Touring Bikes?? Can 2 people even own 7 bikes?

[Skierchickie]

Hi everybody,

So, I've been thinking about a touring bike, so I can do some nice, fully-loaded touring. Which has always been one of those things I want to do someday (for about 20 years now). That is, if I can convince DH that we want to do this. I've been bitten by the "spend two weeks in Alaska on a touring bike next summer" bug. My friend is the culprit - she's done some major touring in the past, and planted the seed in my poor little brain. I started thinking that there are lots of touring opportunities in our immediate area, and even more within a short distance (NW WI, Northern MN, etc). My biggest problem is the dog that we are both so crazy about, we can't stand to leave her. Can you carry a 50lb dog in a handlebar basket? A very LIVELY 50lb dog?

So, if I do this (or we, as the case may be), I have to decide used (Ebay, most likely), or new (Trek 520 would be my most available choice). If I go the used route, what should I look for? More specifically, what brand, model, features? Do I make disc brakes a priority? I don't really want to spend a bundle, so depending on the moment, either used and a really really good deal, or the opposite end of my scale, the 520 (I think it lists for $1500, but I'm sure our LBS would be less). DH and I both have a tendency to end up spending more on our toys than we initially plan, so my original idea of used for $300 probably won't happen, but perhaps sanity will prevail this time.

Do touring bike sizes run similar to road bikes? Do I just go by standover height? Right now I have a 50cm Trek 5200 and a 15.5" Trek Fuel Ex9, both unisex (WSD does not fit me - I feel all cramped up). I am 5-6ish, with a long torso and short legs for my height. In my bare feet, I measure about 30" from the floor to my crotch.

Unfortunately, my shopping options are limited. My favorite LBS is a Trek dealer (hence the 2 current and 4 previous Treks, as well as DH's 3 current and 2 previous). The owner is a friend (well, we have been buying skis & bikes there for 20 years ), and while we do have another LBS nearby, I'd feel like a traitor (I buy other stuff there, but haven't ever bought skis & bikes there). The Trek guy also has Kona, Gary Fisher, Lemond, & maybe something else. The other place has Giant and/or Specialized? Not sure. Otherwise, a few hundred miles to a real city with big shops. I'd rather buy used than a new one from elsewhere, anyway. I am fairly confident in saying that I doubt either local place has a touring bike in stock.

Any advice? Anybody have a primo, late model tourer, just gathering dust? Should I just not do it at all? Okay, I think I know you people well enough in this short time to know that NOBODY will tell me that!

[Zen]

I can't give any advice on the bikes but there are lots of options for a pooch.
This is just one of many companies that make doggie trailers.

I harbor a fantasy of me and my (right now imaginary) dog riding and camping along the C& O Canal.

[KnottedYet]

Between the two of us, my sweetie and I harbor slightly more than 6 bicycles...

I vote for Surly Long Haul Trucker. Your favorite LBS can order a "complete" from QBP, at a cost to you of about $985. No non-competition contracts with the manufacturer, as Surly *IS* QBP.

BikerHen just bought one, and Trek420 wants one. I think SurlyGrrl has one.

www.surlybikes.com
http://www.surlybikes.com/lht_comp.html

I have a Surly Cross Check, which I use with rear panniers. I'm very happy with it. It's not as steady/stable as a LHT, but it suits me. I don't like WSD either. I really like the way Surly bikes fit me.

If not Surly, my next vote would be Kona Sutra. (disc brakes, which might come in handy for the person pulling the dog trailer) www.konaworld.com http://www.konaworld.com/bikes/2k7/SUTRA/index.html The 2007 Sutras are on sale at my LBS right now for $1,100. (2008's are just around the corner)

Most touring bikes (in fact, all the touring bikes I've found) are steel. For a good reason! Steel is a lovely material. Rides like butter, wears like... well, steel!

If you are aiming at a long self-supported tour, you might want to seriously consider bar-end shifters like on the Surlies. (unless you have the tools and know-how to fix indexed brifters) The indexed rear Shimano bar-con on the Surly can be switched to friction, so if anything goes out of adjustment with your rear der, you can go friction and it becomes a moot point. The front is friction, which makes trimming the front der a breeze.

[Trek420]

Between the two of us, my sweetie and I harbor slightly more than 6 bicycles...

Before she sold all but her 3 or 4 of her most loved bikes by my count Logdiva had 16 in her stable. Is this the TE record?

http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showt...ghlight=stable

I test rode the Surly, I ::heart icon:: Surly but need to wait till the house remodel is done.

[KnottedYet]

EastHill might be pretty close to Logdiva's record.

[VeloVT]

If you are aiming at a long self-supported tour, you might want to seriously consider bar-end shifters like on the Surlies. (unless you have the tools and know-how to fix indexed brifters) The indexed rear Shimano bar-con on the Surly can be switched to friction, so if anything goes out of adjustment with your rear der, you can go friction and it becomes a moot point. The front is friction, which makes trimming the front der a breeze.

The Trek touring bike has bar-end shifters that switch from index to friction, too. I thought that was pretty neat. I looked at this bike briefly (never tested it -- and I THINK it was the 520, but I'm not absolutely sure -- in any case they probably only make one touring bike, right?) while looking for a commute bike. It's pretty (that year's model was all black and very handsome), looks comfy and relaxed, and has touring stuff (eyelets, etc). It was heavier than I wanted, for my purposes, but that might not be such an issue if you're doing loaded touring anyway. I think it's around 25-27 lbs, not insanely heavy, but the bike I ended up with was around 20/21.

[Trek420]

....they probably only make one touring bike, right?) while looking for a commute bike. It's pretty (that year's model was all black and very handsome), looks comfy and relaxed, and has touring stuff (eyelets, etc). It was heavier than I wanted, for my purposes, but that might not be such an issue if you're doing loaded touring anyway. I think it's around 25-27 lbs, not insanely heavy, but the bike I ended up with was around 20/21.

Trek only makes one touring bike? They make one of everything, I'm shocked they don't make a unicycle (maybe they do?)

No problem, there are lots and lots (and lots) of other builders to choose from

Check out V's Riv, beautiful, comfortable and light enough to do doubles on.

www.tandemhearts.com/wordpress/legolas/

[Pedal Wench]

Between the two of us, my sweetie and I harbor slightly more than 6 bicycles...

I think me and mine have 13 in our stable...

[Trek420]

I think me and mine have 13 in our stable...

But how many shoes?

[Pedal Wench]

But how many shoes?

Oh my god - I have almost as many shoes as I have bikes! 7 pairs!!! Two pairs of mtb, 3 Sidis (all different sizes for different sock layers), 1 Pearl Izumi what were on sale and haven't ever been worn and a pair of PINK Adidas road shoes.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Trek only makes one touring bike? They make one of everything, I'm shocked they don't make a unicycle (maybe they do?)
No problem, there are lots and lots (and lots) of other builders to choose from
Check out V's Riv, beautiful, comfortable and light enough to do doubles on.
www.tandemhearts.com/wordpress/legolas/

The Rivendell Legolas (their cyclocross bike, which is what V. has) would cost two to four thousand dollars for a complete, depending on components and add-ons, etc. If you could get one. They've stopped making them for now.
Any other Rivendell would do well for touring- but their Atlantis model is specifically designed for heavy loaded touring. Again, a whole bike would likely run over $2,500. Seems out of the price range described.

A touring bike should have all the braze-ons necessary to attach front and back racks, panniers, and additional water bottle cages. If you plan to ride under dim light conditions you will need both headlights lights and rear lights, not just blinkies.
Most touring bikes I see in use do not have disc brakes. (I thought disc brakes were a mountain bike thing?) They do have a wide range of gearing to handle steep ascents.
You will not want to carry loads in backpacks- you'll want to have everything loaded on the bikes.

Fully loaded self-supported touring means tent, sleeping bags, sleeping pads if wanted, food, cooking gear if you want to do that, water, several tubes, clothes&toiletries, rain gear... The bike will need to be somewhat sturdy and will likely need to weigh about 25 lbs to handle medium heavy loads. Steel bikes are good for loaded touring.
Unless you are only touring in really flat areas, I myself can't see hauling 40 lbs worth of gear on a 25 lb bike and a dog/trailer combo of 70 lbs as well. This doesn't include your own weight. Well, I guess it could be done on flat routes. But then you wouldn't need disc brakes anyway.
Another consideration- will it be hot? If so, the dog would be pretty uncomfortable under the sun in a hot cramped trailer for hours at a time, bumping over the roads. Do think about whether the dog would actually enjoy the trip as much as you would enjoy having the dog along.

I humbly suggest you think of ways to make your first-time tour enjoyable and not an ordeal, so that your partner will want to do more! The second time around you will have a much better idea of what you'll want to bring and leave behind.
Why not try just an overnight lightly loaded tour with a tent etc on some bikes you already have to see how you like it before jumping in to buy new bikes? It's going to be fairly expensive for all the gear and bikes too.

Just some thoughts....

[SadieKate]

I believe Rivendell specifically stated that the Legolas was not intended for loading touring, but they make other frames that are.

[mimitabby]

I think an important thing to consider is after you use up the fingers on one hand it is polite to stop counting how many bikes you have.

[Blueberry]

Take a look at crazyguyonabike.com - there are some journals from folks who have traveled with dogs (though I don't think any are quite that large). It's also a great place to get information about different touring bikes, and what works for different people.

I have 2 touring bikes - a Bike Friday Crusoe and a Trek 520. ISTR that my 520 was not much over $1000, and I bought it at the end of the year. I've not done loaded touring on either (though it is in the plan for the future). I love both bikes. What kind of bikes do you have now? Is there a possibility one would do for short tours to try it out? Since you're touring with your DH, one of you could be lightly loaded and pull the pup in a trailer, and the other could carry most of the load. There really isn't that much more gear for 2 people than 1. You could pull gear in a trailer or use panniers. It's a matter of preference.

Good luck, and let us know how your decision process goes - as you said, we're great enablers

ETA - Make sure you think about how to get you, your pup and your gear to AK - 50lbs would have to fly cargo, which would worry me...

[Pedal Wench]

I think an important thing to consider is after you use up the fingers on one hand it is polite to stop counting how many bikes you have.

I thought it was when I have to start using toes...