Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > Touring
Reload this Page >

Light Touring w/ Carbon Fiber bike

Notices
Touring Have a dream to ride a bike across your state, across the country, or around the world? Self-contained or fully supported? Trade ideas, adventures, and more in our bicycle touring forum.

Light Touring w/ Carbon Fiber bike

Old 02-01-10, 01:47 AM
  #1  
Velophile
Thread Starter
 
Epicus07's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Seattle, WA
Posts: 1,093

Bikes: See Signature.

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 9 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 5 Times in 2 Posts
Light Touring w/ Carbon Fiber bike

I have a specialized roubaix and i want to do some light touring in the san juans this summer.

Is the best thing for handling/comfort to just buy a trailer? or should i look at building a cheap steel touring bike?
Epicus07 is offline  
Old 02-01-10, 01:53 AM
  #2  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 5,428

Bikes: Cervelo RS, Specialized Stumpjumper FSR Pro, Schwinn Typhoon, Nashbar touring, custom steel MTB

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 8 Post(s)
Liked 2 Times in 2 Posts
I built an aluminum touring bike based on the Nashbar frame. Didn't want to risk having my expensive Cervelo RS stolen and I didn't want to pull a trailer. I splurged on wheels and a bought a trekking crank, but just about everything else came out of the parts bin...
sstorkel is offline  
Old 02-01-10, 06:11 AM
  #3  
Senior Member
 
staehpj1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Tallahassee, FL
Posts: 11,837
Mentioned: 7 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1236 Post(s)
Liked 744 Times in 554 Posts
Depends on how much stuff you plan to carry.
staehpj1 is offline  
Old 02-01-10, 06:42 AM
  #4  
Primate
 
Metzinger's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: gone
Posts: 2,579

Bikes: Concorde Columbus SL, Rocky Mountain Edge, Sparta stadfiets

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 5 Times in 5 Posts
If light means pulling a trailer, what's heavy touring?
The bulk of my cargo while light touring is a pair of flip flops, a wind jacket, and half a toothbrush. Saddle-bag stuff.
Metzinger is offline  
Old 02-01-10, 06:56 AM
  #5  
ah.... sure.
 
kayakdiver's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Whidbey Island WA
Posts: 4,107

Bikes: Specialized.... schwinn..... enough to fill my needs..

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
Originally Posted by Epicus07
I have a specialized roubaix and i want to do some light touring in the san juans this summer.

Is the best thing for handling/comfort to just buy a trailer? or should i look at building a cheap steel touring bike?
Curious.... The Islands in Puerto Rico or the Islands in Washington State?
kayakdiver is offline  
Old 02-01-10, 07:17 AM
  #6  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Posts: 225
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
IMHO, I'd rather spend the money on a bike suited for touring than spend the money to replace a bike that was not meant for touring should you damage it on your ride. The San Juan's are a nice place to ride so I'm sure the Roubaix would make it but we all know that things happen and for me personally, I'd rather go being armed for whatever than trying to avoid every possible mishap. I rode around the San Juan Islands a couple of years ago, they are beautiful, ENJOY!
Dave Nault is offline  
Old 02-01-10, 01:13 PM
  #7  
Velophile
Thread Starter
 
Epicus07's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Seattle, WA
Posts: 1,093

Bikes: See Signature.

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 9 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 5 Times in 2 Posts
I only suggested a trailer because i knew what a crime it would be to try and put 20 lbs of gear on my bike.

San Juans in washington state. I go every year.

i'm getting ready to sell my old ride to buy a new commuter/beater/rain bike since my main bike won't be left all over the city.

I really want a LHT but i'm a student and i just dropped 1.5k on my Rubaix so there is no WAY i can justify spending 1k on a LHT.
Epicus07 is offline  
Old 02-01-10, 01:51 PM
  #8  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Posts: 225
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Even though I'm not in the market for a new bike, I always keep my eye on Craigslist. By typing in Vintage to my search under bikes, I often find bikes with steel frames that can be had for sub $200 and with a few modifications could make great touring bikes. I recently saw an 80's Specialized Stump Jumper which is a rigid frame MTB w/ triple crankset, in nice condition, for $145.00. If I were in the market, that would have been gone.
Dave Nault is offline  
Old 02-01-10, 02:16 PM
  #9  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Posts: 293
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
you probably know this already, but don't try to use clamps to attach a rack to a carbon frame.
gorshkov is offline  
Old 02-01-10, 04:55 PM
  #10  
This is Shangri La
 
MTBMaven's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Pasadena, CA
Posts: 724
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
I did some light weight touring with a full carbon frame (well aluminum post). Assuming you have or are willing to get an aluminum post you could consider getting a Carradace Nelson Long Flap and Bagman rack from Peter White, a Jandd frame bag, large bento box, and small handlebar bag. If you go this route you will have to be very diligent with gear selection and stick with ultra-light backpacking equipment, but that is a whole other thread (search on this board for more on ultra-light touring).





MTBMaven is offline  
Old 02-01-10, 08:10 PM
  #11  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 89
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
a frame pack might be the ticket. It's a bigger, custom version of the bag mtbmaven posted. combine it with a messenger bag or backpack for the lighter bulky stuff.

rench123 is offline  
Old 02-02-10, 02:57 PM
  #12  
This is Shangri La
 
MTBMaven's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Pasadena, CA
Posts: 724
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Following up on rench123's idea. Check with Carousel Design Works and Epic Designs for custom bags. Jeff at Carousel built a frame bag and seat bag for my MTB. Amazing craftsmanship.






MTBMaven is offline  
Old 02-02-10, 08:32 PM
  #13  
Professional Fuss-Budget
 
Bacciagalupe's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 6,494
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 32 Post(s)
Liked 24 Times in 14 Posts
Originally Posted by Epicus07
I have a specialized roubaix and i want to do some light touring in the san juans this summer. Is the best thing for handling/comfort to just buy a trailer? or should i look at building a cheap steel touring bike?
The Roubaix will likely be OK for a short road tour (1-2 weeks). Get wide and robust tires; make sure your saddle can handle high mileage; maybe raise the bars for the tour. If you want to carry a lot of crap, use a trailer.

FWIW I wouldn't go the used / beater route unless you've got a ton of appropriate parts and/or are good at bike mechanics -- or to be precise, I wouldn't regard it as a real way to save money. Buying a used bike can easily turn into a money pit.
Bacciagalupe is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
spinnaker
Touring
28
06-08-14 03:22 PM
JediBiker
Touring
9
01-19-14 09:16 PM
Jakobmckernan
Touring
12
11-15-13 05:33 AM
solarwind
Touring
11
10-17-10 03:23 PM
dclifton
Touring
11
01-27-10 12:01 PM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.