RE: Planning my first tour

Vince:

If you want a complete bike, the Surly LHT, REI Randonee or Safari are
excellent values in the $1,000-$1,200 range.  Surly also sells the frame if
you have a stash of parts.  

If you're on a tight budget, search for an 80s era touring bike.
Specialized et all usually had 2-3 grades. They were quite popular back then
& many wound up doing a couple of trips before being consigned to storage.  

Another good option is a solid fork MTB.  The ones from the 80s / early 90s
(just before sus forks became std) often have lots of rack eyelets, decent
canti or V brakes and wide range gearing.  Several of my touring buds have
put thousands of loaded miles on these and feel no need for anything else.

dougP

-----Original Message-----
From: touring-bounces+dougpnirv=cox.net-Wizm5X4GRk5g9hUCZPvPmw@public.gmane.org
[mailto:touring-bounces+dougpnirv=cox.net-Wizm5X4GRk5g9hUCZPvPmw@public.gmane.org] On Behalf Of Vincent
Sent: Saturday, February 19, 2011 9:58 AM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Planning my first tour

Hello,

I have been a bicycle commuter for the past four years.  I enjoy cycling 
so much that I am now planning a tour of the south from San Francisco to 
New Orleans.  In planning I have quickly come across a rather important 
detail:  I need a bike!  At first I thought I could simply load up my 
1970s Shwinn steel frame roadbike with some panniers and be on my merry 
way.  It appears that a larger investment is necessary though.  Can 
anyone provide advice on where to look for a touring bike?  They seem to 
be a rare breed, at least compared to other styles.  I am open to buying 
a used bike initially.  Is anyone in support of this?  Also, there is a 
website: bikesdirect.com which has discounted bikes of which I am not 
sure of the quality or applicability when it comes to touring.  If a 
used bike or discounted stock bike is not appropriate what brand frame 
and wheels should I be looking for?

thanks for the help,

vince
_______________________________________________
Touring mailing list
[email protected]
Browse and search the archives: http://search.bikelist.org
Unsubscribe or list settings:
http://www.phred.org/mailman/options/touring