Light Touring Bike Advice

[tallliman]

I currently ride a Trek 2.1 which would be fine for an upcoming c2c (we're cheating and getting a support van....) apart from a hair brained idea I have. I'm thinking of riding up from the East Midlands to Newcastle to start the c2c and so will need a bike which could carry a pannier rack. However, I'd like something that'd be quite nippy once I'm doing the c2c without the rack.

I'd also aim to use the bike a little for other days I'll need the carrying capacity throughout the year.

Budget is £6-700 possibly on cyclescheme.

I've thought about the Ribble Winter or the Kinesis T2 but I'm unsure as they weight in a bit more than my Trek. What do you suggest?

 

[vickster]

Contact spa cycles in Harrogate for a tourer. Dk if they take cycle scheme. Presumably you'll also commute on it so panniers and guards always useful

Bike weight becomes less relevant when touring I guess

 

[tallliman]

Thanks, I'm shying away from a full on tourer as I'd need the speed/performance once I start the c2c bit sans panniers.

 

[al-fresco]

The Dolan Prefisio has brackets for racks and guards IIRC - that might fit the bill.

 

[slowmotion]

The Specialized Secteur has bosses for a rear rack and is fine for some light touring. I've bimbled about in Holland on the long distance paths with 10 kg+ in my panniers. Mine's the Elite model which has 105 gearing and is a triple. There are compact versions too. I think that most road bikes can be fitted with P-clip type pannier mountings even if they don't have frame welded bosses. Frames are surprisingly tough. Heel strike might be a problem with some though, depending on the geometry.

 

[User19783]

Hi,

Back in the day, when I had only one bike, it had to do everything,

From touring , le to jog three times,
Sunday club ride,
Fast club rides,
Triathlons,
And the do the Tesco's food shopping.

The bike was a Dawes super galaxy,
27 speed with full mudguards and touring rack.

It's a great great feeling when you can kept up and overtake the, all carbon bike boys,

So, what I am saying is, please, you don't need this or that, just make the most of what you have, and enjoy.

 

[jay clock]

I have a Trek 2.1 and used a seatpost mounted rack to strap a small rucksack onto.....

 

[al-fresco]

Hi,

Back in the day, when I had only one bike, it had to do everything,

[....]

So, what I am saying is, please, you don't need this or that, just make the most of what you have, and enjoy.

You, Sir, are a dangerous man!

 

[velovoice]

I'd need the speed/performance once I start the c2c bit sans panniers.

Is C2C a race, then?

 

[steveindenmark]

I have. Koga Roadchamp for light touring and it is brillant. Shimano 105 all round and it goes well over roads, forest tracks, gravel.

I cannot fault it.

 

[smutchin]

Speed + luggage capacity is audax territory. So look at what audaxers do...

You don't need a new bike (realistically, you're not going to get anything better suited to what you want to do than your existing bike on your budget), you need a new way of carrying stuff on your existing bike. Something like the Tortec Explorer seatpost-mounted rack for conventional panniers, or a Carradice saddlebag with Bagman rack or SQR seatpost mount.

http://www.zyro.co.uk/tortec/products/detail/TTEXPL

https://www.carradice.co.uk/index.php?page_id=product&product_id=33

http://www.carradice.co.uk/index.php?page_id=product&under=range&product_id=82

http://www.carradice.co.uk/index.php?page_id=product&under=range&product_id=147

Of course, if you're actually looking for an excuse to buy a new bike, you can just ignore my advice.

 

[smutchin]

Is C2C a race, then?

Silly question. There are other valid reasons for wanting to go fast than racing.

 

[velovoice]

Silly question.

Nope, it was a sarcastic one.

 

[smutchin]

Nope, it was a sarcastic one.

Ah. Ok.

Sarcasm is quite silly though.

 

[tallliman]

Thanks everyone, I'm being persuaded by the argument that I wouldn't easily be able to improve on the bike and could fit a pannier rack to the 2.1. My LBS suggested a through-axle pannier setup for my ride up which might make it hard to remove but I guess it'd only be half a kilo of extra weight (i.e. something that I'm sure I'm already carrying......). Has anyone got experience with these?

Of course, if you're actually looking for an excuse to buy a new bike, you can just ignore my advice.

The above option makes me want a new bike but one that'd improve on the 2.1 (if it's even necessary....).