Originally Posted by
jmeb
...
Digging around I found out I get a promotion from work which
drastically (think 1K off) reduces the price of Raleigh bikes, including their Ritchey-based breakaway bike, the Grand Prix:
https://www.raleighusa.com/grand-prix-2208 . It's not the perfect touring bike by any means. But for fast and lightweight touring it seems it could be made to work. I'm thinking: Tubus Tara low-rider racker (with the fork adapters), the front-rider Ortlieb panniers which have been underused the last few years, and my Carradice Nelson long-flap on a Bagman rack.
....
You get that for $1k less than the advertised price? WOW. Bike cost is less than $800? Or, did you mean that you will have an extra $1k in income and you would apply that to the bike?
It is not clear to me if the travel bag is included in the price or not. And I have no idea if that travel bag is designed for airline handlers or not.
If you mean you would have an extra $1k of income, I would consider a Bike Friday instead. But, if you can get that bike for under $800, get the Raleigh.
I have a rear Campy brifter on my rando bike, I like it.
Gearing does not look too bad. Since you are packing light, the compact double with a 13/29 cassette might be adequate for most hills.
I trust you have the skills to break it down and reassemble it later. My S&S bike, both times I shipped it on airlines, I had to tweak the wheels a bit with a spoke wrench to straighten the wheels (I use rim brakes), just making a note of caution here that you may need to do the same.
I would prefer more than 28 spokes, but for traveling light that may be adequate.
I would consider those quick detachable fenders, but I do not know how much room you will have in the bag.
Last summer I met someone bikepacking with a Ritchey breakaway bike. He was quite happy with it.
Originally Posted by
indyfabz
I'm confused. Are you saying this bike will not be charged airline bike fees? If so, why?
BTW...You can often ship a bike for a lot less that what most airlines charge using a service like bikeflights.com. I try to take a tour out west every year. I never fly with the bike anymore.
He is a bit confusing but he said it has a Ritchey type frame that splits in two halves.
A friend of mine last summer was trying to figure out how to ship several bikes to Canada for a group trip that started in Canada and finished in USA. But the bike shipping companies were not very enthusiastic about shipping to other countries where customs duties could become an issue. My friends group ended up renting a van that one guy drove for three days to get to the destination to avoid the airline fees.