Advice on a touring bike?

[CatSilver]

I've got a nice road bike but would like to do some touring and need those additional low gears - I was all set to buy a Seven Vacanza but now I'm having second thoughts (expensive and a very long process, probably wouldn't get my bike for 6-8 weeks) and would love some input from women riders...

I've also looked at the Terry Isis Sport - less expensive and seems well thought-out... but can't find any independent reviews of Terry bicycles, and I live in the Seattle area, far from any Terry dealers. Does anyone here have a recent model Terry bike?

Any other suggestions welcome!

[KnottedYet]

Surly Long Haul Trucker or Cross Check
Jamis Aurora
Trek 520
Novara Randonee (REI)
Custom Rodriguez (R+E Cycles in the U District)
Custom Davidson (Elliot Bay downtown)
Rivendell Bleriot
Salsa Casaroll
Soma DoubleCross

If you've got a day to play, try visiting R+E, Elliot Bay, Free Range Cycles, Recycled Cycles, and Montlake.

Last time I went to Montlake (mind you that was a couple years ago!) they were still carrying Terry bikes. And if Sammamish doesn't have any Terry on the floor, they could get you one lickety-split. I wouldn't bother with Gregg's though, they have changed a lot in the last 20 years.

Were you looking at Seven through CBS? He could tell you if Sycip or Sweetpea would have something, too.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

How much do you weigh and how much stuff are you planning to carry on your bike for touring? For example, are you packing food, clothes, and tent for several days? Not all bikes with relaxed geometry can handle overly big loads.

[CatSilver]

Thanks for the recs, and... I'm 5' 6", about 140 pounds, and want an option to carry camping gear but will probably mostly credit-card tour.

[dex]

I'd throw the Kona Sutra into that list, as well. And the Raleigh Sojourn, if you can find one in your size anywhere--Raleigh did a really small run of these this year and many sold as soon as they started hitting shop floors.

Oh, and I was in Montlake a couple of months ago and didn't see any Terry bikes on the floor. I'd call ahead to ask.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Thanks for the recs, and... I'm 5' 6", about 140 pounds, and want an option to carry camping gear but will probably mostly credit-card tour.

Cool. Weight is not a huge issue then. If you 'do' consider a Rivendell bike for touring though, I would recommend their Atlantis model- it's their bike that's specifically made for loaded touring as in full camping gear. It's also a good all-around steel bike for riding. Not to mention drop-dead gorgeous:
Atlantis




.

[Triskeliongirl]

I think the terry sport is a great option. I've been drooling over the 2008 bikes since hearing they are made in the waterford factory. I have a 2005 titanium isis set up for fast club riding, and a 2003 steel isis that I had S/S coulers and canti brakes installed on that is set up for touring. I had 2 2001 classics, one crashed and one retired after being ridden into the ground. Even though the classic was optimized for touring and the isis for club riding, both accept rear racks and touring tires. The biggest diff. is that Isis doesn't have the same fender clearance as the classic, but otherwise the geometry is quite similar.

They are great bikes, especially if you need a bike with a slack seat tube angle and short top tube (i.e. they work best on folks w long femurs and short torsos). I also believe that if you order one online they will take it back if you aren't happy after riding it two weeks, minus the shipping costs. They are quite light, and if you really just want to credit card tour you will appreciate that. I like my travel isis, cuz I can equip her with wider tires and a rack for touring, or skinny tires and do even faster style rides. I only wish she had the lighteness of the new 2008 models.........

From their website:
Note: If you can't find a local dealer on this list, you can still try a Terry bicycle. Once you decide which Terry you want to test (we'll work with you to make sure it's the correct size and model) and purchase it from us, we'll send the bike to a shop and pay for the bike to be assembled and fit. The shop may be one you already do business with; or, if you don't have a favorite, we'll find one in your area. We work with lots of bike shops. You then have two weeks to test the bike. If you like it, great. If you don't, you can return it to us. We will refund the purchase price of the bike, but not the shipping cost.

FYI, another cool option is the surley long haul trucker is now available with pre-fab s/s couplers for travel. However, they are signficantly heavier than the terry bikes and have longish top tubes and steepish seat tubes.
But if airplane travel is in the picture for you, S/s couplers are an option worth considering.

[Triskeliongirl]

I think the problem with the atlantis is that with 26" tires she won't be able to put high performance skinny tires on for faster riding. I find even for touring tires in the 28-32c range are plenty wide, whereas I prefer 23s for go fast rides.

[CatSilver]

thanks much, triskeliongirl, I was hoping for some personal testimonies with the Terry bikes. Sounds like you've had good luck - and yes, I saw that they will ship to my bike shop and let me try it. Seems like a pretty good offer. Also, yes, I do want to have the option of skinny tires and using it around home as a back-up to my road bike... (need room for fenders though) I'm thinking maybe a call to Terry for some in person info would be a good move.

No one seems excited about Seven bikes... interesting...

thanks for all for sharing ideas.

[CatSilver]

I don't know how to move a thread - I'm a newcomer here... if anyone knows how to do it, I'd be happy to move this to the new Touring category.

I might be crazy, but I put in an order for the Terry Isis Sport tonight. The bike's backordered til May 28, and I intend to have it assembled, fitted and then ride it to see if it's what I want. Terry sez they'll accept a return if I'm not happy (I pay shipping, I think) - which seems like a fair offer.

One of the hardest parts of life these days (for me) is sorting through the overwhelming choices when it comes to major purchases. As much as I appreciate all the info available to us via the internet, etc., I sometimes miss the days when buying something was a simpler process, just by virtue of fewer choices and info... *sigh* Showing my age, I guess.

[Triskeliongirl]

Enjoy! I think its a great choice!! Its a very versatile bike which it sounds like is what you are looking for. Tell us more about her when she comes.

[ilima]

Let us know how you like it. I just bought a LeMond Poprad frameset and am in the process of building it pretty much how the Isis Sport is, road triple plus mountain cassette and rear derailleur. I didn't know the Isis came with rack/fender mounts.

Hope it works out!

I don't know how to move a thread - I'm a newcomer here... if anyone knows how to do it, I'd be happy to move this to the new Touring category.

I might be crazy, but I put in an order for the Terry Isis Sport tonight. The bike's backordered til May 28, and I intend to have it assembled, fitted and then ride it to see if it's what I want. Terry sez they'll accept a return if I'm not happy (I pay shipping, I think) - which seems like a fair offer.

One of the hardest parts of life these days (for me) is sorting through the overwhelming choices when it comes to major purchases. As much as I appreciate all the info available to us via the internet, etc., I sometimes miss the days when buying something was a simpler process, just by virtue of fewer choices and info... *sigh* Showing my age, I guess.

[Zen]

my rack attachment- works for me

[clarson1178]

welcome to the touring world. i have to tell you i believe RECUMBENTS are amazing way to tour. my friend i have done some good long tours and she rides a upright while im on my recombent. the advantages are first, no sore butt, no sore neck or back. you get to see everything except for the painted white line (a huge bonus) the down side to them is the HILLS are a big pain, very hard, but i believe worth it. i have ridden mine fully loaded up a 14 % hill for 4 miles only to find out i had only a few miles before the mountain pass 12 miles at 8-12% grades. i loved it all.

some advice about packing. DON'T TAKE EVERYTHING, you really don't need a lot of stuff. i was out for one month and had about 25 pounds. that included tent, i sleep under the stars for a month who could ask for more. i wouldn't take anything more for a year trip.

well enjoy your tour