cyclocross as a tourer??

[madison]

hey, well iv been wanting a tourer for a while but have been having a hard time deciding as I really wanted something fast,so i was wondering if a cyclo-cross bike would be comfortable and sturdy enough to tour. I'm into long distances,but im mainly interested in staying in hostels during tours so that i can travel lighter and therefore go faster and gain more mile coverage. I know that cyclo-cross bikes can accommodate panniers and are fast ,but i was wondering about the positioning as its more of a racing position than a tourer and i worry this could cause back problems, and also whether its gonna last me a few years and put up with serious miles.any feedback greatfuly appreciated!,cheers:)

[ridebikeme]

If indeed you are not going to carry heavy loads then your bike is probably fine. The difference between a touring bike and a cyclocross bike is that the frame (touring)has a longer wheelbase,lower bottom bracket and longer chain stays, and of course the geometry of the frame is different. All of this contributes to the bike being able to handle much better and will be more stable. But, if you aren't going to carry panniers, then I would say go have fun!

I'm with you, although I love to race, I find the my true love is really distance!


Keep us posted as to how your bike holds up! I'm building a touring bike right now!

[Blueberry]

hey, well iv been wanting a tourer for a while but have been having a hard time deciding as I really wanted something fast,so i was wondering if a cyclo-cross bike would be comfortable and sturdy enough to tour. I'm into long distances,but im mainly interested in staying in hostels during tours so that i can travel lighter and therefore go faster and gain more mile coverage. I know that cyclo-cross bikes can accommodate panniers and are fast ,but i was wondering about the positioning as its more of a racing position than a tourer and i worry this could cause back problems, and also whether its gonna last me a few years and put up with serious miles.any feedback greatfuly appreciated!,cheers:)

I have my Surly Cross Check set up so the bike/body contacts are exactly the same distance (e.g. saddle to bars, etc). The Cross bike is more responsive - one of my local wrenches has one, and his feedback on it loaded was that it's noodley when heavily loaded. As long as you're in the 20-30 pound weight range for what you're carrying, I seriously doubt you'd have a problem. Just make sure the bike is set up the way you want it for touring, not the way someone racing would want it. FYI the cross check is my local wrench's only bike AND only transportation.

[KnottedYet]

I also have a Surly Cross Check, and have it set up for commuting/utility/touring.

It handles the loaded panniers just fine, and it really ISN'T an agressively positioned bike. I'll be making it even more comfy for me when I put a taller stem on it next week. (messed up neck from a car accident, so even though having the bars even with the saddle like they are now is pretty darn comfy for most folks, I prefer to have the bars even higher)

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m21/KnottedYet/DSCN0473.jpg

edit: there is a Surly Long Haul Trucker (tourer) and Cross Check (cyclocross) owners page. I think the site is www.surlyville.net They have some great bike ideas, and lots of nice bike pics!

[ridebikeme]

Just wanted to leave a message to Knotted... great picture of your bike! Now I'm more mtoivated to finish my touring bike!:):)

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

If indeed you are not going to carry heavy loads then your bike is probably fine. The difference between a touring bike and a cyclocross bike is that the frame (touring)has a longer wheelbase,lower bottom bracket and longer chain stays, and of course the geometry of the frame is different. All of this contributes to the bike being able to handle much better and will be more stable. But, if you aren't going to carry panniers, then I would say go have fun!

Don't forget the all important fact that touring bikes usually have your body in less of a hunched down racing position so you'll be more able to ride long distances.

[KnottedYet]

Just wanted to leave a message to Knotted... great picture of your bike! Now I'm more mtoivated to finish my touring bike!:):)

Thanks! Yeah, she's kinda purty.... I'm embarrassed to admit I sit on the floor next to my bikes and admire them.

I had thought about a LHT, so I could do some fully loaded touring eventually. But... I rode the Cross Check and fell in love. Couldn't wait for the LBS to build up a LHT that I might try (they usually have one or two built up and ready to ride). Had to have the Cross Check RIGHT THEN! (well, no, I went back and rode it again for about 14 miles a week later and THEN I bought it.)

Realistically, I'll probably never really do full touring, and the rear panniers I can put on the C C will be enough.

[madison]

hey thanks for all your replies, much appreciated-I'm still struggling to decide, does anybody know how much it would cost extra to get an extend able stem put on a cyclo cross ? Iv got my eye on two cyclocross bikes;KONA JAKE THE SNAKE(or sutra) and SPECIALIZED TRICROSS 2008, all are on evanscycles.com but I cant really tell the difference in the spec-does anyone have any tips on what to look out for? I cant seem to work out the gears and I feel this is very important,cheers

[madison]

I posted a reply ages and ages ago so I don't know why it never showed up-I'm new to all this so maybe I didn't press the right button!,but yeah thanks for all your replies-greatly appreciated, I plan on traveling fairly light as Ill be hosteling but I was wondering as I'm leaning towards getting a cyclocross-would it be difficult or expensive to get an extend able stem to remedy the back problem issue? and thanks knottedyet for the surly site-some great pics on there,how much weight can you carry on yours?

[KnottedYet]

I've got a taller stem on order for my Surly. Bad neck, so even though the bars are already up at saddle-level I still want them higher.

I'm getting a Dimension (threadless) that should raise me up another couple inches for $27.

My other bike has a quill stem and I ordered a taller one by Nitto for $40. Quills are nice, cuz you can adjust them all over the place. One of the benefits of having an older bike... :D

As far as weight on my Surly, I'd guess I've carried about 20 pounds at the most so far. Next time I buy a bag of dogfood I'll pay more attention to how it goes.

[DebW]

If you are planning to travel light, hosteling or credit card touring, then you don't need as long of a wheelbase for stability, so a cyclocross bike becomes more reasonable. Another option to keep in mind is a trailer for heavy loads, which again mean your bike geometry can be more flexible.

[uk elephant]

I've raised the handlebars on my Specialized cyclocross bike. Not sure how to describe it, but basically added an extender thingy which raised it several inches. Works well for me. And I've done some serious miles on that bike, though not with panniers or any heavy loads.