Touring Bike Recommendation

[KatfromCal]

I am in the process of looking for a touring bike and was wondering if anyone could give me some recommendations. I bought a road bike (Specialized Ruby Comp) last October and love riding so much that I decided that I would love to go on longer rides, even some overnighters. Plus, I just might commute to work which is about 25 miles or so. I am so jazzed about riding and getting in shape. Any thoughts out there?

[Blueberry]

Welcome! You are correct that a bike for touring will serve you well for a long commute (is that 25 round trip, or each way??). There are LOTS of good options out there. I'll throw some out, and if you have questions, we can (try to) answer them:

Surly Cross Check (cross bike, but takes racks)
Surly Long Haul Trucker
Jamis Aurora
Novara Randonee
Rivendell Atlantis
Trek 520
Specialized Tricross
Bike Friday (particularly the crusoe and new world tourist)
Bruce Gordon BLT

In the (way more) expensive category:
Seven has custom touring bikes
Co Motion Americano
Custom Rivendell
Independent Fabrications (independence or club racer)

Good luck!!

CA

[F8th637]

I've got the Kona Sutra and love it. I have a 15-mile (one direction) commute and it is definitely the way to go. I also love the disc brakes. It's not the lightest bike in the world but it's steel and so comfy.

[KatfromCal]

The commute is 25 one way. Thanks for all of the suggestions. Now I can do some additional research and check things out. If I have any questions, I will be sure to ask them. Thanks again.

[Blueberry]

Wow! That's a LONG commute. One of our bike shop guys does one of similar length.

F8th637 - out of curiosity, do you have disk brakes on your Sutra? I've heard (from said shop guy) that disk brakes and racks are tough.

CA

[KnottedYet]

I saw a disc-brake specific Delta rack at a bike shop today.

[bikerHen]

Gotta put a good word in for a Surly Long Haul Trucker. Perfect for commuting and touring. I got mine last August and rode it daily through all but the deepest snows this winter. It is heavier and slower than my carbon road bike but more comfortable for a long ride. Studded tires, single digit weather, fenders, lights allover it, never ending rain this spring and roads full of huge potholes. The LHT can handle it all.
I've done one, kinda tour with the LHT pulling a fully load BOB trailer too. It and I did great. Can't wait for our next tour the end of the month. bikerHen

[F8th637]

Wow! That's a LONG commute. One of our bike shop guys does one of similar length.

F8th637 - out of curiosity, do you have disk brakes on your Sutra? I've heard (from said shop guy) that disk brakes and racks are tough.

CA

Yup, I sure do! I actually have had luck with two racks now. I had one that I had to attach to the seatpost since it didn't have the right arms to hit my eyelets and I have a new rack that has the right arms now. There's a picture and some info about the new rack on the commuter thread:
http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showt...t=22857&page=9. The only complaint I guess I have is that I have no where to attach an underseat saddle bag now but I have managed to put it in a spare cage. I really haven't had any issues finding a rack that works. Why does the LBS guy say it's tough? My bike has the proper eyelets. You can see it in the picture.

[withm]

There is a very good article in Adventure Cycling Magazine on touring bikes and covers a listing from 20 or more manufacturers, and describes some of the more desirable features to look for in a touring bike. Either the May or June issue. They also have quite a few articles archived on their website, but nothing has been added since Dec 07, so this particular article is not yet online. However if you search for touring bikes you get a list of probably 30 or so articles in prior years that you might find helpful.

http://www.adventurecycling.org/index.cfm

[tpb]

You may also want to look at the Bianchi Volpe. I commute about 16 miles (each direction) on one and it's a very comfortable, solid bike. It has the braze-ons for racks on back and (I think) on the front. I've loaded mine down with a laptop, clothes and lunch and it was still very stable.

BTW, I upgraded the derailluers to 105 and XT (it comes with Tiagra and Deore).

Enjoy!
tpb

[Blueberry]

F8th637 - I'm not sure why the LBS said that. DH has been (sort of) looking for a new bike, and kicking around options. They were steering him away from anything with disk brakes because he wants to be able to put on racks and tour.

CA

[F8th637]

F8th637 - I'm not sure why the LBS said that. DH has been (sort of) looking for a new bike, and kicking around options. They were steering him away from anything with disk brakes because he wants to be able to put on racks and tour.

CA

CA, if he does want a disc brake touring bike he should check out the Kona Sutra. I have the '06. I believe the '08 already comes with racks on the front and the back. It's not the lightest bike in the world but it is steel and incredibly smooth and stable with a load. It's not impossible to have a touring bike with disc brakes and racks. If it has the proper eyelets I don't see why he can't put a rack on a bike with disc brakes.

[Blueberry]

CA, if he does want a disc brake touring bike he should check out the Kona Sutra. I have the '06. I believe the '08 already comes with racks on the front and the back. It's not the lightest bike in the world but it is steel and incredibly smooth and stable with a load. It's not impossible to have a touring bike with disc brakes and racks. If it has the proper eyelets I don't see why he can't put a rack on a bike with disc brakes.

I think he's a long way fmrom deciding what he wants. Actually, I think what he wants doesn't necessarily exist. He wants something fast enough to do club rides on (and to hang with his normal group), and sturdy enough for touring (probably with a trailer). I think the Indy Fab Club Racer is about the only bike that would fit the bill I've seen...

CA

[F8th637]

I think he's a long way fmrom deciding what he wants. Actually, I think what he wants doesn't necessarily exist. He wants something fast enough to do club rides on (and to hang with his normal group), and sturdy enough for touring (probably with a trailer). I think the Indy Fab Club Racer is about the only bike that would fit the bill I've seen...

CA

Well, the Sutra has an adjustable wheelbase to make it a bit more responsive and fast or longer and stable but it sounds like it may not be as fast and responsive as he would like. The Club Racer looks like a dream. Good luck in his search!

[JaneE]

Gotta put a good word in for a Surly Long Haul Trucker. Perfect for commuting and touring...The LHT can handle it all.
I've done one, kinda tour with the LHT pulling a fully load BOB trailer too. It and I did great. Can't wait for our next tour the end of the month. bikerHen

This is what I love to hear!

DH and I have two LHTs on order from our local shop. Should be getting them this week. Yippee!! We're anxious to do some tour-camping (we're old hands at camping...it's the *touring* part that's new and exciting ).

We did lots of on-line research on what was out there; none of our LBSs actually stock any touring bikes, unfortunately. We learned that the Trek 520 is on backorder until SEPTEMBER?? Seemed odd that they wouldn't have any to ship during the main touring season but what do I know? If money was no object we'd definitely be going for Co-Motion Americanos with custom paint jobs. Mouth-watering! Since money IS an object, however, we decided that a pair of Surly LHTs would be a great choice and our favorite bike tech helped us immeasurably in determining what size we needed, etc.

Now we're in the process of gearing up and at the moment are trying to decide on panniers. There's certainly never any shortage of ways to spend money, is there? lol!

Anyway, good luck, KatfromCal. Hope you do some great touring!

Jane