Long Distance touring bicycle on a budget!? Help needed! :D

[Jezston]

21" is unlikely to be big enough if you are 6'2". You'd be looking at least 22.5" / 58-60cm frames.

 

[Jezston]

That's a crap bike - really low end components. The bike itself is probably worth no more than £150 so it's really not a good deal at £400 even with the panniers.

That is odd that someone would do so much work and spend so much money on a bike that's so compromised to start with. I remember comparing the 7.2 to the 7.3 when I was looking at my first commuting bike and the 7.3 was SO much more bike for only about £50 more at the time. Seems like the 7.2 was Trek going "ok we've done the 7.3 now how can we make it EVEN cheaper?".

Anyhoo, one thing that no one has suggested, although I wonder if it would be possible considering what you are planning to do, is HIRING a bike?

Especially if perhaps you plan to do the journey for charity. Get some publicity and perhaps a shop or even manufacturer will loan you one?

 

[battered]

If I were you I would DEFINITELY be taking a closer look at the GT that you already own. You know it, you like it (presumably!), you are going to spend a lot of time on this bike so get one you like.

There are a few things it needs to have (rack mounting points spring to mind, though this is fixable) and if it's completely badgered then a total rebuild may well be a false economy compared to buying lightly used second hand.

I use an old MTB as a tourer, it's great. You can swap tyres about to suit your need, the rims are tough enough to take the hammer of rack plus rider, and so on.

One guy I heard about who toured some wild and woolly places had problems with wheel rims and spokes breaking, MTB wheels use a 36 spoke standard so they are very robust.

 

[crookedmouth]

If I were you I would DEFINITELY be taking a closer look at the GT that you already own. You know it, you like it (presumably!), you are going to spend a lot of time on this bike so get one you like.

There are a few things it needs to have (rack mounting points spring to mind, though this is fixable) and if it's completely badgered then a total rebuild may well be a false economy compared to buying lightly used second hand.

I use an old MTB as a tourer, it's great. You can swap tyres about to suit your need, the rims are tough enough to take the hammer of rack plus rider, and so on.

One guy I heard about who toured some wild and woolly places had problems with wheel rims and spokes breaking, MTB wheels use a 36 spoke standard so they are very robust.

Really? Well that's great news!

A few questions on that then...

It has front suspension forks, will that be a benefit or a hinderance on my trip?, ( I hear alot of talk on here about non-sus bikes) - And if it was a problem would you know how or where I could get them changed.

And what tyres should I be looking at? because one thing I noticed about the tyres I have already is they wore out pretty fast after cycling quite a bit on the roads. ( I plan on doing some cycling on the road)

I hear alot of talk here about the need for a long wheel base, how important is that? Or would you say the GT is long enough?


Also how would I manage to get hold of rack mounting points? take it to a shop?


Sorry for all the questions
It would be great if I could convert my GT! Would save me a lot of money!!!
looking forward to your replies.
Daniel

 

[battered]

It has front suspension forks, will that be a benefit or a hinderance on my trip?,

If they are any good, a help. If they are cheapos and weigh 6 tons, better off without. What model are they and how worn?

And if it was a problem would you know how or where I could get them changed.

DIY or local bike shop, half hour job.

And what tyres should I be looking at?

ANy you like. It depends what you want to do with them. I use Michelin road tyres on my 26 wheel bike, they last for ever and offer good grip on roads or easy to medium tracks. In the mud and rain, they aren't as good. It's a compromise, the best off road tyres wear fast on road. The best road tyres don't grip on mud. In between there are all sorts, a mate who has an off road commute has just got a tyre with knobbles and a solid central rail so it should be a decent all rounder. Heavier than most though. There is no right or wrong answer here.

I hear alot of talk here about the need for a long wheel base, how important is that? Or would you say the GT is long enough?

I wouldn't sweat it. If you like riding the bike, it's long enough for you.

Also how would I manage to get hold of rack mounting points? take it to a shop?

It either has them as part of the frame or it doesn't. If you don't know what to look for you need to show it to a mate who knows what he's doing, post up a pic on here or take it to a shop and ask their advice.

Sorry for all the questions

'Swat this place is for...

 

[crookedmouth]

Hey! Thanks so much for your reply battered! - I took my bike to the bike shop today and asked them about it, the man in the shop thinks that it's not possible to put front panniers on the forks I have, I don't know how true that is but I took his word for it....He said that I can change them temporarily with some other forks but would lose the suspension, That sounds fine to me what do you think?

and the rear panniers have mounting points on them already


And as for tyres, could you be so kind as to suggest some to me (with a link) that you think is good for both on road and off road? Or am I asking too much now ?
I was wondering aswell if anybody ever carries off road and on road tyres with them and switch them as you go along? or is that a complete waste of time and weight?

I do like riding the bike alot!, I just don't like the tyres I have on the road, they make it feel quite sluggish so at the moment I use my 1960's BSA bicycle to commute on the roads, the wheels are so thin and it's great to get around on...looks damn cool too.

I am a complete novice to this, so thanks again and any other advice would be much appreciated.

Daniel

 

[battered]

.He said that I can change them temporarily with some other forks but would lose the suspension, That sounds fine to me what do you think?

Winner. Go for it.

- and the rear panniers have mounting points on them already

-

Thought they would.

- - And as for tyres, could you be so kind as to suggest some to me

-

No, that's for you to decide. It's been done to death here so you could try a search, or ask at your shop, or post up here. There rae loads of suitable types and brands.

- - I was wondering aswell if anybody ever carries off road and on road tyres with them and switch them as you go along?

-
Don't be daft.

 

[amaferanga]

Schwalbe Marathon Extreme

They won't be quick on good roads, but they're perfect for rough roads and about as puncture resistant as you'll get.

 

[crookedmouth]

Thanks alot!
I looked at those Schwalbe Marathon Extreme tyres.. they look good enough to me so I will probably just get these unless anyones got any other suggestions?- I imagine the roads I will be taking will be fairly rough most of the time.

Now....

Panniers... Rear panniers for now until I change my forks... Any suggestions or recommendations?


Getting there now!!!
Don't know why I didnt think of using my GT before all this!!

 

[4F]

Thanks alot!
I looked at those Schwalbe Marathon Extreme tyres.. they look good enough to me so I will probably just get these unless anyones got any other suggestions?- I imagine the roads I will be taking will be fairly rough most of the time.

Now....

Panniers... Rear panniers for now until I change my forks... Any suggestions or recommendations?


Getting there now!!!
Don't know why I didnt think of using my GT before all this!!

Ortleib roller classic waterproof, not cheap but well worth it

http://www.probikekit.com/display.php?code=B0031

 

[crookedmouth]

Ortleib roller classic waterproof, not cheap but well worth it

http://www.probikeki....php?code=B0031

Okay and what about a rack? Any suggestions for these?