Hey there Himespau!

I actually added the Fargo to the drop handlebar list. However, the other day I ran into the following article:
www.adventurecycling.org/forums/index.php?topic=6948.0

This gave me reason for serious concern.

.....Especially about the "no contact" part!

- Slim :)

PS.

Of course, both Surly and Salsa are owned by QBP. So I guess I could doubt Surly's LHT, just as much as the Fargo too!...DAMN!

Alright Eugene,

Here's the deal...

There's no question that given the photos in evidence and your combined terrain testimony, both your commute and grocery store errands, will both be served best by riding a HT MTB, that's fully equipped with both rack and fender mounts. You also stated that you had the desire to do some independent local trekking in isolated and remote places in your own rural neck of the woods. That venture too, would be best served by a HT MTB!

The only heart-felt quest that won't be served best with a MTB would be the long multi-modal journeys, where your bike gets conveniently packed away, but then quickly reassembled for touring. Of course, this desire would be best realized via the LHT Deluxe.

Well, I'm afraid that we're going to have to place the LHT Deluxe on the back burner, due to the fact that you'd be outta your comfort zone with drop handlebars and the resulting aggressive sitting position. Also, touring automatically requires that you take the open road where there are all kinds of traffic. Besides that, there will be extra stress placed upon your budget that will be entirely unnecessary. The LHT frameset itself, cost $1000. Then you'd have to buy all of the components. If you can't install those components independently, then you'd have to pay a bike mechanic to do the build. The way I figure it, if you like cycling (and something tells me that you will), by this time next year, you'll be able to buy that LHT Deluxe frameset, with no budgetary stress at all. All you have to do is save about eighty bucks per month and you'll be there for sure by May of 2013. Hopefully, by then you would have learned something about bicycle mechanics and you'll be able to build your LHT Deluxe all by yourself. Just remember, you will have to purchase your components separately, and they ain't cheap! :eek:

Meanwhile, you'll be in your comfort zone riding your brand new MTB, getting acclimated to riding on major thoroughfares.

Since you'll be the proud owner of a brand new mountain bike, you might as well learn right now, that MTN bikes are very attention demanding bikes. They all need a little TLC in terms of closer inspection and proper maintenance. You need to become more mechanically inclined in order to make the necessary adjustments and installations on your bike.

Ordinarily, I'd recommend a bicycle co-op. However, I don't think anything like that would be conveniently placed in your neck of the woods. I would therefore, strongly recommend that you locate a couple of old bicycles that nobody wants. Practice disassembling and reassembling both of them repeatedly, until you could practically do it in your sleep.

Thanks everyone for your input! I really enjoy reading this thread and the amount of information is overwhelming :D

Yeah, I could have easily made a mistake measuring inseam. I tried googling how to measure it but I guess I just messed it up a little.

Hehe yeah, that's definitely an option, that's kinda how I got those photos in the first place :D I still want to have a bike to speed things up a little. Fun fact is that hiking to work and riding buses (I have to use 2 buses) to work takes the same time. So any bike should be a sizable improvement in terms of time.

Nah, I haven't got one but I am arriving to a desicion already. It still might take me a couple of weeks to get a bike though: I am having troubles finding bigger bikes in local shops.

I've been thinking a lot and hard during last days and I think I'll go with MTB after all. I feel more comfortable on it and that's the kind of bike I'd love to use for shorter rides. I've only moved in to this place and there is a huge deal of places to exlore so I guess I'll just take the MTB and see how far it can get me. When I run out of places to explore, I guess I'll just go with an n+1 solution and will see how futher the hybrid will be able to carry me.

Again, I want to thank everyone for all the input, I've learnt a lot about bikes and have been successfully introduced to the idea that n bike(s) is not enough :D

Yay!! The OP has determined to get a mtb. Please let us know what it is when you get it.

Sure, I'll definitely make a post when I get it (hopefully sooner rather than later)!

Cool beans. Betcha didn't think that you'd set off WWIII when you started this thread, huh?

Some of the 'Holy War' topics came into play here, primarily the aluminum vs steel and the drop vs flat/riser handlebar. Stick around and you'll discover others. Hint: Don't go into A&S and ask about helmets...

I didn't end my last transmission Eugene, because I wasn't quite done yet...

Anyways, once you've become somewhat familiar with the construction of the bicycle. I would suggest that you introduce yourself to some of the employees where you've decided to purchase your bike. Maybe show up around lunchtime with an extra-large pizza or something, after you've already eaten. Give the whole pizza to them! Let them know that you're only too grateful that they've assisted you in the proper selection of such a great bike. Next, make sure that you become friendly with at least a couple of people. Hopefully, one of the mechanics will become a really good friend and it would be best if you got to know the owner(s), too. Then, after about five weekends of just hanging around, making friends, buying pizza, and talking about bikes and everything, ask the owner if it would be alright if you could work part-time there at the shop, just for the summer. If they say no, that's OK too! You still want to keep them as friends. Therefore, just ask the owner if it would be alright if you could just volunteer your time for free, just to have the opportunity to work around such great bikes and such great people. If he still says no, then try another bike shop.

You've just got to become the best bicycle mechanic that you possibly can become, due to your location. You want to become as mechanically independent as possible. Eventually, the only thing that a LBS will be able to do for you will be to sell you either a component or an accessory. Working in a bicycle shop for one summer will allow you to pick up a couple of skills, at least. It will also help you to understand where your mechanical weaknesses are. Then you'll know better where to focus...

So now, back to the list. So we've eliminated the drop handlebar list. That leaves us with the flat handlebar list. Since I've just discovered that the Trek Sawyer doesn't have a rack mount, we're eliminating that one too. Therefore, essentially, there's just three bikes remaining, the Surly Ogre, the Raleigh Talus 29er Comp, and the Raleigh Talus 29er Elite.

Since we've pretty much decided that we're not going the way of hybrids, I've also reluctantly, taken the liberty of eliminating the venerable Jamis Coda Elite and the Marin Muirwoods 29er hybrids. Also, since the Surly Ogre lacks a suspended fork (same as the LHT) and is somewhat parallel to the LHT in its ability to accept wider tires, it would only be fair and logical to eliminate the Surly Ogre too!

Therefore, we're down to the only two 29er MTN bikes (within your budget) that I could find, with both rack and fender mounts:

The Raleigh Talus 29 Comp and the Raleigh Talus 29er Elite MTN bikes
www.thebikestand.com/raleigh.html

All of the major bicycle manufacturers make 29er MTN bikes...

They just don't make them with ample amount of eyelets or rack mounts!

Happy Hunting and Good Luck! :thumb:

- Slim :)

PS.

Eugene, it's really going to be most important to find a MTB that already has a rack mount. The rack mount will be instrumental in installing a rack that will be carrying somewhat heavy beverages. You can't just attach any ole rack to the back and say that you're done. This somewhat heavy load will place stress onto both your bike and your rack. If you can't find a MTB that has eyelets or mounts for a decent rack, then you'll have go after-market.

You want to get some type of after-market heavy duty rear bike rack like this Pioneer:
www.oldmanmountain.com/Pages/RackPages/RearRacks.html

If you attach one of those old fashioned plastic milk crates to it, you'll be able to carry all of your groceries, including a gallon of OJ.

If you have any questions at all, we will all be more than happy to assist you at anytime, my friend! :thumb:

but, but....had he decided yet whether to get disc brakes or "V's"? 26", 69'er or 29'er? Hardtail or full suspension?....

See, there's more to argue about folks.

Stay tuned...
:D

You are oh so late, dude! :lol:

I know I'm going to regret this, but why are you insisting that the OP has to get a bike that will take a rack, Slim? Especially since the OP has stated a rack might be nice, but he'd just as easily use a backpack? And you even posted a link to a rack that doesn't require the normal attachment points?

OP, there is another site that I think may be of help to you. I haven't checked it out personally, but the subject matter is of interest to me. I think I'd rather try bikepacking before road touring, but that is just me.

Something just struck me that probably be worth considering- the weight off the bike. And another reason to opt for a backpack over panniers for the commute, anyway. And why is that you ask? Take a look at the pics in the OP. He's planning on cutting across pasture land. Which means unless he obtains a key to gates from the property owner(s), he's gonna have to lift that bike up over a barbed wire fence or the metal gate. And the backpack lends itself to fence jumping than panniers do.

Concentrate on what works for the commute. The commuter can be pressed into a weekend tourer- and rereading the OP, sounds like he'd more likely ride through a National Park than go cruise Rt. 66...

At least the OP does have a budget where he can obtain something a bit lighter than entry level as far as the mtb's go, though if taking weight into consideration, he may want to reconsider a dual sport hybrid.

You most probably won't regret it at all. :thumb:

As was alluded to before, one of the main problems with groceries are the beverages. You can't just casually pack a gallon of milk into your backpack. Therefore, the idea about the rack became more prominent. Having a bike with eyelets and mounts will lend extra support to relieve any undue stress upon the rack or the frame. It will help to balance the all the stress forces more equally throughout the frame and not just one part of the frame. The rack will therefore, be better able to carry heavier loads.

I gave the OP a link to a website that doesn't cater to those with adequate eyelets and mounts, because it will give him more latitude in 29er MTB selection, without feeling overburdened with the thought that he just has to find a MTB with a factory installed rack mount.

That's only because there are many more 29er MTN bikes without eyelets and mounts, than with them.

Of course, no matter what, he'll be better off with eyelets and mounts that the original designers and engineers placed upon the bike when manufacturing the bike, at the outset.

Hopefully the OP likes the Raleigh Talus 29er Comp, 'cause that's the only 29er that I could honestly find with the appropriate eyelets and mounts, to suit the OP's purposes, that's within his stated budget.

- Slim :)

No1mad says:

Well it's certainly not advisable to be cutting across any privately owned property. It just might be owned by the McCoy's or the Hatfield's. :lol:

He might want to rethink that move. Also, we're not certain that the property is completely enclosed and secured. There might not even be a "gate". Many country fences have been cut somewhere along their perimeter, over the years. Most fences aren't well maintained, unless there's livestock involved. Whatever the case may be, he should avoid fence jumping and climbing.

The OP states that he would like to do a century over a two-day period somewhere far away, perhaps in some National Park, using the services of Greyhound or Amtrak. While the OP could easily use a MTB, once there, the problem that the OP was trying to avoid, was the loading and unloading of a large bike on trains and buses.

Now that we've passed that juncture, he can more easily enjoy his MTB by cruising the rural rarely explored countrysides and the more local parks within his own region.

I'd rather see him going all out MTB, than DS!

He's bound to get a better fork that way! :thumb:

- Slim :)

Finding large bikes is often a problem. However it is the start of the season so you might be in luck. As I stated before...I think...you should probably consider a 29er given your height. I'm not a fan of them for mere mortals...aka 'normal' sized people...but for tall people they make a lot of sense. The extra height of the wheels and tires makes the fit a bit better for tall riders.

Good luck and once you get the bike, have fun. Ignore most the ecclesiastical discussions about angels and pinheads that you get around here.

Eh, two people who had bad experiences (out of many many users) posting it on a forum doesn't sound that bad to me. Especially since Eugene doesn't appear to need to put any load on the fork with his current uses.

If I was looking for a new bike and had the money and could find an older shimano equipped one (touring triple crankset as opposed to the sram mountain double currently offered), I'd definitely check it out. My LBS apparently had a 2010 on that they were trying to sell all of last year, but I no longer see the list of last year's bikes on their website, so I'm guessing they sold it.

Cyccommute says:

This is quite true, Eugene.
Most tall cyclists really do appreciate the 29er as a MTB, more so than the traditonal 26er.

Of course, all of the members here at BF, wish you all the best, Eugene! :thumb:

Yes, Eugene! Especially ignore the statements of pinheads! ;)

I know I can't speak for most BF members, but I can certainly say for myself, that Cyccomute is a very intelligent and thought-provoking kinda guy! I just can't help but to like this guy!

However, there's just something about him, that constantly reminds you that despite the genius, he's just a few apple slices short of a Happy Meal! :lol:

PS.

Cyccomute had great influence in the flow of this entire thread. His opinions are usually bound by flaming shreds of truth.

Most of what you've stated here, echoes past thoughts that once swirled about my head. Especially, the statement about the triple touring crankset. However, I wasn't thinking about the Fargo or the Vaya. I was thinking about the Surly LHT and the Ogre.

I fear we quite possibly suffered the lack of your participation, Himespau...

Hehe well, I was expecting something like that but not to that extent so I still was kinda surprised. I guess aluminium vs steel topic never gets old :)

I understand your point here but unfortunately the part time job is not doable at all for many reasons. I simply won't have enough time for it - besides my current work, I also have to invest good amount of time into researching certain things and the amount of things to reasearch is huge. The little time left I hope to spend biking in mud :D That's not the only reason, this plan is impossible for me even if I wanted to. I basically don't expect major problems here. The way bikes works doesn't look like rocket science to me and I think that by observing bike and playing with things as well as doing some reading on the web, I'll be able to solve good portion of problems. What I can't solve, I am hoping to forward to one of the local bike shops and ask to stay and help with the fix so that I could observe and learn how they apply that particular fix that I couldn't make myself.

Basically racks is something I wanted to ask about because this is not completely clear to me. When I was in a LBS on saturday and also later when I talked to a person with MTB, I've got an impression that rack/eyelets is not a problem and that practically every MTB comes with that. It's not critical but it would be nice to use a rack because I agree that 1 gallon of milk might not be that comfortable in backpack and also because I might want to toss a tent and some camping stuff in those bags. So I've been wondering if something like this is possible
http://www.bikeexchange.com.au/image...annierbags.jpg
Which bike feature should I look for to tell that a given bike has decent rack?
For example the
http://www.raleighusa.com/bikes/moun...us-29-comp-12/
how can I find out that it has the good rack?

It's not that bad, that territory is not THAT private :) Basically it goes something like this: I leave my work place which is located in tech park and go along one of the many ground roads; the road becomes less nice and eventually I end up in that field; I keep walking and then in some time I stumble upon some tree with a very worn off sign that says that it is provate property; I keep walking and later when exiting the field I stumble upon gate (huge horizontal log) that has a yellow "private property" thing too. And that's it. I mean there is not fence or anything, the gate just stands alone in the field. I actually know that this is private property only because I have explored the area - during my first few hikes I didn't stumble upon private property signs and just crossed that field without knowing that this is someones property. :)

Concentrate on getting a bike. If it has the eyelets to attach a rack to, great. If it doesn't it's not the end of the world. You could always select your bike (or maybe a very short list of candidates [determined after test rides and not by image search]) and give Wayne at the Touring Store a call. Never dealt with him personally, but from what I gather, he has a reputation of knowing his stuff.

And so you'll know what to keep an eye out for, take a look at this Giant Roam. It's in white, which makes it easier to spot the eyelets/braze ons. Take a look at the rear triangle ( formed by the seat tube, seat stay, and chain stay... where the rear wheel goes), see that dark hole on the seat stay about an inch or so past the seat tube? That is where you would attach the rack at the upper end at. Now follow that seat stay down to almost the very end- you should see a little 'eye', that is where the lower end of the rack attaches.

Eugene_B says:

I know exactly what you mean. I just can't understand how people can't see that which is so painfully obvious! :innocent:


I'd just like to make certain that you're capable of repairing and maintaining your own bike independently, and not having to depend upon those in business, at your LBS.

You know the 29er HT MTN bikes seem to seriously lack the proper eyelets and mounts, needed for the convenient attachment of both racks and fenders.

This is not the case with the Surly Ogre MTB. Perhaps the Ogre was eliminated a little too soon. From its geometry, it's still a MTB. However, it's a rigid HT MTB without the suspended fork. The Ogre promises to be slightly faster than the Talus 29ers recommended, because it has a rigid fork (more energy going forward). Just like the Raleighs, it will also have an adequate number of eyelets or mounts, wherever needed, as well.....Just a thought...

I dunno, some people take it very seriously when you trespass upon their private property. I'm sort of the share-the-land kinda guy. I wouldn't mind your taking a short cut. However, some people think that stepping a foot onto their private property is like a perfect stranger, mounting their bicycles without permission. You could end up seriously injured or worse. If I were you, I'd find out who the property owners were and I'd either give them a call or a visit, just to get their informal approval. Otherwise, you're gambling in my book. You have no idea what the mental status might be for all of the family members attached to that property. Everybody might be alright with your trespassing, except for Grandpa "Shotgun" Hatfield!

Don't gamble with your safety...

PS.

You can always depend upon Surly and Salsa, when it comes to the proper number of eyelets or mounts.

You could definitely do this with the Surly Ogre 29er MTB:
www.bikeexchange.com.au/images/lhs/pannierbags.jpg

You could also do it with the Raleigh Talus 29er Comp:
www.dirtragmag.com/reviews/review-raleigh-talus-29

This is how you would install a rear rack: :love:
www.ehow.com/video_4415602_install-rear-rack-bicycle.html

Topeak Explorer 29er Rear Rack (with disc mounts)
www.rei.com/product/832784/topeak-explorer-29er-rack-with-disc-mounts

Basic Information on Installing Rear Racks on Bicycles:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=A2H73FPryFY

There is one other possiblity as far as the touring set up goes- a Bob Yak single wheel trailer. That will take the brunt of whatever gear the OP decides he needs for touring/camping. For commuting, the OP could get away with using a Carradice bag of some kind. Or get a Vario rack and make sure that you don't overload the backpack- might have to go home, dump your empty your pack, and then head back out to the store for the milk.

A rack would be nice, but then again, it may not work as well as you'd like. It'll boil down to the geometry of the bike. Some have shorter chain stays, which will increase the likelihood of heel strike... and you thought you pretty much had everything figured :p

Hi everyone! After some more days of painful thinking and another weekend of bike testing in local stores, I decided to go with a 20" Raleigh Talus 29er Comp. Yeterday I pre-ordered it at one of the local stores and they say that it should arrive on friday morning. So if everything goes fine, I should be able to have some fun in the mud this weekend :D

Thanks everyone for all the help!

Oh btw, I've also finally found a detailed map of the tech park where I work and that "private property" field seems to be owned by them. So I guess I'll assume that they won't try to shoot at me from a shotgun :)

Not faulting you on your choice of bike, but I question the frame size. You picked a 20" frame, when you're 6'3"? So long as you're comfortable...