CC Touring on a Trek Verve 3 ?
02-26-23, 03:50 PM
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
CC Touring on a Trek Verve 3 ?
Current Trek Verve 3 is what I'm looking for in a cc touring bike , comfortable upright flat bar riding position and reasonable 2 x gearing for climbing .
Only it's 31 lbs !
Is there a similar bike but much lighter ?
The Verve runs 700c x 45mm , I would like 35mm .
Cro-Moly or Carbon also OK .
Only it's 31 lbs !
Is there a similar bike but much lighter ?
The Verve runs 700c x 45mm , I would like 35mm .
Cro-Moly or Carbon also OK .
Last edited by pakeboi; 02-26-23 at 03:57 PM.
02-26-23, 05:31 PM
#2
bicycle tourist
I don't know of another bike to consider.
However, using this bike as a starting point reminds me of what I did with a basic Trek 4500 bike and then equipped for touring. I have two of these Trek 4500 bikes and one can see a rough comparison with this URL: https://99spokes.com/compare?bikes=t...4500-disc-2012
The first of these was a v-brake version that I bought ~2011 and stored in India for several years so I would have a bike then I went on extended visits and could cycle in the area. In 2015, I brought it back to the US and retrofitted things including adding a front rack and then used it as one bike on my cross the America's ride. I rode this bike between ~Banff and the southern tip of South America. The frame cracked in Argentina and the local bike shop in Bariloche welded the frame and it made the rest of the way to Ushuaia. With the cracked frame, I no longer make extended tours with it, but use for commuting and short trips. Picture below is on the America's trip when I was in Cartegena.
The second of these Trek 4500s was a hydraulic brake version that I set up for and then cycled from Cairo to Capetown as part of TDA in 2013. Immediately after riding across Africa, I came back and cycled from Portland, OR to Fort Collins, CO as a post-ride epilogue. The photo below is taken in Utah and reflects how I was riding in that segment.
Looking at the comparison with Verve 3 and thinking of my touring as well as customizations I did, I'll notice the following:
- Verve is a hybrid/fitness and 4500 is a mountain bike but otherwise looks like similar setups. Also mine are 26" and Verve is 700c
- The 4500 has a triple crank which gives me a wide range of gears. The Verve has a double - though it looks like the small chain ring is considerably smaller than the large so you might still have a good range of gears
- For both bikes, I added handlebar extended grips which give me a wider range of hand positions and something I find useful.
- I am large so there are some things I probably would do that you might not: replace suspension seat post with basic seat post and I updated wheels on both bikes with sturdier wheels.
However, using this bike as a starting point reminds me of what I did with a basic Trek 4500 bike and then equipped for touring. I have two of these Trek 4500 bikes and one can see a rough comparison with this URL: https://99spokes.com/compare?bikes=t...4500-disc-2012
The first of these was a v-brake version that I bought ~2011 and stored in India for several years so I would have a bike then I went on extended visits and could cycle in the area. In 2015, I brought it back to the US and retrofitted things including adding a front rack and then used it as one bike on my cross the America's ride. I rode this bike between ~Banff and the southern tip of South America. The frame cracked in Argentina and the local bike shop in Bariloche welded the frame and it made the rest of the way to Ushuaia. With the cracked frame, I no longer make extended tours with it, but use for commuting and short trips. Picture below is on the America's trip when I was in Cartegena.
The second of these Trek 4500s was a hydraulic brake version that I set up for and then cycled from Cairo to Capetown as part of TDA in 2013. Immediately after riding across Africa, I came back and cycled from Portland, OR to Fort Collins, CO as a post-ride epilogue. The photo below is taken in Utah and reflects how I was riding in that segment.
Looking at the comparison with Verve 3 and thinking of my touring as well as customizations I did, I'll notice the following:
- Verve is a hybrid/fitness and 4500 is a mountain bike but otherwise looks like similar setups. Also mine are 26" and Verve is 700c
- The 4500 has a triple crank which gives me a wide range of gears. The Verve has a double - though it looks like the small chain ring is considerably smaller than the large so you might still have a good range of gears
- For both bikes, I added handlebar extended grips which give me a wider range of hand positions and something I find useful.
- I am large so there are some things I probably would do that you might not: replace suspension seat post with basic seat post and I updated wheels on both bikes with sturdier wheels.
02-26-23, 10:36 PM
#3
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Forget any sloped top tube bike like that. Only thing OK on that bike is the front hub.
02-27-23, 07:31 AM
#4
Senior Member
it's got a 30/46 front and 9spd 11-36. lowest gear is 23".
i wouldn't consider that suitable for touring.
i wouldn't consider that suitable for touring.
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02-27-23, 08:37 AM
#5
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CC touring where? The Alps? South Jersey? You’ve been around here long enough to know to include pertinent information. 
And what happened to the Surly Bridge Club you were crowing about but never posted photos of like you said you would?
And what happened to the Surly Bridge Club you were crowing about but never posted photos of like you said you would?
Last edited by indyfabz; 02-27-23 at 08:44 AM.
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02-27-23, 08:59 AM
#6
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There's the BikesDirect Motobecane Cafe Century CF. I'd replace the factory 44T chainwheel with a Wolf 34T for CC touring.
02-27-23, 10:49 AM
#7
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03-01-23, 02:49 PM
#8
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How about the Litespeed Cherohala City. You can spec the drivetrain from the factory.
03-01-23, 05:05 PM
#9
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Yes , I'm looking at this and it's the best match I can find so far .
But I think it's drop bar geometry built with a flat bar .
I may contact them for custom .
Thanks again for the positive and helpful feedback .
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03-02-23, 10:56 AM
#10
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...
However, using this bike as a starting point reminds me of what I did with a basic Trek 4500 bike...
The first of these was a v-brake version that I bought ~2011 and stored in India for several years so I would have a bike then I went on extended visits and could cycle in the area. In 2015, I brought it back to the US and retrofitted things including adding a front rack and then used it as one bike on my cross the America's ride. I rode this bike between ~Banff and the southern tip of South America. The frame cracked in Argentina and ....
However, using this bike as a starting point reminds me of what I did with a basic Trek 4500 bike...
The first of these was a v-brake version that I bought ~2011 and stored in India for several years so I would have a bike then I went on extended visits and could cycle in the area. In 2015, I brought it back to the US and retrofitted things including adding a front rack and then used it as one bike on my cross the America's ride. I rode this bike between ~Banff and the southern tip of South America. The frame cracked in Argentina and ....
03-02-23, 11:44 AM
#11
bicycle tourist
The welded frame held for rest of the trip. I switched from self-supported touring to being part of a supported trip after 400km and didn't have any rough gravel roads in that section - so I probably also had fewer stresses than prior to that. It wasn't a very expensive bike when I bought it in 2011 so I just didn't pursue a warranty claim - and so the bike continues to do duty as a commuter and is retired from larger tours.
03-02-23, 11:54 AM
#12
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I didn't. The frame cracked mid-tour and I noticed it in Bariloche, Argentina. It was mid-tour and I still had 2000km to go so my immediate concern was whether it was possible to repair the frame in way I could continue or whether I would need a replacement bike to continue. The easiest replacement bike would be a round-trip flight back to the US to retrieve a bike I already owned. If I'd done that, I would have an unrepaired frame and looked at warranty.
The welded frame held for rest of the trip. I switched from self-supported touring to being part of a supported trip after 400km and didn't have any rough gravel roads in that section - so I probably also had fewer stresses than prior to that. It wasn't a very expensive bike when I bought it in 2011 so I just didn't pursue a warranty claim - and so the bike continues to do duty as a commuter and is retired from larger tours.
The welded frame held for rest of the trip. I switched from self-supported touring to being part of a supported trip after 400km and didn't have any rough gravel roads in that section - so I probably also had fewer stresses than prior to that. It wasn't a very expensive bike when I bought it in 2011 so I just didn't pursue a warranty claim - and so the bike continues to do duty as a commuter and is retired from larger tours.
03-07-23, 05:43 AM
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03-07-23, 07:31 AM
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Nice Break Away. I assume that is yours already, not sure why you want a different bike for credit card touring. You could easily put a rear rack on that or use a big saddle bag. Is it just the max tire width that you want to increase?
A few years ago I met a couple that had a pair of Break Away bikes, they were using bike packing gear for their two week tour. They were having a great time. Their bikes and most of their gear fit in the Ritchey travel cases so they each only had one checked bag on the airplane, plus carry on luggage.
A few years ago I met a couple that had a pair of Break Away bikes, they were using bike packing gear for their two week tour. They were having a great time. Their bikes and most of their gear fit in the Ritchey travel cases so they each only had one checked bag on the airplane, plus carry on luggage.
03-07-23, 08:42 AM
#16
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I've been riding a 41cm Bruce Gordon sloped TT bike for 29 years now. If you're a short person like me (5'5") nothing makes you feel shorter than a close TT. My previous 53cm frame with a level TT was okay but Mr Johnson and friends enjoy the added clearance on this one. Yellow line shows approximate height of a level TT relative to my crotch. Getting close! ...
TransAm 2009
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03-07-23, 09:59 AM
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I've been riding a 41cm Bruce Gordon sloped TT bike for 29 years now. If you're a short person like me (5'5") nothing makes you feel shorter than a close TT. My previous 53cm frame with a level TT was okay but Mr Johnson and friends enjoy the added clearance on this one. Yellow line shows approximate height of a level TT relative to my crotch. Getting close! ...
TransAm 2009
TransAm 2009
03-07-23, 10:16 AM
#19
Senior Member
seatpost pulls away from the toptube, i assume due to leverage from the longer, exposed seatpost.
my horizontal top tube aluminum mtb/touring frame developed cracks in both chainstays.
