Touring monstrosity
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Brownsville, TX
Posts: 2,174
Bikes: Surly CC
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Touring monstrosity
I currently have a 2009 Karate Monkey and a 2011 Handsome Devil. But of these bikes are single-speed, the Surly is stock but the Devil is a custom build. I recently lent my father-in-law the Handsome and will be getting that back in August. Until then, I'm down to my KM, which I love, but its limited in distance/speed/usability.
I've finally started to get the fixed gear fun out of my system and am looking at doing some long distance touring with my wife. It's been a long time planning, but it looks like the horizon is very near.
I have been looking at two bikes, the Nashbar CX-1 and the Nashbar Steal Touring, both with the intentions of using using (whichever I purchase) them in their "stock" form to commute for a month or so. In August I'm going to take apart my Handsome Devil and use the quality parts from that, combined with the wheelset and gears/shifters on the Nashbar.
The touring bike looks like the best bang for the buck. 105 shifters, DE and a free rack. But all the reviews say the wheels are crap. I am familiar with rebuilding wheelsets, so that doesn't scare me too much. The CX-1 has Sora/Tiagra but also has an R-500 wheelset.
Does anybody have experience with either of these two bikes (the Nashbars) on touring? I'm looking at using the leftover parts to build up my son a bike as well, and would like to minimize additional expenses.
I've finally started to get the fixed gear fun out of my system and am looking at doing some long distance touring with my wife. It's been a long time planning, but it looks like the horizon is very near.
I have been looking at two bikes, the Nashbar CX-1 and the Nashbar Steal Touring, both with the intentions of using using (whichever I purchase) them in their "stock" form to commute for a month or so. In August I'm going to take apart my Handsome Devil and use the quality parts from that, combined with the wheelset and gears/shifters on the Nashbar.
The touring bike looks like the best bang for the buck. 105 shifters, DE and a free rack. But all the reviews say the wheels are crap. I am familiar with rebuilding wheelsets, so that doesn't scare me too much. The CX-1 has Sora/Tiagra but also has an R-500 wheelset.
Does anybody have experience with either of these two bikes (the Nashbars) on touring? I'm looking at using the leftover parts to build up my son a bike as well, and would like to minimize additional expenses.
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: West Philly, PA
Posts: 595
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Why not just get some slick tires and tour with the KM? I forget if you can put racks on there, but if not, just pick up a trailer and you're good to go.
Edit: Or can the KM not be geared??
Edit: Or can the KM not be geared??
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Colorado Springs
Posts: 699
Bikes: Gunnar Crosshairs, Giant Trance, Felt Breed, Marin SS MTB, Felt Pyre BMX bike, oldschool GT trials bike
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
The Karate Monkey can take gears although sometimes you have to use what Surly calls Monkey Nuts to keep the tire out of the FD but they are very cheap. I would just set up the KM with gears and use that
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: West Philly, PA
Posts: 595
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Yeah, most Surlys make awesome touring bikes. An LHT is the best for hauling cargo of course, but if you've already got one, ride it as is. You have the additional benefit of being able to go off-road if you want, too.
#6
Have bike, will travel
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Lake Geneva, WI
Posts: 12,284
Bikes: Ridley Helium SLX, Canyon Endurance SL, De Rosa Professional, Eddy Merckx Corsa Extra, Schwinn Paramount (1 painted, 1 chrome), Peugeot PX10, Serotta Nova X, Simoncini Cyclocross Special, Raleigh Roker, Pedal Force CG2 and CX2
Mentioned: 46 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 910 Post(s)
Liked 288 Times
in
158 Posts
The Nashbar touring uses the same frame as the Windsor Tourist. I had a Windsor and it is a well made frame, ideal for touring and commuting. The Nashbar touring bike is a very good value.
__________________
When I ride my bike I feel free and happy and strong. I'm liberated from the usual nonsense of day to day life. Solid, dependable, silent, my bike is my horse, my fighter jet, my island, my friend. Together we will conquer that hill and thereafter the world.
When I ride my bike I feel free and happy and strong. I'm liberated from the usual nonsense of day to day life. Solid, dependable, silent, my bike is my horse, my fighter jet, my island, my friend. Together we will conquer that hill and thereafter the world.
#7
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Gaseous Cloud around Uranus
Posts: 3,741
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 38 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 11 Times
in
7 Posts
Use KM for a touring bike,it's better than what you want to buy.If it doesn't have brazeons for racks,that's why they make p-clamps.It's good enough for Old Man Mountain racks,it's good enough for me.
And don't pay $12 for 2 p-clamps and bolts online.You can buy 25 of them for $12 bucks online at McMaster Carr and the like.About $50-$60 will get you a lifetime supply of stainless p-clamps and stainless hardware.
And don't pay $12 for 2 p-clamps and bolts online.You can buy 25 of them for $12 bucks online at McMaster Carr and the like.About $50-$60 will get you a lifetime supply of stainless p-clamps and stainless hardware.
Last edited by Booger1; 07-10-12 at 10:20 AM.