Touring Frames

wallman · Postby **wallman** » 29 Sep 2010, 14:35

The time has come for Emma to get a replacement for her stolen bike. I'm looking for a road bike that can take panniers or a light touring bike, ideally in steel. I'm much less familiar with this aspect of cycling than I am with, say, hospitalisation so I'm putting a call out for suggestions. Any ideas? I thought the Salsa Casseroll would be perfect but apparently it's been discontinued.

christian · Postby **christian** » 29 Sep 2010, 14:48

I don't think it has been discontinued.
http://salsacycles.com/culture/introduc ... casseroll/

You can always consider a Surly, a long haul trucker (which will have 26" wheels if the frame is 54cm or smaller) or a cross check.

orphic · Postby **orphic** » 29 Sep 2010, 14:49

I am really happy with my Surly Cross Check. It is a great commuting bike and served me very well touring around Tassie. It's not too heavy and the geometry feels good. My only complaint is the colour (I had no choice but to get it in poo brown), but now that I know it's a keeper I'm considering getting it sprayed.

http://surlybikes.com/frames/cross_check_frame/

Adrian E · Postby **Adrian E** » 29 Sep 2010, 15:07

Hi Matt,
The Surly or Salsa bikes would be great (they're both made by the same company in Tawain - Maxway) and lighter than your average touring bike. Basically they are three options (a cyclocross bike, audax bike, or custom frame). Here are a couple more to look at.

Tifosi CK7 Winter/Audax Bike 2009
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/-_-/5360040551/

Bob Jackson
http://www.bobjacksoncycles.co.uk/produ ... ucts_id=45

Thorn Audax frames
http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/thorn-audax- ... pt432_pg1/

If you're looking more down the path of a Touring bike I'd recommend the vivente world-randonneur
http://www.viventebikes.com//product/ci ... randonneur
The new model isn't out yet, but should be soon. Its a bit heavier than an Audax/Crossbike, but is speced with everything and is bullet proof....

orphic · Postby **orphic** » 29 Sep 2010, 15:15

The Planet-X Kaffenback is also another option

http://www.planet-x-bikes.co.uk/i/q/FRP ... back-frame

orphic · Postby **orphic** » 29 Sep 2010, 15:26

Hmmm now you have me looking at bikes. I looked at lots of these when I was getting my Cross Check, but I had to get mine in a hurry so it came down to what I could get from Dirtworks that week.

http://www.voodoocycles.net/wazoo.htm

The Soma looks nice. Very similar geometry to the Cross Check.

http://www.somafab.com/doublecross_one.html

wallman · Postby **wallman** » 29 Sep 2010, 15:33

Interesting. Our insurer has a preferred supplier who I was on the phone to earlier to request a Casseroll. This supplier stocks Salsa bikes but when talking to their distributor was told they were no longer available. Sounds like that was a decision at the distributor's end rather than the manufacturers.

Vic, yeah Soma has a few options, I also quite like http://www.somafab.com/stanyan.html which will take a rack.

orphic · Postby **orphic** » 29 Sep 2010, 15:41

The distributor for Salsa in NSW is Dirtworks. Maybe they can't get them anymore. Or maybe they are being replaced with Titanium Casseroll's like all the other Salsa bikes seem to be at the moment!

timyone · Postby **timyone** » 29 Sep 2010, 16:50

if you have the money, check out the koga touring bikes, they are really for hardcore touring. Comfortable as etc

(lol yes sold at burwood)

Rainbow · Postby **Rainbow** » 29 Sep 2010, 18:04

Matt, I REALLY LOVE my Surly Long Haul Trucker.
If Emma would like to take it for a test ride, she is more than welcome. It does have 26" wheels and it is soooo comfy I can ride all day long

I even love the Surly, Nice Rack!

Postby **Stuart** » 29 Sep 2010, 18:33

Hmm - in this post here I was contemplating a Habanero - they do Ti touring frames for US$950 plus postage.

weiyun · Postby **weiyun** » 29 Sep 2010, 18:41

Hmm - in this post here I was contemplating a Habanero - they do Ti touring frames for US$950 plus postage.

Ti would be nice for ride quality as a tourer, but I'd be concerned about its choice if there's any plan for hard core touring. If there's any frame problem whilst out, there won't be local repair options as welding Ti requires special equipments and skill.

Postby **Stuart** » 29 Sep 2010, 18:46

The Planet-X Kaffenback is also another option

http://www.planet-x-bikes.co.uk/i/q/FRP ... back-frame

That is unbelievably cheap ... but very yellow.

wallman · Postby **wallman** » 29 Sep 2010, 20:32

She quite likes the zippiness of her old road bike so we're thinking the Surly Cross Check rather than the Long Haul Trucker. http://jamisbikes.com/usa/thebikes/road ... elite.html is also in the mix.

timyone · Postby **timyone** » 29 Sep 2010, 21:20

http://cycleworld.bikeexchange.com.au/b ... randonneur

http://cycleworld.bikeexchange.com.au/b ... -traveller

one of the wiggles bought one of thee the other day, so it must be good!! theres older models that are cheaper, not sure how much, my memory is bad. but you can sit on them in the shop

mikesbytes · Postby **mikesbytes** » 29 Sep 2010, 21:38

Are you looking for a road bike that has carrier mounts like my OCR, or are you after a touring specific bike?

Postby **Stuart** » 29 Sep 2010, 21:51

Ti would be nice for ride quality as a tourer, but I'd be concerned about its choice if there's any plan for hard core touring. I

hard core touring and Stuart do not mix. I'm after a touring capable once a week commuter and shops bike ..... with style. I'm thinking the PlanetX could be the one, if I can get one that's not so yellow. Any other recommendations people? I find the problem with bicycles is that's so many types and brands and decisions and ....

geoffs · Postby **geoffs** » 02 Oct 2010, 23:27

Miguel and I are getting our bikes from http://www.habcycles.com/cross.html
worth a look with the aussie dollar so strong

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