touring

mkelly said:

I've ridden a mountain bike for the last 15 years (riding around Toronto) but I'll be looking for a serious, long-term TOURING bicycle (self-supported touring, carrying all gear). I've given myself a year to save $, educate myself, then buy the right bike.

From the bit of web-surfing I've done so far, the only dedicated touring bike I've found is the TREK 520. Can't seem to find out what they sell for in Canada.

I was kinda thinkin' a thousand bucks (Cdn) oughta do it. yes? no?

Any help / recommendations would be good.

mK

Hi a friend I know road a bike accross Canada for charity, Did it on a Canondale without issue. I think it a 900. If you live in the GTA check out Dukes.

Mike

Hi mk,

CDN $1000 simply won't do it for a pure touring bike. The Trek 520 goes for CDN $1500 in Victoria. Others are anywhere from $1000 (Opus out of St. Laurent Quebec) to $2000 and more. Touring and Sport touring models are available from Cannondale, Devinci, Marinoni, Surly (frames), Trek, Giant, Kona, Soma (frames), Fuji Bikes, Koga-Myata (high end). Those are only the ones I've been researching and I'm sure there are many more.

There's no hard and fast rule for what type of bike to use for touring. I've met cyclists touring on serious touring bikes, hybrids, mountain bikes with slicks and knobbies, and folding bikes. I've met a "hobo" on a non-descript bike with suitcases and a lawn chair jerry rigged to the side of his bike; an iterant mushroom picker in California who rode in from the east on an MTB for some extra cash and freedom; a flashy racing group from Vancouver accompanied by an RV who were cycling down the coast and on to Las Vegas to raise money for a charity; and an 84 year old pulling a BOB trailer.

I've toured on both serious touring bikes and a mountain bike with shocks outfitted with slicks. I enjoyed all my tours equally, including the 1400km ride down the Oregon and California Coast on my MTB on paved roads. The main thing is to enjoy the experience and the incredible diversity of cyclists or cultures you will meet along the way without being to hung up about the equipment itself.

Good luck with it all and above all, just enjoy the ride and the adventure.

...Anyway, that's my take on touring.

Meisele
Victoria, BC

mkelly said:

I've ridden a mountain bike for the last 15 years (riding around Toronto) but I'll be looking for a serious, long-term TOURING bicycle (self-supported touring, carrying all gear). I've given myself a year to save $, educate myself, then buy the right bike.

From the bit of web-surfing I've done so far, the only dedicated touring bike I've found is the TREK 520. Can't seem to find out what they sell for in Canada.

I was kinda thinkin' a thousand bucks (Cdn) oughta do it. yes? no?

Any help / recommendations would be good.

mK

😄

great advice so far! very helpful. Thank you!

mK

Meisele said:

Hi mk,

CDN $1000 simply won't do it for a pure touring bike. The Trek 520 goes for CDN $1500 in Victoria. Others are anywhere from $1000 (Opus out of St. Laurent Quebec) to $2000 and more. Touring and Sport touring models are available from Cannondale, Devinci, Marinoni, Surly (frames), Trek, Giant, Kona, Soma (frames), Fuji Bikes, Koga-Myata (high end). Those are only the ones I've been researching and I'm sure there are many more.

There's no hard and fast rule for what type of bike to use for touring. I've met cyclists touring on serious touring bikes, hybrids, mountain bikes with slicks and knobbies, and folding bikes. I've met a "hobo" on a non-descript bike with suitcases and a lawn chair jerry rigged to the side of his bike; an iterant mushroom picker in California who rode in from the east on an MTB for some extra cash and freedom; a flashy racing group from Vancouver accompanied by an RV who were cycling down the coast and on to Las Vegas to raise money for a charity; and an 84 year old pulling a BOB trailer.

I've toured on both serious touring bikes and a mountain bike with shocks outfitted with slicks. I enjoyed all my tours equally, including the 1400km ride down the Oregon and California Coast on my MTB on paved roads. The main thing is to enjoy the experience and the incredible diversity of cyclists or cultures you will meet along the way without being to hung up about the equipment itself.

Good luck with it all and above all, just enjoy the ride and the adventure.

...Anyway, that's my take on touring.

Meisele
Victoria, BC

Sorry,
There is a bit of mis understanding. I was meaning Cannondale "900". The bike name. I have done more research and found out its called Cannondale T800. They have it listed right beside the bike you are talking about. Heres a link. They also have the one above it. Hope im helpfull.

Mike