Touring or cyclo-cross or road?

[natethegreat80]

I am looking to buy a bike for a cross country tour.  I am going to pull a bob.  I am trying to decide what type of bike to buy.  I have talked to seemingly knowlegable people who say that road bikes will work just fine if I am going to pull a trailer (and that you get more bike for your money buying a road bike as opposed to a touring specific bike).  Anyone forsee any problems with this?  I have been leaning toward a cyclo-cross or touring bike.  Have looked at the Bianchi volpe and the trek 520.  Any feedback or suggestions would be nice.  Aslo low position straight bars vs. drop bars?  Aluminum vs. steel?  

[Peaks]

Well, you see all types of bikes out there.  Some people use road bikes, some use touring bikes, and some use other bikes.  

Myself, I used a road bike (Trek 1220) with a BOB, because that's what I had.  My daughter used an old time trial road bike with her trailer for the same reason.

But, trailers are heavy.  If I were to do it over, I would seriously consider a touring bike with panniers.  I'd work hard to get my gear weight down so that everything fit into panniers.  

From my observation, trailers are in the minority.  Panniers are more common for touring.  Must be a good reason why.  So, if you are planning to buy a bike anyway, consider a touring bike with panniers.

[cyclesafe]

Not true!  Compare the weights of good racks, good panniers, and a good touring rear wheel to a BOB with its stock bag and a more standard wheel and you'll find that not only is the trailer option lighter, but it is far cheaper.

[ptaylor]

I havent done a whole lot of touring:  perhaps 2,000  3,000 miles over the past 25 years, but I will put in my 2 cents worth.

I started with panniers. They worked fine. I still have them and use them occasionally on my commuter bike.

Then I got better panniers (Madden from ACA) they worked better.

Then I got a BOB trailer. I rode around my neighborhood with water filled milk-jugs and was apprehensive, but I used it on one tour. The BOB now is used only on my commuter bike when I need to carry a big load  it will never again accompany me on a tour. It tries to control me: so we fight because I want to control it. Guess who wins: I win because I unhook the dammed thing.

Bottom line: Im a pannier man.

If you want to use panniers, make sure you get a long chain stay so you have heel clearance.  The Trek 520 meets this need, would be a good choice, and should meet your needs right out of the box. All youll need is to add a front rack and the panniers and handlebar bag. The Trek 520 also has dropped handlebars. In my opinion straight handlebars have no place on a road bike unless you can plan your rides to avoid strong headwinds.

PS:
If you learn how to plan rides that avoid headwinds, let me know: I wanna join you!!


Gramps

[JimF]

I'd recommend a steel-framed touring bike. Reason one is, if you have a frame problem (unlikely but some probability), it can usually be repaired easily versus Al or Ti. Second, the dimension between the chainstays on a touring frame (and MTB) will accomodate a wide range of sprockets as well as wide rear tires. A touring frame will typically have a longer wheelbase, making for a smoother ride. I own a Rivendell Atlantis, which carried me across country with a Bob this year with no problems. Just MHO. Good luck.

[ptaylor]

I havent done a whole lot of touring:  perhaps 2,000  3,000 miles over the past 25 years, but I will put in my 2 cents worth.

I started with panniers. They worked fine. I still have them and use them occasionally on my commuter bike.

Then I got better panniers (Madden from ACA) they worked better.

Then I got a BOB trailer. I rode around my neighborhood with water filled milk-jugs and was apprehensive, but I used it on one tour. The BOB now is used only on my commuter bike when I need to carry a big load  it will never again accompany me on a tour. It tries to control me: so we fight because I want to control it. Guess who wins: I win because I unhook the dammed thing.

Bottom line: Im a pannier man.

If you want to use panniers, make sure you get a long chain stay so you have heel clearance.  The Trek 520 meets this need, would be a good choice, and should meet your needs right out of the box. All youll need is to add a front rack and the panniers and handlebar bag. The Trek 520 also has dropped handlebars. In my opinion straight handlebars have no place on a road bike unless you can plan your rides to avoid strong headwinds.

PS:
If you learn how to plan rides that avoid headwinds, let me know: I wanna join you!!


Gramps

[Peaks]

OK, make a liar out of me.

My BOB scales out at 14 pounds, 2 ounces.
The bag scales out at 3 pounds 3 ounces.

I gotta believe that you should be able to do something for less than 17 1/2 pounds.