Co-motion Americano vs Norwester Tour

[Tourista829]

Paddleboy, thanks for the info. Question, is that your picture? WOW!!!! How did you get a picture in there?

[paddleboy17]

No, that's a young Bruce Campbell.  If you go to your profile, there is a way to pick an icon.  Bruce was there, and I have always loved his movies.  We are the same age, but I think I have aged better than he has in some ways 

Good luck stimulating the bike economy...

If you buy a big three car, you could help stimulate Detroit...I think we are worse off than South Florida.   All of are retirees with pensions moved to Florida.  We have had a nastier than usual winter, so I don't think there are any homeless bike people here either. 

[Tourista829]

Well here we go again. We were out for a ride, and on a bike path, no less,  with occassional breaks for cars to come out of their housing developments. My girlfriend was ahead of me when a car, runs a stop sign and she hits into the side of the car. She was ok but the bike was totaled. So we are definately in the market for a new bike for her. She is very light 106 or 107 pounds and almost 5' 7". I am thinking of a Comotion Norwester Tour but if any women, out there, are enjoying their bicycles, we would love to hear from you. Thanks Bob P.S. No we do not do this for a living!!! We ride in Florida and that says it all.

[scott.laughlin]

I can't add any bike comparisons, but I can vouch for Co-Motion customer relations. 

A few years ago I dropped by their factory in Eugene, Oregon, arriving unannounced.  They dropped what they were doing and took me on a tour.  I saw a few frames that had yet to be painted.  Their attention to detail was impressive. 

My bride and I were looking for a touring tandem.  The cost was of a Co-Motion was beyond what we could afford and I've always regretted that.

Scott

[pax78]

This reply is late, but I just registered....
In 2003, I replaced my totaled 30 year old beloved 10 speed with a Norwester, with couplings. My LBS did a fabulous job, and so did CoMotion. I live in Florida as well. I have over 5000 miles on my CoMotion, and am finally preparing for my first "long" tour this summer (after numerous multiday rides). The couplings are great, easy to use, have never been a problem. I keep my bike indoors, BTW. If you haven't purchased yet and would feel more comfortable seeing (riding?) this bike, send me a message (I think you can do that with this forum?). Oh, I am 5'7 and 122 lbs.

Good luck!

[pptouring]

Too funny I thought I was going to have to search for this thread, so I could post an update about our Co-Motions.

My wife and I are preparing for a trip this summer to Czech, so we've been kind of "training" for it. We will be self supported and camping for most of it, so we will be carrying a lot of gear. This weekend we decided to load up with everything we think we'll need for our Czech tour and head out. Friday night after work we rode 23 miles and camped. Saturday we rode for 32 miles and camped for the night and today (Sunday, right now) we rode back home (55 miles). The idea was to ride, setup camp, sleep, get up, pack, ride, setup, etc... (you get the picture). We rode on nice bike paths, paved roads, side walks, dirt roads and everything in between. I know it was only for the weekend, but it gave us a chance to pack and ride as though we were in Czech. 

With that being said, I have a question and hopefully someone can answer it. Will someone please explain to me why most (virtually all) reviews about the Norwester Tour say it is only good for "Credit Card" or light touring and the only real bike for touring is the Americano? I don't get it! My wife and I have taken ours out twice now, fully loaded (camping gear, cloths, food, water, Macbook, camera, wine, bike lock, etc...) and can't figure out what the problem is? These bikes ride great with a load! I can tell you, I had just over 50lbs on my bike this weekend and my wife had just over 32lbs and to be honest I can't imagine what else we could need and/or could be missing. Is 50lbs considered "Light"?

Anyway thanks for reading.





 

[damselfli]

I am wondering the same thing... maybe depending on road conditions. My Norwester is fitted with pretty decent wheels (heavy duty) and low gears, but I have to admit I haven't been on the 1000-mile tour ... yet!  

You might read this OLD post (from when I was searching for the answer to "which bike" question)...
I hope this link works for you. 
http://www.adventurecycling.org/forums/index.php?topic=2942.0

[pptouring]

Thanks for the response damselfli. Yeah I don't get it. The bike rides great under load, so that is all that matters in my book! :-)

 
Are you in Florida? If so, where?

We're up near Tampa.

[paddleboy17]

Talking about these two bike can invite criticism.  But I will give you my spin.

Officially, the Americano is a heavy touring bike.  It is really rugged.  Is it too rugged?  I guess it comes down to how rugged do you really need.

The Norwester is a lighter touring bike.  It is not as rugged.  Is it rugged enough?   I guess it comes down to how rugged do you really need.

I picture the Norwester being sold to someone that wants to do a lot of conflicting things.  They still want to do club rides, but their zippy fast criterium bike is not comfortable anymore.  They might want to do light touring.  They don't want to be slowed down by a really rugged touring bike.

For what you spend on a Co-Motion bike, I would get the Americano because it will be rugged enough.  Lots of people see it differently, because they sell lots of Norwesters, and people tour on them, and they are happy with their purchases.

I have a Waterford touring bike that essentially has the same build specs as the Americano.  An ex-girlfriend of mine spent the same amount of money on a Serrotta club bike and got a Ti frame with carbon fiber stays and a really pretty paint job.  Rugged is really expensive.

[pptouring]

Talking about these two bike can invite criticism.

  {scratching my head} Why?

I can't speak anyone else, but I bought my Norwester to tour and tour only (the US and Europe). I have my Merlin for everything else. ;-)

When I hear the words "Credit Card" touring, I picture a cute little day bag with a change of cloths and nothing else. All I'm saying is, I've loaded the bike down and it seems to ride great, so I don't know why the reviews say it is only good for Credit Card touring. Seems to be a little misleading.

I suppose if I was a bit heavier, I too would have gone with the Americano, but why had the extra pounds when it's not needed?

[staehpj1]

How heavy is the Americano?

[paddleboy17]

Co Motion does not publish specs.  I would expect the weight difference between the two frames to be less than a pound, and the weight difference between the two bikes to be less than 5 pounds.  Most of the weight difference is in the frame and the wheels.   The beefier wheels of the Americano will also slow accelleration.

I still have my Paramount, and she is nimble and fast.

[staehpj1]

Thanks for the guess on the Americano's weight.  It sounds overbuilt for general touring with moderate loads.  I guess it depends on where and how you tour though.  On rough roads with heavy loads it might be just the ticket.  Personally I'd rather keep the load light enough to not require such a sturdy mount.

[RussSeaton]

Thanks for the guess on the Americano's weight.  It sounds overbuilt for general touring with moderate loads.  I guess it depends on where and how you tour though.  On rough roads with heavy loads it might be just the ticket.  Personally I'd rather keep the load light enough to not require such a sturdy mount.

I would also guess the frame weight difference between the Americano and Northwestern to be less than a pound.  I suspect they use tubes maybe .1 or .2 mm thicker on the Americano.  Like 1.2 compared to 1.0 thickness.  As you state the extra toughness may be nice if touring from Prudhoe Bay to Tierra del Fuego or in Asia.  Lot of unpaved roads there and it may not matter how light your load.  Of course for Asia Africa N-S America touring, the Americano has disadvantages that would rule it out for me no matter what the cost.  700C wheels instead of the easier to find 26" mountain bike tires.  Harder to find replacement tires.  145mm rear spacing, tandem width, instead of the common 135mm width for mountain and touring bikes.  Replacement wheel would be harder to find.

[grumblingcrustacean]

How heavy is the Americano?

I do not know about full build.  But the "Comotion Bike Specifications" insert that was in the catalog I picked up today indicates that the following frame weights (they do not specify size):

Nor'wester:  3.8lbs
Nor'wester Tour:  3.85lbs
Americano: 4lbs

S+S couplings add 8oz.


I am actually looking at an Americano for myself after bouncing around the whole "will I use it for heavy touring" question, I would rather have the option than not.  I also like the idea of disc brakes (I have come to really like them on my mountain bike).

The only questions at this point are:

1)  What color?  (leaning towards Metallic Medium Blue)
2)  When to order?

-jim