Need a bike for my first cross country

[captenaj]

I'm driving myself crazy here. I am going on my first long bike tour (southern tier) and my $300 Diamondback comfort bike isn't going to cut it (although it did OK in the MS150 and in my first triathlon). I need a new bike but I can't even figure out what kind I need. Originally I though the Surly Long Haul Trucker was the bike for me (http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=18209) but when I told the guy at the LBS that the tour organizers recommended tires no wider than 28c he said if it was that fully supported and the roads were that nice then the LHT's weight was going to make me suffer needlessly. I hopped on a Giant OCR1W and loved the ride. But others have said the chain stays on the OCR1 are too short and my heel is going to hit panniers.

So do I want a touring bike? Is a road bike OK? I even tried the Surly Cross Check cyclocross bike and thought that was a nice compromise... until I got on the Giant OCR1. I know I have to find a bike that's comfortable but once I do that, the bike has to be incredibly durable and reliable AND be able to hold my stuff.

Any help is appreciated. Thanks.

[Starfish]

This is just idle musing, since I've never seen one in person, but I know Bianchi has a bike called the C2C...for Coast To Coast...that is supposed to be a comfortable, but fast/efficient, LONG distance road bike.

Seemed appropriate to mention, given its name!

[Blueberry]

Perhaps it would be helpful if you could give us a little info on what kind of tour you're taking - it's not clear whether you're hauling your own gear? Or credit card touring (staying in motels)? Or riding with a supported tour (e.g. they haul all your gear)? I know you referenced the LBS guy saying that was too much bike if someone else was hauling your gear, but wanted to clarify.....

28's would probably be a good width *if* you're not hauling much weight (<10 lbs) on the bike. More than that and you may want to think about a slightly wider tire.

You probably want to avoid a racing geometry - that will likely not be comfortable for day after day of 80+ miles. You'll probably want to set up a bike so your saddle and bars are about level, and you're not too stretched out. Otherwise, it really depends on what you're comfortable on, and what your needs for this trip/future trips are. I have three bikes that would work, and love all 3 - a Bike Friday Pocket Crusoe, a Trek 520, and a Surly Cross Check. The Cross Check has been getting lots of riding recently because it's just so darned much fun

CA

ETA: I find a good place to learn info on touring bikes in general (and read lots of great ride reports...) is crazyguyonabike.com (warning: I've spend many more hours reading journals than I *should* have...)

[tjf9]

My Salsa Casseroll is billed as a touring bike. It's rack and fender ready with a reasonably long wheel base. It is steel, so heavier than the Giant, but so far, it's been a nice ride for me. I've only had it a week tho.

I'm not sure how it compares to the LHT, but it's another option to consider.

I love my new bike, can you tell?

[DirtDiva]

The 1.75 tyre is wider. The 32(mm) tyre is about 1.25/1.3inches wide.

[bike4ever]

OCR's come with a 25c tire. Check out the Casseroll from Salsa. These can be built up with whatever you need on them. The Salsa steel would be considerably more comfortable than the OCR aluminum on a long tour.

[captenaj]

Thanks for the responses. It is a fully supported tour. I will be carrying rain gear, lunch, stuff to fix a flat and probably my wind breaker once it warms up. That will probably add up to less than 10 pounds. But now when I commute to work I have just about that and I have to work to stuff it in my bag that sits in the center of my rear rack. I'm thinking I want one pannier plus a bag/map case on my handle bars.

I tried the Surly Cross Check and thought it was OK. But I was MUCH happier with the Giant OCR1W. But can the OCR handle the rigors of a tour? It has a 28C tire and a lot fewer than 36 spokes (as judging from the picture). Is it too short to allow a rack and pannier?

The Trek 520 seems like a good workhorse. I'll have to give that a try. Does anyone know how it compares to the Surly LHT? I think I'm looking at something a little lighter with narrower tires than the LHT. The Trek 520 has 32c tires while the LHT has 1.75. Which is wider?