Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Kevin Mulcky on January 7, 2013 at 5:13pm

What size?

Permalink Reply by Samantha on January 7, 2013 at 5:56pm

A 52 or 54 is ideal (54 would be best). I would also be willing to try a 56, but it would probably be big.

Permalink Reply by TehDoak on January 8, 2013 at 4:43am

Honestly, I would think with the volume of travel and the time you need it, you would be better off finding one used (you've got plenty of time) and simply selling it when you are done.   I've seen a few of these go for between 600-900 on craigslist over the past few months.   If you take good care of it over the summer there is no reason you wouldn't be able to flip it for near what you paid for it now

Permalink Reply by Doug Haynes on January 8, 2013 at 5:02am

With a good tune up at the start and a good tune up after that much riding you are most of the way to a good used touring bike.

Permalink Reply by Samantha on January 8, 2013 at 10:36am

I don't have the money to buy one even used and my parents said if I want to do the trip I have to find a bike. I'll keep looking for one not too expensive and used but I'd still prefer to "borrow" one

Permalink Reply by Apie (11) on January 8, 2013 at 10:52am

It would be hard for me to give up a bike I would be spending so much time with. I would concentrate on buying a bike before I made plans for a country long bike trip.

 

Who is sponsoring the tour?  Maybe they can buy you a bike as well.

Permalink Reply by Kevin Mulcky on January 8, 2013 at 2:08pm

You'll probably need $200-300 in replacement parts and tuneups after the ride to get the bike back into shape. Maybe you're better off buying a cheaper bike? Like this:

http://chicago.craigslist.org/nwc/bik/3531406313.html

 Maybe you should start a Kickstarter to fund your trip!?

Permalink Reply by Will on January 8, 2013 at 2:39pm

This is a better bike for touring than the Trek. It might need $300 or so for a tuneup and some fresh parts, but you could probably sell it for nearly what you put into it, and it's actually a good bike for what you need. Looks like it might be your size. I'd buy it for myself, but I really don't want need my wife to kill me another bike.

Also, you should consider that even after you get such a bike mechanically sound enough for touring, you're still going to need at least one rack and panniers, and maybe a handlebar bag, a pump, a few tools, etc. Just a serviceable rack and a couple of panniers will probably be more than $100, and might be closer to $300 for good ones. Budget for a new saddle if you get a bike like this. Budget for some decent cycling clothing if you don't already have some, and that stuff isn't cheap.

Whatever you decide, if you end up going, good luck!

http://chicago.craigslist.org/nwc/bik/3527675833.html

Permalink Reply by ilter on January 8, 2013 at 6:05pm

And I think this is a better touring bike than either of those:

http://www.thechainlink.org/forum/topics/1985-schwinn-mirada-17-150

I would buy in a heart beat if it were my size :)

Permalink Reply by Will on January 9, 2013 at 7:43am

It might have some advantages, but the handlebars would be a deal-breaker for me. I wouldn't think of touring on those bars, and converting to drop bars would be very inconvenient. The 26" wheels, cantis, and dual-eyelet fork are nice, though.

I just did a little research on the Miyata 312, and it looks like it's more of a road bike, despite the designation as a "sport touring" bike. I don't think it has rear rack braze-ons, even. Scratch that.

ilter said:

And I think this is a better touring bike than either of those:

http://www.thechainlink.org/forum/topics/1985-schwinn-mirada-17-150

I would buy in a heart beat if it were my size :)

Permalink Reply by Samantha on January 9, 2013 at 9:42am

All of these touring bikes look awesome but I'm actually required to have one of the ones I listed in order to do the trip

Permalink Reply by Kevin C Dormant on January 9, 2013 at 10:07am

Required by who? 

Never mind. Found it. Overland American Challenge, yes?

So you are going on a six week summer vacation which will cost someone just under $6000 before tchochkes, and before airfare from Chicago to Charleston, SC, and from Los Angeles, CA to Chicago, and you can't budget an additional $500-$600 for a suitable bike? Is this for school credit? Is this just for fun? Why not just get yourself a $2000 touring bike and ride around the Great Lakes? It would be a lot cheaper.

Samantha said:

All of these touring bikes look awesome but I'm actually required to have one of the ones I listed in order to do the trip

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