Messages

1

Gear Talk / Re: Touring on 24 spoke wheels.

« on: March 10, 2022, 11:15:10 am »

Hi John. Thanks for the ideas, especially around wheel integrity if spokes are breaking. The wheels are just a standard aluminum wheel. Bontrager affinity. I’ll be rolling on 32c so hopefully that helps. I think I just have to be careful to not put too much power down as you mentioned.

Cheers!!


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2

Gear Talk / Touring on 24 spoke wheels.

« on: March 10, 2022, 10:00:36 am »

Hello all,

I’m planning to head down the West Coast (Van. To Mexico)  this summer. I have a 2020 Trek Domane SL5. I haven’t been able to get a dedicated touring bike yet.

I did a 6 day 900km tour on roads last summer on the stock Domane and everything worked fine. Only thing I noticed is if I stood up to put power down there was some extra flex (felt like in the wheels). But all told the bike held up fine.

On the Trek website they state the Domane can handle a rider weight of 275lbs. My weight combined with gear will be around 220-230lbs.

So. Should I just spend the extra couple hundred bucks (budget is already tight) and get new wheels, or y’all think I’d be ok riding the stock wheels.

Thanks all.


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3

General Discussion / Re: Can you tour on a carbon road bike?

« on: November 17, 2020, 07:31:05 pm »

Awesome. I assume you used one of those rear racks that attaches at the thru axle and clamps on the seat post.

Thanks everyone. I feel quite confident the bike will make the journey. As for gear and getting it all to fit, I will enjoy and probably hate that part, but I'll make it work.

4

General Discussion / Re: Can you tour on a carbon road bike?

« on: November 16, 2020, 08:01:53 pm »

I counted and it has 24 spokes. That being said the Trek website claims the bike has a combined weight limit of 275lbs. I weight around 185 so I'm not too concerned about the wheels being able to handle it. My dad also has a Domane and is around 230 and his bike rides fine and I would be under that weight combined. Good thought though!

5

General Discussion / Re: Can you tour on a carbon road bike?

« on: November 15, 2020, 04:24:40 pm »

But essentially I want to know if there is a high risk of cracking my frame strictly from the weight.

I was promised back in the mid-1990s that carbon fiber bicycle frames would soon start shattering and putting their riders in wheelchairs.  Okay, 2020 and still waiting on that.  Your Trek was designed for hefty but powerful customers to go storming up Mont Ventoux.  It's fine.

One point concerning your new carbon fiber-frame Domane SL 5 (ach!  such a cool bike!) as a touring bike.  It has front and rear 'IsoSpeed' engineered frame flex.  I'd caution against attaching any racks that might subvert this movement.  The bikepacking style bags you and others have discussed here should be fine.

Oh!  Second point: you will not want to intrude on the brifter shift arc with the handlebar bag/pack/tent.  Choose accordingly.

Smacks forehead!  Third point:  your 32s will be dandy for road touring.

Have fun!  Enjoy the trip!

Thanks for your excellent 3 tips! I feel much better about it. Good point on the handlebar packs


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6

General Discussion / Re: Can you tour on a carbon road bike?

« on: November 15, 2020, 04:23:24 pm »

TREK has a great reputation. If it were a cheap Chinese carbon bike I would not use it for the kind of distance, terrain and weight you are talking here. They tested one of those bikes. It is on You Tube. The frame cracked wide open.

Right on! Thanks!! Feeling good about it


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7

General Discussion / Re: Can you tour on a carbon road bike?

« on: November 15, 2020, 10:41:10 am »

Yes. My primary concern is whether the bike can physically handle carrying the weight. I would use some tape to deal with strap rubbing. My bike came with 32mm’s so I would likely keep that, or get better touring tires but still around 32.

But essentially I want to know if there is a high risk of cracking my frame strictly from the weight.

I will def look into getting a super cheap steel frame if I can find something like that.

Keep the info coming


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8

General Discussion / Re: Can you tour on a carbon road bike?

« on: November 15, 2020, 01:05:00 am »

My frame allows up to 38mm. Came with 32mm which I thought would have been good enough for riding road. Do you think 38 is necessary, or does it just allow for a smoother ride?

Cool. Sounds like it would be doable then, which is sweet because I really don't need a 5th bike as much as I might want one. Thanks again, I'll continue the research.

9

General Discussion / Re: Can you tour on a carbon road bike?

« on: November 14, 2020, 05:32:26 pm »

Thanks for the replies John. I was planning on using a framepack that doesn't fill the entire space. More so use one that is the full length of the top tube, but maybe only 3-4inches in depth. While I would prefer not to ride with a camelback, if that became the deal breaker then I would have to make that sacrifice.

I'm pretty comfortable roughing it, so if i have to make some concessions there as well I could manage it.

Thanks again. Guess I better start looking at how much everything weighs.

10

General Discussion / Re: Can you tour on a carbon road bike?

« on: November 14, 2020, 04:41:26 pm »

Thanks for the response.

I would plan to primarily camp and cook, with the odd stay in a hotel or home just for a shower and such. I've been looking at gear for it all and would try to make it as light as possible (getting a lightweight tent/bivy, small cookware for simple meals), even if that means a bit more expenses up front. I could look into a trailer as well, but I think if I can pull it off I'd rather the packs.

11

General Discussion / Can you tour on a carbon road bike?

« on: November 14, 2020, 03:16:23 pm »

Hello,

I have a 2020 Trek Domane SL 5. I've also committed to cycling BC to Mexico in summer of 2022. Question is, would the Domane be able to handle the weight and tourqe? It is a full carbon frame. I would plan to use a handlebar bag, a framepack, and a seatpack.

Could the frame handle the weight and such that a 30+ day tour would bring about? Or do I need to look at getting an actual touring bike?

Thanks in advance.