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.

[GLC1968]

CatSilver -

I also have 2 Terry bikes. One is my road bike (2005 TI Isis) and another as my commuter (2004 steel Classic). I bought the Isis directly from Terry and they shipped to my LBS. I forget who I worked with, but they were very helpful in making sure that I was on the right bike before we even completed the sale. They also switched out the saddle for me (from the standard butterfly to the fly). One of my LBS's refused to take delivery, so we went with a different one. Once that was resolved, it was a very easy process.

I bought my Classic from someone who had posted on the Terry site - so it was used, but it was also a very good experience.

I think the 2008 Isis sport would be great for light touring. It's going to be comfy, light and smooth like my Isis - but it's got some nice lower gearing and it's steel!

I love both my Terry bikes. I rode them both this weekend and this morning when I got on my 'around town' bike for my super short commute, I immediately thought - "man, this bike is so NOT a Terry!"

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

I guess there is a big difference depending on what you want your new bike to do.
Just a thought-
I mean, the thread asks for advice on a touring bike. But you want to go fast on it with skinny tires on club rides too, so perhaps what you want is more a road bike that can take wider tires and racks and lights and fender clearance? Then again, you say most of your touring will be lightweight, but that you also want to option too of loading all your camping gear on it. A fully loaded touring bike might need tubing that is sturdier than a go-fast road bike can offer. In other words, yes there are bikes that 'can' do everything, but maybe not do everything really well- there will be compromises- especially when you want a bike that will work for all possible situations and uses. The more various things you want a bike to be able do, the less it will be able to do every one of those things really well.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Ooooh....our wishes were granted!- there's a new Touring category in TE!
Thanks, powers that be!

Could someone please move this thread there? That would be cool!

[Triskeliongirl]

I am not sure if the isis sport will accept fenders, but I did notice some madeleines are left from last year in the sale bike section (these are real touring bikes, but made from aluminum not steel). They also even still have a 2005 titanium Isis, like what me and Catherine both have. But I can tell you that willhave clearance for 28mm wide tires and a rear rack, good for light touring but not loaded (and no fenders).

[NbyNW]

The Rodriguez Rainier might be worth a look. It can take fenders, rear rack, and I think a couple of different wheel sizes . . .

[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.