smiletodayok

Long story short. Had a 520 and sold it then later bought this zippy bianchi with 105. BUT now I need a touring bike again so the conundrum is replace wheels, rims, brakes, fork on the bianchi or trade for this beaut WHAM:

https://minneapolis.craigslist.org/hn...774180975.html


My bike:

https://lh4.ggpht.com/_0sWsk9lWTfc/S1...0/DSC01290.JPG


any and all input would be greatly appreciated.

neilfein

It would be helpful if you indicated gave us specs on your current bike, but I would probably buy the new bike rather than do such extensive upgrades on the racing bike.

If your Bianchi is comfortable for long rides, you can buy a good touring trailer. The top-of-the-line BOB goes for $330 list.

You do know that you can own more than one bike, right?

Cychologist

Like neilfein said, you can always use another bike. I wouldn't modify your Bianchi unless you plan to do all your riding touring.

smiletodayok

The road bike is just a steel frame with 105 components. I would need beefier tires and rims for sure. possibly different fork. Did the west coast with a BOB and loved it but the planned trip is in new zealand: Auckland to Dunedin. So BOB isn't an option. I might be over thinking it..mostly I saw that cool cannondale and I wanted it.

smiletodayok

I am also poor so its pretty much down to one or the other. I can have the 10 year old cannondale and some cash...or put down money and fix up my roadie for touring

neilfein

The kind of mods you're talking about aren't cheap. How comfortable are you wrenching? Will you be doing a lot of touring?

The Cdale also doesn't come with racks, so add another $100 or so to that price.

Why isn't the trailer an option? Because you're shipping the bike there, or will you be riding in areas of New Zealand that make trailer riding dicey? (They make an offroad BOB trailer if that's the problem.)

neilfein

smiletodayok, you never answered my question in this thread: Have you considered getting a bike with 26"/mountain bike wheels? It looks like you'll need to go offroad.

renton20

That's hilarious. I just faced the exact same decision, in minneapolis, with a bianchi imola with the other bike being a trek 520 on consignment at the hub on minnehaha. I decided to sell the bianchi for the trek. I was able to make almost a straight switch, but the trek was a slightly older frame, built up with some nice components. I am leaving for my first 3 week trip this thursday. At this point I'm very happy with the decision. I don't do a ton of road riding though, and when I do I have another bike that I like to ride. I'm still a total newbie to touring, but I took the trek out to st croix falls a couple of weekends ago and was very happy that I felt confident with my bike. I was with a big group from mplsbikelove.com, which you should check out, but I think that had I kept the bianchi I would have worried about it holding up to the load, especially the wheels. No worries for me means more enjoyment on the road. Hope that's helpful in some way

jeffpoulin

My wife has a year 2000 Cannondale T800, which is the same bike, but with a normal fork. She paid under $900 brand new at the LBS, so I have suspicions about the clist ad saying it's a $1300 bike selling for $730. It's a nice bike, though, and my wife still rides it a lot. I have a 1999 T700 which is still in good shape after many thousands of miles. Cannondale made some great touring bikes during this era.