First ride on my new Americano. Bottom line I like it a lot, but had some real concerns about the bar end shifters. Here's my impressions:

1. First off, the bike is dreamy smooth, stable beyond words and very comfortable. I'm used to a Giant TCR and a Cervelo Soloist (both carbon/racing geometry) and riding this bike is like sliding into an old worn leather couch. With the upright riding position and lumbering weight, it encourages one to actually look around instead of just trying to hammer. I enjoyed the ride and the scenery...just cruised. Very different riding experience altogether and one I enjoyed.

2. The Brooks B17 (my first Brooks was 30 years ago or so) was much more comfy than I expected. Granted I only rode 15 miles, but not bad. I may look into having the center carved out as they do with the Imperial (wonder if a cobbler could do that??) as the irritation I did experience was in that center/plumbing region. A cut out might help that- I currently ride a saddle with a substantial center cut out and I suspect I am going to need that (ah the joys of being 60ish).

AND FINALLY>>>>>

3. Ok, Ok...the bar end shifters weren't bad. In fact (voice lowers and he stares at his feet), I actually liked them. Found an advantage: pull up to a stop and you can move the chain from the 11 cog to the 34 cog with one movement- with an STI it would have been: click, click, click.....click. I still found myself wanting to shift with my middle finger a lot, but the ability to move the chain immediately to the cog you want is a pretty neat advantage. I expected to hate them on any kind of incline where multiple shifts would have been needed, but it just wasn't a big deal. I am still wondering what it will be like if I am climbing Hog Pen (one of Six Gaps in north GA mountains with pitches of 15% and better) and need to go down a gear while maintaining forward momentum-taking a hand off the handlebars in that situation concerns me.

Conclusion: I will definitely give this a chance and do not feel an urge to rip them out just yet.

Yeah, I ride the Six Gaps and use bar-end shifters. I thought I was the only one out there without STI's and lycra. I usually do the Six gaps loaded, to train for longer trips, and really love using bar end shifters. But, I haven't tried using STI or downtube shifters. Nice ride!

@ bobframe: that's a really nice looking bike. anymore pics of it online?

More pics of my Americano: https://s244.photobucket.com/albums/g...n%20Americano/

My '08 Cannondale T2, hasn't been on tour yet, hence the garage door.

The panniers are loaded with everything I will take on a week-long tour. Only thing missing from the photo are the 3 water bottles.

Very sexy. Nicely done!

yeamac,

what's the saddle? looks like a brooks imperial, but the sides appear too short. I like your rig, btw.

joining in...converted mtb

Probably a Selle Anatomica.
-Gene-

Gene wins the prize. Selle Anatomica Clydesdale Watershed version.

What a great day for a ride...to bad its 40 out now

Setup for an recent overnighter https://forums.mtbr.com/showthread.php?t=568652 on dirt roads, man I love this bike.




Saludos

efuentes,
There's something about simplicity in a bike so attractive in spite of brand or condition. BTW what IS the make and model of your rig?
Cheers!

Its an old Raleigh steel hybrid frame (early 90s I guess) that I found laying in the dirt on a friends shop, after a weekend of rubbing, scrubbing and painting I put it together with stuff from my parts bin, I did spend real money on some fat 700X40 tires and a new chain.

My Colnago Mexico Super is getting jealous lately .

Saludos

Always wanted to do a bike tour. Finally did one this last summer. Met my son up at his Boy Scout campground - now I am hooked!

This is my Paramount PDG 20 bike that I had for years. I put some drops on it and rigged it up for touring.


I have changed this bike back to it's original mountain bike style and have moved the touring rig onto a nice Dirt Research Kobuk frame that I got for "dirt" cheap.

chris

Dude! You repainted my bike!

Track/Touring bike.... yea... so far it has gotten me from Tampa, FL to Wilmington, NC. Next stop Richmond, VA... First and last tour I will ever do on a track bike for obvious reasons.

I have to say, though. You certainly do have cajones for doing that.
-Gene-

I'm taking off on the TransAm trail starting in May 2010. I didn't want to spend a bunch on a new bike if I could get around it. I took a Raleigh R700 road frame I had hanging from the rafters. I had previously put over 3,000 miles on it while I was stationed in South Korea way back in '98-99. At first I was skeptical whether it would serve as a tourer.

First thing I did was relax my sitting position with an adjustable stem (raising the handlebars). Next was a brooks saddle, and a kickstand (yes! A kickstand!). Then, I began changing the drive train. On the front went a triple derailleur matched with a 48-39-24 chain ring setup. I installed a chain-keeper affair to keep losing the chain on the low side. This would surely occur with the rather large span between the 39 and the 24. I hadn't intended to install a 24, but that's what was sent to me when I ordered a 26. I like the 24!

The rear derailleur is an XTR mated to an 11-34 cassette. I can climb halfway up a tree, get off for a break and get back on and continue up the tree! It is a mountain goat!

I found a seat post clamp with eyelets for a rack that works really well. I installed a light rear pannier affair on the rack. It works well but I'm thinking about going with better volume panniers for my trip.

For wheels I have installed a pair of 36 spoke affairs with XT hubs. The widest tires I can fit on the rear is a 28mm. So, I went with a pair of those. Barring any accidents, I really do not expect to have any wheel problems in the three months of my ride. But just in case I am bringing a couple of spare spokes and a cassette removal tool.

The Raleigh, who I have dubbed "Sir Walter" (original I know) sports a handlebar bag too. He is also equipped with an XM/MP3 radio and external speakers! Speaking of the handlebars, I wrapped the bar tape over some gel strips...I'm quite happy with the thicker feel and it absorbs road vibration good too.

I'll be pulling a BOB Trailer, so front Panniers are not needed.

I have ridden the bike for over a 1,000 miles with about 300 of those pulling the BOB trailer. I made minor adjustments here and there. One of the biggest was cutting about 2" off of the kickstand. It pushed the front of the bike way up into the air when stock. There is a picture posted below with it in original form and you can see it is way up there!! After 1,000 miles Sir Walter seems to be my answer for the trip. About the only real concern I have so far and it is a very small one is; the rear tire is very close to the frame seat tube. I can get rocks hung up in there once in awhile. A few times I have had to stop and dislodge a rock from there. It is a rare occurrence though.

It looks about eight feet shorter than the last bike I saw you on. Better luck this time- you`re going unsupported, I take it?

Yes, eight feet shorter is about right! And yes, unsupported, with no one to worry about (on the bike anyway) but me and my equipment.

On the last trip we had a great time, but the ladies just didn't have the same enthusiasm as when they started out with. Sometimes that has to be expected. A wakeup call I guess.

FWIW, I applaud you for unselfishly calling it off last time. Have fun.

This is my rig on my first tour ever - The Oregon Coast. I am scheming my next trip presently...

My back and knee's ache just by looking at that bike.

All the load on my rig ...