Originally Posted by
mikeshift1
Allright, given this is the most important choice in my bicycle touring career a little help would go a far way. so first of all let me paint you guys a picture. I'm looking to do the classic TransAm trail this summer (VA-OR) and i've saved up a few pennies to buy a bike. I work at an Eastern Mountain Sports here in CT and we have a bike shop with some qualified bike techs but they really dont know much about bicycle touring. Since i work at EMS i can get some good deals on bikes and stuff through QBP and prodeals from other companies. i've got all my camping gear (i hiked the AT last summer) and can fit all my gear in my 30 liter backpack with 3 days of food and 2 liters of water. I'm 23 years old and weigh 145 IBS wet, and consider myself in very good shape. I'm looking to do the TransAm 'light and fast style' (maybe 45/50 days?) I've looked at the classic surly LHT but think it's way overkill. the crosscheck looks a little bit lighter and more nimble, and I definitely dont think i need a front rack... i could lighten it up some with a carbon fiber fork and some other nice components... or i've been looking at the salsa pistola which is an awesome bike, but no rear braze on's for rack, i'm confident i could get away with just a seat clamp rack but dont know if it's the best way to go. Theres also the Salsa casseroll, which is a nice looking bike aswell. There's some nice Scott bikes out there to, but seem more race oriented and more $$$. or is my request somewhat unique and i should just look into getting a frame/fork and work with the bike tech's to get me suited up. So to sum it all up.... i need a bike that will take me the length of America in an efficient manner, something vaguely comfortable, and something that will take a little abuse. I'd prefer to get something through QBP, or Scott, or Rocky Mountain as i get good deals through them, but I'm always keeping my eye out on ebay/craigslist.
Thanks so much with any insight!
mike!
While I don't want to rain on your parade, there are a couple of points you haven't thought through yet. While I feel a Camelbak is a necessary item while touring, I wouldn't want more then the few pounds that mine weighs on my back for more than a day, much less 50. Borrow a bike, load up your gear in the backpack and go for a 50 mile ride. You'll be wanting to leave it on the side of the road by mile 30
I'd council against seatpost rack too. Most of them are designed for very light loads...<20 lb...and your seatpost isn't a very strong member either. Putting a lot of load on a seatpost on rough roads could lead to either bending the post or breaking it.
As for comfort, touring bikes are made for it. No other bike is built and designed for that specifically. Race bikes aren't usually meant for comfort. They are built for speed. An LHT may be heavy but on day 21 of your ride, you'll appreciated the Cadillac comfort. You'll also appreciate the stability.
The LHT is heavy. You could go a little lighter (a few pounds) by looking at a Cannondale T2 (used ones are the T400, T700, T800 or T2000). The bike is reasonably zippy but still comfortable with a load. It actually shines with a heavy load.
If you do go with a more race oriented bike, try swapping out the fork for one that will take a front rack. The load on the front wheel will help with handling as I've posted. Or go with a trailer but those have their own handling issues.