What's your favorite 100 mile unweighted bike?

[John Driz]

I'm riding Ragbrai http://ragbrai.com/ this summer and just wanted to hear from you seasoned riders what is your favorite 100+ mile bike for unloaded touring?  We have a support vehicle to throw our gear in so it really opens up what I can choose from.

[dwnptrl_777]

I'm going to stick with the Surly Long Haul Trucker. I may be alone in that call, but...it's just a smooth traveller.

[John Driz]

What do you think of the Surly Pacer or Cross Check?  I found a Pacer frameset to build up as a possibility and the steel frame would be a smoother ride.

[dwnptrl_777]

Actually, if you're truly looking to go unweighted, and have no desire to add racks to the frame in the future, I've heard great things about the Crosscheck and Pacer. In fact, you could add a rack-less frame bag system in the future. Talk to Jeff at www.CarouselDesignWorks.com. Great guy who makes an outstanding product. I'm having him make a frame bag for my Trucker now and already own a couple of other pieces by him.

[aggie]

I've used my Trek 5200 for 100+ non-loaded riding and been very happy.  I'm significantly faster than on my touring bike.

[staehpj1]

A go fast road bike would be my choice.  I almost never ride my touring bike unless loaded touring.

[whittierider]

I've used my Trek 5200 for 100+ non-loaded riding and been very happy.   I'm significantly faster than on my touring bike.

+1.  My OCLV carbon Trek gives a smoother, less-fatiguing ride than any of my steel bikes did, and has outlasted them in miles too.

[johnsondasw]

My CF Trek Madone.  Why not?  It's unloaded.  And you can always put heavier wheels on it if you are afraid of breaking a spoke, etc.

You just can't beat the ride CF gives.

[John Nelson]

My favorite bike is the bike I already own, whatever that may be. For many people, 100+ unloaded miles is a day ride. I don't think there's any bike that won't work for this.

[indyfabz]

IF Steel Crown Jewel SE painted in starlight purple.

[John Driz]

In fact, you could add a rack-less frame bag system in the future. Talk to Jeff at www.CarouselDesignWorks.com.  

Those are some pretty sweet bags!  I've been shopping around for anything from a Cannondale R or T series to a Surly Cross Check and anything in between.  So far I'm just coming up empty.  Let me know if you come across any 54cm deals under $650

[whittierider]

Frame bags generally have very little room, because they have to be so thin.  They also reduce your water-carrying capability.  Without a rack however, you can still use a large handlebar bag, and/or a huge (nearly a cubic foot) seat bag.  See the huge seat bags at http://www.wallbike.com/carradice/camper.html .  They have an internal frame to keep them from sagging and swinging.





Much smaller (under two gallons' worth of space) is the Jandd Mountaineering Mountain Wedge III, which is shown here with my XLab water bottle holder for two additional bottles behind the seat.  (I use the huge 32oz Zefal Magnum bottles, so along with the two on the frame, I can start with a whole gallon of drink.)