Tour Bike Build

[Muggs]

Hello All,

New to the forum. I am building a touring bike and I'm in the initial phase. I've selected a Surly Disc Trucker frame set and would like advice on 26" or 700c.
Any and all thoughts or comments appreciated.
FYI - 67 years old will be doing mostly 3-8 day tours. A roadie in my younger years, but mostly coming from a mountain biking background.

TIA,
Muggs

[davidbonn]

That sounds like an exciting project!  Welcome to the forums.

I'd say between 26 and 700c depends a lot on where you plan to ride.  If you hope to have more rides on unpaved or poor surfaces chances are you'll be happier with 26.  And on the average you'll be happier on good pavement with 700s.

The other thing to think about (but probably not for the relatively short trips you are planning) is that 26 inch tubes and tires are pretty much universally available all over the world, while 700c tubes and tires might not be available, especially if you are in the middle of Africa or South America.  Although finding a 26 inch inner tube is a very safe bet at any Wal Mart but again a 700c tube might not be available.

Whatever you do, make sure you go with 36 spoke wheel builds.

[John Nettles]

As David said, it depends on where and how you want to ride and possibly your inseam.  If you have a short inseam, you may be forced to go with 26" wheels. 

Another pro for wider tires and touring is that if you have wider tires (50mm+), you can get a mini-suspension but keeping the tires not fully inflated.  This is nice say on chipseal roads or small gravel.  Additionally, if you like to bring the kitchen sink, wide tires can typically support more weight compared to narrower tires.  For stronger wheels (you carry the kitchen sink, heavy rider, etc.), 26" wheels are stronger than 700c when all things the same.

A plus for 26" is that you very well might have a lower standover height.  This is good if you bring your leg over the top tube vs. over the saddle as sometimes after a long day, that little extra inch of height causes me to snag my heel. 

If you plan on staying in North America or Europe 700c will be available pretty easily.  Plus, 700c/29er tires are marginally better on gravel and/or bumpy roads due to larger diameter. 

Realistically, if you ride in NA or Europe and are not super heavy and carry a ton of gear (say 300+ pounds for bike, gear, and rider), either will work.  The heavier you get, the more spokes and/or smaller rim you need to have strong enough wheels.

Both sizes have a decent selection of tires to choose from. 

Tailwinds, John

[Muggs]

Thank you both for confirming my thoughts about 26” frame.
I am 6’2” and about 230. My “in shape” weight is about 210.

I tried to find SRAM 900 hubs with 36H but it seems that 32H is all that I could find.
Would you suggest Shimano, or something else? I want to build this right once, but I don’t want to break the bank either. LOL

Thank you again for your comments. I’m sure as I build this I will have many more questions specific to touring as this will be my first bike build for touring.

Muggs

[John Nettles]

How much touring do you plan to do, i.e. a few weekenders a year, one 1-month tour a year, a round the world tour, etc.?  Do you plan on any non-North America touring and if so, where?  Due to your weight, the bike's finished weight, and the average wet (food, fuel, water) gear weight, I would definitely do 36 spokes and a very strong rim.  Check out Peter White Cyclery's website for rims and way too much info.  A bit quirky but an informative site.

Tailwinds, John

[driftlessregion]

All brand name hubs are good enough quality and even some most of us have never heard of, including the Novatech hub that Surly puts on their current Trucker. I ride Velocity hubs on my Gunnar Touring bike but that is because my LBS likes them on the Velocity rim. I would trust Surly's judgement.

[Muggs]

Hello All,

Sorry for going dark; busy with work. After a lot of research here and other places, I've decided to purchase two prebuilt DTer's (one for me and one for my wife).
Should be here next week. Buying a prebuilt and "living with it" for a time before making any changes sounds like a better idea.

So, anyway, one thing that I know I want to change is the saddle to a Brooks leather saddle. Does anyone have a preference between the B17 & the B17 special?
Apparently the special has recessed rivets? Any thoughts appreciated.

Muggs

[Pat Lamb]

So, anyway, one thing that I know I want to change is the saddle to a Brooks leather saddle. Does anyone have a preference between the B17 & the B17 special?
Apparently the special has recessed rivets? Any thoughts appreciated.

I've had a number of Brooks.  On a couple of them, after 10's of thousands of miles, have had a rivet get tilted; it'll then start rubbing even through a good pair of shorts.  It's possible, but difficult, to hammer it back flush.

The big rivets on the specials are easier to correct.  The copper is softer than the standard steel rivets, and it's got a larger head, so you can bend the edge of the rivet over rather than the saddle frame on the standard.  Plus, they look really cool.

So you pays your money and you takes your choice.

Make sure you have an Aardvark saddle cover or two to keep the saddle from soaking on a long, hot, sweaty ride, or a ride through a downpour.  And have something (fender or plastic bag under the saddle) to protect the saddle dry from tire spray.

[John Nettles]

In my 45+ years of riding, I have ridden mostly Brooks (wide range).  My favorite was the Pro Special when I was young and skinny but have tried probably 4-5 different models on my various bike stable. 

A few years ago, I tried a Sella Anatomica and discovered it was much more comfortable.  Big downside is the leather does not last as nearly as long, maybe 1200-1500 day rides before the skin needs to be replaced.  This is probably because the skin is a bit thinner and so it stretches easier.  It is made/assembled/replaced here in the USA.  You can buy them on Amazon or direct from the factory for sometimes cheaper as they periodically have sales.  A nice lady is the owner and they are very responsive to questions and I assume any issues.

Tailwinds, John

[UncaBuddha]

In my 45+ years of riding, I have ridden mostly Brooks (wide range).  My favorite was the Pro Special when I was young and skinny but have tried probably 4-5 different models on my various bike stable. 

A few years ago, I tried a Sella Anatomica and discovered it was much more comfortable.  Big downside is the leather does not last as nearly as long, maybe 1200-1500 day rides before the skin needs to be replaced.  This is probably because the skin is a bit thinner and so it stretches easier.  It is made/assembled/replaced here in the USA.  You can buy them on Amazon or direct from the factory for sometimes cheaper as they periodically have sales.  A nice lady is the owner and they are very responsive to questions and I assume any issues.

Tailwinds, John

Plus 1 for Selle Anatomica. I have two leather saddles from them (and a Brooks I haven't ridden in Eons) and recently started riding an R model EPDM rubber. The rubber has been great and there are no concerns about wetness!
I begged my wife to let me get her a SA saddle and when I finally did she said, "Why did you wait so long?"!!!

[driftlessregion]

I tried to like a Selle Anatomica because they were originally made here in Wisconsin. Didn't fit me though it works great for others. Other than chain lube nothing has more personal opinions than saddles. B-17 on all my bikes, whether Special or regular is a matter of what I find on sale.

[Muggs]

All,

OK, i have decided on the Brooks B-17 Specials. $140 each for the specials vs $120 each for the regular. $200 each for the Sella's seam a little excessive for me giving the fact that could use that money spent elsewhere.

Thank you all for your comments and insight. I'm sure I'll be back with yet more questions.
Muggs

[Seeber1]

I build a trucker 3 years ago. I am 6 feet and 225. I had Peter white Cycles build my wheels. Total bomb proof. Just call them they are real nice and helpful . I would also put a SON front hub to charge your devices. I Have over 3000 Miles on them and never had a problem. I went with 700c with 44 spoke rear and 38 spoke front.