Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!ulysses!bellcore!decvax!mcnc!philabs!cmcl2!seismo!rochester!bullwinkle!uw-beaver!uw-june!wagner From: wagner@uw-june (Dave Wagner) Newsgroups: net.bicycle Subject: Re: "STOCK" touring bikes Message-ID: <502@uw-june> Date: Wed, 5-Mar-86 16:36:51 EST Article-I.D.: uw-june.502 Posted: Wed Mar 5 16:36:51 1986 Date-Received: Mon, 10-Mar-86 08:26:15 EST References: <552@mhuxr.UUCP> Organization: U of Washington Computer Science Lines: 73 Summary: What should a "good" touring bike cost? In article <552@mhuxr.UUCP>, love@mhuxr.UUCP (LINDENBERGER) writes: > I am in the market for a good touring bike. A local dealer tells me that > ....[one can get] a fine quality touring bike, designed to go > the distance, for around $400. complete. > My question: after seeing on this net that many people spend MUCH more for > a bike, how far off the mark would I be if I found a "stock" bike that fit me? I am one of those people who have spent MUCH (much, much) more for their touring bike. The reason? I am 6'4", and could not get a stock touring bike that fit my body; thus, I was forced to go the custom-built route. (That was in 1979; since then, a lot of manufacturers have come out with larger frame sizes.) I don't think you would be at all "off the mark" by purchasing one of the new breed (god, I hate that phrase) of Japanese touring bikes. I've read about a lot of them and I am green with envy that people nowadays can get so much more bike for the money than back when I was in the market. Don't allow yourself to overbuy just for the sake of snob appeal. On the other hand, there are certain things that one might want in a touring bike that stock bikes (at least in this price range) don't offer. Good quality sealed-bearing hubs and bottom brackets, such as Phil Wood or Specialized. In my opinion, any decent crankset will serve the purpose, as long as it can be geared low enough. Some of the Japanese touring bikes come with their own racks. I'm not too sure about these - Bicycling magazine did some tests awhile back that showed that there is a big difference in different rack strengths. Bruce Gordon racks, naturally, came out on top; Blackburn made a respectable showing. Vetta looked so terrible that I would never trust them. (Imagine having a rack break while you're swooping down a mountain road?) But there's a point of diminishing returns - for example, I use Blackburns because I've never had any problems with them and the Gordons are too expensive. Stronger wheels - this includes not only the rims but what kind of spokes are used. A high quality freewheel - ever had a freewheel come apart while you're grinding up a hill on a loaded bike? These are the "invisible" places where costs can be cut. You'll never encounter any problems with these cost-cutting measures until you are 50 miles from the nearest town with 40-50 pounds of stuff on the bike. (speaking from experience!!) For example.... Bear in mind, now, that I weigh 210 pounds. With full packs, full water bottles, lunch and dinner, etc., I expect that my bike and I weigh at least 290 pounds. 5 pounds of wheels are supporting the other 285 pounds! For this reason, I have Phil Wood hubs, with a tandem (i.e. solid) axle on the rear; 48 spokes rear, 40 spokes front; Super Champion 58 28mm rims. The spokes are DT 14 gauge (twice the cost of any other, but provably stronger. Wheelsmith spokes may be as strong; I've never seen figures for them). I never ride tires that are narrower than 1-1/4". I've broken lesser wheels (in the middle of Idaho, 100 miles from the nearest bike shop!). I only use Suntour Winner freewheels (I've broken a Pro Compe, on that hill I told you about.) I've broken Huret and Suntour derailleurs (in the middle of the Canadian Rockies) - now I use a Shimano Deore XT. Whew! Sorry if I got a little wordy there, but I have very strong feelings about the quality of the components I ride. When it doen't have a functional advantage, I don't buy it. But if I see the potential for a true problem, I'll spend whatever is necessary to make sure it doen't happen! Dave Wagner University of Washington Comp Sci Department wagner@washington.arpa {ihnp4,decvax,ucbvax}!uw-beaver!wagner "The surest thing there is is we are riders, And though none too successful at it, guiders, Through everything presented, land and tide And now the very air, of what we ride." - Frost