Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Touring Bike vs Road Bike





After a week of riding with a load on our road bikes and countless adjustments and breakdowns, we shipped the road bikes back home and upgraded to Kona Sutra touring bikes. The touring bikes weigh 31.5lbs compared to the 17lbs the road bikes weighed. They are steel framed and have larger wheels and tires. The wheels have 36 spokes where our road bikes have 23-26 depending on the day. haha. The Kona touring bike also has disc brakes which are better for stopping a heavy load that we are carrying. One other difference is the shifting. The touring bikes have bar end levers that click into each gear. It's old fashion, but stronger.

James and I picked up the bikes on Saturday and spent the past 2 days upgrading the Konas with some aluminum and steal brackets on the front fork. We then attached a milk crate above the front wheel to transfer some of the weight off the rear wheel. The bike rides like a tank. If anyone is thinking of going cross country on a bike, do not attempt to do so on a true road bike if you have a load over 25lbs plus your weight. We are around 50 - 70lbs and these touring bikes seem to be a great fit.

If you have any questions on the two, we will try to answer the best we are able.

Thanks,
Steve

4 comments:

  1. Period 5 wants to know how much did your new bike cost you?

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  2. Period 6 wants to know if your new bikes are working better then your old bikes?

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  3. Period 7 wants to know is it harder riding on dirt roads rather than regular roads? Also what made you decide of the Kona Sutra touring bikes?

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  4. The new bikes weren't cheap. They are working a lot better than the road bikes, but aren't as fast on the downhills. Our road bikes are basically like racecars. They are super fast, but not meant for hauling a heavy load. These touring bikes are like your teachers F-150. They're pretty quick and have no problem carrying our supplies.

    Even though these bikes are made for dirt roads as well as paved, we are still doing everything we can to baby them and stay away from the dirt and gravel as much as possible. It's a long long LONG race and we need them to be working at the end. I like to picture us racing the 24hrs of Daytona. If we push too hard at the start of the race, the car (or bike) won't work as hard at the finish. I am learning to be more patient with every day.

    Thanks for the questions. It helps us out more than you think having some communication with people back home!


    Steve

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