ADAP7IVE

Hi guys, I'm currently looking at options for a long-distance light tourer and commuter bike. I'm in rural Japan and can't get test rides of any bike without spending at least a day (probably 2) and $200 in expenses to travel to a big city for tests. Also trying to keep my rig minimal due to a small apartment; after riding a fully-racked Surly Trucker in the US (which is waiting for me when I return in a couple years) and seeing some of the setups on the recent Trans-Am bike race, I'm really liking Endurance and Cross bikes for my purpose: fast, light, but seemingly not uncomfortable on long rides. There are a couple bikes I'm looking at now:

--Merida Cyclocross 500, discounted from ￥160,000 to ￥120,000. It's an aluminum frame with carbon fork, Spyre disc brakes, and Shimano 105 group.

--I have just been introduced to Canyon's direct-sale arrangement, and as a long-time fan of their designs, it's intriguing. In particular, the Canyon Endurance AL 6.0 seems like a good base for getting into some variable-terrain commuting and touring. It's also almost exactly the same price (total, with shipping) as the Merida with the same spec except brakes. Readily-apparent differences I see are the brakes and weight, though I'm not overly concerned about a kilo. Wheels? I don't know anything about the stock wheels.

As The title says, I have a time limit of a couple days to take the discount on the Merida, as the dealer is holding it for me and I've already take a couple days to look over options. What do you guys think?

fietsbob

Tour on whatever bike you Like . Touring is the Activity.

Mountain Mitch

Yeah, don't obsess too much about the equipment. If it will hold a rack you can tour with it.
My son tours all over Japan with a CF Ridley road bike. Has a seatpost rack. It's not ideal but he has no problems going anywhere. I was just bike touring in Hokkaido. I was riding my Devinci Caribou (Alu touring bike) which was great for the task, but I saw people riding lots of different bikes as tourers. In fact one guy on the ferry to Rishiri had what had to be the biggest, heaviest bike I've ever seen! And he was 120 lbs. max. and had ridden from Nara!

My wife rides a Speciaized hybrid as a tourer. She gets by.

So, sorry, I don't know those bikes so can't offer a specific opinion about which is "the best". But that is ultimately subjective anyway. You're a smart guy and have considered your needs - now do it! As with any of us, you may decide you want to change somethings once you have more experience but, hey, that's part of the process.

Let us know what you get.

fietsbob

The Bike-packing Luggage is becoming Popular , these days.

Last Month, the race-tour across the states, that was the common Kit.

bikenh

Remember if you go frame/bikepacking you don't need racks or rack mounts on the bike. I'm tending this year to switch over to bikepacking. I'll keep the rack and use it to mount the sleeping kit versus a saddle bag. I already have the rack and its already mounted to the bike so why spend the money on the saddle bag. I just have to build a chloroplast frame box to stash the spare clothing in and I'l be ready to ride. Planning on packing for what should pretty much be able to get me through most of a New Hampshire winter, except the sleeping bag(only a 32 degree sleeping bag). I know I'll have the clothing on me to get me through all but just a handful of days here in NH. Since I'm going to be leaving much later than planned on and I'm still a big ride I know I need to plan on being out later than I've been before.

Focus on the comfort and the bike fit and forget the rest. You can always work around the rest of the details if you are willing to look beyond the end of your nose.

ADAP7IVE

Always a good reminder. Thank you.

Thanks, I will. The $1200 price tag is stressing me out and I'm over thinking it. Intellectually I KNOW $1200 isn't a lot for a vehicle, especially spread out over even a year of riding with all the benefits that come with it, but it's still a lot to drop at once for someone who grew up poor. lol.

Thanks, I'll do my best. My Surly Trucker in the States is fully kitted up, with front and rear racks and butterfly bar, and as much as I enjoyed riding it and could haul a ton, it was a little too much for me. I'm going to try to keep it simple this time around.