scozim 

I have been seriously considering finding a C&V touring bike for awhile. My ideal would be an '84 Gitane Grantour but they don't come up for sale very often. I have a drop bar Trek 800 Antelope conversion that I initially planned to try some light touring but I don't like the weight and can't seem to get it as comfortable as I like even though it rides well.

I've toyed with another mtb drop bar conversion but based on the first experience am a little more hesitant. As I've contemplated all this I forgot that I had just built (and converted to drop bar) a late 80's Peugeot Limestone 70c hybrid (bike courtesy of Roger M). It's already equipped with canti brakes and a triple (now). I'm already planning on having new wheels built up with the existing hubs.

Has anyone toured on a hybrid? What's the experience been? This can't fit a lowrider front rack which would be preferred but that's not a deal breaker. I know it'd be fine for easy overnight camping but am seriously wanting to do at least a week tour in the next year or so.

bradtx

scozim, The old line "You can tour on anything." is appropriate. Nothing wrong using a hybrid as most will accept fenders and racks. The touring forum can guide you on some of the basics.

Brad

wrk101

Some friends of mine rode coast to coast on a pair of Cannondale hybrids, and also rode all over the Canadian Rockies. Does that bike have canti studs (I kind of see some on the fork). If so, I would be putting cantis back on there.

John E

I don't see any problem, as long as you can adjust the seat and handlebar position for a comfortable fit.

scozim 

Yes, I was struggling with the canti brakes at the time I took the photo. I now have the cantis back on it. It fits pretty well and runs 700X38 tires right now. Suntour bar end shifters and Deore XT rear derailleur.

balindamood

The late 80's to mid 90's hybrids do just fine as touring rigs IMHO. You may have to change the components a bit. The 1990 Trek 790 and 770 where idendical geometry wise to the 520 touring. Only the tubing was different.

Chris_in_Miami

You don't need mid-fork bosses to run a lowrider rack, and many racks don't line up with them properly anyway. Go for it!

cyclotoine

I agree with the chorus. Use the Peugeot.

I will add this. If the touring bug bites you hard you will inevitably be drawn off the beaten path. Off the beaten path you will find traditional touring bikes don't hold up well. You may be at first drawn to the Long Haul Truckers and Soma Sagas, but you will find that the 42mm tires even still leave something to be desired. You will begin thinking about the Surly Troll and Ogre or salsa fargo. Do yourself a favour and skip the middle step and go straight to the MTB tired touring bikes, it just makes sense... handles better in loose stuff with a load and is more comfortable. I think an Ogre is in my future. I will also add that I have toured with drop bars and MTB bars and bar ends. I prefer the later when the going gets rough.

clasher

I did a 1000km on a specialized hybrid that I put drop bars on. To make it way less C&V it was made out of aluminum and had v-brakes! Probably lighter than an LHT and a third the price... did fine for me.

scozim 

I think you're convincing me. I'll focus my money more on a few key components, especially wheels. I'll also probably move back to round chain rings. I haven't tried heel clearance yet. Then it's on to the right front rack. I'm not a big fan of the slanted top tube but this bike rides nice enough I can ignore it.

seely

For a front rack, I use this on my Schwinn conversion. Works pretty well, though since its a little short you can only run some small panniers. I don't ride with much weight up front anyway though.

scozim 

I've got something very similar and probably the same size.

Glennfordx4

My uncle turned a C-Dale H400 hybrid he got from me into a decent touring bike, I know he tested it out by doing a trip up the C&O Canal, twice actually, the first time he was caught in a flood & had to abandon the bike & was rescued by boat. https://www.tbd.com/blogs/tbd-latest/...und-10325.html He equipped the bike with drop bars & Suntour friction barcons, racks, 700x32 tires & fenders,the gearing was changed a little also. He likes it and has no heel strike with his panniers loaded. I don't have the pictures of it finished on hand, but this is what he started with,

cyclotoine

The type of rack and panniers you have can have a much greater impact on heel clearance/strike than chainstay length. Hybrids and touring bikes generally have very similar chainstay lengths (43-46cm ish). So you can select a rack and panniers with adjustable clips you are all set.

SeaStew

Hello everyone, I'm somewhat new to this place, new as in I browse more than I actually post. I'm actually about to put the money down for my first ever brand spanking new bike from my LBS. After a lot of research I have decided to buy a Trek 7.2fx with disc brakes. It will be mainly for everyday commuting and for the love of riding. My last bike was a Novara Radonee from the 80's which I'm fairly certain that it was too small for me ( I bought it rashly) anyway I would like to do some light touring on it nothing major but maybe weekend tours to the coast and maybe up into the mountains on some old logging roads that are kinda close to me. I was just wondering what adjustments I would have to make to this bike if any at all to make this all possible. Oh and is this a good bike? I'm kind of new to all this.

Thank you,

Sean.

scozim 

I've looked at the Novara's - usually pretty decent quality. 1) do you still have it and 2) can you post photos?

SeaStew

This is the bike here it's actually on craigslist right now. I know the set-up may look weird but it worked out for me no problem. Just looking for a new bike which all the miles will be my miles.

https://portland.craigslist.org/clk/bik/3704894856.html

cyclotoine

You should post this as a new thread in the touring forum. The folks there would be very happy to discuss this. I think a question like this deserves it's own thread. I don't see any modifications necessary to do what you describe. I do think you will need to accessorize with fenders, racks and panniers, and I would also choose a tire with the most volume your bike can safely fit with fenders and some more tread for logging roads.

clubman 

It might be fussy to properly mount a rack on that sloping frame. Rear panniers might clip your heels as well. I second that the touring forum will be the best place to get updated info. When I toured, I appreciated the fit and design of a dedicated loaded touring bike (C-dale T1000). Low riders, extra rack/mudguard braze ons, cage bosses, tire clearance, frame strength and comfort can make all the difference on a loaded tour.

edit. Two different posters...same advice applies.

non-fixie 

I have tried this route, with mixed results. I made a touring rig out of a Koga-Miyata hybrid and while I liked the relatively long wheelbase and ample clearances, I did not like the high BB shell. It left my feet dangling at every traffic light.

SeaStew

I have just re-posted my question as a new thread. Thank you guys for the help.

cyclotoine

This is precisely why I think a sloping top tube it great on a touring bike. Especially if you are touring on logging roads.. you don't want a super low BB, but you want stand-over so a sloping top tube is usually the way to go.

scozim 

Being a newb at this type of cycling adventure that's not something I had thought of. But, it makes a whole lot of sense.

non-fixie 

No, no. I probably haven't made myself clear enough. When I ride in built-up area's (with lots of traffic lights, pedestrian crossings and coffee bars), which is part of my touring experience, I want to be able to stop without having to get off the saddle. On a road or touring frame the tips of my toes will reach the ground. Not so on a hybrid. I will either have to get off, or fall over. Both are kind of tiresome. Sloping top tubes, whichever kind, don't make no difference. My legs are long enough.

So I ditched the hybrid, and toured last summer on a Gijs van Tuyl touring bike. For this year I've got a Peugeot PR60 lined up. Spring project.

cyclotoine

I understood.

What I was getting at was that in the world of adventure touring you want a bit higher of a BB and with fat tires they get even higher. As you pointed out, you are higher off the ground as a result and putting your foot down at rest requires you to lean the bike even more. The more you have to lean the bike over the more uncomfortable it becomes as you add weight to the equation. The OP sighted some fire roads and an intended destination. My point was that given a higher BB and thus a higher top tube, straddling your bike may be a more common position while at a stop than on top of the seat. As a result there is an advantage to having a sloped top tube for such a touring style.