looking for a new bike

[pahillbillybear]

I've want a new road bike.  I like Gunnars Fast Lane and Grand Tour.  I have read many articles on bike materials.  I have never riden a steel bike but I've read a number of articles concerning bike materials and steel seems to be the way to go.  The type of riding I will be doing will be medium touring and commuting.  Any thoughts concerning Gunnar and steel bikes in general?  Any thoughts on other materials?  Any thoughts on other manufacturers?

[whittierider]

For touring bikes, you're probably locked into steel-- at least partly.  It's not that it's the best material, but frames and forks made of other materials don't usually have the eyelets for racks and fenders or the clearance for the bigger tires (28mm wide and wider) and fenders.

As for materials, we were just discussing the myths here.  (In the frame-fatigue test linked, the steel frames generally broke first.)

[staehpj1]

For touring bikes, you're probably locked into steel-- at least partly.

Don't rule out the Cannondale aluminum touring bikes.

[paddleboy17]

I have a Waterford, same people as Gunnar, near as I can tell.  I like my bike, but I had a really great dealer to work through.

I am not sure that I know what medium touring is. 

You can commute on almost any bike.  Personally, I would recommend at least a light touring bike for commuting on.  32MM wide tires are great in case you get run off the road.  Fenders will keep you clean when it rains.  A rear rack is nice when you need a pannier for a change of clothes. 

You need to choose a bike with a frame that is up to the most severe thing you plan to do.  All the components can be upgraded.  The frame, you are stuck with.

 

[NoGaBiker]

Well, actually, if you like all the components you can just upgrade the frame.

That's what I planned to do when I built my Surly LHT this spring -- just buy the frame and transport the parts off my Marin commuter. But I got all sentimental about the Marin and realized it would be nice to have a spare touring bike to loan a friend (all my friends only ride race bikes), so I just bought another set of the same mostly-used parts off eBay and built the LHT from that. So now I have two.

But in theory it would have worked, but been a lot of trouble!

[pahillbillybear]

thanks for the comments.  I think I have a very good dealer.  I have visited the shop a number of times.  I've purchased a few small items for this shop.  The owner is straight forward and appears to be honest.  I've read some of the on-line reviews concerning this guy and everything seems positive.  I guess medium touring could entail two ideas.  Medium could mean medium distance.  For a long distance cyclist this could mean 150 miles in one sitting.  Not what I mean.  Medium touring to me means medium weight.  I have a book on ultra light hiking and I guess this is where the idea comes from.  I want to go light but not too light.  I want to be comfortable while touring.  Medium touring to me means going fairly light.  I guess due to my heft I need a bigger tire.  So I need to go lighter.  Looking to drop though.     

[whittierider]

I guess due to my heft I need a bigger tire.

Wider tires are generally more comfortable which is a benefit in touring, but a lot of tandem teams use 23mm tires with no problem, so don't worry about it from that standpoint.

[sprocketman]

Do not buy a Cannondale. I purchased one (a T2) for a cross country trip I completed two weeks ago. About 1000 miles in, the rear wheel started making disturbing clicking noises. I did 1500 miles. I don't think the bike would have lasted much longer without major repairs. I had other problems with the bike. When I called Cannondale to make it right, I got the run around. The bikes they make today are not the same as the bikes they made 20 years ago. That is just my two cents.

[bismarckgimpy]

I really like my Long Haul Trucker. If you do get a steel bike, make sure you have some touchup paint. Surly doesn't carry paint, so you need to get some from a model shop or nail polish.

[pahillbillybear]

Thanks for all the great responses.  I still like the Fastlane.  I think it is a nice easy riding bike without attitude.  Just what I want.  The Fastlane is a bit pricey but I'll have a bike for life.  If money were no choice, I lust for a Litespeed.  I've spoken to them.  They still build the Blueridge but only special order.  I'll know what I'm getting soon.  I look forward to posting some pics.