ok so recently i posted a thread asking for people to give me suggestions on a new bike for my commute. since then i have taken all suggestions to heart and looked at all the options, while also exploring the wonderful world of biking. all of this has led me to a new perspective on what i want in a bike. I've decided that i not only want a bike for my commute but also i would like to start touring this summer. also i have discovered that i would rather have a little more speed versatility and sacrifice a little ruggedness(like walking my bike down the stairs instead of riding down)

so i say all this to say that what i would really like is something that is pretty quick(able to cruise around 15-25mph easily), and comfortable enough for long distance touring, yet, a dirt trail or rough road wouldn't really be a problem. also, Ive tested a few different handlebar set ups, and drop bars are definitely the way to go! im looking forward to your suggestions!
thanks again!
-scott

I fantasize about this:

Little slower than a road bike, but I've seen people riding the ARC-X on less technical mountain bike trails. It's not cheap though, so it all depends on how much you want to spend. I know quite a few people who like the Specialized Tricross, and the Sport retails for under $1500. But it all comes down to which one fits you best.

ooh sorry forgot to post price range... up to about $400 but im looking for something closer to $250 (used or old is cool with me) also i need something that is long distance touring capable (able to accept attachments for cargo)

This is going to be kind of difficult, I really can't think of a good bike for serious touring for under $700, let alone $250.

Given what you express here, you're in the ballpark of the Jamis Aurora, Salsa Casseroll, Kona Jake, and a couple of Surly bikes, the Cross-Check and the Long Haul Trucker. I'm partial to Surly's (I own an LHT)--each Surly makes for an excellent commuter, touring bike, and off-roader. Stock set-up is around $1,100 for each.

Regarding the Surlys, they are both extremely versatile bikes. Of the two, the bike you'd choose depends on your emphasis. Are you interested in a day riding/commuter bike that can handle the occasional fully-loaded tour (Cross-Check)? Or are you interested in a stellar touring bike that can also serve as a commuter/day rider (LHT)? The Cross-Check is great for commuting because it's durable and zippy. The LHT rides more like a cadillac, feels heavier and smoother. It's extremely stable fully-loaded. Both work great off-road (the Cross-Check because it's a cyclo-cross bike; the Surly because it's a very similar frame, geometry-wise and materials, to early mountain bikes). A key difference is in the length of the rear chain stays; shorter in the Cross-Check (hence more responsive or 'zippy'), longer in the LHT (more heel clearance when fully loaded with panniers in the rear, much more stable when loaded too). The LHT has lots of braze-ons for setting up racks and such, which the Cross-Check doesn't have (although this isn't necessarily a problem; racks exist that attach to forks, etc.).

If you want more perspectives on the utility of these bikes for your purposes, check out the commuter and touring lists here on bike forums--where oodles of folks have these bikes for these purposes--and also check out the Surly Long Haul Trucker and Cross Check Owner's Group: https://groups.google.com/group/SurlyLHT Before I bought my bike I found this owner's group to be a tremendously useful resource, and it became even more helpful when I was setting up the bike.

Your price range came in as I was composing my answer...I agree with sheddle. Jamis Aurora would be your least expensive option. Or a used Surly...

yea like i said im not afraid to go used, also im not afraid to do a little work on a bike if i get it for a good price. im pretty mechanics savvy

another thing i've been contemplating is, would buying a cheaper, not so touring oriented bike (such as an older diamondback or something), and upgrading it for touring be a cheaper and smarter option for my price range?

I don't really think you can "upgrade" something like that... it's almost never cost-effective to upgrade something later versus just getting it ready-to-go.

Remember, a very well made touring bike will last years. Unlike racing bikes, they don't age very badly when new technology gets introduced. Might be alot of money short-term, but think of the big picture.

alright thanks just something that crossed my mind lol...well the main reason i was posting this was to get names and suggestions of bikes...even if they are out of my price range(which for this sake i'll move up to $700)...so i could look at used ones at my LBS he usually has some good deals

You probably won't have much luck with used touring bikes, hell, none of my LBS have new touring bikes on the floor. eBay/CL would be a better bet, though you should get at least a rough idea of what size bike you want before you do that.

See if you can get someone experienced with fit to go along with you when you buy the bike. A good fit is crucial, ESPECIALLY if you plan on being in the saddle for a long time for touring. And at $700, you're probably going to have to go used, which means you'll have less options as far as geometry goes.

If you get a good fit, a Windsor Tourist (https://www.bikesdirect.com/products/windsor/tourist.htm) from BikesDirect might be a good choice.

ok kind of off the wall but what really makes a good touring bike a good touring bike?

I seem to remember this question being posed in a recent thread on the touring forum here on Bike Forums....

alright i'll do some more digging

In general, touring bikes make excellent commuting bikes. They're also out of your current price range.

$400 is barely doable in this price range if you find an old hardtail mountain bike and build that up with racks and barends. (Not as gooed as drops, but miles better than flat bars alone.) Loaded touring (i.e., camping) would be touch-and-go on a setup like this, since you will want heavy-duty racks and decent panniers to support the weight of camping gear. Make sure you get something that can mount a rack.

There are probably hundreds of threads around about MTB to touring bike conversions.

However, that said... you can tour or commute on pretty much any bike, it's just a matter of how comfortable you'll be. You can always get a clunker now and a save up for a better bike. this has the advantage of giving you riding experience so you'll have a better idea of what you need.

Browse through the Classic & Vintage forum, there have been a couple of threads on touring bikes.

Bikes like my 1986 Schwinn Voyageur can occasionally be found in your price range... when I bought mine a couple of years ago I paid $160 and it was in like new condition. I spent more upgrading it than buying it, and it is a nice rider.

There are other C&V touring bikes that would fit the bill as well. Look through the threads in C&V for some of the names. Some of the names are the same names as today (like the Trek 520) and some are not around any more (like the Raleigh Alyeska) Once you get an idea of which bikes are worth looking for, then you just need the persistence and luck to find the right one in your size.

My previous touring bike was a 20-year-old mountain bike. I outfitted it with racks, mirrors, barends, and a GPS. I'd still be ridign it if I hadn't had a little argument with an SUV.





a quickr pickr post

Go to the Touring Forum and have a look.

https://www.bikeforums.net/touring/

With a touring bike you want your components to be bombproof. A lot of people tour with bar-end shifters, and the like. Drop bars are a plus, but not a requirement. You don't want suspension of any bike, and steel is good.

that windsor tourist looks solid, but out of your price range. You also have to think about getting racks, panniers, fenders, to add too.

You might be able to find an older steel roadbike for cheap, and buy fenders and stuff to add. I can't quite see that coming in at $400, but it's possible if you have connections.

Used unsuspended mtn bikes are fairly avialable and relatively inexpensive. Often have eyelets for mounting fenders/racks, and water bottle mounts, are sturdy, have relaxed geometry and long chainstays. You can mount anything from offroad tires to 100psi slicks. Gearing should be okay for your needs, maybe a bit on the low end.

I picked up a old Trek 800 at a garage sale for a lot less than $250.00 It doesn't look like it had 500 miles on it. Like someone said getting road tires for one is relitively easy and changing the bars is pretty easy as well. I thought I would use it more on easy dirt roads and light trails but I simply haven't. I ride my road bike on club rides and my Revive LX on shopping trips. But seeing what some have done it looks like the Trek would make a pretty good touring bike. I have a topeak rear rack I could mount on it anyway. Looks like a project to me.

Trek FX. My wife has the 7.5, the 7.1 is $439. I'd get the 7.2 at $489, though.


700c road tires but you can go plenty wide with them for trail riding if you need to. Plenty fast on the road. Can take front and rear racks and fenders. I added barends for an extra hand position.

Or you can lower the seat, add some knobbies and hit up some dirt jumps.