hybrid7.2 trek for touring bike?

[beezbeadz@gmail.com]

i have a road bike specialized ruby comp compact, but i am thinking for touring my trek 7.2 fx bicycle would be better for touring long distances, possibly transam, and not have to buy a 'touring bicycle'....your opinions would be appreciated....thanks...i only need to carry minimal equipment as i have a 'personal sag'... my motor biker husband!

[Galloper]

I have toured happily on a Trek 7200 albeit only on short mini tours, up to 3 days.   I see no reason why your 7.2 wouldn't make an enjoyable tourer.   I did find that the original Bontrager tyres on mine were puncture prone so swapped to Panarace Pasela tourguard and haven't had a problem since.

[beezbeadz@gmail.com]

and did you add panniers to it or anything to carry some extra stuff in or on, it would be mostly water and snacks for me... thanks for your input! i am thinking the hybrid would be safer than the road bike not knowing the road conditions....

[staehpj1]

I personally would definitely take a road bike given your ability to carry a light load.  I have gone to a road bike even when carrying camping and cooking gear, but I pack super light.  Your Ruby sounds great for lightly loaded touring to me.

I find my road bike very comfortable.  Flat bars and a more upright posture much less so.  YMMV though.  Do you find the 7.5 more comfortable? If so it might be a good choice.

[Galloper]

I carry two panniers and a couple of bottle cages, so enough space for overnight stuff and plenty of space for waterproofs.   In day to day use I just put a small rack bag on the back which is plenty big for snacks and a light jacket.   

[Pat Lamb]

If all the luggage is being carried by your "personal sag," you might be able to ride the Specialized.  I suspect the limiting factor will be how well you can climb 10% grades in the low gear on that bike.  Two water bottles (with motorcycle re-supply where necessary), map or GPS, snack or lunch money, sunscreen, sunglasses, spare tube, and maybe an energy bar or two, and a small rain jacket -- that's all you need with you.  Shouldn't be a problem for a road bike to carry in a bar bag and/or saddle bag.

[zzzz]

You asked for opinions so.....

If you can comfortably be on your road bike for several hours a day, take your road bike. If you can't, then get refit on your road bike or get a different saddle and take your road bike. The road bike is a more efficient machine, more miles with less effort.

I don't have a "personal sag" (and I am deeply envious) but I travel pretty light and a road bike has worked for me. The shortest gear I have is 34x28. Depending on how good a climber you are that may be for fine for the steepest stuff on the TransAm (Western Va/ Eastern Ky) or you may need a little more. It's plenty for the climbs out west which never seem to be more than 7%, they just go on for a long time.

As you noted, standard road tires are a little slim and that is the only change I make to my bike. I put 25mm tires on instead of the 23's I normally ride, and if they didn't rub I would have put on 28's . The roads on the route are overwhelmingly good but there will be a few places you're going to be riding thru some asphalt that's in pretty dire need of repair and you'll appreciate the larger contact patch.

Pete

[indyfabz]

I am in the "take your road" bike camp. With support, what more would you need to carry over and above what you usually take on every day road rides?

As for gearing, if you think you may need to, there may be ways to lower it without investing too much. In May I took my road bike to the pre-Alp region of Veneto Italy for two weeks of day rides from a residence hotel. I have a 50x34 compact up front. Having SRAM components, I simply bought a long cage RD, 12x32 casette and a new chain. $200 or so installed.

[beezbeadz@gmail.com]

thanks everyone! this was all very helpful information!