NEED HELP :(:(:(

There are dedicated Touring bikes in various flavours.

There are the Steel ones which supposedly provide some comfort and they are also supposed to last longer then an aluminium frame (if not crashed). They might have some corrosion issues.

The Aluminium ones, since Aluminium is 3 times weaker then steel, have 3 times thicker walled frames. So they might be a bit more crash-proof. They don't corrode as much. But they develop fatigue related cracks earlier then steel.

There is also Titanium...

For a touring bike you basically need a frame that has mudguards and rack fittings. You also need a geometry that is comfortable and the ability to load some panniers and such. Also touring-grade tires etc.

Some bikes to consider:

1. Surly Cross - Check. (Cyclocross Steel frame with fittings etc).

2. Specialized Tricross. (Cyclocross Aluminium frame with fittings etc).

3. There are many steel touring bikes, some brands to check are Trek, Fuji.

"Thorn" bikes are also very nice. They are custom made in the UK.

Since touring is mainly about reliability etc, you might want to avoid STI shifters and just go for a nice plain Bar-End shifting thing. These would cost about 5 euro each (maybe 10 if you get the "Dura Ace" ones [IMG]files.cyclingforums.combig smile.pngOpen ↗[/IMG]) which are very nicely priced to compared to the cheapest ones in the STI type which start at around 60 euro each for Shimano Claris non-repairable ones.

Good luck! [IMG]files.cyclingforums.comsmile.pngOpen ↗[/IMG]

COOL!! Thanks so much! Can I ask your advice on some bikes I've looked at?

Cannondale Synapse 7 Sora

Specialized Tri Cross (I don't know if that's the model name)

They were both at the $899 CAD price tag. What about the GT bikes - I've seen some online through Bikers Direct? THANK YOU!

Quoted post said:

Originally Posted by kencole
Specialized Tri Cross (I don't know if that's the model name)

Was eyeing that one too... Not available anymore, if you can find a NOS it seems like a nice bike.

It was kinda replaced by the "Specialized Diverge" which is a bit more of a "road" bike then "cyclocross"...

There are lots of used touring bikes you can find on Craigslist, but you have to patient in your search.

Otherwise the best deal I think in a touring bike brand new is the Kona Sutra, it comes out of the box ready to go touring including a rear rack and fenders all around and the number one touring saddle in the world the Brooks B17 (which does take about 500 to 800 miles to break in, and word of warning on these, follow the manufactures instructions to the letter on how to care for it and not anyone else if you want the warranty and the saddle to last).

My second choice, again based on lower price point is the Fuji Touring, this comes with a rear rack but no fenders, it doesn't have the better component package as the Kona but it is about $500 cheaper.

The only other one I would consider at the lower price range is the Jamis Aurora Elite, fantastic looking bike with rear racks and fenders. Another bike ready to tour out of the box.

This is just my opinion of course.