Messages

1

Gear Talk / Building a lightweight touring bike....

« on: March 06, 2019, 09:10:21 pm »

I’d like to try my hand at building my own sub-20 pound touring bike (similar to what adventure cycling did: https://www.adventurecycling.org/adventure-cyclist/online-features/exploring-packing-possibilities/ with a jamis renegade elite) but to be quite honest, I have no idea where to start.  I can wrench adequately but have no idea how to go about getting the correct parts.  I am hoping for:

Frame that is touring friendly
Single crank with 12 cog cassette ideally with at least 500% gearing range
Granny gear more important than top speed gear
Butterfly handlebars
Electronic shifting -does this save weight or add to it?
Hydraulic or disc brakes- which ones are lighter? Better?
No panniers 
Saddle bags and handlebar bag only (total gear weight is around 12 pounds)

Would like to keep cost under 3.5k and bike weight under 20 pounds.  Is this even possible?  Can you merge all these components together?  I can get a brand new renegade elite 2017 model for $2750. Should I scoop on that and forget about my mishmash of wants?  Any help would be appreciated.  Thanks.

2

Routes / Chicago to NY Maps?

« on: May 09, 2017, 08:23:21 pm »

Shown in the new cyclosource.  Says available in May.  Now almost halfway through May and can't find the maps or GPS data available anywhere on the site.  When is this new route going to be available?

3

Gear Talk / Re: Lightweight touring bike?

« on: January 08, 2017, 10:08:21 am »

Thanks for the replies.  What do you think about this: https://www.rei.com/product/892482/cannondale-synapse-alloy-5-105-disc-bike-2017 Weight and price are perfect, but I'm not knowledgeable enough on components to know if it is suitable for touring.  Thanks.

4

Gear Talk / Lightweight touring bike?

« on: January 07, 2017, 01:19:52 pm »

I'm a novice who currently has a 2012 Surly Disc Trucker.  As many know it is a beast and can handle anything, but it's too heavy. I've dialed my gear down to about 18 pounds and don't feel I need the Surly to haul gear this light.  So.....was hoping the experts can weigh in on a bike that is suitable for road touring, but with a weight around 20 pounds.  I'm planning on tackling the Underground Railroad Route this summer.  Any suggestions would be appreciated.  Thanks!

5

Gear Talk / Re: Ultralight Panniers?

« on: April 17, 2015, 07:14:17 pm »

Thanks for the feedback.  Esp the dry-lites first hand experience.  Love how the internet has allowed home-grown cottage industry to fill the niches that are out there.  Never herd of porcelainrocket before.  Decided to go with two zero zpacks http://www.zpacks.com/backpacks/xs_zero.shtml and try to adapt the straps to serve as the tie downs.  I'll let you know how it turns out. 

6

Gear Talk / Re: Ultralight Panniers?

« on: April 14, 2015, 08:03:22 pm »

Was wondering how the zpack panniers worked out.  I, too, am a long distance backpacker trying to cut out any necessary weight needed for bike touring.  I'm a noob at bike touring.  Goal of 15 pounds gear max, including rack and panniers.  Plan to do 700 miles from Yorktown to Booneville, KY on the Trans Am in June.  Any insight would be greatly appreciated.  Thanks.