My question for the Forum is; I'd like to pick up a bike for touring where speed is not the objective but comfort and socializing are. I'd prefer something that will accommodate 28-32 tire width. I'm not opposed to older bikes but the budget is $500, sooo I'm looking for suggestions.

If you can find a used Trek 520 or Surly Long Haul Trucker (or similar quality) for $500 or less, get it. You might be better off not buying anything new for $500 that you need to depend upon.

You WON'T find anything comfortable or good for that matter brand new at a budget of $500, hell I doubt you'll find a 520 or long haul for that price used either. Best bet is to look for an older frame: Raleigh, Norco, Miata, etc. for a couple hundred bucks throw a new seat on it like a brooks saddle for another couple hundred and some new tires. Might run you a bit over $500 but thats about as good as it gets with that budget in mind. Also depends where you are in the world I should add.

Beg Borrow or steal another $200 and get this one. A woman at work just completed a 600+mile tour on this bike and it performed very well for her. She also commutes everyday on it. It won't impress anyone at the local weekly racer wannabe sweat fest. but it will take you as far as you want to go.
Windsor Bikes - Tourist

Or go the roll you own route with an older MTB. Here is an example from my local craigslist. These old Trek's had pretty decent wheels and with a few upgrades( racks and better brake pads and a good saddle) you could get on the road under $500 Trek 830

You can pick up an old hybrid of decent quality on Craigslist or a garage sale for around $200.
I've had no issues with the machine built wheel for at least four tours on my 17 year old Trek hybrid. (It probably depends on how much you weigh).
You could take the rest of the money and buy a better seat and better tires.
There are lots of very comfortable, reliable hybrid bikes that sit in garages and get ridden twice a year. Eventually, they sell them cheap.

I second the vote for the Windsor Tourist; we got one for my son several years ago, and its had many thousands of trouble-free miles on it. The latest one appears to have downgraded some of the parts from the 2012 version, but it's still an awesome deal.

below is reposted here from the general forum to keep others from having to type...


A better bet is to look based on size and be agnostic to brand. You will limit yourself too much if you only look for a Miyata 1000 or a Trek 520.

Size first, then brand/model.

Excellent touring bikes were made by most brands in the 80s. By the late 80s, many got out of the touring bike game as inventory was high and demand was low.

Miyata 1000 / 1000LT
Miyata 612 / 615
Schwinn Voyageur or Voyageur Luxe
Schwinn Passage
Univega Specialissima
Univega Gran Touring
Cannondale ST series
Fuji Touring Series (various models)
Centurion Pro Tour
Lotus Odyssey
Trek 520

And many more.

In general, 1984-1989 was a sweetspot for 80s touring bikes as by then they had 2-3 bottle bosses, canti brakes, front and rear rack mounts, etc.


Also- this is $720 and a really solid start if you want new. Fuji Bikes | Touring

https://bloomington.craigslist.org/bik/6151269455.html
https://lexington.craigslist.org/bik/6179490946.html
https://cincinnati.craigslist.org/bid/6154759175.html

In the five decades that I've been into bicycles, I honestly believe that 50% of cyclists overestimate the value of the bikes that they are selling, and underestimate the price of the bicycle they want to purchase. That said, you can tour on anything. In fact, you'll gain a high amount of respect in here if you tour more with less fluff and bling. I dare say that if you could keep your bike, gear, food, and lodging/camping under $500 for a weeks worth of touring, that you'd be well-regarded. Too many people, myself included, have to have the best of everything. Its not what you ride, rather who you are and how well you enjoy yourself on tour.

A $100 bike that works, $100 for sleeping bag and cheapo tent, A couple kitty litter panniers and you are good to go. Spend the rest on beer.

Buy an early 90s hard-tail mountain bike. That's essentially what a Long Haul Trucker is, and you can pick one up off Craigslist for $100-200. Then spend another $100 doing any repairs or upgrades you want. Take your remaining $200 and go on a long bike trip.

I'd recommend looking for a Specialized Stump Jumper, Hard Rock, or Rock Hopper. Trek 8xx/9xx series bikes are also cool: Antelope, Mountain Track, Single Track, etc. Or really any steel framed, rigid mountain bike from the 90s.

^^^THIS^^^

Also do not forget the 700-series Treks. They're billed as hybrids, but the frame geometry is fine for touring. The components are junk, but serviceable. I have a crappy old 700 that I've been thinking about fixing up to be a budget ghetto-tourer and take it on a tour just for kicks.

I recently picked up a Novara Randonee (2012) for $550 on Craigslist. Could have probably gotten it for $500. Low mileage and was in great shape.

I notice that many people who end up selling them buy touring bikes with big hopes and dreams and then something gets in the way so they never full realize their journeys. Their seems to be a fair amount of used touring bikes out there that are like new with low miles.

The thing is LHT's and 520's (and Santa Cruz in MB) have a better resale, because of their name - think Honda vs Chevy - value then say the Randonee (now Co-Op Adventure) but these other bikes were always considered a good value. I am very happy with my purchase.

There is definitely a bike out there for you

Since rigid MTBs are being suggested, here are a couple opinions on that.

- yup, they can work well as a touring bike with some changes to components.
- nope, an LHT is not essentially an old rigid MTB.
- MTBs were completely transformed in the early 90s and in fact most 90s MTBs(even many early 90s) would be terrible for loaded tluring due to a few things like reach, chainstay length, and lack of mounting points for racks and bottles.
There are a ton of great options from the 80s and early 90s that have rack and fender mounts, long chainstays, and even 3 bottle mounts. There are also a ton of short chainstay frames with no easy way to mount racks.
Just be aware of this reality and know that no, not any 90s rigid MTB will work.

What size are you? You could have gotten this yesterday during the 30% off sale for about $479 shipped, if you fit on a 53: Nashbar TR1 Touring Bike

Probably wouldn't be much over $500 if you wait til the next 25%ish off sale.

To be fair, that is what I just did with an old bike I already owned, but if you aren't careful you can "upgrade" yourself right to the price of a new-used (or in some cases, new) bike. You do end up with a bike built for YOU, though.

A tour ready bike for $500 is very rare, even used. I agree with; the older mtb and convert it. Just make sure it's the right fit and worry more about mechanics than aesthetics. As mentioned above, you could keep an eye on online shops where they discount demos and returned bikes. You might find one, but it might be a long wait

This morning I picked a brand new (Brown) 2012/13 Trek 520 (57 cm - my size) from a very nice gentleman in Annapolis, Md. True to his word the bike looked barely used, perhaps a couple of times at most. He was asking for $950 and I got the bike for $490. The bike was on Craigslist for sale for a little of 20 days. I am sure he was motived to make a sale this morning. It is unbelievable clean and in an excellent condition - just amazing that it was for sale for that long and no one made an offer.

The owner made a couple of basic upgrades including new set of Continental Tour Ride - Puncture Protection 622-32 tires, Kona pedals, and a new comfy seat (I plan to put Brooks' B17). All other parts are stock. He had many other accessories, but did not want to spend lots of money.

The bike was very very dusty (he apologized a million times). I came home cleaned it with a damp rag and now it looks spanking new. I rode the bike for an hour or so in my neighbourhood - it is perfect. I have been searching for a Trek 520 for a long time - I got rewarded.

Would appreciate if you have any recommendations of what I should do to improve the comfort and the performance of the bike. I plan to ride the the C&O Canal from Cumberland, MD to D.C early this fall.

Thanks,

2 years ago I sold a very-good condition 2004 Novara Randonée for under $300; was surprised at the low resale value. Touring bikes haven't changed that much over the years & with internet it's easy to buy older-model parts fairly cheaply.

This is also not to mention that the bike will probably have a better and higher-quality combination of components than original.

I second this recommendation for an 80s tourer. In some cases you can expand that search to the 90s (Cannondale ST, for example). With a little patience, you should be able to find a complete bicycle in good condition in your price range without making any big concessions. $500 should actually be enough to get the bike and pay for new cables, tires, etc.

Lots of advice here. Yes you can find a touring machine for $500 or less. I agree with many of the posters above that if you want an inexpensive touring bike, your best bet is an older hybrid or mountain bike (one with a rigid fork and eyelets). You'll want to do some homework on whatever bike you buy to determine if it is suitable. You'll also need to invest some money into the project so you will want the initial cost of a used older bike to be considerably less than $500. Since you can find a quality older hybrid or MTB for between $100-$200, you'll have money in your budget to buy new tires, replace other consumables (chain, cables, brake pads, grips), perhaps buy a better saddle, etc.

Used MTB can be economical but Nivekas seems to be thinking about drop bar style, otherwise why ask about accommodating 28-32mm tires? I have an old Rockhopper that I put drop bars on, felt kinda twitchy.

Fenders keep things cleaner but going without allows a slightly wider tire. AFAIK your 520 has sloped top tube so perhaps a Thudbuster suspension seat post would fit. I bought a ShockStop suspension stem but haven't tried it yet; got good reviews though. I like Fizik Bar Gel but the expensive Lizard Skins 3.2 DSP tape hasn't stayed put plus the white color gets dirty & won't clean off.

Welcome to the forums. Sounds like you scored a great deal! I'd suggest starting a new thread where more people will see your question.

The 520 is not a performance bicycle. I'ld leave it the way it is. Performance and comfort are usually at opposite ends of the spectrum. I'ld bet there's a lot of info in the 520 fan club thread. Read that.

The 520 of course is a performance bike designed for touring. I wouldn't change anything at this point. The parts are more than fine for your intended use. As you ride the bike, you'll figure out what works and what does not work for you.