Messages

1

Gear Talk / Re: Touring bicycle choices

« on: March 06, 2011, 02:24:58 am »

I would recommend you consider a Cannondale touring bike as they have a proven aluminum frame that handles better than most steel touring bikes with heavier riders and/or heavy loads. The fat aluminum tubes are stiffer than steel but they ride really well with any sort of load. At 180 lbs plus 35lbs gear on my Trek 520 I found it to be rather flexible, especially on rough roads and climbs. My Cannondale T2000 is a dream in comparison - lighter, stiffer and better handling with load. They are a bit harder to locate as production was stopped temporarily for 2011 but some dealersstill  have them and I frequently see clean used ones on Craigslist - in fact there is a barely used 2009 T2 in the Portland area right now for $950. Just a thought.

2

Gear Talk / Re: Front Racks

« on: February 09, 2009, 01:32:52 am »

I have the Jandd Extreme front rack on my T2000. It is strong and allows for high or low mounting of panniers - I prefer high. It also has a shelf which serves as a fender and carries my sleeping bag or a small trunk bag.  Tubus are very nice quality also but I prefer the lower price and versatility of the Jandd.

3

Classifieds / FS: Cannondale T800 in N Calif.

« on: May 30, 2006, 02:43:48 am »

*** SOLD ***

2005, Large, like new, purchased in April, under 200 miles, too big for me, fits someone 5'9 or 5'10 up to about 6' tall. Comes with cages, pump, comp, seatpack. Add a front rack and panniers and hit the road. Prefer local but will ship (you pay).

*** SOLD ***

This message was edited by mtnroads on 6-1-06 @ 5:36 PM

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Classifieds / lookin' for a good used tour bike

« on: April 25, 2006, 04:43:46 pm »

What size?

5

Gear Talk / Front Rack Problems on New Bike

« on: June 27, 2006, 02:55:31 am »

Hi Brad,
Slight misalignment is not uncommon with racks. My jandd racks were both pretty straight but I had another brand that was way off.  I suspect that the lower arms are not parallel with each other, or one of them is twisted slightly. When you tighten it the last bit against the eyelet, it throws the rack out of alignment. If it mounts square but goes off as you tighten it, that is the problem. Just eyeball it carefully and use a wrench or vise to straighten the offending arm. They're pretty tough.

-john

6

Gear Talk / Mtn Crank?

« on: June 27, 2006, 03:00:58 am »

My two Treks use the 5-arm mtn cranks of the era (mid 90's) that are now referred to as Trekking cranks, 26-36-46. I changed the granny to 24 and big ring to 48, so have 24-36-48. Gives a really nice range with 13-30 (7 spd) in the rear. It will be even better when I go to 8 spd 12-32 eventually, but to do that I need new wheels so I'm holding off for now.

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Gear Talk / Dream Bike For Mountain Touring

« on: May 03, 2006, 02:50:02 am »

I'm with Hans on the value of the older Trek hardtails with full cro-moly frames. I think the Stumpjumper or Rockhopper of similar vintage might work well, too. I recently picked up a used Trek 970 (1993) off Craigslist for $200 that has a full lugged frame, rigid fork, 7-spd XT/DX components, great wheels, etc.

I did a little maintenance work, changed the stem (higher), pedals, seat, tires, added Jandd F/R racks that are bomber, and Jandd mtn/lg mtn panniers. It is strong and reliable now, and I am hoping to do a section of the GDMBR with it. Total cost including full panniers was under $800 and half of that was for the racks/pans. This doesn't need to be expensive.

This message was edited by mtnroads on 5-2-06 @ 10:59 PM

8

Gear Talk / Trek 520 v Cannondale T2000

« on: April 24, 2006, 04:45:27 pm »

I have both bikes. The Trek is very comfortable for day rides, general use and touring, the T800 is better loaded, where the excellent frame comes into play. It is not as harsh when unloaded as some mention - the 37mm tires do a great job of smoothing out the ride, just not as plush as a 520.

9

Gear Talk / Novara Safari?

« on: March 21, 2006, 11:30:31 pm »

I also have a Trek mtn bike converted to do some "all-terrain" touring - it is a rigid-fork 970 (1993) that I swapped tires on, as well as some mods to riding position and HD Jandd racks. It is rugged but not particularly comfortable so I looked at the Safari as a possible alternative. I was not impressed with the component level - the discs were fairly low end and the crankset, hubs, wheels, etc, were not to the level of my Trek, so I decided to stay with what I have.

~john

10

Gear Talk / bike choice

« on: February 25, 2006, 07:38:42 pm »

Two completely different bikes. Cannondale is light, fast, probably somewhat harsh riding, and perfect for training rides or short commutes, but not loaded touring. I had a similar Trek performance hybrid for awhile and it had those characteristics.

The Trek 520 is heavy, comfortable, kinda slow, and suitable for a variety of purposes, including commuting and loaded touring. Very strong and durable. If you are going to loaded tour on it, spec it from the dealer with a mtn crankset in front (for lower gearing). Did I mention they are comfortable? I love mine.

11

Routes / Great Divide on Vintage Bike

« on: June 27, 2006, 03:23:24 am »

You'll be fine on a rigid, many have done it that way, sometimes even on drop bar touring bikes with higher press tires. I am hoping to do a section or two of it later this summer on my rigid Trek 970. You might want to consider some type of shock absorbing stem and/or seatpost to take the rough edges off, and run 1.9 or 2.1 tires that are not inflated too hard. That will also absorb a lot of the vibration from washboard.

12

Routes / Rocky Mountain critters, red in tooth and claw?

« on: May 17, 2006, 01:39:00 am »

In remote areas with critters you should be following typical backpacking procedure and hang your food from a tree limb, downwind of camp, high enough to not be grabbed. This is especially true in bear country, although developed campgrounds may have bear-proof lockers for food.

Most experienced back-country tourists use the same pannier or panniers, usually the front, for their cooking gear, utensils, extra food, etc, and these get hung from the tree at night. No food or snacks in rear panniers, ever. And never bring food or clothes with food on them, into your tent when sleeping in remote areas.

This message was edited by mtnroads on 5-16-06 @ 9:40 PM

13

Routes / Salt Lake City, UT to San Fran, CA

« on: May 07, 2006, 12:06:36 am »

Yeah, that is a bad direction to head from SLC. I might consider I-80 to Wendover, south to 93, to 379, to 6, at Benton hwy 120 will take you over a pretty little road to 395 where you can take either 120 or 108 over the Sierra. I would not do this in July or August, however, as it will be too hot.

Hwy 50 is beautiful, but it is a long route since you have to go south to get on it, then it works somewhat NW toward Reno, then you have to find a decent route back SW to SF. I prefer the more southerly route but have not done it on a bike, only motorcycle.

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Routes / HWY 395 in Oregon

« on: April 24, 2006, 04:37:43 pm »

It is exactly as you imagine - lonely, desolate (espec the segment bewteen Lakeview and Burns) and devoid of traffic. The part between Burns and John Day is slightly more wooded, very pretty, and still very little traffic. Have fun.

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General Discussion / Hurting hands w/ Cannondale T2000

« on: August 05, 2006, 02:24:33 am »

Interesting. I had a T800 for a few months early in the year, and ended up selling it because it was a bit large and never quite fit me properly. One of the things that annoyed me the most was the pain from riding on the hoods. They are larger and more squared off on top than the ones on my Trek 520, causing me to have to change positions frequently. I have fairly large hands, too, so it isn't so much the size as the way it fits the web of the hand. You may need a bike with differently shaped hoods. My Trek in comparison, is extremely comfortable.