Touring with a road bike
 

I'm considering what would be my first tour late this coming summer with a friend of mine. I was wondering what you tourers thought of using my Cannondale r1000 with a Bob trailer as my rig for a tour. I am aware this is a fairly lightweight frame, with light road wheels, and would need to be geared down in order to even be feasible.

If this really isn't such a good idea, another idea I was thinking of pursuing was a cyclocross bike for added durability instead of my roadie. I'm also a larger (heavy) than smaller cycling types, I could easily weight in between 220-250 even if I am in good shape for touring, so that maybe a deterent from using my r1000.

I'm not trying to avoid spending money on a dedicated touring rig if that is what I really should be going for, I'm just considering these other options because I already have the road bike and a cyclocross bike would get more use outside of touring.

Thanks for the advice.

A cycle cross bike that fits you well, will work great for touring using a BOB trailer. The gearing should be low enough and the rims should be plenty strong. The fit and comfort are things that are more up to you.
Greg

It depends on how far you are going, how much you are hauling, and what the terrain is like.

I've toured with an unmodified road bike (53/39 chainrings and 11-23 cassette, 32 spoke wheels) towing a BOB in Florida with no problems, for example. Possible modifications for heavier duty might be: beefier rear wheel, lower gearing, kevlar tires or tire liners. With a triple chainring and stout 36 spoke wheel in the back, you could tour anywhere.

That's encouraging to hear. I am finacially challenged right now (graduating this spring) so saving money by not having to pick up another bike would be helpful. I suppose I should consider a beefier wheel than my Ksyrium sl's though.

Touring would most likely be in France and maybe UK, not sure about terrain, but do you think a triple would be my best bet, or would I got compact double with a wider cassette? Again in the interest of using parts I already have. Thanks for the response.

Tyler

Good to know. One of the many reasons I would want to use my existing bike would be that it already fits, wouldn't have to try to get the right fit again. Then again, I would probably want something a little more relaxed than my roadie, so I may end having to change either way. Thanks for the insight.

Tyler

If the frame is not an ultra-light, high-end model, then it should be robust enough for hauling a BOB. There are no guarantees but 'dales are tough, strong frames. With a trailer, you dont need touring grade wheels, the luggage weight is supported by the trailer.
Gradients in the UK can be steep and in France the climbs can be are long, so you will need some low gears. A triple may be called for. You dont need to get high end stuff for a one-off tour.

The frame is fairly light, CAAD 8 Optimo. I guess I'm worried about any twisting action a trailer might exert on the rear triangle of the bike, especially at the dropouts.


That is exactly what I am trying to avoid :)

Thanks for the info.

Just make sure you're comfortable. If you are using panniers, they will need to have eyelets. Also, consider your wheelbase. If you have a shorter wheelbase, you may have a problem using panniers.

Koffee