Bikes comparable to Trek 520/Road bike to tour bike?
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Bikes comparable to Trek 520/Road bike to tour bike?
I’ve been riding a Bianchi Eros all summer. I put around 800 miles on it. When I bought it last spring I was a total newbie and never imagined I’d put in a lot of miles. I only planned to hit the paved bike trail and tool round the neighborhood as well as participate in GOBA (7 day tour). I now do a lot of long distance day trips, a lot of road/street biking and would like to some centuries.
The Bianchi has never been a great fit for me and I'm considering a different bike. It seems a touring bike may be better suited to my needs.
Based on positive reviews on this and other forums I took a Trek 520 out for a test ride and really like the ride and feel of the bike.
1) Are there bikes comparable to the 520 that I should consider?
2) Is there any way to make my skinny-tired, aluminum frame Bianchi feel more like a touring bike?
The Bianchi has never been a great fit for me and I'm considering a different bike. It seems a touring bike may be better suited to my needs.
Based on positive reviews on this and other forums I took a Trek 520 out for a test ride and really like the ride and feel of the bike.
1) Are there bikes comparable to the 520 that I should consider?
2) Is there any way to make my skinny-tired, aluminum frame Bianchi feel more like a touring bike?
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A Surly Long Haul Trucker, if you can find one. Less $ than a 520, better suited for touring, equal or better quality. But, they can be a bit hard to find.
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My Novara Randonee has turned out to be a great but simple steel framed touring bike. Give it a try.
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Skinny aluminum bikes will never feel like steel framed bikes with a touring geometry.
AL is stiff... you feel the road bumps and jarring.
Steel absorbs the road better (some will disagree, I believe it; I did a 7 day tour on a Felt F-70 and at the end I was buzzzzzzzing in my bonez). The longer geometry makes for a more relaxed fit on the bike, less twitchy handling, more stable under loads... easier at the end of the day.
I ride a Jamis Aurora. I think, for the money, that it is a very nice all-round bike that will do touring fine. If you are doing single track touring in India, maybe not. But yer average roads in NOrth America, no sweat.
Tour bikes have lots of places to screw on water bottles and racks. That's key.
AL is stiff... you feel the road bumps and jarring.
Steel absorbs the road better (some will disagree, I believe it; I did a 7 day tour on a Felt F-70 and at the end I was buzzzzzzzing in my bonez). The longer geometry makes for a more relaxed fit on the bike, less twitchy handling, more stable under loads... easier at the end of the day.
I ride a Jamis Aurora. I think, for the money, that it is a very nice all-round bike that will do touring fine. If you are doing single track touring in India, maybe not. But yer average roads in NOrth America, no sweat.
Tour bikes have lots of places to screw on water bottles and racks. That's key.
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Any shop which orders from Quality Bike Products (a MAJOR distributor) can acquire a Surly Long Haul Trucker.
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Skinny aluminum bikes will never feel like steel framed bikes with a touring geometry.
AL is stiff... you feel the road bumps and jarring.
Steel absorbs the road better (some will disagree, I believe it; I did a 7 day tour on a Felt F-70 and at the end I was buzzzzzzzing in my bonez). The longer geometry makes for a more relaxed fit on the bike, less twitchy handling, more stable under loads... easier at the end of the day.
I ride a Jamis Aurora. I think, for the money, that it is a very nice all-round bike that will do touring fine. If you are doing single track touring in India, maybe not. But yer average roads in NOrth America, no sweat.
Tour bikes have lots of places to screw on water bottles and racks. That's key.
AL is stiff... you feel the road bumps and jarring.
Steel absorbs the road better (some will disagree, I believe it; I did a 7 day tour on a Felt F-70 and at the end I was buzzzzzzzing in my bonez). The longer geometry makes for a more relaxed fit on the bike, less twitchy handling, more stable under loads... easier at the end of the day.
I ride a Jamis Aurora. I think, for the money, that it is a very nice all-round bike that will do touring fine. If you are doing single track touring in India, maybe not. But yer average roads in NOrth America, no sweat.
Tour bikes have lots of places to screw on water bottles and racks. That's key.
That said, a properly designed aluminum touring bike is just as comfortable as a steel bike. I even like my T800 better than steel bikes with a load. I've never been able to climb while standing on a steel touring bike but the stiff frame of the T800 handles that kind of riding much better. It may not seem important but on long up hill slogs (tough to avoid around here) being able to stand while pedaling is a necessity! Sitting a grinding up hill for 3 or 4 hours can put a real hurt on the nether regions
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Pokin' around the Poconos A cold ride around Lake Erie
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Picking the Scablands. Washington and Oregon, 2005. Pie and spiders on the Columbia River!
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A friend tried to order one and was told they were discontinued. I emailed Surly last night to find out for sure, and I'm going to try ordering one from Quality today.
The LHT is still on their website, so I'm hoping I'm just terribly misinformed.
The LHT is still on their website, so I'm hoping I'm just terribly misinformed.
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I think that Surly is out of stock for the year, not that it's discontinued but I may be terribly misinformed too.
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I would be surprised if they were going to discontinue the bike.
It seems like an incredibly popular bike that is constantly sold out everywhere.
It seems like an incredibly popular bike that is constantly sold out everywhere.
#13
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All good suggestions here: LHT, Randonee, 520, Aurora. Fuji also. I'd buy which one rides the best to you and which you can get a good price at a LBS you like. Saying any one is dramatically better than the others is probably splitting hairs. Personally, I'd probably go for the Aurora.
If you want something more sporty and less tourey, you might look into CX bikes. The basic deal with a tourer is you have the ability to carry loads. If your longer riding is going to be supported or credit-card (thus without heavy loads) you might prefer a CX bike. For example, a Specialized Tricross or Bianchi Volpe.
- Mark
If you want something more sporty and less tourey, you might look into CX bikes. The basic deal with a tourer is you have the ability to carry loads. If your longer riding is going to be supported or credit-card (thus without heavy loads) you might prefer a CX bike. For example, a Specialized Tricross or Bianchi Volpe.
- Mark
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+1 for the Aurora
nice, bulletproof bike for a good price (steel)
nice, bulletproof bike for a good price (steel)
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The Long Haul Trucker has NOT been discontinued, sorry for the misinformation.
I called Quality Bike Products today. They informed me that pre-built LHTs are out of stock for the year, but many frames are still available. I'm not sure when the pre-built LHTs will be fully stocked again.
I called Quality Bike Products today. They informed me that pre-built LHTs are out of stock for the year, but many frames are still available. I'm not sure when the pre-built LHTs will be fully stocked again.
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Update-Ended up with a 520
Thanks for all of the great information. After reading replies to my original question in this thread and after checking a number of other resources I ended up with a 520. I had a Brooks B17 added since I've been happy with that model on my other bike. Otherwise it’s stock for now.
Part of the reason I decided on the 520 was strictly availability. The local LBS had some 520s in stock so I could take a test ride. Most of the shops did not have the models I was interested in trying in stock. They could order whatever I wanted but I'm not buying a bike unless I can try it first. The place where I bought the 520 spent a great deal of time with me and my amateur questions. Quite a few bike stores here in town seem to cater only to experienced cyclists and are not newbie-friendly. One in particular informed me that "nobody really makes steel bikes anymore, except for kids bikes". Uhm, OK.
Anyway, I'll have to wait till the end of today to go for a ride. Looking forward to it.
Thanks for all of the advice!
Funyet
Part of the reason I decided on the 520 was strictly availability. The local LBS had some 520s in stock so I could take a test ride. Most of the shops did not have the models I was interested in trying in stock. They could order whatever I wanted but I'm not buying a bike unless I can try it first. The place where I bought the 520 spent a great deal of time with me and my amateur questions. Quite a few bike stores here in town seem to cater only to experienced cyclists and are not newbie-friendly. One in particular informed me that "nobody really makes steel bikes anymore, except for kids bikes". Uhm, OK.
Anyway, I'll have to wait till the end of today to go for a ride. Looking forward to it.
Thanks for all of the advice!
Funyet
Last edited by Funyet; 09-18-07 at 07:30 AM.
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I took the 520 out for a spin this evening. Had time only for 26 miles. The bike is s-m-o-o-t-h. Quite a different ride than my Bianchi. I'm going to have to fiddle with a few adjustments. My knees were pretty achy by the end of the ride. I imagine the seat height adjustment will help with this. The Brooks is wide and firm. Pretty comfortable but I know it will get more comfortable with time. The pedals will be replaced with some some big, wide touring pedals and maybe cages. I don’t think I’ll ever be a clipless guy. I plan to put many more miles on the bike before the week is over. May even take it on a trip this weekend.
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I'm happy with my 2007 520. Whoever says the LHT is more suited to loaded touring obviously hasn't ridden a laden 520. They're pretty much equal.
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Aluminum isn't stiff. Steel is stiff that's why they make springs out of it. Large diameter tubes are stiff which is why they make aluminum bikes with large tubes...to make it as stiff as a steel bike. If you used the same size and thickness of tube for an aluminum bike, you couldn't ride it...it'd collapse.
That said, a properly designed aluminum touring bike is just as comfortable as a steel bike. I even like my T800 better than steel bikes with a load. I've never been able to climb while standing on a steel touring bike but the stiff frame of the T800 handles that kind of riding much better. It may not seem important but on long up hill slogs (tough to avoid around here) being able to stand while pedaling is a necessity! Sitting a grinding up hill for 3 or 4 hours can put a real hurt on the nether regions
That said, a properly designed aluminum touring bike is just as comfortable as a steel bike. I even like my T800 better than steel bikes with a load. I've never been able to climb while standing on a steel touring bike but the stiff frame of the T800 handles that kind of riding much better. It may not seem important but on long up hill slogs (tough to avoid around here) being able to stand while pedaling is a necessity! Sitting a grinding up hill for 3 or 4 hours can put a real hurt on the nether regions
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Before I purchased my T800, I did try a Trek 520 and it had the same noodly feel that my old steel bike had. It's one of the reasons I went with the Cannondale.
They are worth a look. Well designed frames and strong as anything out there.
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Gold Fever Three days of dirt in Colorado
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Dinosaurs in Colorado A mountain bike guide to the Purgatory Canyon dinosaur trackway
Solo Without Pie. The search for pie in the Midwest.
Picking the Scablands. Washington and Oregon, 2005. Pie and spiders on the Columbia River!
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Plan Epsilon Around Lake Michigan in the era of Covid
Old School…When It Wasn’t Ancient bikepacking
Gold Fever Three days of dirt in Colorado
Pokin' around the Poconos A cold ride around Lake Erie
Dinosaurs in Colorado A mountain bike guide to the Purgatory Canyon dinosaur trackway
Solo Without Pie. The search for pie in the Midwest.
Picking the Scablands. Washington and Oregon, 2005. Pie and spiders on the Columbia River!
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Yes...for 20+ years. The Cannondale frame doesn't let the load drive it like the steel one did. The steel bike developed a death wobble around 40 mph (way faster than most people go but I'm built for gravity) with a load on it...very scary! My daughter has a newer steel Fuji that does the same around 35 mph. The T800 never has developed a wobble of any kind even up to nearly 50 mph. And, like I said before, I can stand up and climb the loaded T800 like you would an unloaded bike, i.e. throw it from side to side. With my old steel bike under load, I could climb standing but I had to pedal it standing straight up and down and be careful not to throw the bike from side to side. If I did the bike would wander all over the road.
Before I purchased my T800, I did try a Trek 520 and it had the same noodly feel that my old steel bike had. It's one of the reasons I went with the Cannondale.
They are worth a look. Well designed frames and strong as anything out there.
Before I purchased my T800, I did try a Trek 520 and it had the same noodly feel that my old steel bike had. It's one of the reasons I went with the Cannondale.
They are worth a look. Well designed frames and strong as anything out there.
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My LHT is rock solid into the 40 mph's unloaded and into the 30 mph's fully loaded (I'm a chicken when loaded).
I used to tour with a Rayleigh Record and it would certainly flex when loaded. I always attributed that to the Pletcher aluminum rack flexing from side to side under the load of the panniers but the bike was stolen so I'll never know.
I think most bikes can get a wobble if they are loaded in a certain way. A fully loaded bike can be a complicated system of springiness, sloppiness, sloshing liquids, and distributed and asymmetric moving masses. I have experienced wobble and then drunk from my water bottle and eaten food from my bar bag and the wobble has gone away.
I have no experience with an Al touring bike but my Al Specialized Stumpjumper FSX has never wobbled. Yet.
I used to tour with a Rayleigh Record and it would certainly flex when loaded. I always attributed that to the Pletcher aluminum rack flexing from side to side under the load of the panniers but the bike was stolen so I'll never know.
I think most bikes can get a wobble if they are loaded in a certain way. A fully loaded bike can be a complicated system of springiness, sloppiness, sloshing liquids, and distributed and asymmetric moving masses. I have experienced wobble and then drunk from my water bottle and eaten food from my bar bag and the wobble has gone away.
I have no experience with an Al touring bike but my Al Specialized Stumpjumper FSX has never wobbled. Yet.
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Check the gearing of the 520 versus the LHT. The 520 is geared too high for most serious full-loaded touring, requiring the purchase of a different crank. Check the chain stay length on both. The LHT has 460mm stays verus 450 on the 520, better heel clearance for large rear bags. The LHT has XT hubs, and RD, an upgrade over the 520. List price on the LHT is $900. The 520 lists for $1240.
Now I don't want to get into a debate about which is a better touring bike, I'm just supporting my earlier statement. Being able to test ride one is certainly very, very important. I almost bought a 520, but after research and comments on this site, I went for the LHT, and it sure served me well on my recent Southern Tier crossing. I couldn't be happier with it in case you couldn't tell.
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I just got off a brief tour of the northern part of the PCH. Of the dozens of bicyclists I met, I remember only four full-up touring bikes (including my LHT). Everyone else was "dancing with the one they brung".
Your 520 is one of the best. You can go anywhere with it.
Your 520 is one of the best. You can go anywhere with it.