jambon

Hi all ,

I am currently using a 1988 Koga Miyata steel touring bike with drop bars . The bike is great at taking a camping load but even unloaded it is very very heavy and sluggish . I'm hoping to move on to something that feels a lot easier to push . When I tour it is usually locally and just for long weekends . I'm hoping to find a more sporty /fun bike/fast bike that can also handle a bit of light touring . At the moment I'm looking at a Kona ***** Tonk . Even a Kona Sutra seems to be a much lighter bike than the one I currently have . Other bikes I am considering are the croix de fer from Genesis .I think I'm after an endurance road bike with touring ability or a sports tourer, but I may be asking too much from one bike . Any ideas ? My budget is around $1400

Machka 

Look for a sport touring bicycle ... or a randonneuring bicycle ... or audax bicycle ...

imi

Maybe even look at cyclocross bikes

Colannon

start by checking the tubus bicycle rack company website, to see the choices you can make to get a rack. tubus - Home you can get a bicycle with fewer attachment points than you may expect.

there are also other bicycle rack companies that specialize in making bags and racks that do not require attachment points. there are all the seat post rack companies, then there are also the traditional leather and canvas products for older bicycle that do not have many attachment points. there are also bag companies for mountain bike bags.

you can also tour ultra light; just figure out where to put your tent poles, or if you want to use something like a hammock or tarp.

indyfabz

Can you get Surly over there? If so, look at the Crosscheck.

alan s 

Don't try to defeat the censors. We all know what you are trying to say.

bradtx

jambon, The bicycle types in posts two and three contain your best choices. I have had only experience with a Bianchi Volpe, originally marketed as a cyclo cross bike, that belongs to my daughter. It can be the jack-of-all-trades bike you're seeking, but still focuses more on CX and medium touring.

While there is a 6-6.5 lb. (2.2-2.7 kg) weight difference between my distance roadie and my touring bikes, the major cause for the touring bikes to feel sluggish in comparison is the heavier duty wheel set and tires on the touring bike. In case this is also a concern, handling on the touring bikes is also more sluggish due to a slacker head tube angle and the longer wheelbase. You can address the former with a lighter wheel set and tires, but the latter is set in stone.

Brad

Salamandrine 

It sounds like you just want a better bike. For whatever reason, the fashion for touring bikes these days seems to be to make them heavy and overbuilt. Tighter geometry or whatever isn't going to make a bike feel faster. It has to do with the stiffness and lightness of the frame, and the lightness of the components, especially the wheels and tires. All that is basically what you pay for when you get a better bike.

High end old school touring bikes weren't much different WRT "easy to push" than a racing bike, they simply had a longer wheelbase and shallower angles for a more stable and relaxed ride.

Anyhow the Kona H0nky T0nk appears to be one of those heavy modern touring bikes. Built with 520. I think you should step up a bit to be happy. The croix de fer looks much better. 725 is the good stuff. Should be a quick bike. You might also want to take a look at the Cannondale touring bikes that just came out. This one is about in your budget. https://www.evanscycles.com/cannonda...-bike-EV254007

saddlesores

what wheels/tires do you currently run?

have you tried the bike with a lighter wheelset, or 28mm tyres?

fietsbob

The extrawheel is a very light weight trailer that will take the rear panniers off your race Bike if that is what you want to ride .

It uses a second front wheel like you have on your bike, so only 1 kind of tube and spare tire can go on any of 3 wheels

Koga of NL Is still in Business and make a full range of models of bicycles . sold in many Countries , Just Not the USA.

Our market is Mostly from pacific rim sources.

antokelly

Have u checked out done deal.ie some nice bike to be got havent seen one my size as yet.BTW Terry Dolan is having a sale his cyclo cross bike is class and great price wont go wrong with a dolan bike great service super bikes.

GerryinHouston

When I was looking for a touring bike I had a few test rides. The liveliest bikes I remember were the Bianchi Volpe and then the Jamis Aurora.

The REI Novara Randonnee is not as nimble, but is no slug either. Same with the Trek 520, although the Novara was my final choice.

I tried the Surly Disk Trucker and did not like the way it rides.

79pmooney

My ancient Peter Mooney isn't far off what you want. Fairly steep front end and drawn out rear end to be a compromise between sporty feel and clearance for panniers, big tires and fenders. Old school 531. Canti brakes. Braze-ons for LowRiders. Set up originally with with 53-42-28 X 13-19 5-speed, now 50-28-24 X 12-21. With light wheels, it is a fun ride. With big tires and 4 front Otleib panniers and tent strapped to the rear rack, a very capable tourer. Loaded front panniers tame the quick steering very effectively. Set up camp and ride into town and the bike is fun!

Ben

jambon

Thanks for all these replies , I have a bunch of bikes to check out now , salamandrines post above rings very true ,as for upgrading the current bike I am of the feeling money would be better spent on a more modern bike but I am tempted to take off the 35mm tyres and try it with 28s