Hi HobbiesontourMaybe throw up a link?
How about some other information such as where you plan on touring, for how long, on what kind of surfaces, what baggage you plan on bringing, what distances you plan on covering?
Not trying to be obtuse, just these things are kind of important in judging the usefulness of a bike.
For what it's worth, I tour on a 20+ year old MTB. I'd suggest to anyone starting touring to go easy on the gear investment until you've a bit of experience under your belt. My idea of touring has evolved so much that any investment in a new bike at the start would have severely limited my options further down the road.
Good luck!
Hi Hobbiesontour
Looking at doing stages of the Iron Curtain in stages carrying front and back panniers covering 80 to 100 miles a day
Yes only in the Uk over 3 days with camping I’ve got an old Specialised rim break aluminium so I’m just wanting a upgrade https://www.cannondale.com/en-gb/bikes/road/gravel/topstone-alloy/topstone-105Have you toured before?
What cycling experience do you have?
80 to 100 miles a day are long days! If I do those numbers in kms I'm happy. Don't forget to take rest days into account - your body will need them at that rate.
With 4 panniers I'm assuming you're camping?
The northern end of that route gets quite cold!
It's a hodgepodge of routes joined together so some will be easy to navigate but others will be more challenging.
I still don't see a link to the bike but I'm not really one for discussing the merits or otherwise of different machines. We all make our own journeys.
Generally, comfort is the most important. A few basic mechanical skills help, but are not essential. Knowing the basic adjustments you may need to make to brakes or gearing can reduce costs and stress. After that, it's all personal preference.
Tim Moore wrote an entertaining account of that route that may help with inspiration (not so much the practicalities) and this route has been discussed here before if you use the search function.
Good luck!
I’d be wary of putting front panniers on a carbon fork that wasn’t designed for the extra load. Any attachment is going to be a bodge of some sort.Yes only in the Uk over 3 days with camping I’ve got an old Specialised rim break aluminium so I’m just wanting a upgrade https://www.cannondale.com/en-gb/bikes/road/gravel/topstone-alloy/topstone-105
Correct don’t think it’s advisable putting panniers on carbon forksI’d be wary of putting front panniers on a carbon fork that wasn’t designed for the extra load. Any attachment is going to be a bodge of some sort.
I’ve done a bit of research on this today and discovered the difference with bike packing and bike touring it’s all about the amount of days and kit looking at a Kona now 🙈I think it's important when someone speaks of upgrading to ask the simple questions of what and why.
What is "wrong" with your current bike, what do you want to improve about it and will the new bike satisfy those without bringing new challenges?
I built my bike to my own specs based on what I learned touring on a hybrid.
Two things leap out at me from your link:
The first is the carbon fork. How compatible is that with a front rack?
The second is the gearing. At first glance that looks a little off for climbing with a loaded bike.
Since I'm a frugal sort, I'd always advise anyone to first look at their existing bike and see how it can be improved.
Upgrading an old bike has three main advantages in my book
It's less likely to be stolen, and therefore less stressful to take to strange places
Since it's already a bit old and battered, it's (psychologically) easier to take apart and play with, to understand how it works rather than a gleaming high tech new one. Such knowledge and confidence is very valuable on a tour away from home. Not essential, but comforting.
Thirdly, generally components are cheaper. More money for time on the road!
Have you tried searching Topstone on the forum? I'm sure you can call on the advice of other owners. Using @ like @Fraz21 will give them a notification - fill in the first letters of their name.
My personal view is that touring is less about what's under your ass and more about what's beating in your chest.
Good luck.
I'm sure it can be done if they're designed for the job, but not the stock ones on that Cannondale.Correct don’t think it’s advisable putting panniers on carbon forks
Forgive me if it seems like I'm badgering, but I haven't actually seen anything that you are looking for in a bike other than to do the Iron Curtain route with 4 panniers.I’ve done a bit of research on this today and discovered the difference with bike packing and bike touring it’s all about the amount of days and kit looking at a Kona now 🙈
I’m not waiting to tweak to much with my old trusty bike as I tend to use this in the winter when the gritters have been out and it al has rim breaks that might be a problem with the added weight of my kit