Using XTC Giant X-country as a Tourer?

Jake said:

I've got a Giant XTC 2003 model(12kg), only 17inch frame, with my 190cm tall
body(85kg). DOesn't seem to cause much grief ergonomically with 200km week
commuting because the seat sits quite high. But I'm not savvy on the pros
and cons of touring frames and would appreciate some insights/insults
regarding.

One source of problems can be the length of the chainstay
WRT panniers. You need to be able to set your rear panniers
back far enough so your heel doesn't hit them on the back-half
of the pedal stroke. Of course there's a million ways around
this, the foremost being not using rear panniers.
Probably use a Bob yak or suchlike for off road?

Is the XTC a dual suspension model ?
If so, can you fit a normal rack - or do you need
one of those seatpost attached versions...

Anyway, the only other thing I can think to suggest is this:
We found that in the first few weeks of touring we were both
getting sore necks. We soon discovered that this was because
we were craning our heads to wonder at the scenery. A more
"relaxed" adjustment of the steering (i.e. raising the handlebars)
seemed to fix it. Lets face it, if you're off touring, you
don't want to be staring at the road, pounding away the kilometers.

-kt

--
Kingsley Turner,
(mailto: [email hidden])
http://MadDogsBreakfast.com - Travel Tales: The good, bad, and down-right ugly

Jake said:

I've got a Giant XTC 2003 model(12kg), only 17inch frame, with my 190cm
tall body(85kg). DOesn't seem to cause much grief ergonomically with
200km week commuting because the seat sits quite high. But I'm not savvy
on the pros and cons of touring frames and would appreciate some
insights/insults regarding.
Cheers, Jake

I think the 17 inch frame a bit small for you at 190cms. I'm 188cms &
ride either 18/19/20 depending on top tube length. That said, for a
touring bike the XTC Giant could be a bit light. I checked out an XTC 1
frame at a bike shop one day. Super light frame!, down tube felt like a
beer can! I wouldn't be buying one & expecting a long life out of it.
One blow from a stick or rock to the down tube could seriously
compromise it's strength. It may ride really nice & be a great
trail/race bike but I wouldn't think it a good start for a touring bike.
The weight of all your gear plus you has to be suported by the bike.
Does the XTC have rack mounts? or are you using a BoB trailer? I tour
with an older MTB with BoB & can feel the frame flex quite a bit under
full load. I'm using a 15 year old Ti frame that probably does flex more
that a steel frame, but I'm using what I've got. If you're planning a
long tour & to out of the way places, a steel MTB or purpose built
touring bike would be the go.

--

Bikesoiler said:

Jake said:

I've got a Giant XTC 2003 model(12kg), only 17inch frame, with my 190cm
tall body(85kg). DOesn't seem to cause much grief ergonomically with
200km week commuting because the seat sits quite high. But I'm not savvy
on the pros and cons of touring frames and would appreciate some
insights/insults regarding.
Cheers, Jake

I think the 17 inch frame a bit small for you at 190cms. I'm 188cms &
ride either 18/19/20 depending on top tube length.

Heh, yeah, my bike is a 19 inch, and im 168 cm.
*slaps bike shop people*
wanna swap? its a giant boulder se 😉

Quoted message said:

That said, for a
touring bike the XTC Giant could be a bit light. I checked out an XTC 1
frame at a bike shop one day. Super light frame!, down tube felt like a
beer can! I wouldn't be buying one & expecting a long life out of it.
One blow from a stick or rock to the down tube could seriously
compromise it's strength. It may ride really nice & be a great
trail/race bike but I wouldn't think it a good start for a touring bike.
The weight of all your gear plus you has to be suported by the bike.
Does the XTC have rack mounts? or are you using a BoB trailer? I tour
with an older MTB with BoB & can feel the frame flex quite a bit under
full load. I'm using a 15 year old Ti frame that probably does flex more
that a steel frame, but I'm using what I've got. If you're planning a
long tour & to out of the way places, a steel MTB or purpose built
touring bike would be the go.