt related.