Touring Bike

BNcycle

Hi guys, I'm thinking about doing a x-country tour next year. Right now I've got a road bike and a single speed. Obviously the single speed won't work for touring, and I've got a strong suspicion that taking the road bike for a long tour would be a mistake that I would regret.

As such, I'm looking to buy a really basic touring bike. It doesn't need to be a speed machine -- just something sturdy and reliable. I've been looking into buying used bikes. What do you guys think about a bike like this? Bianchi Volpe (http://chicago.craigslist.org/chc/bik/1253513940.html)

Obviously, in an ideal world, I'd be able to put $1,500-2,000 into a bike, but alas, I need to make this work for quite a bit less. Let me know what you think, I'd appreciate your input!

slowbutnotdead

is this loaded touring or credit card touring? that will make a large difference

BNcycle

is this loaded touring or credit card touring? that will make a large difference

it will be a loaded tour.

alfeng

Hi guys, I'm thinking about doing a x-country tour next year. Right now I've got a road bike and a single speed. Obviously the single speed won't work for touring, and I've got a strong suspicion that taking the road bike for a long tour would be a mistake that I would regret.

As such, I'm looking to buy a really basic touring bike. It doesn't need to be a speed machine -- just something sturdy and reliable. I've been looking into buying used bikes. What do you guys think about a bike like this? Bianchi Volpe (http://chicago.craigslist.org/chc/bik/1253513940.html)

Obviously, in an ideal world, I'd be able to put $1,500-2,000 into a bike, but alas, I need to make this work for quite a bit less. Let me know what you think, I'd appreciate your input!The Bianchi Volpe would probably be okay ...

Perhaps, the main thing you need to realize is that a "touring" bike generally has a slightly longer wheelbase than a non-touring, road bike -- a bazillion years ago, the non-touring geometry was the norm -- and, you can use larger tires on a touring bike WITH fenders (a good thing, because even if you don't ride when it is raining, after the rain stops, the roads will be wet) ...

The slightly longer wheelbase will make the ride MORE comfortable -- compare the ride of a Toyota Tercel vs. a Cadillac Seville as an extreme example.

FWIW. I would change the shifters to either Campagnolo ERGO or to bar end shifters. 10-speed Campagnolo ERGO shifters (pre-2007) can be directly swapped with the Shimano 8-speed shifters which are on the particular bike.

randochap

Rather than commenting on individual bikes, I'd rather point you to the ideal characteristics of a touring frame/bike, (http://www.veloweb.ca/tourpages/tourvelo.html) including braze-ons/eyelets for racks and mudguards long chainstays/wheelbase, clearance for wider tyres and mudguards, low bottom bracket, relaxed angles and adequate brakes.

slowbutnotdead

IMO for a ride of this type it is most important to have a comfortable bike, I would also look for as many braze ons for panniers on the fork and rear stays and multiple eyelets. This will allow for front and rear panniers and fenders.

see this page for more info about the 97 volpe
this is from the late sheldon brown his web pages are great.
The Bianchi Volpe (http://www.sheldonbrown.com/volpe.html)

longfemur

The Volpe isn't now and never was a full-load traditional touring bike. Nor is it a racing road bike. It's more like a hybrid with drop bars. As such, it can make an excellent, comfortable and affordable tourer if you stay within its limits. Those limits might be how it would handle with a heavy touring bike load. It's probably not a bike intended for carrying a load on the forks, so that would make it more like a light touring bike which is not limited to smooth pavement. A person can easily tour even on a racing bike. It's just a matter of how much you need to load the bike. Wider tires are worthwhile if you're not really interested in sheer speed, acceleration and responsive race-like handling, and fenders are nice if you have to ride in rain. The Volpe handles both with ease.

Peter@vecchios

Rather than commenting on individual bikes, I'd rather point you to the ideal characteristics of a touring frame/bike, (http://www.veloweb.ca/tourpages/tourvelo.html) including braze-ons/eyelets for racks and mudguards long chainstays/wheelbase, clearance for wider tyres and mudguards, low bottom bracket, relaxed angles and adequate brakes.

Very good summation on touring bikes.