Calling all experts! Help pick the best bike!!!
03-16-13 | 09:10 AM
#1
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Calling all experts! Help pick the best bike!!!
I have my first tour planned for the end of August 2013. It's a 9 day, 560 mile trip. I'm a first timer.
I've owned a Trek mountain bike for 15 years and am looking to move on to a road/touring/cyclocross bike BUT AM COMPLETELY LOST!!! Here are the offers I have on the table:
1. 2013 Specialized Tricross Sport Disc Comp - $1300 brand new from the shop with sales tax
https://www.specialized.com/us/en/bik...ortdisccompact
2. 2012 KHS Flite TR-101 - This one is brand new and I they will sell it to me for $900 (msrp $1,100), no tax.
https://khsbicycles.com/05_flite_tr_101_09.htm
3. 2012 KHS Flite 300 - $600 (brand new, no sales tax) Even though this is a road bike, I am still interested since it's a good deal
https://khsbicycles.com/05_flite_300_07.htm
What can you recommend me? I am interested in a sturdy bike like the Specialized Tricross for all-around riding, not just touring. I'm afraid if I invest in the road bike it is not going to be tough enough for rough roads, etc.
Please help a newbie out! Thanks guys!!!
I've owned a Trek mountain bike for 15 years and am looking to move on to a road/touring/cyclocross bike BUT AM COMPLETELY LOST!!! Here are the offers I have on the table:
1. 2013 Specialized Tricross Sport Disc Comp - $1300 brand new from the shop with sales tax
https://www.specialized.com/us/en/bik...ortdisccompact
2. 2012 KHS Flite TR-101 - This one is brand new and I they will sell it to me for $900 (msrp $1,100), no tax.
https://khsbicycles.com/05_flite_tr_101_09.htm
3. 2012 KHS Flite 300 - $600 (brand new, no sales tax) Even though this is a road bike, I am still interested since it's a good deal
https://khsbicycles.com/05_flite_300_07.htm
What can you recommend me? I am interested in a sturdy bike like the Specialized Tricross for all-around riding, not just touring. I'm afraid if I invest in the road bike it is not going to be tough enough for rough roads, etc.
Please help a newbie out! Thanks guys!!!
03-16-13 | 10:27 AM
#2
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The bike you have is likely no worse than the replacements you are considering. Tune it up and ride it so that you are more in shape for the tour. Six hundred miles is not so far; a Walmart bike would go 600 miles (or further) with the right operator.
If you HAVE to buy a new bike, get a touring bike, they make good all-around bikes, and if you choose you can sell it after the tour and recover most of your cost, since it's hard to find a good used touring bike.
The Surly Long Haul Trucker is a very good value in touring bikes. It is also sold as a frameset (<$400) and allows one to move parts from their "inadequate" mountain bike to the LHT, thus completing a bike for lower cost. If you are not handy and a good internet shopper, I recommend you consider a "complete" LHT bike, since it's possible to waste money and time building a bike if you lack the motivation or aptitude for the job.
For other bikes to consider, see the sticky thread near top of Touring forum, a list/spreadsheet of bikes suitable for touring.
If you HAVE to buy a new bike, get a touring bike, they make good all-around bikes, and if you choose you can sell it after the tour and recover most of your cost, since it's hard to find a good used touring bike.
The Surly Long Haul Trucker is a very good value in touring bikes. It is also sold as a frameset (<$400) and allows one to move parts from their "inadequate" mountain bike to the LHT, thus completing a bike for lower cost. If you are not handy and a good internet shopper, I recommend you consider a "complete" LHT bike, since it's possible to waste money and time building a bike if you lack the motivation or aptitude for the job.
For other bikes to consider, see the sticky thread near top of Touring forum, a list/spreadsheet of bikes suitable for touring.
Last edited by seeker333; 03-16-13 at 10:34 AM.
03-17-13 | 07:12 AM
#3
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Thanks seeker333! I am looking to invest in a "road-style" bike now and think that you are right: a touring bike is the way to go (not only because of the long trips I plan on taking over the years, but also because they seem more rugged than sleek road bikes for the roads and paths in my area).
03-17-13 | 10:30 AM
#4
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"Best" is custom.. I guess the bike shop you do business with sells KHS & Specialized, right?
Trek's 520 is a good tool for touring, .. what Bruce Gordon builds is Better. His racks are a real highlight.
I assume you want 700c wheels?. since overhauling the Trek MTB, and converting it
is not being considered.
Surly LHT gets a lot of talk about ,here, made in 700c or 26"
Many Bike shops Have a QBP account, so can order those,
though may not keep in stock the Built Up bikes..
Ditto Salsa another QBP brand.
Tubus racks highly recommended, chromoly steel tubing..
Trek's 520 is a good tool for touring, .. what Bruce Gordon builds is Better. His racks are a real highlight.
I assume you want 700c wheels?. since overhauling the Trek MTB, and converting it
is not being considered.
Surly LHT gets a lot of talk about ,here, made in 700c or 26"
Many Bike shops Have a QBP account, so can order those,
though may not keep in stock the Built Up bikes..
Ditto Salsa another QBP brand.
Tubus racks highly recommended, chromoly steel tubing..
Last edited by fietsbob; 03-17-13 at 10:42 AM.
03-17-13 | 11:14 AM
#5
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I know I'm not the only "expert" here, surprised no one else chimed in. Maybe they're all out riding now that spring weather has arrived. Regarding your choices in #1:
1. Spec Tricross - Al frame, Al fork, 44cm chainstay, 50/34t crank+11/30, Sora+BB5 comps, $1300. A Surly Disc Trucker costs the same, with longer chainstays, slacker ST and HT angles, durable steel frame and fork, and same or better components. The SDT has a lower geared triple crank that will work better for touring than the Tricross's 50/43. The Tricross has STI shifters, the SDT has bar ends, either will work but personal preference will figure in here. Tricross has 32h unknown quality wheels, the SDT has 36h Alex Adventurers on XT hubs, both proven touring components. I like the orange paint on the Tricross but I'd get the SDT, all things considered, for the same cost. A Surly LHT is the same as a SDT but with cantilever brakes, and costs ~50 bucks less. Also, you can SDT and SLHT with 26" wheels in any size, some folks prefer these for the perceived greater longevity of the mtb wheel. I may be biased towards the SLHT and SDT since I own(ed) one.
https://surlybikes.com/bikes/disc_trucker
2. The KHS TR-101 has a steel frame, 45cm CSs, triple crank and a 11/34 cassette. At $900 I'd pick it before the Spec Tricross, it's a better touring bike in terms of geometry and gearing, and there's not 400 bucks more content in the Tricross. The included fenders and rack would save you >$60 over buying them separately. I think I see a disc brake mount on the fork, which isn't noteworthy if the hubs are not disc-capable. Disc brake conversion cost would be prohibitive, otherwise.
3. Flite 300 - It's an inexpensive road bike, 415mm CSs, Al frame/CF fork, 50/34+11/28 gears. There's no provision to fit a front rack/bags. The CSs are typical rd bike length (actually a little longer), but they're still short for fitting rear panniers. You'll need small bags, pushed rearwards on rack (bad for handling) and small feet to avoid heel-strike.
A better choice is perhaps a Windsor Tourist from Bikes Direct, also $600. It has 44cm CSs and provision for fitting front rack. Bikes Direct is hard to beat on price. You have to do a small amount of assembly/tweaking on the bike once you get it, or pay your LBS to do it for you.
https://www.bikesdirect.com/products/windsor/tourist.htm
Of your 3 choices, I'd pick the TR-101. Alternately, I'd look for a used SLHT (or SDT, but hard to find) for about the same money.
Cost-wise, bear in mind that necessary racks, panniers, camping gear, apparel, and not-so-necessary-but-seemingly-indispensable electronic gizmos all cost a lot, probably more than the bike, which means it's relatively less critical to pinch pennies on the bike.
The least costly option is to put some 1.4-1.6" slick tires on your old mtb, clean/lube the drivetrain, check the brake pads and cables, and attach a trailer to tow your gear, if any. Sell the trailer after tour on ebay/cl.
I'll conclude by mentioning that a 700c wheeled bike is not significantly faster than a 26" wheeled bike in a touring scenario. Luggage and the typical upright posture of a touring bicyclist create a lot more frontal area and wind drag than the typical racy road cyclist. The upshot is you don't go very fast even if you try, plus you're schlepping 200-300 pounds while pedaling 50-100 miles a day, for several days with no break for physical recovery. Most cyclists (>80%) end up averaging 9-12 mph on flat ground. If you intend to use the bike for a lot of non-touring cycling, which many do, then a 700c wheeled bike can be faster and makes more sense.
1. Spec Tricross - Al frame, Al fork, 44cm chainstay, 50/34t crank+11/30, Sora+BB5 comps, $1300. A Surly Disc Trucker costs the same, with longer chainstays, slacker ST and HT angles, durable steel frame and fork, and same or better components. The SDT has a lower geared triple crank that will work better for touring than the Tricross's 50/43. The Tricross has STI shifters, the SDT has bar ends, either will work but personal preference will figure in here. Tricross has 32h unknown quality wheels, the SDT has 36h Alex Adventurers on XT hubs, both proven touring components. I like the orange paint on the Tricross but I'd get the SDT, all things considered, for the same cost. A Surly LHT is the same as a SDT but with cantilever brakes, and costs ~50 bucks less. Also, you can SDT and SLHT with 26" wheels in any size, some folks prefer these for the perceived greater longevity of the mtb wheel. I may be biased towards the SLHT and SDT since I own(ed) one.
https://surlybikes.com/bikes/disc_trucker
2. The KHS TR-101 has a steel frame, 45cm CSs, triple crank and a 11/34 cassette. At $900 I'd pick it before the Spec Tricross, it's a better touring bike in terms of geometry and gearing, and there's not 400 bucks more content in the Tricross. The included fenders and rack would save you >$60 over buying them separately. I think I see a disc brake mount on the fork, which isn't noteworthy if the hubs are not disc-capable. Disc brake conversion cost would be prohibitive, otherwise.
3. Flite 300 - It's an inexpensive road bike, 415mm CSs, Al frame/CF fork, 50/34+11/28 gears. There's no provision to fit a front rack/bags. The CSs are typical rd bike length (actually a little longer), but they're still short for fitting rear panniers. You'll need small bags, pushed rearwards on rack (bad for handling) and small feet to avoid heel-strike.
A better choice is perhaps a Windsor Tourist from Bikes Direct, also $600. It has 44cm CSs and provision for fitting front rack. Bikes Direct is hard to beat on price. You have to do a small amount of assembly/tweaking on the bike once you get it, or pay your LBS to do it for you.
https://www.bikesdirect.com/products/windsor/tourist.htm
Of your 3 choices, I'd pick the TR-101. Alternately, I'd look for a used SLHT (or SDT, but hard to find) for about the same money.
Cost-wise, bear in mind that necessary racks, panniers, camping gear, apparel, and not-so-necessary-but-seemingly-indispensable electronic gizmos all cost a lot, probably more than the bike, which means it's relatively less critical to pinch pennies on the bike.
The least costly option is to put some 1.4-1.6" slick tires on your old mtb, clean/lube the drivetrain, check the brake pads and cables, and attach a trailer to tow your gear, if any. Sell the trailer after tour on ebay/cl.
I'll conclude by mentioning that a 700c wheeled bike is not significantly faster than a 26" wheeled bike in a touring scenario. Luggage and the typical upright posture of a touring bicyclist create a lot more frontal area and wind drag than the typical racy road cyclist. The upshot is you don't go very fast even if you try, plus you're schlepping 200-300 pounds while pedaling 50-100 miles a day, for several days with no break for physical recovery. Most cyclists (>80%) end up averaging 9-12 mph on flat ground. If you intend to use the bike for a lot of non-touring cycling, which many do, then a 700c wheeled bike can be faster and makes more sense.
03-17-13 | 11:44 AM
#6
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Jayk, in addition to what Seeker said are you clear about the long term use for the bike? If the bike will continue as a utility bike and load carrier for 80% or so of your riding then a full on tourer like the KHSFlite 101 is a good choice. If after this trip 80% of your riding is fast road riding and club rides then the Cross bikes look worthwhile but you'll enjoy the bike more by not loading it up as much as the touring bikes for the trip.
Wrt picking bikes in a particular category I'd look at the lower cost version until you know what you want without asking as the money will be useful for outfitting and it's quite likely you could be looking at a different bike if your riding increases and you develop different preferences.
Wrt picking bikes in a particular category I'd look at the lower cost version until you know what you want without asking as the money will be useful for outfitting and it's quite likely you could be looking at a different bike if your riding increases and you develop different preferences.
03-17-13 | 12:43 PM
#7
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From: NW,Oregon Coast
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Once again, if you already have the Skills to fully overhaul, field strip, a bike, then maybe bikes direct will work.
because you skipped past the dealer, who is there to help you , after the sale, otherwise..
might be useful skills to learn for unsupported repairs in the remote places ,
Don't know if the BD purchase is the place to start those .. you decide..
because you skipped past the dealer, who is there to help you , after the sale, otherwise..
might be useful skills to learn for unsupported repairs in the remote places ,
Don't know if the BD purchase is the place to start those .. you decide..
03-23-13 | 03:24 PM
#8
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Thanks for everyone's input! On a trip to Fort Collins, CO I found a bike shop having their "annual sale". Got the Specialized Tricross elite disc comp for a very good deal (especially since it was an early graduation/birthday present!!!).
I am so pumped to hit the road, but it is very cold here in KS...
I am so pumped to hit the road, but it is very cold here in KS...
03-23-13 | 06:36 PM
#10
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Joined: Nov 2010
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From: Bethesda, MD
Totally agree with the comments on Surley LHT. I was looking for the same type of bike for loaded tours but not super long distances. I a actually ended up buying the Surly CrossCheck. It felt more responsive and quicker. It's also a great weekend rider and weekday hack bike. I could not be happier. Ride both Surlys and see what you think.
Andy
Andy
03-26-13 | 11:46 AM
#11
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From: NH
Bikes: Rans Stratus XP
Well, for me best = pain free touring. I find a recumbent offers almost no hand/wrist/neck/back/butt/groin discomfort and an excellent forward facing riding position. I found a used Rans Stratus XP for $1100 and it brought me across the U.S. with pleasure.
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