interested in a tour/longer distance riding

goblinmarket

Hello everyone. I live in Chicago and mainly ride my cheap Schwinn mtb for my daily commute and exercise, but I've become interested in doing a longer ride/tour/something of the sort.

The longest I've ever gone is Chicago's Bike the Drive (which is only a total of 30miles). The mtb has been fine with this, but I'm looking to go even further -- not interested in racing or anything competitive as I have never been on a road bike -- ever. I would like to buy a new bike for doing longer distance riding. I'm finally graduating from college in Dec. and this would be my gift to myself but I'm looking to pay $600 or less.

Although my Schwinn has served me well, I always read posts in the forums ripping on mtb's for long distances because they are heavy, fat tires, etc. There is a commuter bike shop in my neighborhood that sells Breezer, Jamis, and Marin -- which I am most interested in. I was looking at a Marin commuter bike like the Novato or Belvedere for starters. I mean, the longer rides would be much less frequent than my daily pothole-dodging commute, so I'd like to buy a nice, strong bike, that can handle occasional 100 mile rides.

My goal is the Ride for AIDS next year which is 190 miles over 2 days.

Is this a bad idea? -- to use a commuter/hybrid for a long 2-3 day ride/tour? It just seems, as I research these charity events on the internet, everyone seems to be on a road bike. Any advice would be great. Thanks.

Mtnroads

I did one of the SF to LA AIDS rides (560 mi/7 days) on a Stumpjumper with front suspension. I mounted Avocet cross tires (there are probably better options now) and aerobars for a change of position, and it was fine. Understand, I bought a Kestrel roadbike to do the ride and being a mtb'er, just couldn't adjust to the riding position, so switched back to the mtb at the last minute. Ride what you want.

philso

- first off, be sure todo a search on "which touring bike..", "best touring bike." etc. there are many threads on the pro's and con's of all the most popular bike choices.
- secondly, here's another bike forum, much more populated than this one:
http://www.bikeforums.net/ check out the touring section about 1/2 way down the page.

- my advice: if you're planning on spending all day in the saddle for at least a couple of days, i'd avoid bikes similar to the marin models you listed above; the aluminum frames will give you a very jarring ride, smaller tires wil get you nowhere fast, heavy, flat handle bars, etc. etc. plus, there are longevity issues with aluminum frames. do a search on "steel vs. aluminum"

save up a little more and go for an inexpensive steel touring bike, for example the jamis aurora. you'll be a much happier rider, and for the same amount of time in the saddle, you'll go about 20% further, though your milage may vary.

goblinmarket

thanks for all the info. i'll definitely look into steel frames as well as the other bike forums.