Nimmy

So I've been considering doing a long tour next summer (pacific coast? Maybe longer), and I've currently got an '08 Trek Portland; would this bike work out ? It fits me well, and I've done some longer rides on it (100 mile +) with day/overnight trip type loads, but that's it. I'd love to bring this bike with me, but not if it's going to hold me back a whole bunch.

jabantik00

why would it not work? looks like a very capable bike and it sounds like it fits you well

John Nelson

A couple of years ago when I went to my LBS, they didn't have a Trek 520 on the floor (very few shops do), but they wanted to sell me the Trek Portland for touring. Although I would rather have the Trek 520 for touring, I would certainly use a Trek Portland if I already had it.

BengeBoy 

Good thing you have the older model - the new ones I've seen in the shops have pretty lightweight wheels that seemed inappropriate to me for rugged commuting (which seems to me to be the aim of this bike).

The only issue I'd think you need to sort out is -- if you want to carry more stuff -- how to carry more of a load - will a front rack work with that carbon fork/disc brake set-up? Or would you need to think about a trailer (like a BOB or Extrawheel)?

Otherwise, have fun - great bike.

Nimmy

The carbon fork does not have a front rack dropout, and the wheels are ones I had built up. Mavic A719 rims on a Shimano XT disc front hub and Velocity disc hub in the back. I wasn't a fan of the looks of any of the disc touring rims I saw, and i'm not too worried about the extra weight.

Could I switch out the fork for a new one with a rack dropout?

BengeBoy 

You might ask your local custom touring bike builder right there in Eugene (Co-Motion) if they would sell you one of the Alpha-Q forks that they spec on the Co-Motion Nor'wester. It has fork eyelets that could probably be used to mount a front rack.

Or, try Old Man Mountain Racks...they sell front racks for bikes that have disc brakes and no front rack mounting spots.

https://www.oldmanmountain.com/index.html

Also, IRD sells a reasonably priced steel fork with disc brake mounts and dropout eyelets; don't know if it would work w/your bike.

https://www.interlocracing.com/forks.html

Finally, you could have any number of builders there in Oregon make you a custom front fork.

Fueled by Boh

Take a close look at your fork. There might be mounts on the inside of the fork blades. I've seen trek switchblades with mid blade bolts. If you've ever dabbled in backpacking, or are willing to look into packing efficiently, you should be able to fit your gear in two panniers.

Nimmy

LeeG

what a cool set up. If it hasn't "held you back" before don't see why it would now. Have you determined that you need to carry more than what's on your existing rig? I'd be inclined to shift some load carrying forward short of a full on front rack then see how that works. Using top tube/stem frame bags and small handlebar bag (the kind that suspend a small bag between the brake hoods and drops not a big cantilevered handlebar bag). If your total load starts creeping up to where you're carrying the kitchen sink then a different front fork and rack would be in the works. Personally I'd try and keep the total load as light as possible and work with that advantage over increasing your load 10-15lbs which is probably what a new fork, rack,bags and filling that capacity would bring you.

BengeBoy 

When I saw your first I remembered there were some kind of funky rack mounts in the Portland fork but I couldn't remember where they were, and I couldn't spot them in photos.

Do you think those eyelets on the inside of your fork will work? Or is there just enough clearance for fenders?

Dave Nault

Wheels are 32 spoke, 36 would be better but I have read that others have toured on 32 spokes with no issues.

paulrad9

I'd go with what you have, no changes. Use the rear rack but try to put the heavy gear towards the center of the bike/front of panniers. Also bring a couple spare spokes and a spoke wrench just in case you break a spoke; whether you have 32 or 36 spokes, they can also break and it's good to have spares so you can be back riding in less time it takes to eat a sandwich.