bicyclridr4life

First, let me say that a new bicycle is out of the question.

I am planning a "crazy" bicycle tour that I hope to start either in 2013 or 2014. I intend to follow the Adventure Cycling routes. The route will start with the Great Divide starting a the Canada boarder (unless I decide to do the Canadian part of the Great Divide as well), heading south, where I will link up with the Southern Route to Florida, where I will take the East Coast route north to meet up with the Northern Route from Main to Oregon,then I will figure out a way back to Twin Falls, ID.

I figure it will take about 1.5 to 2 years to complete the circle.

I will be pulling a two child capacity trailer the entire distance, to carry gear, plus use Panniers front and rear. My gear is not compact and light; my tent, for instance is a 10' x 12' dome.

I have my choice of two bikes to use on the tour.
The first is a 1989 KHS 'Montana Summit' mountain bike. This bike has a lugged and braised steel frame. I have upgraded/modified the KHS with a 13/34 seven speed freewheel, 22/32/48 Bontrager crank (I want to change the outer ring to a 38 or 40 tooth), full fenders, rear rack, (has front rack eyelets on fork drop outs) upgraded the rear derailleur to an older Sram X.9 or X.10, the shifters are Sram x.3 trigger. Brakes are a combination of Sachs 5000 and Dia-Comp cantilevers, using Suntour "motorcycle" style levers. Tires are Bontrager 26 x 2.1 knobbies front and rear. I have been modifying this bike for use as a all-purpose touring bike. Oh, the KHS also has bottle mounts for three water cages.

THe second bike is a 2003 Giant Cypress DX. This one has an aluminum frame, road suspension fork, 200-c wheels (35-c tires at this time) and a Shimano 24 speed drive train. I do not know the rear cog numbers, but the crank at present is a 28/38/48. The only modifications to this bike was to replace the original seat (most uncomfortable thing I ever sat on) and adjust the stem so the bar is lower, giving a more conventional ride position.
This bike has the eyelets for a rear rack, low rider front rack (even though the fork is a suspension fork) and eyelets for fenders and two water bottle cages. If I decide to use the Giant, the Shimano drive train will be replaced with either a 3 x 8 or 3 x 10 Sram, with a range of between 13-36 or 12-40 in back and all Shimano components will be replaced with Sram and Treko. I do not, based on experiences, trust Shimano components, so make a habit of eliminating them asap, even if with used parts. the Giant still needs racks, fenders, shifters replaced, and a couple other modifications before it would be ready for a tour. Yes, drop bars and brifters or a trekking bar would be an option for the Giant. Yes, the cost of changing things may equal or exceed the price of a new bike, however, I can do the upgrades one or two at a time, spreading out the cost over time, vs a new bike that has to be paid for all at once. Lastly, while the Giant is a 2003, I am the original owner of it since 2003, and have put under 300 miles on it.

While most of the trip will be on paved roads, I do not know if the Giant would be suitable for the Great Divide portion. The Mountain bike, while slightly slower on pavement would have no problems with the paved portions, and any areas where there is road construction.

I would like your opinion and reasoning for choosing one bike over the other were you to be making such a tour, based on your previous tours.

Thank you in advance.

Steve

fietsbob

Lot of time in the saddle , have you considered buying a Recumbent?

bicyclridr4life

In 2003 I considered a recumbent trike (sun) but bought the Giant instead. My finances have gone to heck since then, so getting a different bike of any kind is not an option, unless it is under $15.00 at a second hand store. (I talked the second hand store I bought the KHS at from $25 down to $10 since it needed two tires.)

fietsbob

Have you taken week long tours on both?
did you intend to Overhaul all the moving parts, to know they are in good condition,

or just budget to replace things as they Break and wear out as you Go?


Replace the knobbies, Id fit Trekking bars , That is my preference on my 26" wheel rig..

juggleaddict

Given the choices, I would go with the KHS, but I'm not a huge fan of hybrids, especially "comfort" ones.

bicyclridr4life

Moving parts will be rebuilt and/or replaced before I leave. I'll replace all the cable housings and inner cables as well before taking off. I kind of like the looks of the Velo-Orange braided steel brake and shift cables ... those housings should last a bit longer than a standard cable housing when out in the weather as I'll be.
I plan on taking a spare set of cables, 4 sets of brake shoes (2 front 2 rear), chain, master link, spokes, tubes, and perhaps a tire or two for the bike and trailer, just to be on the "safe" side.

Boondock

I did this... the red dotted line in 2011-2012 and I'm riding the purple line this year, on a old lugged steel framed mountain bike.

indyfabz

"I will be pulling a two child capacity trailer the entire distance, to carry gear, plus use Panniers front and rear. My gear is not compact and light; my tent, for instance is a 10' x 12' dome."

Good luck with that set up on the Great Divide route. At least you will be walking down Fleecer Ridge instead of pushing all that stuff up it.

indyfabz

BTW...You might want to read this (and the entire journal):

https://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/p...id=310026&v=2h

He's done the GD twice--once in each direction.

pdlamb

OP, your "mixed mode" road and mountain route is, well, interesting. I'd think the trail gear for the Great Divide route would slow you down on the roads of the rest of your trip, and the trailer, fine for a road, is going to be a hassle on the trail.

I suggest you start on the Great Parks AC route down through Colorado, and then pick your way down to the Southern Tier. You'll parallel much of the GD route, but stay on roads, which might also help with bike frame longevity.

indyfabz

Yep. One thing that the author of the journal I cited mentions is that a bike/trailer combo is difficult (and in some cases, impossible) to lift over obsticals as a unit, which results in unhitching and re-hitching. You may also find that you need to carry your bike and trailer separately though some sections, especially if it weighs a ton like your plan rig sounds like it might.

I did a short section of the GD route a few years ago. The section north from Polaris to Wise River, MT through the Pioneer Mountains. That is the main route, not an alternative, and it was paved maybe 3 or 4 years ago. Heading south from Wise River you will have about 30 miles of uphill to one degreee or another. There is one section that is incredibly steep. Heading north we had a strong tailwind. Stopped at a campground to get water and had to reverse direction to get to the pump. Even thouigh the grade was relatively easyl, the wind made it a challenge. The night before we stayed at Elkhorn Hot Springs, which is on the southern side of the summit. I griped to the manager about having to climb about 5 miles the next day. The manager told us that most of the people who come from Wise River stumble in half dead. I cannot immagine pulling a load that contains, among other things, a 10' x 12' tent, up that stretch, much less the entire U.S. portion of the GD route.

fietsbob

FWIW , I have a portage bag I can use in my trailer, as they are made for Canoeing ,
they have back Pack Straps,
to wear the pack while carrying the Canoe over your head.

I can wear My Trailer , then lift my Bike over stuff, if needed.

PDX Reborn

Since we're on the subject, just watched "Ride the Divide" on Netflix lastnight. Anyone planning a 1st time trip to the area should check it out. Great documentary about an underground race through the Great Divide! Not one road bike in the group, all were on mtb bikes. I'd go with the KHS with some upgrades to make it more comfortable for your journey.

bicyclridr4life

Thanks for the input. Sounds like I should forget it until I have more bike friendly equipment. Oh well, not the first time a planned ride bit the dirt.