Need Help Choosing Bike For Touring and More
#1
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 41
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Need Help Choosing Bike For Touring and More
Hi,
This summer I'm going to go to a camp where we ride from Paris to Rome, in a month, at about 65 or 70 miles a day, fully loaded (25lbs of gear) and I need to purchace a bike. Some background on me... I'm 15 years old so still growing, 5'7'' most likely will be an inch or so taller this summer, I weigh 115lbs give or take 5 and am in good shape (run about a 6:45 mile). I went to my lbs and they recomended the Specialized Sequoia, which I have read some good and bad things about here. My main problem with buying a pure touring bike is that I want to do a little bit of racing this upcomming summer and fall and don't want to have to buy another bike. Many of the Sequoia's problems don't seem to be as bad with someone of my weight, and it would not put as much stress on the bike because I weight 30lbs less than most people. I would also be putting on 32x700 tires and a diffrent cassete on it. So I guess my question is do you think that I would be well off riding the Sequoia or should I just be looking at diffrent bikes considering that I will only be able to use this bike for a season or two b/c I'm growing and should get a bike that I could get the most use out of. Thanks
This summer I'm going to go to a camp where we ride from Paris to Rome, in a month, at about 65 or 70 miles a day, fully loaded (25lbs of gear) and I need to purchace a bike. Some background on me... I'm 15 years old so still growing, 5'7'' most likely will be an inch or so taller this summer, I weigh 115lbs give or take 5 and am in good shape (run about a 6:45 mile). I went to my lbs and they recomended the Specialized Sequoia, which I have read some good and bad things about here. My main problem with buying a pure touring bike is that I want to do a little bit of racing this upcomming summer and fall and don't want to have to buy another bike. Many of the Sequoia's problems don't seem to be as bad with someone of my weight, and it would not put as much stress on the bike because I weight 30lbs less than most people. I would also be putting on 32x700 tires and a diffrent cassete on it. So I guess my question is do you think that I would be well off riding the Sequoia or should I just be looking at diffrent bikes considering that I will only be able to use this bike for a season or two b/c I'm growing and should get a bike that I could get the most use out of. Thanks
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 5,250
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 7 Times
in
7 Posts
You should have two primary goals:
-getting a good "fit". Many people are riding bikes that are too small. A few are riding bikes that are too large. Getting a good fit makes a tremendous difference in enjoying a long ride.
-get a bike designed to carry loads. A bike such as the Trek 520 is designed JUST to carry heavy loads. An 18 inch chainstay for wide saddlebags. A 42 inch wheelbase for stability and to soak up bumps. Braze-ons for front and rear racks. Room for fenders (tours keep going on rainy days).
If you try to put heavy loads on a bike not designed for such loads, you heels can strike against the saddle bags, and steering can become unstable, especially while going downhill. Scary stuff.
And, practice riding your bike for four or five days FULLY LOADED before you leave the USA. Most people discover that riding a bike uphill or downhill with fifty or sixty pounds of gear is not fun. So, they start mailing stuff home. Eventually, they get down to twenty or twenty-five pounds of gear, which is much more manageable. So, by "practice riding", you will figure out what is a comfortable load for you, get some training on managing a loaded bike, and be ready when you and your bike get to Paris.
I hope you will post some updates during your trip and make all of us envious!
-getting a good "fit". Many people are riding bikes that are too small. A few are riding bikes that are too large. Getting a good fit makes a tremendous difference in enjoying a long ride.
-get a bike designed to carry loads. A bike such as the Trek 520 is designed JUST to carry heavy loads. An 18 inch chainstay for wide saddlebags. A 42 inch wheelbase for stability and to soak up bumps. Braze-ons for front and rear racks. Room for fenders (tours keep going on rainy days).
If you try to put heavy loads on a bike not designed for such loads, you heels can strike against the saddle bags, and steering can become unstable, especially while going downhill. Scary stuff.
And, practice riding your bike for four or five days FULLY LOADED before you leave the USA. Most people discover that riding a bike uphill or downhill with fifty or sixty pounds of gear is not fun. So, they start mailing stuff home. Eventually, they get down to twenty or twenty-five pounds of gear, which is much more manageable. So, by "practice riding", you will figure out what is a comfortable load for you, get some training on managing a loaded bike, and be ready when you and your bike get to Paris.
I hope you will post some updates during your trip and make all of us envious!
#3
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 41
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Thanks for the quick and long responce but I still have a few questions that I will make more direct.
-Because I'm growing and want one bike (most likely I will only be able to use it on a year) that I wouldn't be laughed at for using for things more than touring. Therefore a bike that only carries loads and costs $1200 isnt the best thing for me.
-If I were to get the sequoia, would i have any problems carrying 25lbs of gear and would it shake b/c my toatal weight would be around 150lbs a normal weight that the bike would be designed to carry or would it shake b/c I am not able to control the bike w/ the extra weight?
Thanks
-Because I'm growing and want one bike (most likely I will only be able to use it on a year) that I wouldn't be laughed at for using for things more than touring. Therefore a bike that only carries loads and costs $1200 isnt the best thing for me.
-If I were to get the sequoia, would i have any problems carrying 25lbs of gear and would it shake b/c my toatal weight would be around 150lbs a normal weight that the bike would be designed to carry or would it shake b/c I am not able to control the bike w/ the extra weight?
Thanks
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: England
Posts: 12,948
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 19 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 7 Times
in
7 Posts
The Sequoia is a good all-round useful bike. You can put narrower tyres on for speed and 32mm on for touring. It is not a full-on racing bike, but if you turn up at a race with a stripped down one, using narrower tyres you should be able to hold your own. It is not an expedition bike either, so it can't handle an extended self-sufficient camping tour in remote areas.
For lightweight camping or hostel tours with a 25lbs load it will be OK.
For lightweight camping or hostel tours with a 25lbs load it will be OK.
#5
Mr. Happy Medium
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Bay Area
Posts: 14
Bikes: Cannondale T800, Specialized Sequoia and a Specialized Sirrus.
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Originally Posted by Prg146
Thanks for the quick and long responce but I still have a few questions that I will make more direct.
-If I were to get the sequoia, would i have any problems carrying 25lbs of gear and would it shake b/c my toatal weight would be around 150lbs a normal weight that the bike would be designed to carry or would it shake b/c I am not able to control the bike w/ the extra weight?
Thanks
-If I were to get the sequoia, would i have any problems carrying 25lbs of gear and would it shake b/c my toatal weight would be around 150lbs a normal weight that the bike would be designed to carry or would it shake b/c I am not able to control the bike w/ the extra weight?
Thanks
I think you should take a look at the Specialized Allez line too. They have rack mounts on back and are a bit lighter. They won't take the larger tires though, due to conventional brakes.
#6
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 41
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Thanks for the responces... the Sequoia is sounding better now, and you guys are telling me what I thought, that it would be a good compromise between a racing and touring bike w/o any terrible problems at my weight.
Michael: As to the long self suficent touring, this is what this trip is going to be. I wont be in "remote" areas, but I'm not going to be sleeping in hotels or anything. I'm just going to bring a rain jacket waterproof, a fleece, some fleece pants, a sleeping bag, a tent, a bowl and silverwear, two disposable digital cameras, a pillow case, some tights + arm warmers and two sets of gloves, shorts, jerseys ect... thats about 25lbs of gear right... it can't be much more. I'm not going to bring a computer or anything.
And Gordans: I looked at the Allez line, but it just dosen't seem to be well suited to touring, and the main problem would be the tires... I need to have 28x700 and they wouldn't fit.
And one last question: Would i need new wheeles to fit larger tires on or does the wheel size not coraspond to the tire size, and if i would not need new wheeles are the wheeles on the sequoia strong enough to stand up to the long riding w/ loads and stay true?
Thanks For Answering
Michael: As to the long self suficent touring, this is what this trip is going to be. I wont be in "remote" areas, but I'm not going to be sleeping in hotels or anything. I'm just going to bring a rain jacket waterproof, a fleece, some fleece pants, a sleeping bag, a tent, a bowl and silverwear, two disposable digital cameras, a pillow case, some tights + arm warmers and two sets of gloves, shorts, jerseys ect... thats about 25lbs of gear right... it can't be much more. I'm not going to bring a computer or anything.
And Gordans: I looked at the Allez line, but it just dosen't seem to be well suited to touring, and the main problem would be the tires... I need to have 28x700 and they wouldn't fit.
And one last question: Would i need new wheeles to fit larger tires on or does the wheel size not coraspond to the tire size, and if i would not need new wheeles are the wheeles on the sequoia strong enough to stand up to the long riding w/ loads and stay true?
Thanks For Answering
#7
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: England
Posts: 12,948
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 19 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 7 Times
in
7 Posts
You have to spend a lot of $$ to get a camping load down to 25lbs.
You also have to carry a repair kit, toiletries, 1st aid kit, food, stove and cooking equipment (or don't bother cooking), perhaps spare footwear, camping mat, towel, off-bike wear.
Suggest you start to weigh your kit, or at least start a weight and cost budget. You may need to use front panniers. I just stuff everything I need into my rear panniers on a std UK touring bike, but I prefer hostelling to camping so its not so critical.The weak point of a Sequoia is going to be the wheels. A std camping/touring wheelset is 36 spoke. Rims have a range of suitable tyre size. The Sequioa rim will be fine for medium 25- 38mm touring tyres.
You also have to carry a repair kit, toiletries, 1st aid kit, food, stove and cooking equipment (or don't bother cooking), perhaps spare footwear, camping mat, towel, off-bike wear.
Suggest you start to weigh your kit, or at least start a weight and cost budget. You may need to use front panniers. I just stuff everything I need into my rear panniers on a std UK touring bike, but I prefer hostelling to camping so its not so critical.The weak point of a Sequoia is going to be the wheels. A std camping/touring wheelset is 36 spoke. Rims have a range of suitable tyre size. The Sequioa rim will be fine for medium 25- 38mm touring tyres.
#9
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 41
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Originally Posted by MichaelW
You have to spend a lot of $$ to get a camping load down to 25lbs.
You also have to carry a repair kit, toiletries, 1st aid kit, food, stove and cooking equipment (or don't bother cooking), perhaps spare footwear, camping mat, towel, off-bike wear.
Suggest you start to weigh your kit, or at least start a weight and cost budget. You may need to use front panniers. I just stuff everything I need into my rear panniers on a std UK touring bike, but I prefer hostelling to camping so its not so critical.The weak point of a Sequoia is going to be the wheels. A std camping/touring wheelset is 36 spoke. Rims have a range of suitable tyre size. The Sequioa rim will be fine for medium 25- 38mm touring tyres.
You also have to carry a repair kit, toiletries, 1st aid kit, food, stove and cooking equipment (or don't bother cooking), perhaps spare footwear, camping mat, towel, off-bike wear.
Suggest you start to weigh your kit, or at least start a weight and cost budget. You may need to use front panniers. I just stuff everything I need into my rear panniers on a std UK touring bike, but I prefer hostelling to camping so its not so critical.The weak point of a Sequoia is going to be the wheels. A std camping/touring wheelset is 36 spoke. Rims have a range of suitable tyre size. The Sequioa rim will be fine for medium 25- 38mm touring tyres.
And Bsyptak: I havent thought of it before but it looks like a good bike... and there is a store near me that carries jamis, the only problem is that the components are 105s and that would make a 4 digit bike... am I wrong, which would be slightly out of my price range.
#10
Mr. Happy Medium
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Bay Area
Posts: 14
Bikes: Cannondale T800, Specialized Sequoia and a Specialized Sirrus.
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Originally Posted by Prg146
I looked at the Allez line, but it just dosen't seem to be well suited to touring, and the main problem would be the tires... I need to have 28x700 and they wouldn't fit.
Originally Posted by Prg146
And one last question: Would i need new wheeles to fit larger tires on or does the wheel size not coraspond to the tire size, and if i would not need new wheeles are the wheeles on the sequoia strong enough to stand up to the long riding w/ loads and stay true?
#11
Luggite
Join Date: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,906
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Jamis Aurora is similar to the Nova but at a lower price point. Might take a look at that one. Here's a place that sells them, many previous year models at blowout prices if they have your size...
https://www.bicycleblowout.com/jamis.htm
https://www.bicycleblowout.com/jamis.htm
#12
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Southeast MN
Posts: 188
Bikes: Atlantis, Bleriot, Waterford,Steamroller, Big Dummy
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Don't overlook picking up a used bike and doing a little work on it. For example, a bike like this Trek 720 would probably fill the bill for lots less than a new one.