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#1
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Touring bike selection
Hi, I'm currently planning a bike trip this May to June through France
and Italy. I want to camp while travelling so this means I will be travelling quite heavy (stove, tent, sleeping bag, etc.). I want to go about 100 km a day although it's possible that somedays I could go further. The majority of my biking experience to date is on a triathlon bike. I know that touring is a slower and steady trip but I enjoy speed on a bike and so I'm hesitant to use a mountain bike. However, in July I'm planning on going to Iceland and I'll probably bring the bike I end up buying which means getting something a little more solid. If anyone has a recommendation on a faster bike that can endure gravel as well I would love to hear it. Currently I have been recommended the Devinci Caribou, but apparently it is limited to the skinnier tires and can't be fitted with knobby tires, etc. The other Devinci bike I was recommended was the Amsterdam, which is a performance hybrid. I've seen a few Cannondale models, and the Trek 520 and XO and I am uncertain which of these (or others) would be optimal for the uses I want. Also, regarding the use of straight vs. drop-down, does anyone who has toured out there have a suggestion on what is preferable. I realize drop-down has more options on hand positions, but I've also heard most people with drop-downs just end up keeping there hands positioned as if they were straight bars. Any advice that touring bikers have to share would be much appreciated. Thanks a lot. Matt, |
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#2
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Touring bike selection
"Matt Murphy" wrote in message om... Hi, I'm currently planning a bike trip this May to June through France and Italy. I want to camp while travelling so this means I will be travelling quite heavy (stove, tent, sleeping bag, etc.). I want to go about 100 km a day although it's possible that somedays I could go further. The majority of my biking experience to date is on a triathlon bike. I know that touring is a slower and steady trip but I enjoy speed on a bike and so I'm hesitant to use a mountain bike. However, in July I'm planning on going to Iceland and I'll probably bring the bike I end up buying which means getting something a little more solid. If anyone has a recommendation on a faster bike that can endure gravel as well I would love to hear it. Currently I have been recommended the Devinci Caribou, but apparently it is limited to the skinnier tires and can't be fitted with knobby tires, etc. The other Devinci bike I was recommended was the Amsterdam, which is a performance hybrid. I've seen a few Cannondale models, and the Trek 520 and XO and I am uncertain which of these (or others) would be optimal for the uses I want. Also, regarding the use of straight vs. drop-down, does anyone who has toured out there have a suggestion on what is preferable. I realize drop-down has more options on hand positions, but I've also heard most people with drop-downs just end up keeping there hands positioned as if they were straight bars. Any advice that touring bikers have to share would be much appreciated. Thanks a lot. Matt, A few bikes you may want to look at: Rivendell Romulus: http://www.rivbike.com/html/bikes_romulusframes.html Rivendell Atlantis: http://www.rivbike.com/html/bikes_atlantisframes.html Bruce Gordon's BLT: http://www.bgcycles.com/blt.html |
#3
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Touring bike selection
(Matt Murphy) writes:
Hi, I'm currently planning a bike trip this May to June through France and Italy. I want to camp while travelling so this means I will be travelling quite heavy (stove, tent, sleeping bag, etc.). I want to go about 100 km a day although it's possible that somedays I could go further. Conceivably much further, unless you're getting off the bike frequently to sight-see. After all, on tour you may ride 10 hours a day quite frequently, and at a very modest average of 15 km/h you can still cover 150 km in a day. Have you checked out the Trento Bike Pages? There is a wealth of information about touring- IMHO the best starting point for touring on the Web: http://www-math.science.unitn.it/Bike The majority of my biking experience to date is on a triathlon bike. I know that touring is a slower and steady trip but I enjoy speed on a bike and so I'm hesitant to use a mountain bike. Why would you use a mountain bike for touring? Use a touring bike; there are many to choose from and a Google search will help you find them. IMHO your best starting point for loaded touring like this is http://www.bgcycles.com which is Bruce Gordon. However, in July I'm planning on going to Iceland and I'll probably bring the bike I end up buying which means getting something a little more solid. If anyone has a recommendation on a faster bike that can endure gravel as well I would love to hear it. Friends of mine have done Iceland. Twice. "Gravel" is a generous description for the roads covered in golf-ball to tennis-ball-sized rocks. They found much of the roads unrideable as a result, not to mention the winds. In this case a mountain bike or a bike that will take 40+ mm tires would be helpful- again, Bruce Gordon is the guy to go to, IMHO. Currently I have been recommended the Devinci Caribou, but apparently it is limited to the skinnier tires and can't be fitted with knobby tires, etc. The other Devinci bike I was recommended was the Amsterdam, which is a performance hybrid. I've seen a few Cannondale models, and the Trek 520 and XO and I am uncertain which of these (or others) would be optimal for the uses I want. From your limited description, it's hard to say what might be best to suit you. You can tour the French and Italian Alps on a "race" bike with a saddlebag quite well. Also, regarding the use of straight vs. drop-down, does anyone who has toured out there have a suggestion on what is preferable. I realize drop-down has more options on hand positions, but I've also heard most people with drop-downs just end up keeping there hands positioned as if they were straight bars. Then they're not making use of their equipment for one reason or another. IMHO the most common being that their drop bars are in the usual road racer position- low and far away. If the bars are up high enough, all positions are comfortable and useful (although not particularly aero, which is an issue for road racers). It's odd, probably less than 1% of bicyclists race, yet racing bikes for road and dirt dominate the market perception of cycling. Personally, I hate flat bars with a passion. My hands go numb almost immediately and having only one position (unless bar ends are added) annoys me. When there's a stiff headwind, I like to get down in the drops and ya can't do that with flat bars. I was out for a calm, quite ride today with 30+ mph winds out of the north. I spotted a large club ride (75+ riders) broken up into groups, and noticed how unhappy the riders on flat bars looked as they struggled much harder into the wind than the riders with drop bars. On days like that, flat bars are a major disadvantage. OTOH, some people just prefer flat bars, or have back or other problems that necessitate their use. |
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Touring bike selection
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#6
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Touring bike selection
"bfd" wrote in message link.net...
"Matt Murphy" wrote in message om... more solid. If anyone has a recommendation on a faster bike that can endure gravel as well I would love to hear it. A few bikes you may want to look at: Rivendell Romulus: http://www.rivbike.com/html/bikes_romulusframes.html Rivendell Atlantis: http://www.rivbike.com/html/bikes_atlantisframes.html Bruce Gordon's BLT: http://www.bgcycles.com/blt.html The Rivendell's are a good choice for what he wants, "a faster bike that can endure gravel." The Romulus is a total classic, and at $1450 is fairly priced, though that doesn't include saddle or pedals. I'm not a fan on bar-end shifters, and Shimano 105 brifters add $250 if the bike shop puts them on, $150 if you do it yourself. For a true touring bicycle, I'd opt for the Koga-Miyata over the BLT, because by the time you add all the accessories to a BLT, that come standard with the the Koga-Miyata Randonneur, you're at about the same price and the Randonneur is more suitable for touring. The Koga-Miyata Randonneur is heavy, but much of that is due to the racks, kickstand, lock, dynamo hub, lights, cages, etc., which are all included, and are included in the total weight. The Randonneur has a lugged frame and a 40 spoke rear wheel; the BLT has neither. |
#7
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#8
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Touring bike selection
-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE-----
In article , david moore wrote: (Steven Scharf) wrote in . com: Read the section on touring bicycles on "http://nordicgroup.us/bikerec" snip Avoid threadless headsets on touring bicycles, but this is not that hard to do, as most touring bicycles still use quill headsets (alas, the classic Trek 520 went over to the dark side, as did the REI Novara Randonee). Why should one avoid threadless headsets on a touring bike? Will the weight of the front rack and panniers cause problems? _ Yes, I don't understand this either. All I can think of is that you can't easily adjust height on the road. _ Booker C. Bense -----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE----- Version: 2.6.2 iQCVAwUBQHLGKmTWTAjn5N/lAQEXBwP/ZjgBpLFTlkVKClxjpjbhtsEZi9DskPKG ipEkGu8QV5Rx6JGbGZAtFcudrsWOWb12v71cA62MVcsIukQpUh NQA0BxdaLcWMse TXF1G9oOVY2GRkYzv3+UX/brQkRJnPBj2EcKzv41qtyFxuSc6w6STBb+gICWLQ10 g5QkCyxkScs= =U1sL -----END PGP SIGNATURE----- |
#9
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Touring bike selection
I have a tandem set up for touring, using a threadless headset. With
two people, and four fully-loaded panniers plus additional equipment, it carries much more weight than the average single bike ever will. Never had a problem with the headset. In fact, I think the threadless headset is easier to field-maintain than a threaded headset (all you really need is a hex wrench, vs. big open-end wrenches for the threaded headset). That being said, invest in a good threadless headset. We have a Chris King, but there are other less-expensive, but good ones out there. Flat or dropped bars are largely personal preference. In Europe, most folks ride "trekking" bikes that have flat or riser-type bars. Dropped bars are usually considered to be for racing or fast day rides. As far as I'm concerned, though, dropped bars provide many more hand positions and the ability to match your riding posture to the conditions (wind, etc.). The key to using drop bars for touring is to get a stem with a good amount of rise, rather than the regular racing-type stem with a negative rise. A wider drop bar (like 44cm) also helps. This setup gives you the best of both worlds: a wide, flat bar surface for when you want to sit straight up and look around, and the multiple hand positions inherent in a drop bar. When you are riding all day, it's key to be able to change hand positions to alleviate numbness. With regards to aluminum frames vs. steel, pick what feels best. Aluminum frames, like steel frames, have been ridden hundreds of thousands of miles around the world. My Cannondale T700 touring bike is ten years old and a veteran of many tours. Never a problem, and it rides great with and without bags (I actually think it handles better with a load, a trait of good touring frames). (Steven Scharf) wrote in om: Avoid threadless headsets on touring bicycles, but this is not that hard to do, as most touring bicycles still use quill headsets (alas, the classic Trek 520 went over to the dark side, as did the REI Novara Randonee). Why should one avoid threadless headsets on a touring bike? Will the weight of the front rack and panniers cause problems? |
#10
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Touring bike selection
Somebody wrote:
Why should one avoid threadless headsets on a touring bike? Will the weight of the front rack and panniers cause problems? On Tue, 6 Apr 2004 15:01:41 +0000 (UTC), bbense+rec.bicycles.marketplace.Apr.06.04@telemar k.slac.stanford.edu wrote: _ Yes, I don't understand this either. All I can think of is that you can't easily adjust height on the road. Actually, that's not even an issue. A single allen wrench combined with some repositioning of spacers and/or flipping of stem takes care of it easily. Servicing/adjusting the headset is easier, same allen wrench is all that's necessary...and I suspect most people set the height once and leave it, but some may need to adjust the headset later, especially on a tour. Creative handlebar height options good for tourers who need constant height changes: - Adjustable stem - Threadless stem height extension http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?&sku=4264 - Threadless adapter in threaded headset (best of all worlds and some extra height too) http://www.performancebike.com/shop/...e.cfm?SKU=1594 -- Rick Onanian |
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