touring bike

(LJ) said:

Hello all,

Initially I was considering a road bike. Then I found there was the
touring category, including the Fuji Touring, Trek 520, Jamis Aurora.
It seems they are sturdier and good for riding around town, but heavier,
slower and more sluggish.

Heavier- yes, maybe 5-10 pounds? On a 180 pound total setup- rider and
bike- that's a small percent.

Slower? Not sure how this comes about.

More sluggish- yes, or less twitchy some would say.

Quoted message said:

I would mainly do fitness runs on pavement; if the bike is OK for errands
in town, it is even better. Do you think a touring bike will serve me
well compared to a purebred road bike?

If you have any interest in carrying things, in commuting, etc., then
go with the touring frame. Also there is room for larger tires. Most
'racing' road bikes will barely take a 25mm tire. You'll find things
much nicer on wider tires. You can even put fenders on such bikes.

Quoted message said:

I mean a touring bike is heavier
and slower, and will it make the exercise less effective? I am relatively
young and reasonably fit.

Actually, for exercise's sake, the heavier the bike the more the
exercise, yes?

Quoted message said:

Are there other (touring) models that I should consider? I expect to spend
$600-700 (the Trek 520 costs more).

Thanks in advance.

-LJ

Have you taken test rides? No need to tell the shop that you have no
intention of spending $1200- get on a 'purebred' and see what you
think.

All in all, a decent touring bike is probably a better investment. You
might decide that you want a racing bike in a year or so, and then you
put fenders on the touring bike, use it for errands, etc. while using
the racing bike for pure fitness runs.

"LJ" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Hello all,

Initially I was considering a road bike. Then I found there was the
touring category, including the Fuji Touring, Trek 520, Jamis Aurora.
It seems they are sturdier and good for riding around town, but heavier,
slower and more sluggish.

Touring bikes and many cyclocross bikes share the virtues of rack and fender
eyelets, clearance for wider tires, and somewhat more relaxed and
comfortable geometry. These are the characteristics that make tham
"all-rounders," the one bike to have when you're having only one. You can do
centuries on them or commute on them or use them for errands.

The extra weight of the frame is usually not as significant as the extra
weight of the robust wheels, bulletproof tires, and other components that
make these bikes so durable and versatile.

Quoted message said:

I would mainly do fitness runs on pavement; if the bike is OK for errands
in town, it is even better. Do you think a touring bike will serve me
well compared to a purebred road bike? I mean a touring bike is heavier
and slower, and will it make the exercise less effective?

If it takes you longer to ride the same distance at the same heart rate, the
heavier bike is actually giving you better aerobic exercise. The advantages
of a racing bike, from a fitness standpoint, come more from the way they
tend to encourage some riders to push themselves to ride faster, climb
steeper grades, and maybe pile on more miles.

On the other hand, I spend much less time (virtually none) sitting on the
curb fixing flats during rides on my touring and 'cross bikes compared to my
racing bike. Flat-fixing tends to make my heart rate go down.

Quoted message said:

I am relatively
young and reasonably fit.

Are there other (touring) models that I should consider? I expect to

spend

Quoted message said:

$600-700 (the Trek 520 costs more).

You should look at some cyclocross bikes. Surly Crosschek. Jamis Nova. Like
that.

RichC

(LJ) said:

Hello all,

Initially I was considering a road bike. Then I found there was the
touring category, including the Fuji Touring, Trek 520, Jamis Aurora.
It seems they are sturdier and good for riding around town, but heavier,
slower and more sluggish.

I would mainly do fitness runs on pavement; if the bike is OK for errands
in town, it is even better. Do you think a touring bike will serve me
well compared to a purebred road bike? I mean a touring bike is heavier
and slower, and will it make the exercise less effective? I am relatively
young and reasonably fit.

I have a Jamis Aurora, and as I've said many many times on here, I
love it. It rides like a flying carpet.

In the flat, I don't see how I can really get much faster. I've
pushed the Aurora to 30 plus mph in the flat (ok, for brief, flat,
smooth sections). A lighter bike might make a difference in the
hills, but....I weigh 235 lb. A lighter rider makes a bigger
difference. I'm done upgrading the bike, so I'll have to hope the
rider upgrades.

A pure road-racer will feel like you're going like hell. It will
steer far more responsively You'll want to pedal through more
corners, take curves faster and sharper, and generally find yourself
exulting in the sheer joy of the feeling.

And then it rains. You fling crud up from the wheel onto your eyes
and up your backside. You may puncture the narrow tires--which you
have to keep fully inflated. And you won't have anywhere to stash the
stuff you accumulate on your errands.

A tourer makes an excellent bike; if I had only one bike (and
presently, I do!) I'd have a tourer. The cyclocross bikes will handle
a bit more responsively than the tourers, geometry-wise, and will give
you the option to carry a rack.

Specific praise for the Aurora:

I like the ride. It's stable--it's not as responsive (or twitchy) as
my old Raleigh road-racer, but it's very confidence-inspiring.
Straight-ahead plugging away is steady, and if I keep applying smooth
power the speed creeps up slowly.

I have mine set up fairly upright....I'm not built for the whole
low-bars, deep-into-the-drops racing thing. I ride on the hoods, I'm
comfortable.

I run 700Cx32 tires, with full-coverage fenders. I have a rack, which
is handy for when I need to go to the store.

I'm perfectly happy with it. It suits my needs exactly.

-Luigi

www.livejournal.com/users/ouij
Photos, Rants, raves

Dan Daniel <[email hidden]> wrote in
news:[email hidden]:

Quoted message said:

Heavier- yes, maybe 5-10 pounds? On a 180 pound total setup- rider and
bike- that's a small percent.

Slower? Not sure how this comes about.

5 or 10 pounds will make a noticable distance when climbing large hills. You
might be a minute or two slower when climbing a 2000 foot hill. Around town,
you won't see much difference, especially when you factor in stop lights.

"LJ" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Hello all,

Initially I was considering a road bike. Then I found there was the
touring category, including the Fuji Touring, Trek 520, Jamis Aurora.
It seems they are sturdier and good for riding around town, but heavier,
slower and more sluggish.

I would mainly do fitness runs on pavement; if the bike is OK for errands
in town, it is even better. Do you think a touring bike will serve me
well compared to a purebred road bike? I mean a touring bike is heavier
and slower, and will it make the exercise less effective? I am relatively
young and reasonably fit.

Are there other (touring) models that I should consider? I expect to

spend

Quoted message said:

$600-700 (the Trek 520 costs more).

Thanks in advance.

-LJ

Consider also the Bianchi Eros.

Pat in TX

Thanks. This NG is great, very helpful.

What is the difference between a cyclocross and a touring bike? And
how is a hybrid bike different? As I see it, they are all somewhere
between a road and a mountain bike.

There is a Performance Bike chain store in the area. I suppose they
have better prices and probably carry more brands. Do you think a
chain store, if there is one, will be a better choice than an
independent shop?

Have a great weekend.

-LJ

LJ said:

Hello all,

Initially I was considering a road bike. Then I found there was the
touring category, including the Fuji Touring, Trek 520, Jamis Aurora.
It seems they are sturdier and good for riding around town, but heavier,
slower and more sluggish.

I would mainly do fitness runs on pavement; if the bike is OK for errands
in town, it is even better. Do you think a touring bike will serve me
well compared to a purebred road bike?

I think a touring bike is the most versatile bike, for reasons others
have stated. The few pounds extra weight will give you much better
reliability (especially regarding wheels & tires). And fitting fenders
and racks is very valuable unless your bike will be a toy used only on
perfect days. All this is worth the very slight reduction in speed - if
any.

Quoted message said:

Are there other (touring) models that I should consider? I expect to spend
$600-700 (the Trek 520 costs more).

Cannondale make some very well-regarded touring bikes. I ride one.

--
--------------------+
Frank Krygowski [To reply, remove rodent and vegetable dot com,
replace with cc.ysu dot edu]

(LJ) said:

Thanks. This NG is great, very helpful.

What is the difference between a cyclocross and a touring bike? And
how is a hybrid bike different? As I see it, they are all somewhere
between a road and a mountain bike.

A cyclocross bike is designed for cyclocross racing (q.v) and has the
following attributes: fairly sporty handling, a high bottom bracket
for ground clearance, drop handlebars, and large clearances between
the wheel and frames to fit wider off-road tires (and for mud, which
clogs everything up). They are also a bit lighter, since part of
cyclocross racing involves shouldering the bike and heaving it over
obstacles and such. Cyclocross used to be a form of winter training
for roadies, who used old bikes with large clearances. Of course, now
there are special bikes for it....

A tourer will have a longer wheelbase than either the road or the
cyclocross bike. Its frame angles will be slacker--less upright. It
will have fender and rack mounts, front and back. It is meant to
carry loads, and be stable when loaded with full camping/touring gear.
For the recreational cyclist, this means a bike that can carry stuff
and will not be tricky to handle when you're fatigued.

(Both of the above are usually equipped with drop handlebars)

"Hybrids" usually refer to bikes mounting 700c ("road"😉 wheels and
flat or riser handlebars. They may or may not be wider tires than
road bikes or tourers. They may or may not have suspended forks.

Quoted message said:

There is a Performance Bike chain store in the area. I suppose they
have better prices and probably carry more brands. Do you think a
chain store, if there is one, will be a better choice than an
independent shop?

I deal with my local Performance Bikeshop because...uh...they're my
local shop. I can ride to them. Go check 'em out, but check the
other shops around you as well. I'm comfortable with my local
Performance shopguys, I guess, though. See what you have in your
area: even among Performance shops, things vary a bit. The new
manager at my local one is a hardcore roadie--I seem him ride to work
in his club gear, and since he's been in charge, the road bikes are
more prominent on the shop floor.

another Performance, some miles away, has all the new shiny upgrade
components in a case to ogle at, but seems to get a lot of business
from bikepath types and (weirdly enough) hardcore MTB guys.

So look around.

-Luigi

Quoted message said:

Have a great weekend.

-LJ

(LJ) said:

There is a Performance Bike chain store in the area. I suppose they
have better prices and probably carry more brands. Do you think a
chain store, if there is one, will be a better choice than an
independent shop?

Depends on the shop itself. I doubt that Performance is large enough
of a fanchise/chain to be able to have consistent skill and service
levels in all of their stores. And independent shops are all over the
place- some are amazing and should be preserved as national treasures
and some should be tossed faster than a cartoon of milk.

Shop for a bike shop!! That is half the battle right there. Keep
looking until you find a shop that is willing to work with you. Pick
one that you will want to return to again and again... because you
will be going back- for bike adjustments, for questions, for clothes,
parts, etc.

Ken said:

Dan Daniel <[email hidden]> wrote in
news:[email hidden]:

Quoted message said:

Heavier- yes, maybe 5-10 pounds? On a 180 pound total setup- rider and
bike- that's a small percent.

Slower? Not sure how this comes about.

5 or 10 pounds will make a noticable distance when climbing large hills. You
might be a minute or two slower when climbing a 2000 foot hill. Around town,
you won't see much difference, especially when you factor in stop lights.

Also, touring bikes always have triple chainrings. "Racy" bikes have
doubles, usually. The touring bike gearing is way friendlier on hills.
The longer frame gives a more stable ride to boot. Tourers are easily
ridden hands free, and can be pushed easily with just one hand on the
back of the seat.
My $0.02 Bernie

Frank Krygowski said:

LJ said:

Hello all,

Initially I was considering a road bike. Then I found there was the
touring category, including the Fuji Touring, Trek 520, Jamis Aurora.
It seems they are sturdier and good for riding around town, but
heavier, slower and more sluggish.
I would mainly do fitness runs on pavement; if the bike is OK for errands
in town, it is even better. Do you think a touring bike will serve me
well compared to a purebred road bike?

I think a touring bike is the most versatile bike, for reasons others
have stated. The few pounds extra weight will give you much better
reliability (especially regarding wheels & tires). And fitting fenders
and racks is very valuable unless your bike will be a toy used only on
perfect days. All this is worth the very slight reduction in speed - if
any.

Quoted message said:

Are there other (touring) models that I should consider? I expect to
spend
$600-700 (the Trek 520 costs more).

Cannondale make some very well-regarded touring bikes. I ride one.

Which one? Just curious. :-)

-km

--
the black rose
proud to be owned by a yorkie
http://community.webshots.com/user/blackrosequilts

the black rose said:

Quoted message said:

Cannondale make some very well-regarded touring bikes. I ride one.

Which one? Just curious. :-)

Their T-series.

-Luigi

Quoted message said:

-km

the black rose said:

Frank Krygowski wrote:

Which one? Just curious. :-)

Well, it's an old, old bike. A 1986 Cannondale ST-800. It was their
top of the line touring bike back then. My wife has one, too.

They took us coast to coast last year, I'm proud to say, camping gear
and all. :-)

--
--------------------+
Frank Krygowski [To reply, remove rodent and vegetable dot com,
replace with cc.ysu dot edu]

Thanks.

I think, between a touring and a hybrid bike, I will choose the former.
With the drop bars, I can change riding positions.

-LJ

On 15 Aug 2004 15:34:35 -0700 in rec.bicycles.misc,

(LJ) said:

I think, between a touring and a hybrid bike, I will choose the former.
With the drop bars, I can change riding positions.

my touring bike is a mountain bike with scott at-4 "bow tie"
handlebars. lots of riding positions there, and i hardly ever
have to fix flats since i ride with 1.9 inch cross tires. fat
tires make a more comfortable ride, too.

the black rose said:

Frank Krygowski said:

LJ said:

Are there other (touring) models that I should consider? I expect to
spend
$600-700 (the Trek 520 costs more).

Cannondale make some very well-regarded touring bikes. I ride one.

Which one? Just curious. :-)

The T series which is more along the lines of the Trek 520 in price.
The T-2000 might actually be a little more expensive. They used to
make a T-1000 as well but I think it's now the T-800 (???). Not certain
if it's in your price range or not.

I've seen some Giants and Marin road bikes that seem rugged enough for
light duty touring use (commuting/creditcard touring) and the prices
in your range.

Can't go wrong with a touring bike IMHO. Put some panniers on the back
and load it up with some lights and fenders and you've got your commuter
for all year use. Broad selection of tire sizes and good range of gears.

Thirty-six spoke wheels combined with wider tires make for very few flats.

I've been searching for a better road tire on my "joy bike" to match the
reliability on my tourer/commuter (Trek 520 with Conti Top Touring tires
in 32mm). I've tried IRC, Conti (GP1000 I think) and now Hutchinson Excels.
Friday was my first day with the new tires and I didn't even make one round
trip commute (22 miles) before flatting. Needless to say, the search
continues, but the Hutchinson's sure are snazzy looking.

The tourer just keeps rolling along with rarely a flat, nor barely even a
wobble in the wheels after 10 years!

SMH

"Dan Daniel" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

(LJ) said:

Hello all,

Initially I was considering a road bike. Then I found there was the
touring category, including the Fuji Touring, Trek 520, Jamis Aurora.
It seems they are sturdier and good for riding around town, but heavier,
slower and more sluggish.

Heavier- yes, maybe 5-10 pounds? On a 180 pound total setup- rider and
bike- that's a small percent.

5-10 lb??? No way a good touring bike is anywhere near that much heavier.
Touring bikes are only a little different than "racing" bikes, the differences
are subtle and are spread across frame and components. Cantilever brakes and
larger frame clearances allow for wide tires and/or fenders, wheels are
generally sturdier, bottom brackets are lower (easier to dab at stop lights),
angles are slacker wheelbases longer for more stability ( good no-hands, less
high speed shimmy), triple chainrings for wide ratio gearing. You can set up a
touring bike for racing, but not vice versa, ditto for commuting.

Not sure where you live but considering the two Performance bike
stores I've been in (NOVA and LA) you're much better off finding an
LBS. If you are thinking you might move and want the safety of a chain
store REI Novarra brand has a nice touring bike. I also like
Bianchi's- the Axis (which is a cross bike but very nice- I own one)
and Volpe. The Specialized Sequoia has many of the features of an
all-rounder but looks more like a "racing bike" being equipped with
dual pivot brakes and all. All of these bikes are pretty reasonably
priced and easy to find.

[email hidden] (LJ) wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

Thanks. This NG is great, very helpful.

What is the difference between a cyclocross and a touring bike? And
how is a hybrid bike different? As I see it, they are all somewhere
between a road and a mountain bike.

There is a Performance Bike chain store in the area. I suppose they
have better prices and probably carry more brands. Do you think a
chain store, if there is one, will be a better choice than an
independent shop?

Have a great weekend.

-LJ

Dan Daniel wrote:
|| On 14 Aug 2004 20:55:27 -0700, [email hidden] (LJ) wrote:
||
||
|||
||| There is a Performance Bike chain store in the area. I suppose they
||| have better prices and probably carry more brands. Do you think a
||| chain store, if there is one, will be a better choice than an
||| independent shop?
|||
||
|| Depends on the shop itself. I doubt that Performance is large enough
|| of a fanchise/chain to be able to have consistent skill and service
|| levels in all of their stores. And independent shops are all over the
|| place- some are amazing and should be preserved as national treasures
|| and some should be tossed faster than a cartoon of milk.
||
|| Shop for a bike shop!! That is half the battle right there. Keep
|| looking until you find a shop that is willing to work with you. Pick
|| one that you will want to return to again and again... because you
|| will be going back- for bike adjustments, for questions, for clothes,
|| parts, etc.

Those are nice words and stuff, but the practicalities of it seem doubtful
to me. You can ask around, but really finding out how good a LBS is seems
to be a hit-or-miss affair. Also, depending on where you live, your options
could be severely limited.

I say a generally better plan is to become self-sufficient to as great an
extent as possible.