Touring 101 needed

philso

nun, just want to say thanks for that crazyguyonabike link. great site!


lester, how are things coming long? start any short trips yet? one thing i forgot to mention. you sound like you're on a real budget. have you considered a second-hand bike? as long as you've got enough clearance in the rear(44cm or so) and a bit longer wheelbase (104cm or so), just about any bike will get you from point A to point B. you won't be able to make as many miles on a 26" wheel mountain bike as you would on a road frame. maybe just get something that will do the job for cheap and buy your dream bike a few years down the line when you really know what you want and have the bucks to buy it. the main point is to just get out and do it.

lester8908

Ive just been doing my daily riding. No big rides yet do to school has started and i have run out of extra time. Im considering taking my fuji utah mountain bike and putting touring tires and wheels on it.

philso

with their long wheelbase, long chainstays and low center of gravity, mtbs generally handle touring loads pretty well. low points are only 1, upright riding position(really sucks when riding into the wind all day and can't change hand position either), and figure on riding 15% - 20% fewer miles per day. you can help a bit on the milage by putting on some skinnier, slicker tires ,and by changing a few cogs for a higher gear ratio: a larger big chainring up front and smaller cog in back.