Bike for medium touring/commuting

[Dog]

Thanks KnottedYet. I plan to check out the store - soon! All I've done is work since my mini tour ride last September, so it is time to reward myself.

[blackhillsbiker]

Made a contribution to the bike fund today. I've been doing a lot of research. Luna still keeps rising to the top of the list. Besides, being able to choose the color would be really cool!

Deb

[Atlas]

I have a Surly Cross Check for exactly these reasons. Mostly commuting, gravel/trail rides, and eventually touring. I love it more than I can explain.

[emily_in_nc]

There are many great choices, but I'm partial to Bike Fridays myself. Great touring bikes, handle panniers and racks, steel frames, and yes, you can choose your color. DH and I did a 9-day self-supported tour back in 2004 on 'em with full panniers and racks, and they performed great in all ways. Now we're mainly using them for grocery store runs, but they work great for that too. You can build them with any type of handlebars you like (flat, touring, etc) since they're semi-custom.

In addition to be very utilitarian, they're also seriously fun to ride -- the small wheels make 'em super responsive and easy to get around obstacles. They accelerate really quickly too.

[KnottedYet]

I have a Surly Cross Check for exactly these reasons. Mostly commuting, gravel/trail rides, and eventually touring. I love it more than I can explain.

Me, too.

I replaced my Kona Dew for the same reasons BHB is considering, and got a Surly Cross Check (like so many others have).

Changed my bars, etc, and now I have a bike I just love in so many ways!

[blackhillsbiker]

I've been looking a bit at Masi cross bikes. I'm not sure yet exactly what I want — although I know I want steel. I also want to avoid toe overlap as much as possible. It is really pronounced on my Dew. The LBS put on a double crank for me today. I'm already liking it much better. Shifts much easier and more gears in the range I prefer.

Deb

[pootler]

Hi Deb

I have recently upgraded from my Kona Dew Plus and now have a Salsa
Casseroll triple. It was a toss up between the Masi cross/randonneur, a Surly crosscheck and the Salsa. I tried them all. I liked them all. The Salsa ended up winning because I ended up buying it for 1800 AUD instead of its original listed price as 2500 AUD. I have whacked a tubus logo rack on it, changed the stem to a slight riser, saddle to a brooks and have lots of blinky flashy things for riding at night (I'm a shift worker). I LOVE IT. I had intended to still use the Kona for shopping runs but the Salsa has taken over those duties aswell. Now the weather is getting better here I'm planning a few weekend trips with it.

Oh by the way, as much as I love the Salsa I do think the Masi looks hot!

Kazz