Hatching Plans: ALA's Big Ride Across America

[Reesha]

I will look into it!

A couple of questions though:

For a supported ride like this, would you recommend:

Disc brakes or caliper brakes?
Fenders or no?

The co-motion will cost me probably $2800 providing I don't get to carried away with some of the options. I believe disc brakes would be an upgrade.

The Nor'Wester I test rode had SRAM apex 'double tap' shifters and to be honest I wasn't a fan. I have traditional brifters on my road bike and I really prefer those. I was also impressed by how light this bike was.

I am loving this color:

[Blueberry]

Those are very sweet bikes! DH and I came very close to getting them - and then decided on Lynskeys (which we love).

I don't think I'd do Disc brakes because of 1) weight and 2) field serviceability. We ride v brakes with koolstop salmons and no issues whatsoever stopping. I probably would put fenders on (or you could do the trick with the wingnuts and take them off and on if you have lots of dry days in a row). I think they carry your bags, yes? You could always stow them with your luggage. I wouldn't want to risk multiple days in a row with rain and no fenders, though.

Whatever your decide, enjoy!!

[redrhodie]

Reesha, that is gorgeous! Handmade in Oregon, you can't beat that. I'd stop my search.

As for brakes, it's a personal preference. I hate wet rim brakes more than anything. I hate that extra lag time I feel in stopping, and I always seem to pick up grit in the pads, which adds to the problem. So, I love my disc brakes because I like riding in the rain.

[Reesha]

Thanks for the feedback!

Any thoughts on 700 cc wheels? Recommendations for certain brands/set ups? I know I'll need a higher spoke count... not 36 necessarily as I won't be loaded. All wheel/tire recommendations are appreciated!

I was looking at Campy's ergo brifters and I'm wondering if it's worth it to do a bike with a full campy drive train for a bike that will see a lot of mileage. I don't personally have a lot of experience with campy, but it looks like a full groupset might set me back 800 bucks or so for something fairly utilitarian and a triple.

[Sky King]

As far as 700 cc. wheels, we use Mavic rims often and I suggest a spoke count of 32 with the cross 3 pattern, granted if you aren't planning to be loaded you could go down to 28 but this way you would be prepared for the future. I also tour with a dynamo hub because I love having a light and never having to worry about being caught somewhere after dark.
Tires - 700 X 28 - no narrower, Will be a way more comfortable ride than using a narrower tire and you aren't going to notice rolling resistance - regardless this is a tour not a bike race . We love the Schwalbe marathon - supreme or dureme should be sturdy enough, we also ride Panaracer TServ's - the Bike Hermit has ridden 1,000's of miles on those.
Brakes - without a load, I consider disc brakes an overkill. Fenders will work with Disc Brakes but it may take some finesse to attach correctly.
Fenders - but of course, SKS long boards are sharp and disc brake compatible, Tanaka and Honjo's are great too. Planet Bike Cascadia touring is another option. All based on what you want to spend and ease of install and removing.

Sounds like a terrific goal and a fantastic adventure! Oh and the co-motion is beautiful. I happen to have a 52 cm Rivendell Sam Hillborne in my garage that is a tad to long in the top tube for me if you were so inclined but I am also considering changing out the handlebars from drops to more upright position and making it my "adventure touring bike" I love my Bleriot and ride her all the time.

[Reesha]

Thanks for the tips, Sky King!

I've been learning a lot about the ride from some of the riders themselves. One from 2008 just told me that he did the entire thing on a carbon road bike with a triple and that I really shouldn't rule it out. In fact it was the very bike I already own!

The student did it on a Cervelo RS and he had it built up initially to be a bit more upright. He said he was very glad to have a zippy bike on some of the legs and that it was very comfortable.

There are a lot of things to consider but I'm starting to figure out what I'll need.

1. Discs are unnecessary
2. Fenders are optional-- some like em, some didn't bother with them
3. A triple down to a 28T would be a good thing
4. Fit is the most important thing
5. Tires should be 28mm
6. Titanium bikes should be considered

I could save a couple thousand and do it on my road bike... I have no question of that. I guess I just want a new bike that's a bit more versatile!

[divingbiker]

If you and your mom need a place to stay when you get to DC, let me know!

[Reesha]

Thank you

I'll be passing through a lot of Team E hotbeds. Here's this year's route list:
Day 0 Seattle
Day 1 Easton, WA
Day 2 Vantage, WA
Day 3 Odessa, WA
Day 4, Spokane, WA
Day 5, Spokane, WA
Day 6, Sandpoint, ID
Day 7, Thompson Falls, MT
Day 8, Missoula, MT
Day 9, Missoula, MT
Day 10, Avon, MT
Day 11, Townsend, MT
Day 12, Harlowton, MT
Day 13, Billings, MT
Day 14, Billings, MT
Day 15, Hardin, MT
Day 16, Sheridan, WY
Day 17, Gilette, WY
Day 18, Newcastle, WY
Day 19, Rapid City, SD
Day 20, Rapid City, SD
Day 21, Kadoka, SD
Day 22, Pierre, SD
Day 23, Miller, SD
Day 24, De Smet, SD
Day 25, Tyler, MN
Day 26, New Ulm, MN
Day 27, New Ulm, MN
Day 28, Owatonna, MN
Day 29, Winona, MN
Day 30, Viroqua, WI
Day 31, Madison, WI
Day 32, Madison WI
Day 33, Belvidere, IL
Day 34, Morris, IL
Dau 35, Valparaiso, IN
Day 36, Kendallville, IN
Day 37, Napoleon, OH
Day 38, Sandusky, OH
Day 39, Burton, OH
Day 39, Burton, OH
Day 41, New Waterford, OH
Day 42, Washington, PA
Day 43, Confluence, PA
Day 44, Bedford, PA
Day 45, Gettysburg, PA
Day 46, Gettysburg, PA
Day 47, Clarksburg, MD
Day 48, Washington, DC

[ridebikeme]

Another Soma fan here! I built up a Doubke Cross this summer intended for self contained riding, and what a treat it is! Although I typically ride lighter weight road bikes and love them, including a custom ti frame... this Soma frame was incredible! Rides well, handles well and even has me thinking about building a steel road frame.

I built this bike with Velocity Deep V wheels, 32 hole 3 cross pattern, bar end shifters for reliability with any shifting issues, and Avid Shorty brakes. Whether I rode the bike loaded or not, I had NO issues with "lack" of brakes. They worked well on my self contained tour which consisted of dry conditions, a bit of dirt roads, and tons of rain on the last day.

It's defintiely heavier than my other bikes, but more versatile in terms of where I can ride it, AND rides extremely well.


http://chasecyclery.blogspot.com

[Dog]

I too have looked at the ALA Big Ride Across America. I will probably have to wait until I retire though. It is fun to dream/think about it. And, you are already to the planning stage....even more fun!

[Tokie]

they make handy fenders that attach and detach easily - DH and I were very glad we brought them on our ride from S Dakota to Niagara Falls last summer - we rode in plenty of rain. Not as fabulous as full on fenders, but kept most of the water deflected. (the brand was, errr, can't recall, but they hooked on with little rubber straps, quite easy to get on and off) Oh, DH reports fenders were from Planet Bike. They did rattle a bit, but it was sweet music to our soggy bodies. tokie

[Reesha]

You know, I test rode a Cannondale CAAD10 Dura-Ace the other day which I loved better than any of the bikes I've been on so far... but I'm not sure I loved it for the ride. It was an incredible bike and I really really really want it to replace my current road bike. Many over at BikeForums have said they'd gladly ride across the country on their CAAD 9's or 10's...

I've still got lots of time and still need to raise the funds to buy the bike anyway, so more searching is in my future!