please help TOURING BIKE

Other Running Related Topic

16 years ago 06/20/2007 3:16pm EDT

Hi all,

I know this is a running board, but after a year long bout with PF, I'm giving up completely on the running for a while and want to invest in a good touring bike. I do NOT want to spend the money on a racing bike, as I am poor (graduating college student) and want to be able to use the bike for some good trips in the future.

My budget is not high (1000 dollars, max) and I am not having luck with local shops stocking touring bikes.

Any suggestions on fairly local shops (boston, etc) and bikes for me?

thanks :)

ps. I'm female, and fairly petite (5'4"/115) if this affects my options.

MUCH APPRECIATED

16 years ago 06/20/2007 3:20pm EDT

re: providence, RI

Harris Cyclery in Newton, go see Sheldon.

He is THE MAN on all things bikes, especially touring kind.

16 years ago 06/20/2007 3:29pm EDT

re: providence, RI

I can't advise you on a specific model but I will say that consider Steel when making your purchase. Steel will give you a much smoother ride than aluminum. And if it bends, unlike aluminum, it can be bent back.

If you've got the money, consider carbon. But for just comfort in touring, steel is good.

As for Brands, Cannondale is a very good one one to try out. They are pretty serious about touring. Bianchi has some good bikes.

You also might consider a cyclocross bike. It has a slightly more aggressive geometry than a true touring bike and it is more durable. For example Lemond makes a steel-framed cyclocross bike called the Poprad that you might test ride if you see it.

16 years ago 06/20/2007 3:47pm EDT

re: Ridealot

Go see Sheldon. It will be worth your time.

16 years ago 06/20/2007 3:51pm EDT

re: providence, RI

Check out the 50-52cm touring frame on nashbar.

http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?category=130&subcategory=1176&brand=&sku=11723&storetype=&estoreid=&pagename=Shop%20by%20Subcat%3A%20Frames%2FBikes

You could definitely build a sweet bike for under $700 starting with that frame. That way you could have the option to do a custom build.

The other option is to scour ebay and craigslist and looking for a touring bike. I'd also suggest looking for a an old (70-80's) lugged steel road bike frame. These frames are cheap, plentiful and bombproof. Make sure it has seat stay braze-ons (holes) for screws so you can put on a rear rack. These old bikes have plenty of tire clearance. I have an 81 schwinn traveler with fenders and I can still put 700x35 cyclocross tires.

Good luck with the search.

16 years ago 06/20/2007 4:05pm EDT

re: Ridealot

one of a kind, he KNOWS touring bikes, great advice

http://sheldonbrown.com/eagle.html

16 years ago 06/20/2007 4:08pm EDT

re: tour bike?

Cannondale makes several price leveled Touring bikes with a Triple in the front and a pretty large freewheel in the back. You cannot go wrong with a Cannondale.

16 years ago 06/20/2007 4:14pm EDT

re: providence, RI

I don't know much about bikes but I battled PF for years. I did everything i possibly could, and finally after purchasing a pair of soles I am getting over it right now. Heres a link.

http://www.yoursole.co.uk/index.html

I don't know if these were the real cure but I know it was what helped the most.While using these I also heated before every run, iced after, wore a the soft/sock night splint, rolled a raquetball under my foot during classes, and increased my stride frequency to around 86/min.

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