Messages

1

Gear Talk / Re: LHT with 26 Inch Wheels?

« on: February 29, 2016, 11:32:22 pm »

Thanks for the advice on the bar-end shifters.  The dealer is quoting $180 to change out the shifters.

It is really exciting being in the market for a new ride.  I don't get where they call these "budget" bikes as this is a healthy investment for me.  Since there are two of us, this is twice as expensive.  So I want to get it right the first time.

There are a lot of bikes to choose from, and we could stick with our Trek 7.2's as well.  At that price point, you can make a few mistakes including replacing them mid-trip in the event of catastrophic failure.  Whatever we ride, we want to be good ambassadors for the sport. 

Some of our lack of knowledge will come with more experience.  I am sure the topic of best bikes, wheel height and the LHT have been discussed somewhere before. 

We appreciate all the support we have been getting in various forums. 

2

Gear Talk / Re: LHT with 26 Inch Wheels?

« on: February 29, 2016, 09:57:23 am »

That is great advice.  My bike shop has larger truckers in stock but not truckers with smaller wheels.  I will try to find the real deal so I can try it out.

3

Gear Talk / Re: LHT with 26 Inch Wheels?

« on: February 28, 2016, 09:30:29 pm »

Thanks for the responses.  Every bike has trade off's.  I would rather have 700cc wheels, but you can't have everything you always want.  Part of it is, it looks great on the floor, how will it do on the trip?  For that I am asking the voices of experience.

I have read on another forum the LHT is fairly low and the smaller wheels would make it even lower.   Right now I am looking at options, today there are many choices in touring bikes.  But if I go with a LHT I want to make sure it works well with smaller wheels.

4

Gear Talk / Re: LHT with 26 Inch Wheels?

« on: February 28, 2016, 05:54:43 pm »

Thanks Ron.  Seems like the LHT was made for 700cc wheels, but they went to a smaller wheel to accommodate the smaller frame size.  I am not against 26 inch wheels, but when they start putting smaller wheels on to make the bike fit, then what else is not going to fit? So the standover height is better, but does that lower the bike too much?  I guess, I was just fishing for anyone who is running 26 inch wheels on the LHT, what they thought of them.

What bike did you choose to run the Carretera Austral?

5

Gear Talk / Re: LHT with 26 Inch Wheels?

« on: February 28, 2016, 05:26:33 pm »

Thanks for the reply.  I will be making this decision about bikes very soon, so I need all the help I can get.  I looked at the Gevenelle shifters.  I think brifters would be easier/faster.  In my riding style, I do a lot of shifting for small hills, etc.  I will be adding a handlebar bag of some type to my current pannier system, but will have to figure out how to make room for the brifters if those can be done.

Is this a hard conversion?  Could I do it myself?

I guess I am worried about being too low/long on the smaller wheels.  Also, larger wheels seems to make sense considering the length of my tour, up to 4,500 miles.

I am thinking about custom building a Surly Troll, or looking at more off the shelf bikes like the Novara Safari, Trek 520, .  I kind of like their handlebar arrangement on the Safari.

Looking for super low gearing for the hills...
Able to get up to speed on the flats
As light a bike as I can get...
Durable....(maybe does not go well with super-light)
Drop handlebars probably don't make a lot of sense for my riding style...
Built as a tourer with weight capacity, braze-on's etc
Disc brakes...are hydraulic disc brakes unreasonable on a long U.S. tour?

Riding Trek 7.2 now...

6

Gear Talk / LHT with 26 Inch Wheels?

« on: February 27, 2016, 08:34:41 pm »

I am looking at the LHT but they only sell the bike with 26 inch wheels in the 50cm size.  I wonder if the smaller wheels will affect me riding mostly paved but also some gravel and single track routes.  Can I put 700cc wheels on this bike?

Also, it appears the stem changes very much between the 50cm and 52 cm bike.  How will this affect me?

Also, bar end shifters would be a disaster for my riding style.  What other shifter/brake system could I put on a smaller LHT?

Also, what is a good alternative to this bike?

Here is the link to the LHT site.  http://surlybikes.com/bikes/disc_trucker/bike_specs

7

Colorado / Re: Introduce Yourself

« on: February 25, 2016, 03:35:07 am »

Hi, my name is Tim Paynter.  My riding partner, Jimmy Salazar, and I are planning on riding the Pacific Coast route in a few months.  Last year we rode Breckenridge to Glenwood Springs twice and loved it!  We stealth camped right next to the bike path on the Colorado river, what a blast!

We are looking forward to meeting like-minded cyclist as we advance our riding experience!  Although we are still thinking, we will probably start our Pacific coast bike trip by riding our bikes to Seattle. (Thinking, Breck to Steamboat Springs, then North to Rock Springs, Pinedale, then up to Yellowstone...)  We expect to spend 4 months, maybe 5, riding 5,000 miles up, down and back to Breckenridge where we live.

See you out there!

8

Colorado / Re: Worst experience across the US was in CO

« on: February 25, 2016, 03:18:03 am »

Kremmling is a ranching town and the constabulary considers their job to protect the trophy land owners who have ranches near the community.  The State patrol has used it as a favorite speed trap, as well.  Don't fret, most of Colorado is pretty friendly.  Most ranchers are pretty friendly.  You just have to ask, and be prepared to move along if the answer is no.

Also, learn how to stealth camp. 

9

Cycling Events / Trying Out For Ranger for Pacific Route

« on: January 18, 2016, 04:14:55 am »

I am really excited to be part of this forum and in advancing the cause of cycling for all people.  I applied to the Blackburn Design program #beablackburnranger2016.  As I understand it, Blackburn Design supports this organization.  I certainly do.  I am really excited about the challenge and if chosen, hope I can live up to it.  This is a huge trip for me!  I have a video for anyone who is interested.  https://youtu.be/ha1_CkCPd9g

Cycling is part of my life.  We have made great strides to create cycling safe areas in Colorado, though there is a lot more to do.  We have several trails which allow people to ride near the edge of wilderness trails, and to see the magic of the out of doors.

I hope this is a good introduction.  I would love your comments and feedback about the Pacific trail and the GDMTBR route, which is my second choice route.  Thanks, Tim