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Touring Bike Suggestions

Old 04-04-12, 10:48 AM
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Touring Bike Suggestions

Hi everybody,

Looking for a touring bike (I think), and was wondering if anybody could help with some suggestions.

Had a used 2009 Fuji Touring that I really liked but was stolen. I primarily used it for commuting, a couple of weekend trips (lightly loaded) and a triathlon (not trying to win) and would plan on using a future bike similarly.

So I wanted to pick up something new (would be ok with used, have just found it impossible to find much in Chicago) without spending too much (~$1,000 before any add-ons).

The REI Randonee looks pretty good ($1,050 after 20% off), but I have never used bar-end shifters before (had STI on Fuji) and am not sure how I feel about this. I liked the versatility of my Fuji (able to tour and do triathlon), and I don't really plan to do any cross country tours at this stage (where the added reliabiliy/ease of fix of bar-ends would be nice). I think I want STI, but don't see any bikes with these anymore.

So my questions are:
1) Is a touring bike right for me? Any other type of bike I should consider?
2) If I do want a touring bike, are there any current models that come with STI in my price range?
3) If I am looking at a bike with bar ends, is there anything else to consider besides the Randonee for the price?

Thanks so much.
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Old 04-04-12, 12:10 PM
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What brands of bikes does your favorite Bike Shop carry?
[narrowing the field, To practical choices] other than REI.

Components all bolt onto the frame, they can be changed.
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Old 04-04-12, 12:30 PM
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Originally Posted by joejoe4444
So my questions are:
1) Is a touring bike right for me? Any other type of bike I should consider?
2) If I do want a touring bike, are there any current models that come with STI in my price range?
3) If I am looking at a bike with bar ends, is there anything else to consider besides the Randonee for the price?

Thanks so much.
1) sure, as would a cyclocross bike or sport tour bike. You don't appear to "need" a full on load carrier like the LHT as most of your riding isn't carrying a heavy load, unless that is how you will commute. If most of your riding is fast riding then it looks like a regular aerodynamic road bike posture on a frame that can carry some weight is called for.

Specialized Tri-Cross, Surly Cross-Check, various BikesDirect options
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Old 04-04-12, 12:40 PM
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Take a look at the Windsor tourist. I think it will look familiar to you.
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Old 04-04-12, 01:48 PM
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Thanks for the suggestions so far. It sounds like a cyclo-cross bike could be a good option as long as it had a longer chainstay.

As for the couple of bikesdirect recommendations, I remember looking into that back when I got my first bike and the forums here seems pretty anti so I steered clear. Doesn't everyone on here have pretty negative things to say about them?
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Old 04-04-12, 04:30 PM
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Crapload of commuter bikes W 700-35 tires, take racks and etc.,
competitive cross bikes have shorter chainstays, for loose ground climbing..

Bruce Gordon makes great Racks ,and the bike frames to fit them are nearly Perfect.

Whole deal With bikes direct is they bypass the dealer, and all their after sale service help.

to save a few bucks .. already a skilled bike Mechanic?, then that may be fine..

Touring? tear it apart and put it back together to make sure the Chinese factory used enough grease.
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Old 04-04-12, 05:28 PM
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Originally Posted by joejoe4444
Hi everybody,

Looking for a touring bike (I think), and was wondering if anybody could help with some suggestions.

Had a used 2009 Fuji Touring that I really liked but was stolen. I primarily used it for commuting, a couple of weekend trips (lightly loaded) and a triathlon (not trying to win) and would plan on using a future bike similarly.

So I wanted to pick up something new (would be ok with used, have just found it impossible to find much in Chicago) without spending too much (~$1,000 before any add-ons).

The REI Randonee looks pretty good ($1,050 after 20% off), but I have never used bar-end shifters before (had STI on Fuji) and am not sure how I feel about this. I liked the versatility of my Fuji (able to tour and do triathlon), and I don't really plan to do any cross country tours at this stage (where the added reliabiliy/ease of fix of bar-ends would be nice). I think I want STI, but don't see any bikes with these anymore.

So my questions are:
1) Is a touring bike right for me? Any other type of bike I should consider?
2) If I do want a touring bike, are there any current models that come with STI in my price range?
3) If I am looking at a bike with bar ends, is there anything else to consider besides the Randonee for the price?

Thanks so much.
You are not looking hard enough.

The Salsa Casseroll has STIs, can carry a rack, light enough and comfy. Around $1150 complete. It's got a front rando rack already.

A little note about REI Randonee. The N-Fit system fitting is a bit different than frame sized in increments.
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Old 04-04-12, 05:34 PM
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The reason I mentioned the Windsor Tourist is only partly because I have one but also I think it’s the exact same bike as the Fuji Tour. The only difference is the decals as far as I know.



I don’t think there is a real negative feeling for BD bikes as much as you have to do some tuning as they come boxed pretty much the way your LBS would get a bike and then should go over it. Many of the bike shops don’t do as good a job they could also with factory made wheels etc. others do.



Mine I bought used so it was a different thing for me but I haven’t had any issues with getting local shops to go over it. If I was thinking of buying one I would talk to my shop and tell them what I was buying and ask them if they would assemble it adjustand lube the bike along with re-tension the wheels. In return I would offer 15to 20% of the selling price for the service. If they had a bike of comparable features they could sell you for that price I would then consider that. All they can say is no to the deal and you can check out another shop.



I use my Windsor very much as you use yours as an all around bike and commuter. I personally like the tour geometry, the stiffer frame, room for wider tires, longer chain stay and fenders etc. I have several bikes hybrid like that I ride but I general go for the tour bike. STI index shifting is great and I personally wouldn’t want to trade it for bar ends but that’s a personal choice.



I just wanted to throw out the Windsor / Fuji similarity

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Old 04-04-12, 06:49 PM
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If you liked your Fuji Touring, you may want to check with a shop that sells Fuji bikes about a last years model, you may like what they have to offer. That is what I did in 2010 but supplies were limited and I just couldn't pull the trigger on 53cm, so I got a new 49cm size. Some place in between would have been better, but I went with smaller size, my older body isn't what it once was. Your 2009 was the green year I think, that was partially why I wanted a 2009, beautiful bike!

The Fuji and Windsor may now be the same except for the decals, I haven't compared them, but they were not in 2010, frame appeared to be the same but not the components. The Fuji also came with the LBS setup, advice, backing and in my case free labor on annual tune up for 3 years. It's a great bike shop, not all of them do that. The Fuji Touring is an excellent bike in my opinion, as is the Windsor Tourist, I'm sure. I paid about 75 or 80 bucks more for the Fuji, over the Windsor, at that time.

Good luck in your search!
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Old 04-04-12, 06:51 PM
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LeeG

1) sure, as would a cyclocross bike or sport tour bike. You don't appear to "need" a full on load carrier like the LHT as most of your riding isn't carrying a heavy load, unless that is how you will commute. If most of your riding is fast riding then it looks like a regular aerodynamic road bike posture on a frame that can carry some weight is called for.

Specialized Tri-Cross, Surly Cross-Check, various BikesDirect options
+1

A cyclocross bike is a good compromise. It can be used for various types of riding. Like most compromises it will not do any one thing exceptionally well--except cylclocross. However they seem to do a more than adequate job in most areas. The owner of one of our LBS uses a Specialized Tri-Cross to ride centuries. He could ride about any bike he wants, but he chose the TC. The difference in chainstay length between the Bianchi Volpe (cyclocross bike) and my LHT is about an inch. I have size 10 feet and heel strike on the rear panniers is not an issue.

I have a Bianchi Volpe; and have used it for touring, club rides, and as my general go-to bike.

Be careful on the hills

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Old 04-04-12, 08:00 PM
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Give the Jamis Aurora a look.
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Old 04-05-12, 09:13 AM
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So many great suggestions, I definitely have some more options to research now. Thanks so much everybody.
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