Bike Selection

[rainmaker]

I would like to get get started in touring and need some advice. I am considering a Surley LHT, Trek 520, Cannondale 1 or 2, or a Bianchi Volpe. I am 62, 5'11, and in pretty good health. I currently ride about 3000 miles a year on a Litespeed. I love multiday rides and have participated in several. If possible, I would like to keep my cost down to around $1500 or less. First, which bike would you choose and secondly is my price cap feasable? Finally, are there options I should consider? Thanks a lot.

[RussellSeaton]

Any of the bikes you list will work just fine.  Ask the bike shop to put the smallest possible inner chainring on the bike before you leave the shop.  24 tooth for 74mm bcd crank, 20 tooth for 58mm bcd crank.  No other mechanical changes needed.  You will need to add in the cost of carrying your baggage if going with panniers.  Figure $100 for front and rear racks.  $100-400 for panniers and handlebar bag.  If going with a trailer, BOB for instance, figure $300.  Search this forum and the internet for opinions and pricing.  Depending on how your Litespeed is geared, you may want to investigate attaching a BOB trailer to it and not getting a separate touring bike.  Putting a triple with low gearing on a bike is pretty cheap and easy.  Your price range will work, more or less.

[Doug]

rainmaker,

I just purchased a Long haul trucker and I really enjoy it. Surly sells it as a complete bike for about $1000----good rims, shimano xt rear deraileur, bar-end shifters.

In addition to that, I myself threw on Planet Bike Hardcore fenders ($40), a rear rack ($64) and jand expedition rear panniers ($280, huge,  ten-thousand cubic inches). Probably a 58cm would be right for you.

[capndick4]

REI's housebrand Novara makes a model called the Randonee. It comes with a rear rack already installed and is ready to accept fenders and a front rack as well. It also has two spare spokes mounted to the rear of the frame. I have one and I love it! I believe they are currently going for about 950.

[staehpj1]

Yes your cap is completely feasible.  I did fine on the TransAmerica with a Windsor Touring for $599, but changed the crank to get lower gearing.

The bikes on your list are good options.  Of those bikes. I would prefer the lower priced Cannondale Touring 2 which is set up better for touring than the more expensive one.  I don't know what they were thinking when they spec'ed the Touring 1  The LHT is well thought of and a good value.  I would rather have STI, but otherwise it is set up well.  Lots of folks seem to like the bar ends so they may be a plus for you.

[bogiesan]

> Finally, are there options I should consider?

Lord, yes: recumbent.
Other: used bike. A used Cannondale is still a fabulous bike. I've had
two Cannondales, loved them, especially my road wedgie with the little
shock. They used to make a touring model with their Silk Road
headshok, 5/8" of travel, probably from 2000-2002. Find one.

A quick visit to the C'dale site shows to my amazed disappointment
that they have dropped the Silk Road shock systems from their range
of bikes. Total bummer.

david boise ID

go, ristretto, FCP/AE
"Read the manual."