most have the ability to be converted to friction (vs. Richard goes on to say that even though he knows that it will eventually fail, he loves his aluminum frame which is very rigid (a quality that is a direct result of compensating for Aluminum’s poor yield and fatigue properties by making fatter and thicker tubing).īarend shifters are good for a few reasons.Ģ. While its fatigue curve might not be quite as sharply defined as Steel, it does have a fatigue limit at approximately 50% of yield strength. However, you are right and Richard is wrong to lump Titanium in with Aluminum. (Part of the confusion is that immediately after saying “it will break,” he starts talking about his old steel bikes) When he said “It means that one day, it will break,” he meant Aluminum, not Steel. In contrast, Aluminum has no fatigue limit which means that a bike made out of Aluminum will eventually fail due to cyclic stresses. What he is trying to say is that Steel has a defined fatigue limit which means that it will not fail so long as the cyclic stress on it is less than the fatigue limit. Like you, on my first read through it appeared to me that Richard had everything backwards - but he doesn’t. So you should give the bicycle a test ride and see what you think. The reputation of the LHT has grown significantly in the past few years and many people seem to have the same favorable opinion that I have for the bicycle. It had one on the most comfortable rides for a loaded touring bicycle. I am personally familiar with the Surly LHT. It is an all out bicycle for loaded touring. The 48/36/26 crankset and 11/34 rear cassette are perfect for loaded touring over pavement, good dirt roads, and some gravel. Also, the shifters are bar ends, which I also prefer for loaded touring. The 26″ or 700c wheels (determined by frame size) have 36 holes, 14 gauge spokes (adequate for loaded touring) and cantilever brakes, which I prefer over V-brakes for touring bicycles. The quality of derailleurs and brakes is good to excellent, better than what you would expect for the price. The cro-moly frame and fork are well made and have the basic touring braze-ons: triple water bottle mounts, front and rear rack mounts, chainstay spoke holder, and clearance for fenders and wide expedition tires. At around $1,100, it is a great deal and worth a serious look. The Surly LHT is a solid all around loaded, long-range bicycle. The Tour II uses a 48/36/26 front crankset and 11/34 rear cassette combination that is better for loaded touring in long distance touring. The Tour I uses a 50/39/30 front crankset and 11/34 rear cassette combination for light touring in rolling hills or medium loaded touring on flat terrain. STI brake/shifters are harder to get repaired while on the road, but many cyclists use them with excellent results. The shifters are STI, which I don’t prefer for touring. The 700c wheels have 36 holes, 14 gauge spokes (adequate for loaded touring) and cantilever brakes for stopping. The compact aluminum frame and cro-moly steel fork are well made and have the basic touring braze-ons: water bottle mounts, front and rear rack mounts, and clearance for fenders and wide touring tires. But if you can find one used, both the Cannondale Tour I and Tour II are excellent around touring bicycles. Unfortunately, you cannot buy these bikes new anymore.
UPDATE: We recently wrote two great articles summarizing the best men’s road bikes and the best women’s road bikes for 2012-2013. If you would like us to add another model to this list, please email us.
The following models are just a short list of high-quality bicycles available.
the type of handlebars I am going to need.the load I am going to carry (will I be carrying panniers or pulling a trailer).When considering a new touring bicycle, I use the following selection criteria: And many of the expedition bicycles that can handle almost any touring terrain will start at $2,000 and go up from there. Unfortunately, a new, high-quality touring bicycle will usually have a price tag of $1,000 or more. Most of the bicycles you will see will be in the $500 to $600 range. If you go into a local bike store, the price of most bicycles will start around $300 and go to over $1,500 for higher-end racing bicycles and mountain bikes. Koga-Miyata Bruce Gordon Co Motion Cannondale Touring Bicycle Reviews: These Bikes Bring Adventure Medium/Long Range Bicyclesįuji Trek Novara Strada Novara Randonee Surly