Touring is "trendy"?
#26
Very Senior Member
Originally Posted by Blackberry
Speaking of elegant older bikes, I have a venerable Trek 720 touring bike, bought in 1983 that I still ride a lot. At the time, it was a notch above the classic, still-produced Trek 520. Among bicycles, it ranked somewhere between a pack-elephant and a Mercedes. I used it for all kinds of touring, including a six-month ramble across Europe. Here is some info (not mine) on that great old steed:
https://www.vintage-trek.com/Trek_galleryDT.htm
Personally, I think it's great that touring bikes might be on the way back. They're great for just about everything except racing.
https://www.vintage-trek.com/Trek_galleryDT.htm
Personally, I think it's great that touring bikes might be on the way back. They're great for just about everything except racing.
__________________
It's better to cycle through life than to drive by it.
It's better to cycle through life than to drive by it.
#27
this bike is an aqueduct
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Gainesville, FL
Posts: 1,073
Bikes: Villin custom touring, Medici Pro Pista, KHS Alite1000, Windsor fixed commuter
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
1 Post
I think I forgot to post at some point.
We've got ANT doing the good custom frieght/utility stuff. Paul makes a couple nice flatbed front racks now. And for probably-nicer-than-it-needs-to-be entry-level stuff, Kogswell is making a 26" utility bike AND a dynamo hub.
Yes, we're on the up.
We've got ANT doing the good custom frieght/utility stuff. Paul makes a couple nice flatbed front racks now. And for probably-nicer-than-it-needs-to-be entry-level stuff, Kogswell is making a 26" utility bike AND a dynamo hub.
Yes, we're on the up.
__________________
Villin custom touring | Raleigh XXIX | Medici Pro Pista | 1978 Schwinn Stingray
Villin custom touring | Raleigh XXIX | Medici Pro Pista | 1978 Schwinn Stingray
#28
this bike is an aqueduct
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Gainesville, FL
Posts: 1,073
Bikes: Villin custom touring, Medici Pro Pista, KHS Alite1000, Windsor fixed commuter
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
1 Post
Another relavent thread, Bridgestone Catalog Predictions:
https://www.bikeforums.net/singlespeed-fixed-gear/184426-bridgestone-catalog-projections.html
https://www.bikeforums.net/singlespeed-fixed-gear/184426-bridgestone-catalog-projections.html
__________________
Villin custom touring | Raleigh XXIX | Medici Pro Pista | 1978 Schwinn Stingray
Villin custom touring | Raleigh XXIX | Medici Pro Pista | 1978 Schwinn Stingray
#29
Lentement mais sûrement
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Montréal
Posts: 2,253
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 78 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times
in
2 Posts
Touring seem to be on the rise here. The Route Verte (Green Way) and a multitude of long bike trails helped. If people aren't touring, some take "bicycle vacations", i.e. they go to one or many places where cycling takes a major part of the time.
As for the bike, I think many people want a comfortable road bike that is practical and doesn't look like grandma's cruiser or uncle Joe's hybrid.
As for the bike, I think many people want a comfortable road bike that is practical and doesn't look like grandma's cruiser or uncle Joe's hybrid.
#30
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 195
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Originally Posted by Matthew A Brown
It'll be true. We're on the way. The fashionista department has been pretty much perfected for a while by Grant & Riv, Bruce Gordon, et al. LHT's covering the everyman utility. And there's always the small wonderous fact that touring is possibly the most amazing thing ever ever ever.
In the same way that the fixed gear curve is spiking upwards (I'm 100% guilty of being a part of that, for disclosure), in a couple/few years the "kids" are going to be bragging about places they've stealth camped and how much freight they can carry how far on their commutes. The guys making custom messenger bags will make custom panniers and saddle/handlebar bags.
Again, I am ****ing stoked. = )
In the same way that the fixed gear curve is spiking upwards (I'm 100% guilty of being a part of that, for disclosure), in a couple/few years the "kids" are going to be bragging about places they've stealth camped and how much freight they can carry how far on their commutes. The guys making custom messenger bags will make custom panniers and saddle/handlebar bags.
Again, I am ****ing stoked. = )
Yee haw. With help from a friend I have a home made messenger bag. I've started collecting the bits for a set of front panniers and am saving up for a touring bike these days. It's driving me nuts, I can't wait to get it!
#31
Immoderator
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: POS Tennessee
Posts: 7,630
Bikes: Gary Fisher Simple City 8, Litespeed Obed
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times
in
3 Posts
Originally Posted by Erick L
As for the bike, I think many people want a comfortable road bike that is practical and doesn't look like grandma's cruiser or uncle Joe's hybrid.
except I immediately changed the flat bars for trekking bars, and added fenders and front and rear racks. It's a sweet, tough little bike.
I think Trek and a few other companies are starting to pay attention to the list of retro-grouchy complaints and create nice, MODERN bikes that are versatile and durable. I'm really loving not worrying about frame rust anymore.
__________________
Originally Posted by Bikeforums
Your rights end where another poster's feelings begin.
#33
Matthew Grimm / Flunky
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 656
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Originally Posted by Matthew A Brown
And for probably-nicer-than-it-needs-to-be entry-level stuff, Kogswell is making a 26" utility bike AND a dynamo hub.
For now we're calling it the Porteur/Randonneur.
It's TIG welded and has a brazed (crown) fork.
Three forks, actually, of varying offsets that yield different amounts of trail. That was Jan Heine's idea. He'll have a test of the frame and forks in the next issue of VBQ.
We think it will be a dandy touring bike. The frames and forks are loaded with rack and fender mounting points. We supply the frames with steel fenders painted to match. And you adjust the geometry for front/rear loading bias by choosing the right fork.
If you don't like 650B wheels, we'll have 650A (590) available. 590 tires are great for tourists. Every Walmart in America sells them. Nice ones, too. Can't say that about 700c tires.
Utility is a good description. Beside touring duty it can be used as a delivery bike (Porteur). And Jan thinks that it will make a good rando bike as well.
But at sub $500 for frame, fork, fender, HS, and seatpost, I don't think that anyone needs to worry about about it being overly nice. All Kogswell's are a screaming value. Ask an owner.
For more info, see our web page: https://kogswell.com/PR.html
#34
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Southern Maine
Posts: 8,938
Mentioned: 129 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 12172 Post(s)
Liked 1,481 Times
in
1,094 Posts
What's VBQ?
#35
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Iowa City, Iowa / Island Park, Idaho
Posts: 778
Bikes: Lemond Alpe d'Huez, 03 Gary Fisher Tassjara, Quattro Assi Scandium
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
It would kind of be a mixed blessing, more demand would mean more parts available but at higher prices. However once the fad passed that would leave alot of real nice bikes out there selling for cheap as there owners had moved on to the next big thing, maybe thats how I'll be able to afford that Rivendell.
__________________
Road: Quattro Assi Scandium w/ SRAM Rival and Rolf Echelon's
Mountain: 2005 Specialized Enduro Comp
2003 Gary Fisher Tassajara
Road: Quattro Assi Scandium w/ SRAM Rival and Rolf Echelon's
Mountain: 2005 Specialized Enduro Comp
2003 Gary Fisher Tassajara
#36
Full Member
Originally Posted by late
What's VBQ?
#37
Johnny Vagabond
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Somewhere in California
Posts: 49
Bikes: 2006 Surly Long Haul Trucker, 2005 Surly Pugsley, 2004 Surly Karate Monkey with an Xtracycle,
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
It'll be great to see more people on the road...though dangerous for those skinny bikelanes, like on Highway 1.
#38
Infamous Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Ohio
Posts: 24,360
Bikes: Surly Big Dummy, Fuji World, 80ish Bianchi
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 4 Times
in
3 Posts
Originally Posted by KrisPistofferson
I am an avowed "cheap bastard," but I actually, finally broke down and sent my money in for an Adventure Cycling membership. I haven't been "cutting edge" since, well, probably never, so I'm not sure what I'll do.
__________________
"Let us hope our weapons are never needed --but do not forget what the common people knew when they demanded the Bill of Rights: An armed citizenry is the first defense, the best defense, and the final defense against tyranny. If guns are outlawed, only the government will have guns. Only the police, the secret police, the military, the hired servants of our rulers. Only the government -- and a few outlaws. I intend to be among the outlaws" - Edward Abbey
"Let us hope our weapons are never needed --but do not forget what the common people knew when they demanded the Bill of Rights: An armed citizenry is the first defense, the best defense, and the final defense against tyranny. If guns are outlawed, only the government will have guns. Only the police, the secret police, the military, the hired servants of our rulers. Only the government -- and a few outlaws. I intend to be among the outlaws" - Edward Abbey
#39
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Turku, Finland
Posts: 109
Bikes: Trek Allant 7.2, Trek Soho S
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 15 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Originally Posted by KrisPistofferson
I think Trek and a few other companies are starting to pay attention to the list of retro-grouchy complaints and create nice, MODERN bikes that are versatile and durable. I'm really loving not worrying about frame rust anymore.
https://www.giant-bicycles.com/uk/030...sp?model=10403
It has a mountain bike frame with a rigid alu fork that is drilled for front rack attachment. They are selling it as a city bike. There is also a version with Nexus internal gears and another with disc brakes. I'd imagine it would work for touring, if heel clearance is not a problem. Giant also has a set of 2006 bikes labeled 'commuting', a class which was not there last year. The whole range seems to be much more utility-oriented than before.
I wonder how much about the touring trend is due to internet. Surly probably does not need to do much marketing in traditional media. I would imagine forums like this one have done a lot to overcome the marketing of bike companies and shops that (used to) say touring is old fashioned/too much trouble/slow/for old farts.
#40
this bike is an aqueduct
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Gainesville, FL
Posts: 1,073
Bikes: Villin custom touring, Medici Pro Pista, KHS Alite1000, Windsor fixed commuter
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
1 Post
I think forums like this help a lot of people wrap their minds around the idea of touring.
I'm sure many of you have experienced this-- mention a long tour and the first question is something along the lines of "How did you survive?!" Breathless and sincere, the reality of it is unfathomable. "You rode a WHAT to WHERE?!" etc.
But really, it's riding a bike. Takes some preparation, research and budgeting, but so does anything else worth doing.
I think THAT is going to be the spark for touring. That moment when someone realizes "****, I could do that." The unfathomable becomes something closer to taking a semester off for school. When people get on here and poke around and realize that some of us are friendly, some windy, some are absolute jerks, some are helpful beyond all rational belief-- that we're just like everybody else. That you don't need a f'n GUN to tour (always seems to come up, maybe its Florida?). That you are far more of an oddity than a target.
I also think once someone connects bicycle touring with weight loss, **** is going to get absolutely exponential. Three months to how many pounds lost? To how much lean muscle? To how big of a very real boost in base metabolism? Are you kidding me?
I'm sure many of you have experienced this-- mention a long tour and the first question is something along the lines of "How did you survive?!" Breathless and sincere, the reality of it is unfathomable. "You rode a WHAT to WHERE?!" etc.
But really, it's riding a bike. Takes some preparation, research and budgeting, but so does anything else worth doing.
I think THAT is going to be the spark for touring. That moment when someone realizes "****, I could do that." The unfathomable becomes something closer to taking a semester off for school. When people get on here and poke around and realize that some of us are friendly, some windy, some are absolute jerks, some are helpful beyond all rational belief-- that we're just like everybody else. That you don't need a f'n GUN to tour (always seems to come up, maybe its Florida?). That you are far more of an oddity than a target.
I also think once someone connects bicycle touring with weight loss, **** is going to get absolutely exponential. Three months to how many pounds lost? To how much lean muscle? To how big of a very real boost in base metabolism? Are you kidding me?
__________________
Villin custom touring | Raleigh XXIX | Medici Pro Pista | 1978 Schwinn Stingray
Villin custom touring | Raleigh XXIX | Medici Pro Pista | 1978 Schwinn Stingray
#41
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 175
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Originally Posted by Matthew A Brown
I also think once someone connects bicycle touring with weight loss, **** is going to get absolutely exponential. Three months to how many pounds lost? To how much lean muscle? To how big of a very real boost in base metabolism? Are you kidding me?
I have to agree...the weight-loss potential of touring is impressive.
#42
Member
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Vancouver Canada
Posts: 27
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Critical Mass. Pittsburgh’s Critical Mass rides have a number of bikes along for the spin sporting racks and panniers, piloted by today’s twenty something punk rocker hippy blends. Trends typically begin in some sort of close knit subculture before being adopted by the rest of society, and I have a feeling that’s where this is all heading. Like the fixed gears before them, and the mountain bikes before that, this is a sign of things to come.
I have seen the same thing here in Vancouver, Canada and have met many young 20 year olds out cycle camping for the weekend out the BC coast with everything tied on to their bikes the best way possible ,,the bikes often 1980's or ninety's vintage. They gather around me and my highly refined touring bike like car people gather around Ferrais. Check out momentumplanet magazine for the latest trends ,,
I have seen the same thing here in Vancouver, Canada and have met many young 20 year olds out cycle camping for the weekend out the BC coast with everything tied on to their bikes the best way possible ,,the bikes often 1980's or ninety's vintage. They gather around me and my highly refined touring bike like car people gather around Ferrais. Check out momentumplanet magazine for the latest trends ,,
#43
Immoderator
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: POS Tennessee
Posts: 7,630
Bikes: Gary Fisher Simple City 8, Litespeed Obed
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times
in
3 Posts
Originally Posted by chipcom
Dude, if you want to be cutting edge you don't need AC. Cutting edge is blazing your own trail, not following the herd.
__________________
Originally Posted by Bikeforums
Your rights end where another poster's feelings begin.
#44
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: northern California
Posts: 5,603
Bikes: Bruce Gordon BLT, Cannondale parts bike, Ecodyne recumbent trike, Counterpoint Opus 2, miyata 1000
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
[QUOTE=Peterpan1]
While the bikes of the likes of Gordon, Mariposa, Beckman are pretty rare, I have yet to see anyone who was in that demographic out touring on one.
And something like that pisses Bruce (Gordon) off. He gets upset when one of his bikes is left hanging on a wall for show. Or just playing around for show. He wants them ridden. And he makes a lot of bike types besides touring bikes. Lugged steel anyone?
While the bikes of the likes of Gordon, Mariposa, Beckman are pretty rare, I have yet to see anyone who was in that demographic out touring on one.
And something like that pisses Bruce (Gordon) off. He gets upset when one of his bikes is left hanging on a wall for show. Or just playing around for show. He wants them ridden. And he makes a lot of bike types besides touring bikes. Lugged steel anyone?
#45
Ultra-clydesdale
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Sacramento, CA or St Paul, MN
Posts: 572
Bikes: Titus Racer-X AL/Trek 520(RIP)/Trek 930
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Sweet!
I've always wanted to be one of the cool guys!
Plus I already own everything I need so, i won't be impacted by the price increases
I've always wanted to be one of the cool guys!
Plus I already own everything I need so, i won't be impacted by the price increases
#46
In Memory of One Cool Cat
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Charlottesville, VA
Posts: 2,722
Bikes: Lemond Victoire, Cannondale.Mountain Bike, two 1980s lugged steel Treks, ancient 1980-something Giant mountain bike converted into a slick tired commuter with mustache handlebars, 1960-something Raleigh Sports
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
Originally Posted by KrisPistofferson
Uh, thanks.
__________________
Dead last finish is better than did not finish and infinitely better than did not start.
Dead last finish is better than did not finish and infinitely better than did not start.
#47
Videre non videri
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Gothenburg, Sweden
Posts: 3,208
Bikes: 1 road bike (simple, light), 1 TT bike (could be more aero, could be lighter), 1 all-weather commuter and winter bike, 1 Monark 828E ergometer indoor bike
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 4 Times
in
4 Posts
Originally Posted by halfspeed
1) LX/XT level front derailleurs that clamp on a 28.6 seatpost without fugly shims that get in the way of bottle cage mounts. They should also be able to smoothly shift a ten tooth difference between middle and outer chainrings without grinding or filing or replacing with a road component. They should also be normal in every way, no rapid rise, top pull, BB mount or other tech weenie BS. Make them polished alloy while they're at it.
My FD shifts just fine with a 22-32-48 setup (FD is a cheap Deore 510). No mods at all.
Originally Posted by halfspeed
2) LX/XT RD Same as FD as far as action and finish.
Originally Posted by halfspeed
3) Off the shelf Cassettes with 12 or 13 tooth small cogs and 34T big cogs in both eight and nine speed.
Originally Posted by halfspeed
4) 110 BCD cranks that come with 24-36-46 chainrings.
Originally Posted by halfspeed
5) Heck maybe even LX/XT barcons that index the FD for the clickaholics.
Originally Posted by halfspeed
7) V-brake road levers that are cheaper than the Dia-compe 287V.
#48
Videre non videri
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Gothenburg, Sweden
Posts: 3,208
Bikes: 1 road bike (simple, light), 1 TT bike (could be more aero, could be lighter), 1 all-weather commuter and winter bike, 1 Monark 828E ergometer indoor bike
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 4 Times
in
4 Posts
Oops! Just realised I posted in an old thread...
I was browsing through old posts and kinda forgot about them being old...
I was browsing through old posts and kinda forgot about them being old...