Hybrid Touring
 

Hello,

I am considering touring on my Trek 7200. Has anyone got any experience of touring with a Hybrid? What are the main concerns? Is it a big 'no no'? I am aware of the flat handlebar issue, but have worries about the wheels and frame? I will be carrying rear panniers, tent and sleeping bag - not a massive amount of weight. I guess about 30kg. I only weight 65 myself.

If you could advise me I would be grateful. I'm sure there's plenty I've not thought about just yet!!

Thanks Jamie

toured 1000's of miles on my old Schwinn Sierra hybrid style before getting my first "real" touring bike. It wasn't to bad. I had the gearing for touring... I had the wheels for it. Was it perfect? Not really but it sure was fun.

Sturdy wheels and gearing are the key... Everything else you can really work with. I added bar ends for more hand positions and that really helped me.

First and foremost.... gear up and go.

A hybred bike should be fine. The main issue is if your comfortable on it for long days in the saddle. Just looking at a picture of it though, it looks fine. You may consider fenders to keep you and your gear cleaner but that is up to you.

Your hybrid is a lot better ride than some others I've seen out on the road. It'll be just fine. A bit slower maybe than a standard touring bike, if there is such a thing, but a tour is not a race.

30kg is actually a lot of weight for a tour. I always say if it weighs more than 20kg, you've packed too much. Common for novice tourers to overpack. Do an overnighter or two and see if you can do without some stuff.

Adjust the gearing so that your pedaling cadence is in the 60-80 rpm range. More efficient, less tiring.

Above all, have fun.

"Hybrid" is a term invented by salespeople to make consumers anxious that they have the wrong bicycle and need to buy another. All a bike has to do to be a candidate for touring is have good granny gears and be comfortable to sit on all day. If that describes your bike, you're all set -- regardless of whether that upsets marketing types.

I met a guy who used to ride his 7200 from England to Italy once or twice a year. You should be fine.

I met a guy from England who had just completed the Southern Tier (CA to FL) on a hybrid towing a small aluminium trailer. He had it all pretty well sorted out but he told me if he had to do it again he would have added aero bars.

Mike

This.

Only requirement I'd add in general is solid mounting options for rear/front racks as and if needed. In OP's case, apparently just the rear rack which the Trek has I believe.

--J

What handlebar issue? Does anyone have any opinions on the Bontrager Satellite Plus Trekking bars?
http://bontrager.com/model/04972

1. The only thing still original on my hybrid is the fork/crank & frame. I put on an adjustable stem
nashbar "trekking" bars, Terry gel saddle. over 5K miles. add some good racks and a bar bag and you set to go. Fenders are a plus in the rain
2. You can ride just about anythin as long as you have the right attitude.

Hi all,

I think the general consensus is that I will be ok with the 7200. Thank you all for your comments. I am fairly new to the biking scene, so every bit of advice it invaluable!!

The handlebar issue, is what I have picked up from forums about preferring drop bars for comfort rather than the hybrids 'straight' bars. I can understand it really, but how much better is it? If its not that much better, I'll keep the straight bars. I am concentrating on a pleasant tour with the kit I already have and dont want to spend too much on new gear (other than good panniers!). However, I have the following as standard:

Wheels: Matrix 750 alloy rims built on alloy front and Shimano RM60 rear hubs
Tyres: Bontrager Invert Puncture Resistant

Again - I might need to beef the tyres up a little - but are the rims ok?

I thank you all for your comments so far, and in advance. (I'll post some pictures of her kitted up soon so you can all see her!!!)

Jamie.

I'm sure the rims are more than sufficient. I used to ride a hybrid (of lower quality than the trek too!) when I weighed more than you and your gear, and the wheels held up to severe punishment on my teenaged riding habits... the wheels were built up from generic alumnium rims. The best thing you can do now if you have your bike and gear is to do a shake-down trip. It'll answer all your questions. (assuming the bike is mechanically sound)

I ride a Trek 7000 and have done some touring on it. Never had a problem and the ride was always good. I have a touring bike as well but am not ready to give up the Trek. You should be good on it. Have fun!

Have been using my old Trek 7500 for quite some time as a commutourer and it has no problem with long rides and the comfort level is really high.

I did a drop bar conversion since I have no love for flat bars and find the drop bars to be the most versatile and comfortable when you are putting down serious miles every day... had actually planned on doing some long tours on it until I fragged my back.

The '99 7500 has a geometry that is quite similar to a 520 (it has been mistaken for one on a few occasions) and is more roadish than some of the later hybrid offerings.

The only original parts are the frame and fork... everything else has been replaced and upgraded.

http://www.ravingbikefiend.com/bikep...09commute4.JPG

Rode on several tours including a ride from Brussels to Cairo on my 1990 Trek 790 hybrid bike. No problems at all.

Hybrid flat bars offer only one hand position. This is fine for shorter rides but after a few hours riding you need a change. After a few days it can lead to hand/elbow/shoulder problems.
The usual replacement handlebar for touring on hybrids is either a clip-on aerobar or a butterfly-style trekking bar. You can retain your current brake/gear controls.

If your concerned about whether or not to have flats or drops, you could always buy drop bar bar ends.

I used to own a Trek 7200 and the wheels and tires are plenty good for touring. Like another had suggested, all that you need to do is add drop bar ends.

I have just purchased some bar ends, but I will get some drop bar ends too. Just been out on the bike today for a good trek. The only thing thats bothering me now is a sore bum!!!! :)

Thank you all for your input on this one, it has been really helpful. I have just started to get all of my bits ready for the 300 miler I'm doing in April. My Ortliebs turned up on Thursday :D

Jamie