Touring Bike Recommendation

[KatfromCal]

I am in the process of looking for a touring bike and was wondering if anyone could give me some recommendations. I bought a road bike (Specialized Ruby Comp) last October and love riding so much that I decided that I would love to go on longer rides, even some overnighters. Plus, I just might commute to work which is about 25 miles or so. I am so jazzed about riding and getting in shape. Any thoughts out there?

[Blueberry]

Welcome! You are correct that a bike for touring will serve you well for a long commute (is that 25 round trip, or each way??). There are LOTS of good options out there. I'll throw some out, and if you have questions, we can (try to) answer them:

Surly Cross Check (cross bike, but takes racks)
Surly Long Haul Trucker
Jamis Aurora
Novara Randonee
Rivendell Atlantis
Trek 520
Specialized Tricross
Bike Friday (particularly the crusoe and new world tourist)
Bruce Gordon BLT

In the (way more) expensive category:
Seven has custom touring bikes
Co Motion Americano
Custom Rivendell
Independent Fabrications (independence or club racer)

Good luck!!

CA

[F8th637]

I've got the Kona Sutra and love it. I have a 15-mile (one direction) commute and it is definitely the way to go. I also love the disc brakes. It's not the lightest bike in the world but it's steel and so comfy.

[KatfromCal]

The commute is 25 one way. Thanks for all of the suggestions. Now I can do some additional research and check things out. If I have any questions, I will be sure to ask them. Thanks again.

[Blueberry]

Wow! That's a LONG commute. One of our bike shop guys does one of similar length.

F8th637 - out of curiosity, do you have disk brakes on your Sutra? I've heard (from said shop guy) that disk brakes and racks are tough.

CA

[KnottedYet]

I saw a disc-brake specific Delta rack at a bike shop today.

[F8th637]

Wow! That's a LONG commute. One of our bike shop guys does one of similar length.

F8th637 - out of curiosity, do you have disk brakes on your Sutra? I've heard (from said shop guy) that disk brakes and racks are tough.

CA

Yup, I sure do! I actually have had luck with two racks now. I had one that I had to attach to the seatpost since it didn't have the right arms to hit my eyelets and I have a new rack that has the right arms now. There's a picture and some info about the new rack on the commuter thread:
http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showt...t=22857&page=9. The only complaint I guess I have is that I have no where to attach an underseat saddle bag now but I have managed to put it in a spare cage. I really haven't had any issues finding a rack that works. Why does the LBS guy say it's tough? My bike has the proper eyelets. You can see it in the picture.

[ilima]

Another option is Terry's Isis Sport, which comes with a road triple up front and a mountain cassette and derailleur in the back. I believe there are rack mounts, which you'd need for commuting.