Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Path: utzoo!linus!decvax!genrad!panda!talcott!harvard!cmcl2!rna!cubsvax!peters From: peters@cubsvax.UUCP (Peter S. Shenkin) Newsgroups: net.bicycle Subject: Re: Touring frames + ATB's Message-ID: <438@cubsvax.UUCP> Date: Sat, 22-Feb-86 18:08:55 EST Article-I.D.: cubsvax.438 Posted: Sat Feb 22 18:08:55 1986 Date-Received: Wed, 26-Feb-86 03:43:34 EST References: <7613@watdaisy.UUCP> Reply-To: peters@cubsvax.UUCP (Peter S. Shenkin) Distribution: net Organization: Columbia Univ. Bio. CG Fac., NY Lines: 48 In article bruceb@amiga.UUCP (Bruce Barrett) writes: >In article <7613@watdaisy.UUCP> rnkazman@watdaisy.UUCP (Rick Kazman) writes: >>I am currently interested in building up (or buying complete) a true >>touring bicycle... > >I am also in the market for a touring bike (or frame+components). >My touring to date has been "short to moderate" but I am looking to >do more serious, and much longer distance touring. I've decided that >what I want is a compromise between a traditional "touring" bike and >a mountain bike (or ATB). > When you say a "true" touring bike, I presume you mean one suited for fully loaded touring. In the low-to-moderate priced category, I've been very happy with my Univega Gran Tourismo (about $400 fully equipped). Something between such a touring bike and a mountain bike is a so-called "expedition" bike; it has typical touring geometry (underslung handlebars, same sort of gearing you'd find on a touring bike) except it is heavier duty. People commonly put 1 3/8 x 27" (or 700mm) tires on them, though depending on how much you weigh and plan on carrying 1 1/4 is more common. An example is the Specialized Expedition. Specialized makes great bikes, by the way, and should you go for something a little bit lighter duty, consider their Sequoia model, which they consider a sport-touring bike, but which is capable of fully-loaded touring if you weigh less than about 170 lb. Oh yes: go for reliability and field-servicibility rather than performance. Huret DuoPars are a joy to ride but a bitch to fix, for example, and my friends, who have taken a 2-week tour in some mountainous area every year for the past five years say that they've had at least one derailleur failure each year, in a group of five or six riders. You'll find that at the better bike shops the people that are really "into it" know all about racing bikes but usually don't give a hoot about touring bikes, and tend to turn up their noses at the entire concept. It's like asking someone who's into Ferraris help you pick out a pick-up truck. Some specific things to look for: long chain stays (17.5" is good), at least 2, preferably 3 water-bottle braze-ons, cantilever brakes (of course), a touring saddle (the Avocet is considered to be the best by everyone I know who's tried it... they have different models for men and women), braze-ons for front racks, extra holes near the drop-outs for fender stays (don't laugh; fenders keep you dry in the rain!), vertical drop-outs on higher-priced bikes, like Specialized. People who have Cannondales like them; I personally think they're hideous, except in a mountain bike. This is just an aesthetic judgement, but then life is art.... Peter S. Shenkin Columbia Univ. Biology Dept., NY, NY 10027 {philabs,rna}!cubsvax!peters cubsvax!peters@columbia.ARPA