HelenHeart

Howdy
I'm thinking of buying a CannT2000 to travel from Aspen to Mill Valley in October. This is my Virgin Tour. I'm nervously excited and begging for advise!
Also I want to buy a Burley Nomad, 2 wheel, instead of a BOB, 1 wheel. Am I crazy?
Also......I'm going alone, hotels along the way. Mom thinks I'll end up dead.

So.....whaddya think?

HelenHeart

mac

Well I just ordered by 2005 Cannondale T2000 from my LBS and they'll get it the end of this month. I'll let you know how it rides. PM me so I have your info.

Rick(Pa)

Hi Helen,
I have owned an 04 C'dale T2000 since May of last year. I put over 3800 trouble free miles on it. The bike is solid and the components are top notch. I have no doubt the bike can make it, I hope you can also.
Rick(Pa)

phinney

Haven't towed a Bob but have towed the Burley's extensively. The Burley is top notch and the two wheels (which I was concerned about at first) are a non-issue. Tell the shop you want the skewer hitch and maybe they'll throw it in for free. The skewer hitch is nice.

Erick L

I think a trailer would be overkill if you stay in hotels. A set of small panniers should be more than enough.

HelenHeart

What do you mean..PM you?
Sorry....new at this!!!!!!!!
Helen

cyccommute 

PM is AOLese for personal message.

Questions about your ride. Aspen? As in Colorado? Or is there another? And where is Mill Valley?

Now for the bike. I have a T800. Personally, I think the T800 is a bit better bike then the 2000 in that it's a bit simpler and it has a more forgiving fork. Straight blade forks, like those on the 2000, can make for a harsher ride and, trust me, the unloaded ride of a Cannodale touring bike is harsh enough. Which brings us to the use of panniers versus trailers. I use trailers for off-road touring and they shine there. I have done off-road tours using panniers and a trailer is far superior for that application. I tried using a trailer with another touring bike I have (an old steel one) while training for my 2003 trip and I didn't like it at all! I have used trailers to haul kids for more miles than I care to admit but the single wheel trailers with yokes like the BOB tends to push the bike on corners and makes for a disconcerting ride. The Burley passenger trailers I've used in the past have a hitch that hooks up differently so it doesn't push the bike as much.

I would suggest you look into panniers also. Cost of a set of Ortliebs and racks is about the same as most trailers (about $300) but there are advantages and disadvantages to consider. Trailers can carry a lot of stuff and take a lot of weight off the bike. But often you can carry too much stuff with a trailer. Trailers have another set of wheels you have to worry about. You ought to carry at least a tube to fit the tires on the trailer and you may need to carry a tire, if the size isn't standard. Trailers make you longer and so you have to steer differently. You need to turn corners wider and be careful not to clip objects that can turn the trailer over (I done it with kids ). A trailer will naturally ride closer to the road side and be more likely to drop off the edge of the road.

Panniers have their own issues. They make the bike heavier. On the T2000 this can help with the ride but it is still added weight. Space is limited. You can't carry as much junk with panniers as a trailer generally. This is a blessing and a curse. It's not as easy to get stuff out. You have to put them on and take them off morning and night. They make the bike's footprint a bit wider. You need racks to carry them which is more weight on the bike. A lot of people, especially new to touring, carry one set of big ones on the back of the bike which isn't a good way of doing it.

Read stuff here for a while. Ask questions. There's a lot of knowledge here. Use it.

cyccommute 

A couple of questions. Do you have a route in mind? Have you ever done anything alone for a week or more at a time? Be aware that riding solo can be both rewarding and frightening. I don't what to scare you off from riding but there is a mental aspect to solo touring that makes the ride tough. After a week or so, you get really bored with yourself. The best way I have of getting past the mental part is to make sure you call someone every night and to write letters to yourself or your parents at the end of each day. That way you have a record of your travels and you have someone to share the adventure with.

And Mom's always worry, it's in their nature.

HelenHeart

Hi
Yes, Aspen, Colorado and Mill Valley is just over the Golden Gate Bridge in Cali (sorry)
Great comparison of trailers and paniers....thank you.I do a lot of back packing and hope, by now, I have mastered the art of minimalist packing, even if I do have a roomy cargo trailer
Yep, I travel alone each off season, which is 6 weeks at a time, although never soooooo solo as touring. I appreciate any advise I can get on the mental front ( so to speak). Keeping a journal will help me with that, and I am writing a column for The Aspen Times each week, and maybe I will write to mom, in England each day, and she can put each letter in a book...that will keep her happy, thanks!
I'm working on my route. I have time to fine tune it, although Nevada and hotels within 70 miles of each other is proving to be tough. I'm good at 'homework' though and will be logistically prepared for this trip as could be possible.
I'm not a worrier, but I will be taking certain precautions...thinking of having a GPS tracker on me...if that is even possible, and pepper spray will be handier to grab than a water bottle, etc etc.
I read some of your previous threads, about the straight fork...this is a foreign language to me...at this point, but in time, I will know what you are talking about and will hopefully have an educated opinion.
I don't leave till October, I can hardly think about anything else..I only found this website 2 days ago and I think I have booked 6 hours on it. That's as much computer time than the last 6 YEARS combined! I punched in cannondale touring bike on the address line and this forum came up....lucky me, you are right it is a goddamn wealth of knowledge and experience. I'm in heaven.
Thanks for talking. I'm hear to listen!
Look after them kids!!!!!
Kind regards
Helen

capsicum

It's not AOLese it is a simple acronym or abreviation.

Sorry I'm bored.

coldcanuck

Just bought a pair of Cannondale T2000's. They are fantastic bikes! The only problem we've found is that when you're making sharp turns at slow speeds, your foot sometimes hits the front wheel. We haven't found this to be a game breaker, but just something to keep in mind.

As far as the saddle for my wife, we've adopted a "wait and see" attitude. And as far as the ride is concerned, I've found that (even unloaded) the T2000 is a totally comfortable ride. I find it more comfortable than my steel Gary Fisher (also doesn't have straight blade forks). However, this probably has more to do with the shock-absorbing seat-stem. Either way, it hasn't been an issue yet.

mac

Were you using clipless pedals?

coldcanuck

Sure was.

cyccommute 

You may want to think about going further north towards Wyoming and Oregon rather than Nevada, especially this time of year. Check with Adventure Cycling for details on routes. They have a lot of information. Their Western Express route might be helpful if you are going across Nevada. If you go with a northern route you might have a better chance of meeting up with other cyclotourist, however

Bicycle translation: straight blade forks (look at the picture of the T2000) are straight tubes. Curved forks have a curve at the end. A curved fork bends in an upward direction when you hit a bump (and you will hit lots of them) while a straight blade fork will transmit the energy of the bump straight back to the handlebars. Some people find the ride of a straight blade fork to be harsh. I personally prefer just a little spring on the front to help cushion the ride.

For more information on touring you can get individual experiences at www.crazyguyonabike.com or try https://www.bicycletouring101.com/ for more information. There are others also but they just don't come to mind right now.

HelenHeart

Why did you ask about the clipless pedals?

mac

Well, way back in gradeschool when I would pedal with a normal platform pedal + sneaker, I would position the pedal over the center of my foot. Now that I have clipless pedals, I position the pedal more towards the middle-front of the my foot. So on a regular platform, my feet would be sticking out further forward. Hence, I thought that may have caused the front wheel to hit the foot.

cyccommute 

The only problem I have with the Cannondale frame is that it is short from the bottom bracket to the front wheel. I always hit my foot on the tire when making slow speed turns. You get used to it.

mac

My guess is that when we ride slow, we can make sharper turns with the bicycle. But at higher speeds, if we were to make that same turn, we'l jackknife and/or flip over the bike.

coldcanuck

You guys are right on the money. The only time you have the problem is riding slowly, and I've totally gotten used to it.

I love that bike!

cyccommute 

I haven't mounted fenders on it, however, because of the overlap. I might need them for my summer tour and am currently puzzling over putting fenders on.

Rick(Pa)

Hi all,
I have a set of Zefal fenders on my t2000 for a year now and have not had any problems with slow speed turns, in fact I just went downstairs and backpedaled while turning both ways just to make sure.Maybe I have smaller feet. I got the fenders on sale from Nashbar for around $ 14.00. They work great.
Rick(Pa.)

PALux

I purchased my T2000 in November of 2001. I have put 13,300 miles on it commuting and club rides. I am heavy and initially I had problems with spokes. Finally had the lbs respoke the rear wheel and have over 10,000 miles on it with no problem. The bike is rock solid. The ride is on the harsh side. Get some miles in on that Brooks saddle before touring though. Mine came bare bones so I added fenders, rack, spd pedals, and a computer. I later added a suspension seat post but I don’t think it did that much good. I did add a stem extender and used a shorter stem than stock.

Motel camping allows you to travel much lighter. Skip the trailer. It is extra pounds by itself, its cover is usually extra heavy, and you must carry an extra tube for its wheels. Make sure your pump will handle both the bike and trailer tube stems. Get a front pannier rack and small panniers for overflow load. As you backpack and are used to packing tightly you may find that just panniers and a trunk will handle all that you want to carry. Someone had a quick connect handlebar pack that converted to a fanny pack. I think this is perfect for touring. You should have no trouble touring with the T2000. That is what it is made for.

You are heading for the coast in the fall. Think fog, rain and cold. Think fenders and the best tail lights you can get. Get a helmet mirror. Think hydration, a CamelBak type system supplements water bottles. Make sure you carry enough water to cover to the next available place to get it. Out of water and 25 miles from noplace is no good. I had several good suggestions on another forum on my coast tour this summer. You could mail things ahead and also mail unneeded things back at any point. Start early in the day and get off the road early each day. You are heading west and late afternoon traveling will have cars following you looking at a setting sun. You will be even harder to see.

The big things, take care of and get some miles on the Brooks saddle, skip the trailer, get your lbs to true and tension the rear wheel before leaving, get the best rain gear you can afford, get fenders, start early and end early each day, get a led headlight that will flash (use it as a flashlight and when the weather is poor it is your “be seen light”, and last but not least hope for a tail wind. As best you can make everything electrical run off AA or AAA batteries. Then only buy them as you need them.

Have a wonderful trip and keep us posted.
Phil

CJoshuaV

Same on my T800.

Supertick

I have a T2000 and really enjoy it. I am a big guy and have the largest frame size that Cannondale makes. I do not have the problem of hitting the front wheel with my foot and I have fenders on mine. A friend has a smaller size T800 and does have that problem with his. I also am a backpacker and have been for many years. I have used panniers, a BOB, and Burley Nomad trailer. Which one you use is a matter of personal choice. I started with panniers, then the BOB trailer and now use a Nomad trailer. Each has their good and bad points. Study each carefully before you make your choice. As far as the T2000 is concerned, I had mine converted to flat bars due to a bad back and I changed the gearing. I have heard from others that the standard wheels are not very sturdy but I have another set of wheels that I use when I tour. Good luck on your journey...

Mentor58

Cdale makes a great touring bike, but the one thing that I would want to do would be to get the bike shop to swap out the crank for something with a bit lower gears. I've got a Shimano Treking Crank, it's a mountain bike crank, with slightly larger chainrings than a typical MTB. This will make it a lot easier to go up climbs, especially loaded. You really don't lose anything in my opinion at the high speed end, where most tourists spend very little time, but gain a bunch at the lower end, where it matters. If you want to go with panniers, I'll toss in my 2 cents for Wayne at The Touring Store. Has Ortleib and Lone Peak Panniers and Tubis racks, all at good prices. I use the Lone Peak myself, they have waterproof covers, and many many years of field living in the Army has taught me to bag everything in waterproof bags of sometype, no matter what.

Lots of good advice here, don't hesitate to ask questions, and remember, the tour is the experence.

Steve W
Who thinks his cats are plotting behind his back