touring bike purchase help!

[snapdragen]

edit - the merc sure is pretty - - funny though - V and I would both be sporting that color. Did you notice that the picture indicates it is a size 53, but the post says size 56??????

I think thats the tubing - 531 --- it's a pretty, pretty, bike. Call!

[jobob]

Yep, it's the decal for 531 tubing

[cindysue]

Yep, it's the decal for 531 tubing

ahhh - thanks for clearing that up - I'll email the person tonight, ask about a receipt, and see if I can set up a meeting.

still looking though if anyone else has thoughts.....

[jobob]

I just noticed the ad for the Mercian says it has a 6-speed freewheel. Not that there's anything particularly wrong with that, but you might want to ask what the gearing is front and rear to make sure it spans a good range for touring and has enough in-between gears to be useful.

I don't know what size (width) chains are used with 6-speed freewheels (SK, would you or Bubba know?). If it's the same size chain that's used w. 7-8 speed then you're OK, but if it's an oddball chain width then you might want to think twice.

You could probably upgrade it to a 7- or 8-speed cassette but that would involve having someone who knows how to do it stretch apart the frame at the rear dropouts a few mm wider to accomodate the wider hubs that a 7- to 8- speed would require. And you'd need a new wheel w. the new wider hub and cassette.

Which is all entirely do-able but possibly not in the time frame you have.

[jobob]

I was just looking at the specs for the Bianci Volpe and it looks well-geared for a touring bike. http://www.bianchiusa.com/06_volpe.html

I think the Bicycle Outfitter also carries Bianchi. Or at least they used to.

[SadieKate]

B&L Bikes and Ken's Ski and Bike (both in Davis) have Fuji and Bianchi touring bikes in stock. There is a cool touring bike at B&L that we were both admiring Saturday that is well within your price range, but I think it was a Jamis. Looked like a great set up.

OK, here's is my humble opinion on the freewheel. I love Mercians. I's got one. I would consider the frame excellent for touring (pretty similar to many of the Rivendell family memebers). However, you can't put a cassette on a freewheel hub. You have to swap out the back wheel so you have freehub. Then, you start to get into making sure the whole drivetrain is compatible. If you stick with the freewheel it will be a challenge to obtain parts for the bike. I didn't look at the link but I, personally, would only invest in such a bike for commuter purposes not for long distance with back of beyond repair and parts availability issues. A bike with a freewheel drivetrain is sort of like buying a vintage car or one with high mileage. You have to be willing to tinker and know your "stuff" when it comes to replacing parts.

I'll go look at the links and see if I have anything more to add or if I should just offer up a "Oops, nevermind."

[SadieKate]

$350 for that Mercian??? You have got to be kidding?? I'll ask Bubba if he can take a look at the specs about what would need to be replaced to make it cassett-compatible.

If you can deal with the bar ends (friction shifting), my inital guess is wheels you'd loose the Phil Wood hubs ) and a new chain. As long as the chain width worked for the crank you'd probably be set and could trust that repairs could be easily dealt with.

RSX cranks, 175 length - aren't these the old Shimano touring cranks so the chainrings should be small? Jobob? Cindy, when you email ask about the chainring sizes.

I'll email Bubba and see if he has time to take a look.

[cindysue]

still no word about the Mercian.........

B&L Bikes and Ken's Ski and Bike (both in Davis) have Fuji and Bianchi touring bikes in stock. There is a cool touring bike at B&L that we were both admiring Saturday that is well within your price range, but I think it was a Jamis. Looked like a great set up.

is B&L the shop where Bubba bought his seven?

if I go with the Bianchi, I'm also considering:

missing link (good reputation)
left coast (woman owned, heard great things)
american cyclery (apparently they specialize in touring)


if I go with the trek, then:

calpedaler (my lbs)
bicycle outfitter (snap's rec.)

anyone have opinions on the above shops?????

I want to make sure I get an excellent fit!