cyclist5

Hey everyone, I'm starting to think about touring on my 2009 Trek XO-1. I've put a rack on it for my daily commute and it handles ok. My question is, can I go on centuries with this thing? Yes, I'll be adding a Brooks saddle. Ok let me re-phrase the previous statement: is it a good idea to tour 100+ miles on a Trek XO-1? My 30mi/day is one thing. A 100 mile through rural KY charity fund-raising ride is another. The ride will be fully supported (i.e I don't see ANYONE with panniers in the previous years this ride has been held).

So far my bike does good on the road (though I think i got a puncture because I lose about 10psi/wheel/day and it stays at 60psi after that) and off road. Wish the breaks were better though, not quite as quick to stop as my Trek 7000's.

Is the XO enough for an unsupported tour?

Cyclebum

If I understand you right, this will be a 100 mile ride to be completed in one day. If so, with no load you should be ok as long as there are no really steep hills. Plan on a long day.

The X-0 is a cross bike. It is not designed for loaded touring. But, as long as you don't mind pushing it up steep hills(no granny gears), it can be made to work. Just about anything can be *made* to work. The 7000 would be a better choice for loaded touring.

skilsaw

If I want better breaks on a tour, I stop a Ma and Pa coffee shops and test their pie. For an even better break, I have the pie a la mode. Chase it down with a cup of coffee.

As for better brakes... Quality brake shoes - Koolstop Salmon. Never had them, but they come highly recommended here on BF.... Clean and lube the inside of the outer cables... New inner cables if you wish. Adjust your cables for minimum pull, and maximum pressure on the shoes.

Have fun between breaks. It's the journey, not the destination.

cyclist5

Most will be a 2-day trip but one is a full 100 miles and they drive you back. I plan on having panniers or a rack trunk with water and Clif bars. The 1-day century is full supported with pit-stop stations along the route offering techs, food/water, and restrooms. Still, I'd feel better if I had SOME gear (that and my rear rack is a pain to get on/off).

In terms of fully-loaded touring I know I won't be able to do that with panniers given it's a CX bike and the fork has no eyelets for a front rack. But even if it did I'd feel better with a bike trailer.

Cyclebum: there is one really famous steep hill, Pottershop Hill, for one of the rides. The tours go through scenic KY with rolling hills. 7

Skilsaw: my mistake on the mistype. It's brakes. They just feel smoother and not as powerful as on my 7000.

Oh, and how much faster will I got/easier to ride will replacing 34c tires with 23 or 25c tires? I rode a Trek 1.5 and it FLEW! They weigh about the same to me but my XO has a rack added and knobby tires.

fuzz2050

I think that the XO-1 could be a perfectly acceptable bike to tour on, as long as you understand it's limitations.

It won't be able to carry a full load, but that doesn't mean to much. As long as you can keep your load to a reasonable level, your bike should be fine. I can think of very few times when I would actually want to test how much cargo my bike could safely carry. Your bike should be fine with a reasonable load of 25-30 pounds.

You should be able to get the brakes to work better with a little tweaking. Or, you can always upgrade, but I think it's an adjustment issue more than the brakes themselves.

Before the century, and certainly before a tour, replace the knobby tires.

cyclist5

Really? 25-30lbs? I suppose that's enough for a light tour. Anything heavier/longer I'd need a trailer? I've noticed a lot of people on here asking about CX bikes and touring recently. Is it me or are the shops pushing CX bikes as tourers more than usual?

RobotDoctor

I am planning to get a CX bike (either the Trek XO 1 or Specialized Tricross) and am planning to ride self supported tours in the future. The CX bike offers a slightly more upright posture while having a more aggressive bike design for non-touring rides. Also, I believe the CX bikes are designed to take more abuse due to the nature of their targeted market. I have read enough journals to see some roads are a little rough so I thought a CX bike would be more ideal while allowing me a slightly more aggressive ride when I want that (no mountain bike type ride for me, not my cup of tea).

LeeG

it's probably because CX bikes are closer to touring bikes than all the other bikes in the shop besides the occasional dedicated touring bike.