> Well, I've modified the bike for training and the trip. I've replaced my wheels with the 32
> (round) spoke wheels off my old road bike. The crank is already a triple and I put an XT
> derailleur and 11-32 cassette on. The
only
> thing I'm real worried about is I'll probably only be able to use 25
tires.
> I don't think 28's will fit inside the stays. Anything else I should be concerned about with the
> wheels (I'm not being sarcastic, I really want to know)?
Depending upon how much you weigh yourself, I'm not sure you really have to worry about the stock
wheels. Particularly if you have the Vector Comps, which, due to their tall cross-section, are more
resistant than most to damage from hitting something. And, whether you've got a Vector Comp or the
newer Bontrager RaceLite, the spokes are relatively conventional, and can be replaced with everyday
garden-variety spokes available at finer bike shops everywhere. In the event you have something
truly catastrophic happen to a wheel, does it really matter if you can quickly get a rim vs replace
the entire wheel? Most likely not, as it costs nearly as much to rebuilt a wheel with a new rim and
spokes as it does to purchase an entire new wheel.
The rear rack should have no problems being bolted to the threaded holes in the dropout; good thing
you don't have a current 5200, since it no longer has the holes. I'd mount the upper part of the
rack to the brake bridge; we've done this many times. Make sure to remove the washer that's there,
or else you might not be engaging enough threads on the brake nut.
In general, I'd try to keep the weight in the panniers as light as possible. The 5200 isn't a
touring bike, and the shorter wheelbase is going to put quite a bit of weight right over the rear
wheel. Credit-card touring is fine (no tent or sleeping bag). Done that myself; lots of fun!
--Mike-- Chain Reaction Bicycles
http://www.ChainReaction.com "Frank Riley" <
[email protected]> wrote in
message
news:[email protected]...
> "Eric S. Sande" <
[email protected]> wrote in
news:[email protected]:
>
> >>I plan to do a 3 week 1600 mile tour this summer on my Trek 5200.
> >
> > Loaded? That's ambitious. If you're a lightweight you might do it, but I'd recommend looking at
> > that rear wheel in a serious frame of mind. You could put a Tubus Fly rack on the bike, that
> > would give you the carrying capacity, but you might expect some problems from that light
> > equipment.
> >
>
> Well, I've modified the bike for training and the trip. I've replaced my wheels with the 32
> (round) spoke wheels off my old road bike. The crank is already a triple and I put an XT
> derailleur and 11-32 cassette on. The
only
> thing I'm real worried about is I'll probably only be able to use 25
tires.
> I don't think 28's will fit inside the stays. Anything else I should be concerned about with the
> wheels (I'm not being sarcastic, I really want to know)?