So I Bought a Touring Bike
04-29-16, 08:55 AM
#1
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So I Bought a Touring Bike
A Devinci Caribou, which has a good reputation as a long distance touring bike, was advertised locally for a ridiculously low price and I couldn't resist. 
I'm not an experienced long distancer. All the touring I've done has been carrying clothes and a few essentials, eating in restaurants (or food stands, staying in rentals - BnBs, inns etc. I don't think I'll change that much but at least I can take this on the plane without worrying too much that it'll be crushed like one of my carbon bikes. and it has braze ons so I can put panniers on it more easily.
It's first big trip will be to Hokkaido with me in June. We're booked in ryokans (traditional inns) so won't need to pack too much stuff.
I'm thinking of a few mods, Brooks saddle for one. Anybody got any suggestions?
I'm not an experienced long distancer. All the touring I've done has been carrying clothes and a few essentials, eating in restaurants (or food stands, staying in rentals - BnBs, inns etc. I don't think I'll change that much but at least I can take this on the plane without worrying too much that it'll be crushed like one of my carbon bikes. and it has braze ons so I can put panniers on it more easily.It's first big trip will be to Hokkaido with me in June. We're booked in ryokans (traditional inns) so won't need to pack too much stuff.
I'm thinking of a few mods, Brooks saddle for one. Anybody got any suggestions?
04-29-16, 09:17 AM
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Yea, I do. Tell me about this ridiculously good deal you got! I'm envious.
Touring is the whole reason I got into cycling in the first place. The commuting, the endurance rides ... all of it ... ultimately came from a desire to hop on the bike and ride off into the sunset. But the truth is, the only touring I've done is supported touring and credit card touring ... I've not done the fully self supported variety.
I'd put a comfortable saddle on it and go!
Touring is the whole reason I got into cycling in the first place. The commuting, the endurance rides ... all of it ... ultimately came from a desire to hop on the bike and ride off into the sunset. But the truth is, the only touring I've done is supported touring and credit card touring ... I've not done the fully self supported variety.
I'd put a comfortable saddle on it and go!
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04-29-16, 09:54 AM
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I'm not familiar with that one, but I definitely like touring bikes, even if you're not touring. It just makes so much sense, to be able to mount racks & panniers. Then you can carry all kinds of stuff, without having to carry it yourself. The bike carries it all for you. 
I just mounted V-brakes and a cheap rack recently, on my old Peugeot, now waiting on decent weather, for a test ride. 
I just mounted V-brakes and a cheap rack recently, on my old Peugeot, now waiting on decent weather, for a test ride.
04-29-16, 10:34 AM
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Which Brooks saddle? Almost all of my riding is on recumbents now so I've got some better-than-new ones for sale.
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04-29-16, 10:50 AM
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Pictures please?
04-29-16, 12:34 PM
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Be sure the wheels can handle the load. I see a couple of reports by owners a few years ago saying the OEM wheels might not handle heavy touring loads.
I don't do any touring right now, but I just had to replace a rear wheel on my comfy hybrid when the single wall rim warped after popping only one spoke. I don't ride too rough, maybe some gravel trails for about 10% of my rides. But I do carry 30-50 lbs of groceries about once a week on the rear rack, which may have stressed the original wheel. The spoke popped and rim warped on fairly smooth pavement and wasn't under load, so it didn't occur to me right away that I might have over-stressed it gradually over the past several months. I figured my own 165 lb weight didn't contribute too much stress -- I hope!
I just got it back from the shop yesterday, with a new double wall rim and heavier spokes. I didn't want to just replace a spoke and deal with nickel and diming the thing over the next few months, especially since the popped spoke was on the drive side of the hub. Feels the same overall. But I'll worry less now.
I don't do any touring right now, but I just had to replace a rear wheel on my comfy hybrid when the single wall rim warped after popping only one spoke. I don't ride too rough, maybe some gravel trails for about 10% of my rides. But I do carry 30-50 lbs of groceries about once a week on the rear rack, which may have stressed the original wheel. The spoke popped and rim warped on fairly smooth pavement and wasn't under load, so it didn't occur to me right away that I might have over-stressed it gradually over the past several months. I figured my own 165 lb weight didn't contribute too much stress -- I hope!
I just got it back from the shop yesterday, with a new double wall rim and heavier spokes. I didn't want to just replace a spoke and deal with nickel and diming the thing over the next few months, especially since the popped spoke was on the drive side of the hub. Feels the same overall. But I'll worry less now.
04-29-16, 01:36 PM
#8
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Another brand name on a pretty standard design theme just a CDN company.. Devinci Caribou 2 2012 | Cycle Technique
Mutguards Tubus racks How about a Kick-stand they plan around fitting one?
Doesnt have to be a Long distance on any given day .. stop a Lot .. You will probably only be there Once.
Mutguards Tubus racks How about a Kick-stand they plan around fitting one?
Doesnt have to be a Long distance on any given day .. stop a Lot .. You will probably only be there Once.
Last edited by fietsbob; 04-29-16 at 01:40 PM.
04-29-16, 02:21 PM
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I love road touring bikes, including Caribou, although my conservative aesthetic tastes favor horizontal top tubes and brazed external lugs instead of visible TIG welds. With their high spoke counts and cross-laced patterns, something else I strongly favor, those OEM wheels should serve you well.
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04-29-16, 02:41 PM
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I had never heard of the Devinci Caribou, but an initial search produced lots of info on the Canadian made bike. The spec's online showed is suffers the same gearing that my Jamis Aurora Elite did new - Road Gearing vs. Touring Gears. Looks like a very nice bike with lots of opportunity to customize to meet your needs. Congratulations! Enjoy!
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04-29-16, 03:08 PM
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also.... if you do decide on the Berhoud Aravis.... keep the angle of the saddle level (no need to tilt it up like the Brooks)
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