trampola said:
Hi All,
I am in the market for a touring/hybrid bike that will suit me on a mth long cycling trip in NZ. I'd also get plenty of use out of it here in Australia.
One that I have had my eye on is the Giant Elwood... My budget is $500 AUD. Is that enough to spend on a suitable bike?
Paul
I'm a little doubtful about a $500 off-the-shelf bike.
Apart from the basic bike set up, you'll need to pay some special attention to gearing and—note this— heel clearance
with panniers. Many hybrids and off-shelf MTBs have short wheelbases which make them suitable for carrying only small rear panniers.
In New Zealand, particularly the South Island (but the North is a bugger, too), it's not so much the size of the hills, but their frequency, and low gears (eg. 11-34T) would be mandatory with a front+rear touring load. You may have to switch the rings on the front triple (a common touring set up is 26-36-46) and freewheel (11-14L / 28-32-34L). Brakes will also require looking at: don't skimp on these! NZ downhills are a big thrill (after you get up to the top!) eg. the fantastic long descent from the Crown Range to Wanaka, the long and twisty descent to Milford Sound or heading west through the beautiful Haast Pass. If heading to the top of the South Isle you'll be up amongst the birds (and the light planes
) descending Takaka Hill (an inappropriate name for a bloody huge mountain!!) Disc brakes are ideal but tend to wear down quickly with touring loads.
Another important thing: look at a super-comfy saddle and a relaxed forward position for the (obviously) long hours. Clipless pedals are now the standard for touring, though some people I've seen are more comfortable with toe clips and straps. Wide MTB handlebars with a marked upward "rise" are favoured over "randonneur" bars for better directional grip with a handlebar bag and/or front low panniers. Then invest in clothes (including wet weather gear: you
will need it!) lights and panniers, tools and spares; as the others say in the thread, you'll need to look at a much higher budget than $500. I recommend you double the budget.
Get the low down on cycling in NZ with the Lonely Planet guide, "New Zealand" 12th edition.