Automatic Land Bike??-- Comments

[Kevinindel]

Greetings-  I have just joined the group.  I am seriously thinking of getting into touring and I am in the process of picking out a touring bike.  After reading on this forum for the past couple of days, there is much to learn!  I think that either a Trek 520 (not crazy about the bar-end shifters); or the REI Randonnee (pretty good gearing w/STI shifters)will be the best choice for me.
However, I just saw a info commercial on TV that was selling this Automatic bike called the "Land Bike" and was wondering if that would be a suitable touring bike?  14speed.  Anybody know of this bike?
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Regards,
Kevin

[DaveB]

The bike is absolute junk.  It makes K-Mart and Wal-Mart bikes look good.  There is NO useable or reliable automatic shifting mechanism for bikes currently available and if there were, it wouldn't be advertised by an "infomercial"  Avoid!!!!

Your first two references, the Trek 520 and the REI Randonnee, are good bikes, very suitable for what you have in mind. The auto bike is a scam.

[tofubicycle]

DaveB has summed it up perfectly. Not only will you find this bike ill suited to your needs in terms of performance and longevity but you'll have a difficult time finding a mechanic who will want to work on it, much less one who will be able to do much with it.

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i'd rather be biking.

[Badger]

Stay with the basics you won't be disappointed.  A good touring bike will let you fine tune it to your liking.

[Kevinindel]

I kinda thought these might be the answers I would get. I am going to to check out the Trek in the next day or so.  I do not have any REI stores close to me, but I did spend much time on the phone with a very nice/helpful person at REI.  I was curious about the stand over height of the smallest frame they have (47cm) that has a stand over height of just over 31".  My inseam is 31".  I can't believe that they do not have a touring bike that would fit me!  If they did, I would probably just order one, given the pretty good reviews on this site.  Don't know what to do.
Thanks to everyone who responded.
Regards,
Kevin

[TwoWheeledExplorer]

I would take a good look at the Bianchi Volpe. The Novara/REI Randonee is an excellent bike, but if you don't have an REI shop around for service, you might have to shell out big bucks to an LBS for regular maintenance. The Bianchi is a very similar, chromoly steel frame touring bike. You would have to have the racks put on, (they are not stock like on the Randonee) but that can be a good thing. Chances are you have a Bianchi dealer nearby you.

Ride safe,
Hans

Hans Erdman, WEMT
Backcountry Trail Patrol-MN
www.trailpatrol.org

[tofubicycle]

I was curious about the stand over height of the smallest frame they have (47cm) that has a stand over height of just over 31".  My inseam is 31".  I can't believe that they do not have a touring bike that would fit me!

Kevinindel,

Stand-over height should not be compared to one's inseam. Your inseam is the length from the base of the crotch to the bottom of your pant leg at the seam. In order to calculate  your stand-over height, you essentially need to take into account the length from the base of your crotch all the way down to the floor. For instance, I have a 30" inseam and ride a 52cm frame with a 30.5" SO Height.

I want to stress that there is no substitute for spending sometime inside a local bike shop. Take a deep breath, set some time aside, don't be intimidated, find a sales person, get checked for your basic standover height, test ride some bikes and have fun when you are doing it.

If you are not sure of the nearest bike shop to visit, and can tell me what city or town you are in, I may be able to help recommed a place.  

--
......... __ o
.........-\<,
......(O) (O)...........
...........................
i'd rather be biking.

[Kevinindel]

Road Warrior:
You're right about the measuring differences.  I can just stand over a 31" frame with very little room to spare.(not more than 3/4".  Not sure if that would be acceptable for touring.  I live in Rehoboth Beach, DE and found a cycle shop in Bethany Beach that I plan to go to today.  They don't have any touring bikes like the Trek on the showroom floor but I should be able to at least get an idea of correct measurements.
Regards,
Kevin

[jimbeard]

I HAVE DONE A FAIR AMOUNT OF TOURING ALWAYS USE BAREND SHIFTERS. STI ON MY TANDEM LASTED 2000 MILES .
I HAVE 27000 MILES ON MY T1000 BARENDS WITH NO PROBLEMS .