Originally Posted by
Paul Barnard
So far I have focused on trying to locate the best bike for my needs. I will want a bike that is capable of going on gravel and dirt forest service roads at times, as well as one that can transport me comfortably on 75+ mile days. I am torn between drop bars vs flat bars w/bar ends vs trekking bars. I have a drop bar road bike now that is more comfortable than my mountain bike w/bar ends. I am also torn between doing a build (I have the tools and know how) and buying a ready made tourer. I don't have any kind of anatomical anamolies that would preclude me from fitting a standard geometry touring bike.
I am in an area where bicycling is not extremely popular and none of the local shops have dedicated tourers in stock. All will gladly order one if I pay for it up front. I'm willing to spend up to $1500 bucks on the bike.
With that kind of budget, you have lots of possibilities.
Originally Posted by
Paul Barnard
Here's what I have been pondering.
I bought my girlfriend a Trek 7.3 FX hybrid that she doesn't like. I could order an inexpensive hybrid frame and transfer the parts. What should concern me about taking this this route? I realize that some of the bits from the FX are low end, but I could upgrade lots of the bits and still have money to spare. What do you think about the Bontrager 32H rims?
All of the stuff on her hybrid would transfer to a touring frame just fine. The wheels are a little weak...36 spoke would be better...but would do for a while. You could put the stuff on an LHT frame and go with the flat bar. Changing over to a drop bar would be slightly more expensive...you need new brake levers and shifters.
Originally Posted by
Paul Barnard
Bicycle Bananas has built LHT's for $899 including shipping right now, and most of the parts are of good quality. Drop bars and gravel roads make me a bit nervous, but I have never tried it. How much do you racon the LHT weighs before adding racks.
I could also buy an LHT and build it myself using whichever handlebar configuration strikes my fancy.
That's a hell of a deal if they still have them. Drops on gravel aren't too bad since you spend most of your time riding the hoods anyway. The only issue is that the bars are very narrow compared to a mountain bike bar. If you got a load on front, the steering is dampened anyway.
Originally Posted by
Paul Barnard
I like the REI Safari. I love the grip shift shifters and the rest of the components are of good quality. The bike seems heavy at nearly 32 pounds. It also has a suspension seatpost. How do you feel about a suspension seatpost to soak up road surface irregularities?
I'm not a big fan of the Safari. Too heavy. I've hefted one at my local REI and felt I had to go schedule an operation
You can do better.
Originally Posted by
Paul Barnard
Cannondales T2000 (T1) for 2008 is very well speced for $1500+. I love Cannondale bikes and have a local dealer who would order one for me. I like the stiffness of aluminum frames, but don't know how this would play out on the long haul.
The Cannondales are great touring bikes. Yes they are stiff but that stiffness helps when loaded. I'd choose a T800 (T2) over the T2000 however. The T2 has a 9 speed group which is a bit better than the 10 speed group on the T2. The crank on the T2 is limited to a 24 tooth inner while the T1 uses a mountain bike crank that can go down to a 22. There are a few other things that make it a better buy in my opinion as well.
Originally Posted by
Paul Barnard
Trek has a Soho urban bike that looks like it would adapt well as a multi-surface long haul tourer.
The Soho wouldn't be bad but discs can make mounting racks difficult. Not impossible but more challenging.
Originally Posted by
Paul Barnard
Specialized has the Tricross Sport with full fender and rack mounts. I have heard of a fork shudder problem with these bikes and at $1300 bucks I'd think they could do better than the Sora deraillieur. Other components aren't worthy of the $1300 price tag. A cross bike in concept seems like a good fit for my needs. Surly also has a cross bike. As built though, it needs new gearing.
Cross bikes tend to be too short for touring bikes. The short frame can lead to heel strike problems and handling problems. I'd be concerned with the Tricross about the carbon bits. A diamond in the rough...touring bikewise...in the Specialized line is the Globe. The frame is long like a touring bike should be (it's slightly longer than the Trek 520), it has fork mounts and the thing is incredibly cheap...$500. About the only thing I don't like is the integrated headset. But for that much, it's worth a look.
Originally Posted by
Paul Barnard
There are plenty of mountain bikes that have rear rack mounts and Delta makes a rack that works with front suspension. A front suspension with a lockout could serve my road/improved offroad needs well.
Another option would be to pull a trailer with a mountain bike. I don't like trailers much but for use with a mountain bike, they are about the best way to go. A trailer is going to cost you $300 to $400. You could buy a very sweet Rockhopper with the rest of the budget. Or you could consider the trailer as an additional cost (panniers and racks will cost about what the trailer does if you get good ones
) and pick up a nice Stumpy. You know you want one.
Good luck.