Tentacle Master

So I've had a few people asking for my Excel sheet rating all the touring bikes of 2009. First Im sure its not all the touring bikes. I didn't include frames, custom bikes, or all bikes suitable for touring. These bikes are $2000 , errr kinda, or less and are labeled as touring bikes by their respective manufacturers. Theres are now 30 bikes in my list.

I recommend you use your own ratings system for your bike. I have included my own ratings to demonstrate how the list works which favors a steel bike, Cantilever bikes, STI shifters, and mountain bike components.

If you find I have made an error please post it here. If you think I should add another bike please post that too. If you think how I judge touring bikes is stupid I don't want to hear it and neither does anyone else.

Update 8/8/09: Added a speed column next to shifters so you can see what kind of shifters are on the bike; some shifters come in different speeds such as Ultegra STI and a few bar-end models. Fixed the price on the Jamis Aurora Elite from 1745 to $1475. oops. Added the stats for my upgraded Aurora Elite so I can show it off. Re-added the Google docs link to one people can't edit.

Update 8/3/09: added separate columns for rims, rim rating, spoke count, spoke count rating, rims size, stock tire width. Also, removed google docs link because people keep screwing with it.

Update 7/8/09: Added a bunch of bikes

Update 7/6/09: Fixed the attachment so it works

Update 7/3/09: added bikes, min/max wheelbase and chainstay
geometries
***Need geometry for Novaro REI bikes (can't find) and Raleigh Sojourn (Their site is down)

The list includes:
Cannondale Touring 1
Cannondale Touring 2
Co-motion Americano & co-pilot
Co-motion Nor'Wester & co-pilot
Co-motion Pangea & co-pilot
Dawes Galaxy
Dawes Galaxy Plus
Dawes Horizon
Fuji Touring
Jamis Aurora
Jamis Aurora Elite
KHS TR-101
Kona Sutra
Masi Speciale Randonneur
Norco Kwest Touring
Novara Randonee
Novara Safari
Raliegh Sojourn
Rocky Mountain Sperpa 10
Rocky mountain Sherpa 30
Salsa Casseroll
Salsa Fargo
Surly Long Haul Trucker (LHT)
Trek 520
Windsor Tourist

Cross bikes:
Surly Cross-Check
Bianchi Volpe

Hybrid bikes:
Trek 7.3 FX

Bikes are rated/info-given on:
price
brand
model
color
frame material
brakes
brake type
shifters
front derailleur
rear derailleur
crankset
chainrings
speeds
cassette range
min/max gear ratios (alot of hard work )
hubs
rims
min/max size
wheelbase for min/max size(not for all models)
chainstay length
weight (not available for msot models)
...and more



DOWNLOAD EXCEL SHEET .XLS HERE:
https://rapidshare.com/files/26511660...kes-8-8-09.xls

VIEW GOOGLE DOCUMENT HERE:
2009 Touring Bikes

BengeBoy 

Good list - there is a new touring bike from KHS (the 1100? the 1200?) that is right around $1100 or $1200 you might want to throw in here.

Other folks might also suggest it's worth ranking a couple of 'cross bikes that are commonly used for touring...the Surly Crosscheck and Bianchi Volpe come to mind.

When I've looked at touring bikes I always put wheelbase and chainstay length on the spreadsheet, and maximum tire size (if available). But I know you didn't want to hear that...

DukeArcher 

Just U.S touring bikes?

Tentacle Master

Um well throw me some brands and model and Ill put them in

sherbornpeddler

Just me or anyone else? For some reason I couldn't open the spreadsheet (says "compressed (zipped) file is invalid or corrupted".

Based on your message, great list. On my version I had a few more pricey and cheaper variation. I had Gunnar, Rivendale Homer Hilsen, Co-Motion Nor'wester and Motobecane Century. I'm suspicious a $200 classic frame with a new $1000 group will get yield a better bike than the new $1200 range.

alhanson

ya lost me. How is Fuji an American bike?

Cyclesafe

I couldn't open the file either. Maybe it could be posted unzipped....

Sherbornepeddler, I' be interested in seeing your list too, if you would share it...

antokelly

neither could i open file.

Delano

A lot of good information there. Thank you.

sherbornpeddler

I've a few old frames included. I'll just paste my list here (so I don't get my zip stuck.....)
Bianchi Volpe Cannondale T-2000Cannondale Touring 1Cannondale Touring 2Co-Motion Nor'WesterFuji TouringGunnarJamis AuroraJamis Aurora EliteKHS TR-101Kona SutraLygieMasi Speciale RandonneurMiyata 1000 Miyata 610 Motobecane CenturyNorco Kwest TouringNovara RandoneeNovara SafariRaliegh SojournRivendale Homer Hilsen. Rivendell AtlantisRocky mountain Sherpa 30Rocky Mountain Sperpa 10Salsa Casseroll Salsa FargoSpecialized Expedition Surly Cross-CheckSurly Long Haul Trucker (LHT)Trek 520Trek 720Windsor Tourist

Neil G.

Why not upload it to Google Spreadsheets? Then it will be readable by anyone without having to download it, and updates would be automatically there when people view it. You could even enable multiple editors to help fill it out.

Neil

bikesdirect_com

I hope you can add the Windsor Tourist; a full on touring bike that we sell out of all the time

In 2010 Motobecane will have a Gran Turismo, that is very upper end touring, but that is next year of course

BengeBoy 

Can you say more about what this bike will have on it?

parkerusa

I posted it to a google spreedsheets, everyone has editing privalages.

https://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?k...2bURGQ0E&hl=en

Tentacle Master

UPDATE
I posted a rapidshare link becuase theres something wrong with this sites ability to convert zip files

Also Ill look into the bikes yall mentioned

sherbornpeddler

Great spreadsheet. This is a real service. Can you (we) define some of the rating criteria and assumptions? Min and Max wheelbase maybe should specify frame size? I know that is difficult.
How about weight for 58cm (or pick a size).
I added Raleigh Sojurn data from the Raleigh product brochure.

sherbornpeddler

This really is a good tool. Thank you.

At the risk of sounding facetious, who can turn this into a formula so I can put in my fit dimensions and select the frames, spec my stem, bar, saddle crank options, build weight and ride quality?

Are there really this many different high volume frame builders? I would have thought many began at the same factory and were painted, labeled and assembled with slight component variations for the brand difference. CNC and TIG welding perhaps enable frame variations in which case there really should be definable weight adn ride differences.

Tentacle Master

I recommend that you follow my rapidshare link in the First Post and get your own copy ad then adjust the ranking based on your own preferences. As far as fit goes, I doubt I can think up something apropriate to put into a spreadsheet. You really should try and find a bike in a shop even if its 100 miles away. If the bike is going to do 10,000 miles for you, you can do 100 for it

Tentacle Master

OK so typing out loud here.....

Cannondale T-2000 (old nonexistant model?)
Co-Motion Nor'Wester (co-motion has 2 other models plus (i think) suicase models of each)
Gunnar (brand with many frames, and little information)
Lygie (super old?)
Miyata 1000, Miyata 610 (does Miyata still exist? I can't find a site)
Motobecane Century (carbon frame? really?)
Rivendale Homer Hilsen (arn't these just frames? Ill check again)
Rivendale Atlantis
Salsa Casseroll
Specialized Expedition (dont think they make this anymore)
Windsor Tourist (adding)
Trek 720 ( good bike but since, i think, 2002 the 700 series divided into the 7000 series, more comfort hybrid, and the FX 7.X series, more sport hybrid. since i do love a good trek I'll look into the FX 7.X series and see any of the models have a wheelbase or chainstay for touring, too bad they're made out of aluminium.

So it seams Ive asked some questions unknowninglty to myself. Answers are welcome

on a whim I looked up bikesdirect.com which has a touring section will the following as-of-yet-unseen-on-this-thread bikes
motobecane cafe noir
motobecane cafe sprint
motobecane cafe latte
motobecane fantom cross cx
dawes lightning tour
mercier galaxy steel
I'll add these bikes too i guess

Tentacle Master

UPDATE 7/8/09

Added the followig 12 bikes
Co-motion Americano & co-pilot
Co-motion Nor'Wester & co-pilot
Co-motion Pangea & co-pilot
Dawes Galaxy
Dawes Galaxy Plus
Dawes Horizon
Salsa Casseroll
Trek 7.3 FX
Windsor Tourist

tarwheel 

I think you make a mistake only listing bikes that can be purchased complete rather than just frames. You can build up a fine touring bike for less than $2,000 while choosing your own frame and components. Eg, I built up a Bob Jackson World Tour over the winter for about $1,000 although I did save money by using some parts (wheels, handlebars, seat, post, pedals) from other bikes. The Jackson World Tour frame only costs about $600, and you can buy a Mercian King of Mercia for about $900-1000.

Also, you should include Bruce Gordon bikes/frames in your list. Soma is coming out with a new touring frame soon that should be very reasonably priced, based on their other bikes. The Soma Smoothie ES could be used for light touring.

BengeBoy 

If you're adding these, I'd suggest you look at the Rodriguez touring bikes at well (very nice, same price).

www.rodcycle.com.

Rodriguez is based in Seattle but will ship anywhere (at least in the U.S.).

Someone will come along soon and recommend you add Thorn, too, since they ship all over.

deburn

Thanks for the link BengeBoy. I'd never heard of Rodriguez but they sound like a cool LBS AND builder

BengeBoy 

+1

Yes they are. I've visited the store a number of times, came close to buying one of their bikes, and have toured through their framebuilding shop a couple of times.

I ended up buying a Davidson instead (another local Seattle builder), but there are many happy Rodriguez owners around town.

sherbornpeddler

TentacleM,
Really good advice! I get caught up in comparisons and forget fit is most important.
I've not been able to put together an illustration to compare my "ideal" frame with others; inputting wheelbase, back stay length, bottom drop, tube lengths, tube angles and so forth to compare frames but not yet been successful.

I am also probably too interested in frame and built up weight.
I think it is like comparing wine but I'd like to quantify handling. I've a Raleigh Cadent One that rides like a truck and a Serotta Fierte that rides like a dream. Wheels, frame material and geometry. Grapes, age and food.