Messages

31

General Discussion / Re: The current landscape of purchasing a touring bike . . .

« on: February 10, 2021, 11:26:38 pm »

are you happy with the bike?
have you been able to try climbs under load?
As a Kansas guy very curious about the climb gearing . . . I hear it is quite good.

rick

No, I haven't spent much time on it.  I rode it several times for day rides in December as we had a very mild weather (maybe 100 miles in total) but just rode it around local instead of riding my regular road bike. January turned raining and cold so have not ridden since then. 
I purchased the 520 Grando and it does not have the same gear ratio as the red 520 with the triple.  I liked that model for some reason not worth mentioning here but, the mechanic at the trek shop said he will set me up with a new cassette that will get me to where I want to be.  (currently the 520 Grando has a lowest gear inches of 21.4). The basic 520 with the triple has 20 gear inches "I think". 
So it depends on your age and fitness etc, if you will be happy with 21 or 20 or if you are a retired old guy like me you will love that extra low gear when traveling loaded in the mountains.

32

General Discussion / Re: The current landscape of purchasing a touring bike . . .

« on: February 10, 2021, 09:13:07 pm »

When I got mine in November I called the stores listed in Northern Calif (which at the time was 4 stores today was only 2 stores). Anyway both had them as was described in the list however one of the stores only had theirs in a box and required me to put a deposit down on the bike before they would put it together for me.  Anyway I purchased it from the other store that had it on the showroom floor ready for a test ride/


To answer your question specifically you can search for the dealers on the Trek website.  You have to choose the bike model and size you want and click on purchase.  It will then tell you they can't be purchased online and offer you to choose a bike shop near you.  Somewhere on the page (at least on the desktop computer version of the web page) is a small tick box that says only show stores with bicycles in stock.  Once I found that option to click it was easy.  I was between size 54 and 57 and I checked both to find a bikes in both sizes to test ride.  That was helpful for me because I found the 54 fit me best but if I would have ordered unseen I probably would have ordered the 57.

33

General Discussion / Re: The current landscape of purchasing a touring bike . . .

« on: February 10, 2021, 09:07:24 pm »

Available
In store
Horizon Outdoor
3607 South Belt Highway, , Missouri, St. Joseph, 64503-1565
Distance: 45.3 mi
Call To inquire: 816-364-2453
check_circle
In store
Bike World - Urbandale
6600 Douglas Avenue, Iowa, Urbandale, 50322-3314
Distance: 180.5 mi
Call To inquire: 515-255-7047
check_circle
In store
Bike World - Ames
126 South 3rd Street, Iowa, Ames, 50010-7040
Distance: 207.8 mi
Call To inquire: 515-232-3669
check_circle
In store
Phat Tire Bike Shop - Broken Arrow
120 E Commercial St, , Oklahoma, Broken Arrow, 74012
Distance: 220.5 mi
Call To inquire: 918-334-6230
check_circle
In store
Bicycle World
1072 Central Avenue, Iowa, Dubuque, 52001-5013
Distance: 311.8 mi
Call To inquire: 563-556-6122

34

General Discussion / Re: The current landscape of purchasing a touring bike . . .

« on: February 10, 2021, 08:46:28 pm »

Rixtoy,
What state are you in (if in USA)?  I just found 6 available in 57 in California.  4 in S. CA and one in SF and a 2nd one in the Bay Area? 
I just bought one in November and I see on the Trek web site that the price has gone up $100 since I purchased mine

35

General Discussion / Re: Tales of Calamity and Woe

« on: February 08, 2021, 09:52:47 pm »

Made me laugh to see this post go from dates 2012 to 2021.  ;-)

36

Routes / Re: Eastbound Transamerica - Spring

« on: January 31, 2021, 05:47:36 pm »

To clarify on the Minneapolis stop, I have a friend here in Houston that wants to meet me there and ride through Michigan. The thought of having a defined date to meet him is a little stressful though...

My suggestion is have your friend meet you in Missouri and ride the Katy Trail together.  It is much less a detour off the TA and even if your friend is not in touring shape he and you can ride together comfortably across the state following the Missouri River because the trail is flat.  Also their are routes to make the transition to and from the TA to the Katy trail that are already well mapped out.  Its not Michigan but it is a lovely ride.

37

General Discussion / Re: bicycle navigation computer

« on: January 29, 2021, 01:56:57 am »

Thanks for the  input. I already have a basic computer. Thought about possibly upgrading to a Wahoo. Sorry for any confusion. Always good to get feedback from cyclists who have used what your asking about. Thanks again.

I rarely see anyone in this forum recommend the Wahoo, I’m not sure why, because on the one other forum I frequent it is highly and often recommended. I used a Garmin to go halfway across country, and the Wahoo to go the second half.  They both work great as long as you know how to use them but I preferred the Wahoo. I Actually only used the routing functions when I went off route for about a week, otherwise I preferred paper maps and just enjoyed the GPS devices for an up front dashboard with its clock time distance, speed elevation, and all that stuff.  Absolutely not required but I enjoy keeping up with that stuff, especially for keeping track of how long I’ve been traveling and how many hours I’ve been pedaling.

38

General Discussion / Re: Daytime Lights in Montana

« on: January 26, 2021, 12:46:12 am »

Yeah, just like several of you were surprised about my Montana comment I was surprised by Oregon since I had such a wonderful time crossing Oregon

39

General Discussion / Re: Daytime Lights in Montana

« on: January 25, 2021, 09:36:38 pm »

On my Transamerica ride I felt like Montana was the most dangerous state I rode in all things considered. I don’t really like the idea of them legislating this at all but maybe they know their drivers aren’t careful.

That's surprising to me and I'm sorry you felt that way! Of the 46 states I've ridden across on bicycle, Montana (which I've ridden through 3 times) is in my top 5 of safest.

Otherwise, I always ride with a taillight during the day unless I'm on a MUP. I rarely ride with a front light except in foggy or rainy weather. I would be against high visibility colors though. Most of my bike shirts are white, blue or even black. My bike is plenty visible IMO.

Yes that's just how it was for me on my one experience there.  So there you go, it's gotta happen somewhere. By the way, what is MUP?

I also use a rear light always, and only use a front light periodically similar to your description.  My personal experience was when riding through Yellowstone and into the Grand Tetons I teamed up and rode with a British guy who was on an around the world tour.  He had a very bright tail light and I had one of the little Blinky things.  Anyway as we entered the Grand Tetons a guy flagged us down and I thought he was a former bicycle tourist and wanted to chat about our ride however what he wanted was to tell the guy I was riding with how much he appreciated his bright tail light.  He said he could see it way before mine and it caught his attention in the middle of viewing the scenery.  It was a good enough testimonial for me and afterwards I bought a bright tail light that I always use.

This is a bit off topic but this past fall I purchased one of the Garmin Varia radar tail-lights and I completely love it.  I have tried over the years to use various rearview mirrors - on the helmet and glasses and handlebars - and for some reason they have bothered me so much that I gave up using a mirror.  But, the Varia - for me - it just works.  In the few months I have used it, it has never missed a car.  If I look down at my computer readout it tells me if a car is behind me and how far back it is.  Anyway like I said "off topic."  but my Varia is a combination radar and bright tail-light so it reminded me while I was typing.

40

General Discussion / Re: Daytime Lights in Montana

« on: January 24, 2021, 06:56:50 pm »

Just a quick reply to my previous comment. I am sure it was just my experience on one trip across the country.  Each person probably has their own place where they felt it a bit more in dangerous. For me it was was Montana based on a couple experiences.


Regarding the original post, I wouldn’t be opposed to a debate about using running lights, although that seems a bit easier for touring cyclist than for every local kid riding their bike locally in their everyday riding around the state.

41

General Discussion / Re: Daytime Lights in Montana

« on: January 23, 2021, 07:23:41 pm »

On my Transamerica ride I felt like Montana was the most dangerous state I rode in all things considered. I don’t really like the idea of them legislating this at all but maybe they know their drivers aren’t careful.

42

General Discussion / Re: Getting to your start with all your stuff

« on: January 18, 2021, 02:01:31 pm »

when I have taken Amtrak or plane I like to put everything in a big duffle and check it. Then  carry my helmet and handle bar bag is my carry-on. Twice I have purchased a $20 duffel at Walmart but others have suggested looking for a bag at the thrift shop etc.

43

General Discussion / Re: Question about seat height

« on: January 14, 2021, 01:27:05 am »

Thanks again,
I haven't taken the opportunity to mess with the various suggestions yet because I'm not a cold weather rider. It is supposed to get up to the 60's tomorrow and possible for a few days so will see how it goes.  grateful for a chance to ride but we really need the rain.  Oh well.

44

General Discussion / Re: Question about seat height

« on: December 22, 2020, 11:09:37 am »

Thanks for the suggestions/thoughts.  Several things were mentioned that are helping me think about what I can mess with.  So I will do that some .  I wasn't noticing pain in this instance, it was just a weird feeling where I asked my self why do I feel like I'm sitting higher on the bike.  So I will play with the saddle forward and back and the handlebars a bit.  I don't think the crank arms are different but, I'll double check that too.  Both bike have the same saddle and both are. perfectly level (Selle Anatomica) I just looked at the handlebars and the 520 handlebars  are angled leaning down - quite a bit more than my road bike.

45

General Discussion / Question about seat height

« on: December 21, 2020, 09:27:50 pm »

Do you use the same seat on your touring bike as you do on your road bike - your regular group ride lightweight road bike if you use one? 


I sold my old touring bike a couple months ago and bought the new Trek 520 recently.  I didn't measure the seat height on the old bike before selling so I set up the 520 the same as my Trek Domane road bike (I know the touring bike is a road bike too - just not sure of the right terminology)


Anyway the 520 touring bike feels like I'm sitting too high in the air but I don't feel like that on the Domane with the same height.  I wonder if this is a thing? I'm sure I'll just do what's comfortable but was curious.