Who is familiar with TOURING bikes??
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201 days
TriSooner posted 13 weeks ago.
Triple chain ring, new front fork with built-in panniers holes and long fork tube for more upright seating position, rear panniers, front/rear fender . . . now that I think about all the mods you'd need to do, you might look into getting a dedicated touring bike. Or, keep the Trek and get a B.0.B. I've always wanted one, but I know I'd never really go anywhere. :(
Ironman Germany (July 6, 2008)
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176 days
olivestri posted 13 weeks ago.
I have a cannondale touring bike that I bought in 1993 or so. Most of the stuff I know, I just picked up along the way, a bike techie might have more useful words.
Anyway...
- if I recall correctly touring bikes have more relaxed geometery than street bikes, which I think means the seat tube is titled back further. From what i can tell from my riding experience, a relaxed geometery puts you back on your butt a little more, and helps power you up hills.
- the gear ratio on a touring bike is lower, i.e. less high speed, but more help getting up hills and moving a loaded down bike.
- your biggest hurdle may be getting racks/bags on that roadster. do you have screw holes on the fork and rear frame to attach the racks that will hold the bags?
- speaking of carrying equipment. we had a one of those small camp stoves and a couple pots with us, which was very handy when the weather was cold and we needed something warm, but in terms of cash and carrying weight, for two of us it was pretty much more efficent to only carry breakfast and lunch with us, and stop somewhere cheap for dinner.
- you might want a wider tire, rim, not sure all the options here.
- last time i checked in, touring bike folks were getting away from the tradional mode of big bags on the back, and putting more weight on the front wheel.
- but either way, i've seen a number of different kinds of bikes turned into touring bikes. just as long as you can be comfortable at lower speeds for 6 or so hours a day.
- BTW campground expenses add up. Learn to spot places to sleep for free.
Good luck sounds like a nice ride.
2563
Member
1222 days
Anton posted 13 weeks ago.
Having owned and used a Schwinn, Paramount and a Puch, Marco Polo...I've had some experience with touring bikes...fixing a road bike to work as a loaded touring bike can lead to all sorts of problems, including cracking the frame. Touring bikes have a whole different geometry (longer wheelbase), much beefier welds, not to mention all the bosses for attaching paniers....and the afore mentioned triple crank and the different deraillures that go with them...beefier wheels to handle the load (usually 1 1/4 inch rims)...whew!
You really are better off looking for a used touring bike...even new ones can be had for a good price...people just ain't touring like they used too!
"What would life be if we had no courage to attempt anything?" - Vincent Van Gogh
My Blog: http://anton.trifuel.net
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176 days
olivestri posted 13 weeks ago.
maybe we should trade. my touring these days is by horseback, and i'm tired of all the street racing guys telling me my touring bike looks like a mountain bike. mine is older than yours (i think) but in really good shape. i'll throw in the panniers if you want.
76
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1372 days
hipfan posted 13 weeks ago.
Bob Gear- The official baby carrier of Iron Man? Just when you thought that the finishing shoot couldn't get more crowded.By the way, has the Iron Man toothpaste and hemroid cream made it to shelves yet?
Sorry to hijack your thread 02ripper. What route do you plan on taking up to the Great White North?
Cheers!
247
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1324 days
o2Ripper posted 13 weeks ago.
Thanks for all of your input everyone. Bob gear looks cool, that with a couple packs up front might be a good combo. I have to say, I was surprised to see how cheap a Trek 520 was (something to think about).
Olive - Your input was very helpful, thank you. How big is your bike? :) My roadie is a 62cm
Hipfan - it all depends on when I leave...I have plans to go to Europe this July to watch the TOUR then travel Europe for a few months (money permitting). If I get back in September I might decide to leave from Canada down the WA and OR coast, then inland once I hit California (since Ive seen the entire CA coast) and down California taking the Sierra route to Mexico (Tahoe, Mammoth, down to Mehhhhico). I'll take my sweet sweet time, and visit everyone I know :). I have a year off before law school....might as well live it up! ;p
Thanks everyone!
-Branden
"Its an addiction"
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176 days
olivestri posted 13 weeks ago.
Re bike size, sorry not very good at these kinds of things.... I am just shy of 6 feet and comfortable on the bike. Although I had the bike shop (when I bought it) put a longer handlebar stem on so that I could stretch out a bit for speed and less upright. i can check if you like.
funny i did that before law school as well. although we went east to west. have fun. law school is fun too, but all downhill after that.
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Socket posted 12 weeks ago.
ChunkyB wrote:
o2Ripper wrote:from Mexico to Canada - not CRAZY long.We clearly have different ideas of what is crazy long.
Well, technically his route is shorter than if he was going from Nova Scotia to Tijuana... That's CRAZY long. By comparison his is mildly disturbingly long.
I have a Trek 2300, does anyone know if it is possible to turn this into a touring bike? I am just thinking about doing a ride from Mexico the Canada - not CRAZY long, but, long enough to want to carry some packs/weight.
I'm clueless when it comes to touring bikes. :) Thanks guys!
-Branden
"Its an addiction"