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Old 06-27-09, 11:14 PM
  #17  
LeeG
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Originally Posted by divtag
How much have you loaded it down? Have you rode with a front rack and panniers?
something worth mentioning about the difference between a cyclo-cross bike and a touring bike is that the cyclocross bike really isn't designed to carry weight and the touring bike is.,,yes the cyclocross is usually built strong and capable of carrying weight with plenty of tire clearance but the cyclo cross bike has more weight on the rear than the touring bike. The touring bike has longer chainstays so that the front end isn't significantly lightened with only a rear load whereas the cyclocross bike will be with only a rear load. Also the chainstays may be short enough that panniers need to be moved further back for heel clearance on the cyclo cross bike exacerbating a rear weight bias to begin with. The other thing is the randonee forks have mid fork attachments for low riders and the Crosscheck doesn't so if you plan on carrying a heavy load with the crosscheck putting front racks/lowriders on is a good idea instead of just a rear rack.

One thing I don't understand about the Randonee is that the standover height appears to be an inch higher than the LHT of the same size and even higher than the CrossCheck. That is kind of curious, I wonder if it's a typo or the Randonee has a particularly high bb. If you have short legs there is something nice about coming to a stop in a heavily loaded bike and being able to get a purchase on the ground with a pointed foot which isn't as easy with a high bb. bike where you may have to get off the seat.
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