Advice Needed: Which is the best bike for touring?
03-08-08, 09:44 AM
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Advice Needed: Which is the best bike for touring?
Hey all,
I'm doing an East-West TransAm this spring, and meeting my sister in Colorado (where she lives) for the last leg. My touring gear is all set, but she needs to transform one of her bikes. Her two rides:
Mesa Hardtail MTB - https://www.schwinnbike.com/products/...ail.php?id=616
Fastback Road - https://www.schwinnbike.com/products/...ail.php?id=603
As far as I can tell, the Mesa needs a disc-ready rear rack, probably from Old Man Mountain (she only needs a moderate amount of gear - I'll already have the heavy camping equipment), some touring tires, and bar ends (at least). The Fastback will need new tires and wheels and a rear rack. I'm not a spec junkie, but it seems to me that the Fastback is too light for touring. Plus, the Mesa has the bonus of disc brakes as well as the ability to ride some dirt trails.
Thoughts?
I'm doing an East-West TransAm this spring, and meeting my sister in Colorado (where she lives) for the last leg. My touring gear is all set, but she needs to transform one of her bikes. Her two rides:
Mesa Hardtail MTB - https://www.schwinnbike.com/products/...ail.php?id=616
Fastback Road - https://www.schwinnbike.com/products/...ail.php?id=603
As far as I can tell, the Mesa needs a disc-ready rear rack, probably from Old Man Mountain (she only needs a moderate amount of gear - I'll already have the heavy camping equipment), some touring tires, and bar ends (at least). The Fastback will need new tires and wheels and a rear rack. I'm not a spec junkie, but it seems to me that the Fastback is too light for touring. Plus, the Mesa has the bonus of disc brakes as well as the ability to ride some dirt trails.
Thoughts?
Last edited by cptpitt22; 03-08-08 at 12:58 PM.
03-08-08, 09:53 AM
#2
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If I was her I would put 28mm tires on the fastback, and have you carry all of my stuff.
03-08-08, 11:44 AM
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I'm sure she'll be excited about that... I have always been the family oaf. 
03-08-08, 12:45 PM
#4
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Hey all,
I'm doing an East-West TransAm this spring, and meeting my sister in Colorado (where she lives) for the last leg. My touring gear is all set, but she needs to transform one of her bikes. Her two rides:
Mesa Hardtail MTB - https://www.schwinnbike.com/products/...ail.php?id=616
Fastback Road - https://www.schwinnbike.com/products/...ail.php?id=603
As far as I can tell, the Mesa needs a disc-ready rear rack, probably from Old Man Mountain (she only needs a moderate amount of gear - I'll already have the heavy camping equipment), some touring tires, and bar ends (at least). The Fastback will need new tires and wheels and a rear rack. I'm not a spec junkie, but it seems to me that the Fastback is too light for touring. Plus, the Mesa has the bonus of disc brakes as well as the ability to ride some dirt trails.
Thoughts?
I'm doing an East-West TransAm this spring, and meeting my sister in Colorado (where she lives) for the last leg. My touring gear is all set, but she needs to transform one of her bikes. Her two rides:
Mesa Hardtail MTB - https://www.schwinnbike.com/products/...ail.php?id=616
Fastback Road - https://www.schwinnbike.com/products/...ail.php?id=603
As far as I can tell, the Mesa needs a disc-ready rear rack, probably from Old Man Mountain (she only needs a moderate amount of gear - I'll already have the heavy camping equipment), some touring tires, and bar ends (at least). The Fastback will need new tires and wheels and a rear rack. I'm not a spec junkie, but it seems to me that the Fastback is too light for touring. Plus, the Mesa has the bonus of disc brakes as well as the ability to ride some dirt trails.
Thoughts?
