Touring bike or road bike for a CC tour?
06-17-18, 06:43 PM
#1
Every day a winding road
Thread Starter
Touring bike or road bike for a CC tour?
Packing up my bike today for my upcoming tour I realized how much larger and heavier my touring bike is over my road bike. This is the first tour where I had to ship the bike since I bought it some 4 years ago. I have mainly been using it on local tours or tours where I drove. This is the first time shipping it.
After loading it in the car to get ready to take it to FedEx, I wondered why I am doing this. I guess I will be more comfortable on my touring bike but wonder if it is worth it for a CC tour. Thank goodness for bikeflights or it would have been enormously expensive to ship.
I am thinking that if I do ever return to Europe I might take the lighter aluminum Cannodale that has served me so well on so many tours. My only issue with the Cannodale was all the rain I hit when I reached the Como area. I was wishing for fenders.
I don't know what it is. Como seems to be jinxed for me. On two different trips got drenched both times when I was in the area. Everywhere else nice and dry.
Thoughts? Is it worth it to pack the heavier touring bike for a credit card tour? Or just go with a lighter road bike?
After loading it in the car to get ready to take it to FedEx, I wondered why I am doing this. I guess I will be more comfortable on my touring bike but wonder if it is worth it for a CC tour. Thank goodness for bikeflights or it would have been enormously expensive to ship.
I am thinking that if I do ever return to Europe I might take the lighter aluminum Cannodale that has served me so well on so many tours. My only issue with the Cannodale was all the rain I hit when I reached the Como area. I was wishing for fenders.
I don't know what it is. Como seems to be jinxed for me. On two different trips got drenched both times when I was in the area. Everywhere else nice and dry. Thoughts? Is it worth it to pack the heavier touring bike for a credit card tour? Or just go with a lighter road bike?
06-17-18, 06:49 PM
#2
I might go with whatever is more comfortable to ride.
For shipping, also check out The Best Lowest Bicycle Shipping in America and Worldwide | ShipBikes I once shipped a bike and it was the cheapest option
For shipping, also check out The Best Lowest Bicycle Shipping in America and Worldwide | ShipBikes I once shipped a bike and it was the cheapest option
06-17-18, 07:08 PM
#3
FLIR Kitten to 0.05C
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Lincoln, Nebraska
Posts: 5,331
Bikes: Roadie: Seven Axiom Race Ti w/Chorus 11s. CX/Adventure: Carver Gravel Grinder w/ Di2
Liked 407 Times
in
255 Posts
Does your roadie have any accommodation for a rear rack/panniers (or do you own bike-packing bags?)? How light are you packing?
Could easily not need the full touring rig, if you pack light....and either don't mind a sweaty back and backpack....or have bike-packing bags.
Could easily not need the full touring rig, if you pack light....and either don't mind a sweaty back and backpack....or have bike-packing bags.
06-17-18, 07:14 PM
#4
Every day a winding road
Thread Starter
I might go with whatever is more comfortable to ride.
For shipping, also check out The Best Lowest Bicycle Shipping in America and Worldwide ShipBikes I once shipped a bike and it was the cheapest option
For shipping, also check out The Best Lowest Bicycle Shipping in America and Worldwide ShipBikes I once shipped a bike and it was the cheapest option
I realize shipping does not matter that much either way but what about schlepping the bike through airports? Yeah you can grab a cart. But there is still the worry about the airline giving you a hassle on over size and/or over weight..
06-17-18, 07:17 PM
#5
Every day a winding road
Thread Starter
Does your roadie have any accommodation for a rear rack/panniers (or do you own bike-packing bags?)? How light are you packing?
Could easily not need the full touring rig, if you pack light....and either don't mind a sweaty back and backpack....or have bike-packing bags.
Could easily not need the full touring rig, if you pack light....and either don't mind a sweaty back and backpack....or have bike-packing bags.
I have used it for years no issue at all other than the mentioned lack of fender. Handling is probably better on my touring bike with same weight but manageable on the road bike.
06-17-18, 08:10 PM
#6
Senior Member
Plastic fenders can be had cheap if that’s the issue. I assume no decent way to attach them is the problem. That might be solvable.
I’d go light. I’ve even considered a folder for the weight and convenience, but haven’t gone that way (yet). And if it’ll hold rear panniers, you’re laughing while CC touring!
I’d go light. I’ve even considered a folder for the weight and convenience, but haven’t gone that way (yet). And if it’ll hold rear panniers, you’re laughing while CC touring!
06-18-18, 04:11 AM
#7
Senior Member
CC tour, I say pack light and take the road bike(assuming it’s a comfortable bike to ride for days on end). If you’d pack the same either way and the only difference in weight is simply the weight if the bike, I’d lean toward whatever is most comfortable as long as the difference in bikes isn’t more than around five pounds. I feel like around five pounds is where there will start to be a noticeable difference in the effort you’re putting out. There are always those smaller fenders for road bikes that attach with zip ties to the fork and seat stays.
06-18-18, 08:09 AM
#9
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Metro Detroit/AA
Posts: 8,206
Bikes: 2016 Novara Mazama
Liked 81 Times
in
51 Posts
I assume you are comparing the Aurora to the SR500? If you can carry the gear you need on the SR500, why not? Looks like an old sport-touring style bike anyhow. I'd personally take whatever is more comfortable.
Does this have to be brought up everytime such a question is asked? What about camping and cooking your own meals makes it any more worthy of being a bike tour? If my concerns were about being in a tent and cooking my own meals, I would go camping and leave the bike out of it.
Does this have to be brought up everytime such a question is asked? What about camping and cooking your own meals makes it any more worthy of being a bike tour? If my concerns were about being in a tent and cooking my own meals, I would go camping and leave the bike out of it.
06-18-18, 10:18 AM
#10
Banned
IF you go somewhere and stay away, at night in a hotel etc.,
rather than loop back home and sleep in your own bed at night,
you can call it a Tour..
Extra credit of you stop and enjoy the scenery, stop for lunch, & so forth.
...
06-18-18, 10:27 AM
#11
Every day a winding road
Thread Starter
06-18-18, 11:19 AM
#13
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Madison, WI
Posts: 11,580
Bikes: 1961 Ideor, 1966 Perfekt 3 Speed AB Hub, 1994 Bridgestone MB-6, 2006 Airnimal Joey, 2009 Thorn Sherpa, 2013 Thorn Nomad MkII, 2015 VO Pass Hunter, 2017 Lynskey Backroad, 2017 Raleigh Gran Prix, 1980s Bianchi Mixte on a trainer. Others are now gone.
Liked 1,594 Times
in
1,235 Posts
Is your lowest gear on your road bike adequate for the hills you will encounter?
06-18-18, 11:28 AM
#14
Every day a winding road
Thread Starter
I even have a 36 spoke rim on the road bike. I went through one too many rims when using it as a touring bike.
06-18-18, 11:28 AM
#15
Every day a winding road
Thread Starter
06-21-18, 11:32 AM
#16
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: Boston Roads
Posts: 980
Bikes: 2012 Canondale Synapse 105, 2017 REI Co-Op ADV 3.1
Liked 240 Times
in
134 Posts
I assume you are comparing the Aurora to the SR500? If you can carry the gear you need on the SR500, why not? Looks like an old sport-touring style bike anyhow. I'd personally take whatever is more comfortable.
Does this have to be brought up everytime such a question is asked? What about camping and cooking your own meals makes it any more worthy of being a bike tour? If my concerns were about being in a tent and cooking my own meals, I would go camping and leave the bike out of it.
Does this have to be brought up everytime such a question is asked? What about camping and cooking your own meals makes it any more worthy of being a bike tour? If my concerns were about being in a tent and cooking my own meals, I would go camping and leave the bike out of it.
I'd bring the bike that's the better tool for the job. If I wanted a slower, relaxed ride, then the slow bike. If I were in a sportier mood - which does happen - and knew there would be boring or challenging spots, I'd want to attack them on a lighter road bike.
Clip-on fenders are available, by the way, e.g. https://www.rei.com/product/102250/s...pro-fender-set
