Messages

1

Gear Talk / Re: Anyone been touring on the Salsa Vaya yet?

« on: October 08, 2011, 07:34:18 pm »

I don't think any one can really evaluate that condition for you.  No one here knows how "strong of a rider" you are are.  So I don't see how anyone can make an apples to apples comparison for you.

Isn't there a test hill somewhere that you can use to evaluate things?
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You are right.  It's time to take it to the streets. 

I'm in the Northeast so a short w/e tour in NH across the Kancamagus Hwy and up the Mt. Washington auto road will provide all the test climbing I'll ever need.

Will report back

2

Gear Talk / Re: Anyone been touring on the Salsa Vaya yet?

« on: October 01, 2011, 10:38:00 am »

I'm in the same stiuation with my Vaya.  I love the bike, but will suffer the gearing when fully loaded.

I'd like to stay with a Compact Double even for loaded touring (plus, I don't want to change out my derailleurs)

Please weigh in on this set up:

SRAM X7 1400 - 170 crank with 28/42 chain rings

The bike comes stock with a Shimano LX long cage derailleur which I think will accept a 34 cog

So 11-34 rear cassette

I could go with a the 26/39 up front as pointed out earlier in the thread , but I'm worried about losing too much on the high end.
I'm not a wimp when it comes to hills, but as a touring newbie, will this set up get me over Logan Pass in Glaicer Park with 50lbs of gear?