Thread: Raleigh C700
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Old 12-01-02 | 10:31 AM
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Rich Clark
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People have toured on all sorts of bikes. Part of the answer to your question depends on what sort of touring you're contemplating. For "credit card touring," any bike that you're comfortable riding from one hotel to the next will do the job.

For loaded touring, the carbon fork on the C700 poses the problem of not being able to mount front panniers; there are no low-rider mounts, and it's a bad idea to clamp anything to a carbon fork.

For riding lots and lots of road miles, a hybrid's only real disadvantages are that the upright position increases your wind resistance and the flat or riser handlebars offer few hand positions, all of which adds up to more fatigue. Adding bar ends can help somewhat with both issues.

That looks like a very nice bike. The only other concern I'd have would be the wheels, but if you've had 1700 trouble-free miles they're probably ok. Machine-built wheels can be problematic if they're not properly stress-relieved and tensioned, something bike shops often have to be cajoled into doing.

RichC
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