Jujufish

Okay so I feel a little greedy by asking for information before I contribute here, but in all honesty I have near to none knowledge on cycling. Someday hopefully I'll be able to contribute.

My question is this: Between the Fuji Touring bike and Masi CX, which would be best for touring from Ohio over to Seattle. Or are these bikes not cut out for it? Thanks!

FBinNY 

Either or neither.

There's tremendous latitude in what can be a good touring bike. It also depends on your style. Light packers can tour on just about any bike, but those who carry all but a kitchen sink need a bike suited to carrying the load.

So consider the various details. Comfort, clearance for wider tires or fenders, eyelets for mounting a rack, and so on.

That will help you select a bike best suited for how YOU plan to do the trip.

indyfabz

If I were looking for a new touring bike and had to choose between the two, the two things that would steer me in the direction of the Fuji are 36 spokes and lower gearing.

Are you eying ACA's Northern Tier (which passes near Marblehead) and Pacific Coast routes to Seattle? If so, I have done it. There are a few mountains you will have to cross along with some other hilly terrain. The lower gearing will be nice.

escii_35

Nit picking on the masi.

The brifters may not play nice with a handle bar bag. The crank is a bit tall.

10 Wheels

This Freddy rode 2,200 miles NM to FL

BigAura

Huh? Wrong bike. Wrong route. Not sure sure how this relates unless you're getting ad-sense-$ from the Fred.

BigAura

If you're packing trad with rack-and-pannier you want the Fuji.

If you must have brifters and/or wanna go lightweight-bike-packing style then the Masi is the way.

Either is capable.

derath

Maybe he's just pointing out that plenty of bikes can do the touring miles.

BigAura

Yeah but I'm not sure if it's truly helpful for a first-time poster (which the OP is) with a specific question.

Jujufish

Thank you for your input! I will look into it further for sure. I just started looking and those two bikes are the closest to touring my local bike shop offers and I would like to support them. But if I find something I like more then so be it.

Jujufish

Thanks! No I will not go that route because I will be leaving in October. And staying farther south to steer clear of the incoming Fall and Winter seems like a better option for me. Do you recommend buying those ACA maps or just using an app like OsmAnd, Strava, or Google?

Jujufish

Thank you!

indyfabz

If you are doing an ACA route the maps can pay for themselves by pointing out free or low-cost camping sites. They also take much of the guess work out of finding services. But they are useless if you are not on an ACA route.

Squeezebox

brifters are just fine with a handlebar bag. I've done it.

bikemig 

The fuji is a fine touring bike and is likely the best deal out there with a full on touring bike.

pdlamb

Eh, what? How long do you expect this trip to take? You do know there's lots of Rocky Mountains between Ohio and Seattle, right? Will this be 2 months to go south to Texas, 3 months to California, and then north to Seattle?


Once you have a reasonable route and schedule, I'll toss in one more vote for the Fuji Touring. It's a solid bike with adequately low gearing to get you and a load over mountain ranges.

Squeezebox

You also own a Novara Randonee. Anything to say about it?
You're right about a winter route.

indyfabz

His response also had me scratching my head.


I think I am no longer going to respond to similar threads.

pdlamb

Good luck with THAT. I've lost track of "threads I will ignore" that I end up getting drawn back into.


:/

Jujufish

Yeah I used to live in WA and am aware of how mountainous it is between the two states. Honestly though, time nor the destination is a concern for me. I'm just doing this for the experience and to see if I have what it takes. I know it can't be easy, and if I do not make my destination, I'd like to believe I'd be happy with what I accomplished and be glad that I gave it a go.

Cyclist0094

You just will want to avoid the northern rockies. Worst case, Ride the bike to Denver, catch a train to the coast and ride north. The Fuji will be fine. I don't know enough about the Masi to offer an informed opinion.

LeeG

Keep air in the tires

J.Higgins 

@Jujufish

Hey man, just go with the Fuji. For the price, its rather a no-brainer. As you lay down some miles on it, every problem from big to small will come to the surface like whack-a-mole. make those refinements needed and you'll have your ride all sorted out. If, at the end of your tour, you decided that you need to upgrade to a different bike, then you'll have all that good experience under your belt. I guess this is just me saying you got to start somewhere. Don't over think it.

bradtx

@Jujufish, Of the two bikes listed, the Fuji is the conservative choice. It's a proven touring platform available at a darn good price. I suggest having the bike shop retension the wheels as this seems to be a growing issue with many different brands of bicycles due to the increasing popularity of machine built wheels. Put a lot of miles on it prior to the trip to dial in the fitment. There is a difference when several back-to-back days are rode compared to a weekend century ride.

Brad

Jujufish

Thanks! That's something to take into consideration.