Something about a touring rig
03-15-20, 05:38 PM
#1
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Thread Starter
Something about a touring rig
Took the touring bike out for it first spring voyage of the year. Been riding my road bike and the change of pace between the two is noticeable, and I really like it. Slower paced bike, slacker seat tube puts me behind the crank more than the road bike and it feels like I am able to spin it with greater ease. Not sure why that is, but I like it. Sure the bike is about 10 pounds heavier than the road bike, but it feels really good, as though I am piloting a land yacht or a Caddy. No need to keep an eye on the road because the front end is super stable. I like that.
Everyone should have a touring bike in the stable.
Everyone should have a touring bike in the stable.
03-15-20, 05:54 PM
#2
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Same here. Took the 29er HT out today with 2.2 urban treads for a 30 mile hilly road ride. Completely different experience with a 37 lbs bike, triple crank and relaxed flat bar. Slow but stable and feeling planted on the road just feels safer to me.
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03-15-20, 10:06 PM
#3
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Yep. Sold my Klein and Colnago. Been riding my Cross Check. Ride anywhere. Don’t need a costume or funny shoes to ride. Actually use the bike for errands and pleasure. Feeling very Grant Petersonish. Just Ride. I’m good....,
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03-16-20, 12:11 AM
#5
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I only buy touring bicycles. My first bicycle as an adult was my Trek 520 and I never did buy a "road bike" or "mountain bike. I've never owned an aluminum frame/fork. Chromoly every time. Cro-mo has been good to me.
03-16-20, 04:11 AM
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03-16-20, 06:41 AM
#7
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Gotta be a contrarian, at least for unloaded rides - I'm more comfortable, faster and ride further on my Domane road bike than my trusty Trek 520 touring bike.
To stay at 3 bikes, I got rid of my 20 year old Schwinn hybrid and replaced it with a Jamis Renegade what today would be called a gravel bike, and the geometry is closer to the Domane than the 520. Used the Jamis for a three day bikepacking style ride across Florida (little to no climbing) and I really liked that feel compared to lowrider front racks etc. that I use on the 520.
But, if I'm going to do any multiday loaded riding around here (Maryland), I'll be back on the 520 with the triple crank and slacker angles, etc.
To stay at 3 bikes, I got rid of my 20 year old Schwinn hybrid and replaced it with a Jamis Renegade what today would be called a gravel bike, and the geometry is closer to the Domane than the 520. Used the Jamis for a three day bikepacking style ride across Florida (little to no climbing) and I really liked that feel compared to lowrider front racks etc. that I use on the 520.
But, if I'm going to do any multiday loaded riding around here (Maryland), I'll be back on the 520 with the triple crank and slacker angles, etc.
Last edited by jpescatore; 03-16-20 at 06:46 AM.
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03-16-20, 07:11 AM
#8
WALSTIB
You know it's a good thing when people lose their minds when Trek does 'upgrades' to the 520 like disk brakes and brake lever shifters. Love the disc brakes on my 520 but glad barend shifters. My opinion 520 comes too high geared for full loaded mountain touring so lowered the crankset size. Just wish could ride it more but can't take it out on the road with my job.
03-17-20, 05:44 AM
#9
Senior Member
My 520 is from 1997 or so, when Trek put STI shifters/brifters on a touring bike for brief period of time - I love it, would never go back! I've never once had a shifting problem and the ability to shift without taking my hands off the drops is so much safer when I'm on the loaded bike, struggling uphill next to traffic.
The 520 has rim brakes, the Renegade has disc. There are definitely more moving parts, but the braking wet or dry is definitely better. The one big improvement: if you break a spoke, you don't have to open up the brakes to limp home.
The 520 has rim brakes, the Renegade has disc. There are definitely more moving parts, but the braking wet or dry is definitely better. The one big improvement: if you break a spoke, you don't have to open up the brakes to limp home.
03-17-20, 07:51 AM
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Took the touring bike out for it first spring voyage of the year. Been riding my road bike and the change of pace between the two is noticeable, and I really like it. Slower paced bike, slacker seat tube puts me behind the crank more than the road bike and it feels like I am able to spin it with greater ease. Not sure why that is, but I like it. Sure the bike is about 10 pounds heavier than the road bike, but it feels really good, as though I am piloting a land yacht or a Caddy. No need to keep an eye on the road because the front end is super stable. I like that.
Everyone should have a touring bike in the stable.
Everyone should have a touring bike in the stable.
03-17-20, 09:54 AM
#11
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03-19-20, 10:08 PM
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I also tend to like touring bikes
I think the Bianchi is my favorite, but I like all of them.
This Bianchi replaced my 2007 (green) Bianchi below after I cracked the frame. The only parts from my original Bianchi are the stem, bars, shifters, and fenders.
This was my favorite until the frame cracked.
I think the Bianchi is my favorite, but I like all of them.This Bianchi replaced my 2007 (green) Bianchi below after I cracked the frame. The only parts from my original Bianchi are the stem, bars, shifters, and fenders.
This was my favorite until the frame cracked.
Last edited by Doug64; 03-20-20 at 10:29 AM.
03-20-20, 04:02 AM
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03-20-20, 08:01 AM
#16
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I am working on a large trailer. Carrying 2-24 roll packs on a rack is difficult. Especially with cases of beer. If I had to go into quarantine it is the beer I am most concerned about.
03-20-20, 08:03 AM
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03-20-20, 11:07 AM
#18
Clark W. Griswold
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A touring bike is great though my road bike is super comfortable as well. Yes it is a little more aggressive but with the fit I got it is super comfortable and because it it Titanium and has my favored bars on it with the right tape I haven't had discomfort on it. I will admit some of my vintage stuff might be a touch less comfortable but still quite nice. I don't like uncomfortable bikes so I guess I don't really buy them.
I would say certainly for hauling stuff my Co-Motion Cascadia is excellent and with the dynamo it is safer with lights all the time and certainly nice to charge my phone as needed. Though I wish I had a little bit more tire clearance mostly the current tires that are maxing out the frame.
I would say certainly for hauling stuff my Co-Motion Cascadia is excellent and with the dynamo it is safer with lights all the time and certainly nice to charge my phone as needed. Though I wish I had a little bit more tire clearance mostly the current tires that are maxing out the frame.
03-20-20, 05:08 PM
#19
Senior Member
I'll hopefully get a real tourer this year, but for now been rocking my 100psi war horse for thousands of miles and hopefully thousands of miles more. It'll be a sad day when I retire this bike.
Last edited by JayKay3000; 03-20-20 at 05:25 PM.
03-21-20, 12:02 AM
#20
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Thread Starter
JayKay3000, why replace the bike if it serves you well, and is just fine for what you do? If you like it, keep using it.
