Touring Bicycles

Hey Yall, 

I just posted about a Seattle-SanFran trip that I'm taking in the fall and wanted to create a separate post about touring bikes....

If anyone can provide any advice on what kind of brand of bicycle is best, any requirements, musts, do's and don'ts about buying and riding a touring bike for long 1000+ mile trips. Thanks so much. 

Ride on. 

Jakki

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Permalink Reply by Madopal (16.5 mi) on July 31, 2013 at 8:16am

Anyone had any experience yet with the Disc Trucker?  I've been riding BB7s on my commuter, and after doing it so long, I'm spoiled with them.  I've really wanted to get a touring bike for longer hauls (damn heel strike on my cross commuter), but I'd like to stick with discs.  I haven't seen any others than the Disc Trucker.  That VO looks awesome, but again, no discs.

Permalink Reply by Doug Haynes on July 31, 2013 at 8:25am

Disc Trucker is great; it's the same bike outside of the brakes.

Permalink Reply by Duppie on July 31, 2013 at 9:01am

I have a Disc Trucker fork on my LHT. Main reason I got it because I wanted a dyno hub. Once I talked myself into that, I decided to go disc as well.

Brakes like the best.

This is the first bike with discs that I maintain. I am not too pleased with the adjustments required, but that may have more to do with me being a putz than the brake itself being problematic.

Madopal (7.6 mi) said:

Anyone had any experience yet with the Disc Trucker?  I've been riding BB7s on my commuter, and after doing it so long, I'm spoiled with them.  I've really wanted to get a touring bike for longer hauls (damn heel strike on my cross commuter), but I'd like to stick with discs.  I haven't seen any others than the Disc Trucker.  That VO looks awesome, but again, no discs.

Permalink Reply by Jakki Cafarelli on July 31, 2013 at 9:20am

Wow! Not too shabby!! Thanks for the CL re-post. Just emailed the guy. 

Joe M said:

Here's another nice CL deal: Barely used 2001 (?) Jamis Coda Hybrid for $300

 

I think the brakes on a flat bar bike might be a good call for long, mtn descents (anyone else?).  While road bike brake levers work fine from the drops, that takes a little getting used to.  And working brakes from the hoods is generally no problem but can get tiresome during extended, hard applications.

 

The Coda is equipped with v-brakes which provide a lot of brake force with minimal effort/max comfort.  It's also made of steel, has an mtb crank with 32t climbing gear, braze-ons, wide tire clearance, 25-26 lbs, 36-spoke wheels ...

http://www.bikepedia.com/QuickBike/BikeSpecs.aspx?Year=2001&Bra...

 

To be honest, I think this is the kind of bike I'd use on a long, hilly tour.  Add some Ergon grips, lights, racks and bags and you're good to go.

http://chicago.craigslist.org/chc/bik/3958849930.html

Permalink Reply by Tricolor on July 31, 2013 at 9:47am

There's also the Salsa Vaya within the QBP family.  Both Surly and Salsa have a recall on for a certain lot of forks that use discs.

Madopal (7.6 mi) said:

Anyone had any experience yet with the Disc Trucker?  I've been riding BB7s on my commuter, and after doing it so long, I'm spoiled with them.  I've really wanted to get a touring bike for longer hauls (damn heel strike on my cross commuter), but I'd like to stick with discs.  I haven't seen any others than the Disc Trucker.  That VO looks awesome, but again, no discs.

Permalink Reply by daWillinChi on July 31, 2013 at 10:20am

Jamis Bosanova (my current commuter - and RAGBRAI ride) also uses disc brakes. 

Cameron 7.5 mi said:

Soma makes a Double Cross version with disk brakes, but I believe that's more comparable to a Cross Check than a LHT. The Raleigh Sojourn and Jamis Aurora Elite are both complete bikes that come built up with disk brakes.

Permalink Reply by Joe M on July 31, 2013 at 11:52am


You're welcome.  One possible fit issue might be the stem length/reach.  At the angle the seller has it now (it appears adjustable) you might be fine.  But going with a shorter stem ($40) might be all you need to solve that issue.

Perhaps you could ask the seller to confirm its length.  And maybe get some better pics.  The 2001-2002 models had higher-quality components--Deore XT is high end and durable.  But Jamis downgraded the Coda from 2006-on.  If the crank says Shimano, it's the better setup.

As for price, while the seller states "firm" you might want to let him/her know that $250 is probably more appropriate for such a bike.

For example, there's a 2011 Trek 7.1 FX with a $240 asking price in Rogers Park .  It's actually not a bad Plan B if the Jamis doesn't work out (we can cross that bridge when we get to it).  Good luck!

http://chicago.craigslist.org/chc/bik/3966061092.html


Jakki Cafarelli said:

Wow! Not too shabby!! Thanks for the CL re-post. Just emailed the guy. 
 

Permalink Reply by Doug Haynes on July 31, 2013 at 12:04pm

Why would anyone want to tour on a step-through flat bar bike with marginal components on it?  That makes no freaking sense.

Permalink Reply by Lanterne Rouge on July 31, 2013 at 12:18pm

There's no way I'd tour on that. I used to own a 7.3 FX, and I relegated that bike to grocery runs and the odd commute. 

Permalink Reply by Drewbacca on August 1, 2013 at 9:40am

Since no one else mentioned it, Adventure Cycling Buyer's Guide.

FWIW, I have the 520. It's a lovely bike. It's durable enough to haul my 180# plus 50# of gear and still a joy to ride unloaded. I swapped out the bar ends for Campy ergos since I'm mostly in the hoods anyways. 

Permalink Reply by daWillinChi on August 1, 2013 at 9:59am

The 520 is what I wanted to buy before deciding on my Jamis Bosanova.

The problems were: 1. Only Village Cycle carried it at the time, 2. I disliked the current color.



Drewbacca said:

Since no one else mentioned it, Adventure Cycling Buyer's Guide.

FWIW, I have the 520. It's a lovely bike. It's durable enough to haul my 180# plus 50# of gear and still a joy to ride unloaded. I swapped out the bar ends for Campy ergos since I'm mostly in the hoods anyways. 

Permalink Reply by spencewine on August 1, 2013 at 10:22am

I have a 2003 520. They've changed the geometry and moved production to Taiwan since then, so I can't speak to the newer ones. But if you find an older one, it's an awesome bike, love it. Also, the older 520s has less trail than many touring bikes so it feels a little more responsive than a surly, etc.
 
Drewbacca said:

Since no one else mentioned it, Adventure Cycling Buyer's Guide.

FWIW, I have the 520. It's a lovely bike. It's durable enough to haul my 180# plus 50# of gear and still a joy to ride unloaded. I swapped out the bar ends for Campy ergos since I'm mostly in the hoods anyways. 

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