Messages

1

Gear Talk / Re: Road Training/Touring Bike--Tricross Sport?

« on: March 30, 2010, 04:19:12 pm »

I've thought about a seatpost clamp style rack but they look kinda flimsy--plus putting it on carbon fiber can damage it I've heard.  Because of those reasons I'm skeptical.  I also might be interested in buying used for a touring model but havent seen one locally that would fit me.  The 30-40 mile days were in '06--So yes, Im sure far, far better stuff exists than what was around back then.  How good are seatpost-clamp-racks?  Also, how good is the Windsor bike?  Why would you not want to go that whittierider?  and, John, why WOULD you go that way?

again, thanks so much for all the help!  its great to have this sort of resource for someone like myself who isnt so knowledgeable about bikes!

2

Gear Talk / Re: Road Training/Touring Bike--Tricross Sport?

« on: March 30, 2010, 02:31:01 pm »

I would love to buy a new touring bike and have a blast on that and keep the beautiful bike I have right now but I just dont have the budget for it.  I can sell my Trek for 800+ (I have offers from a craigslist posting...) and can probably invest between 500 and 700 more total--and closer to 500 the better.  So unless I can get a decent touring bike for 500 (Can I?) I cant see keeping two bikes...Hence my looking for a do-it-all type.  I certainly hear what's being said here in that there isnt really a do-it-all bike out there though.  I might just get a touring bike for the summer I guess.  I really am not one to complain too much about what I'm riding--I did a 2 week touring trip averaging 30+ miles/day when I was younger on a $200 mountain bike with slicks on it.  I clearly am not going to go cross country on something other than a touring bike...Are there any suggestions for road bikes that can mount panniers?  I really only need a commuter bike for the summer that can mount panniers and maybe be used for a night or two of touring, total.  I know that I'm not going to find something that drives like a Lamborghini and has space like a box truck, but I dont really need something that drives like a Lamborghini or something that has space like a box truck.  Is there no happy medium?    Is there the cycling equivalent to an small-midsize SUV?

Again, emphasis on price here--I know that cycling isnt a cheap sport, but I'm a starving college kid.  I'll look into the Trek 520 more, I keep hearing great things about it.  Thanks for all of the great responses!

3

Gear Talk / Re: Road Training/Touring Bike--Tricross Sport?

« on: March 30, 2010, 10:22:26 am »

Thanks for the quick reply!

I haven't yet started testing out bikes--I was hoping for feedback on here first to see what I should be testing out.  Both the Cannondale and Trek touring models cost somewhere in the range of 1300-1500 which is pushing my price without having any hint of a road bike in them.  I'm not going to be doing any crazy crazy touring, maybe a week long trip tops at this point....If I do work up to cross country touring, I'll get a real touring bike.  I'm kinda looking for a "do-it-all" bike that with some minor modification can be either a touring/commuting bike or a roadie.  To be honest, the weight for road biking doesnt matter so much to me because it isnt at all for racing, but for cross training for squash, my primary sport.  More weight=harder work=better training, even if its less fun/fast than on a speedy road bike.  I could easily see just riding on one set of tires/wheels as it would save me money and be easier--no adjusting.

I'll look into the bikes you mentioned for sure!  If anyone else has advice/opinions for me, I'd love to hear them!

4

Gear Talk / Road Training/Touring Bike--Tricross Sport?

« on: March 30, 2010, 12:22:02 am »

Hi there--

I've ridden a 1999 Trek 5000 (All carbon fiber speed demon racing bike--what Lance won the '99 Tour de France on) for the past two years as a training/pure road fun speed bike.  However, this summer I will be needing a bike which can handle panniers.  The 5000, while it's pretty much the most fun I can imagine is possible on two wheels, wont serve my purposes very well at all.  Because I am on a limited budget (Probably 1500 MAX) I have been looking to sell the Trek and find a bike which will better suit my needs.  I'm looking for a bike which can handle panniers as well as some road riding and training rides--in the near-ish future, I may be looking to get into more touring, starting with some unsupported rides from Maine to NH, then Maine to Mass, and (possibly) next summer working my way up to crossing the US.  Interestingly, I came across the Specialized Tricross Sport, a bike which at first glance might be able to suit all of my needs in the foreseeable future.  If I were to get a tricross sport and an extra wheelset, I could have one set of wheels for touring/commuting with the knobby tires on them and then a wheelset with some road slicks on it for my pure road/training rides.  What are ya'll's thoughts on this idea?  Am I crazy?  How does the Tricross do with panniers and touring?  Is it comfy enough?  What else should I know about this bike?  What other bikes should I be looking at?

Thanks for the help in advance!
Matt