Traveling Bike

[Stumpy2011]

I'm looking for a 2-4 years old used non-carbon bike for travel - for up to $1000.00
I currently have a 2012 Specialized Roubaix Expert which is amazing, but I am reluctant to damage it while traveling.

The bike I am looking for should be sub 20 lbs (54-56 frame) with min. Shimano 105 group
And should have a geometry fit for centuries/ endurance road.

I am looking into Specialized Secteur Comp, Felt z Alum, Trek Madone Alum, Cannondale Synapse 5 105 alu, Giant Defy.

Any other recommendations ?
TIA

[Creakyknees]

ebay?

[Stumpy2011]

Yes, eBay..

I was really looking for some suggestions for non-CF bike makes and models that will not rattle my bones - i.e a relaxed "Century" geometry and not an aggressive "Criterium" geometry...

[DJake80]

I just got my Specialized Sport Triple for a steal because it's a 2011 and they're closing out on them right now.

[55x11]

Originally Posted by Stumpy2011

I'm looking for a 2-4 years old used non-carbon bike for travel - for up to $1000.00
I currently have a 2012 Specialized Roubaix Expert which is amazing, but I am reluctant to damage it while traveling.

The bike I am looking for should be sub 20 lbs (54-56 frame) with min. Shimano 105 group
And should have a geometry fit for centuries/ endurance road.

I am looking into Specialized Secteur Comp, Felt z Alum, Trek Madone Alum, Cannondale Synapse 5 105 alu, Giant Defy.

Any other recommendations ?
TIA

what kind of travel?
have you considered Ritchey Breakaway, Surly Travelers Check or S&S coupler bikes?

[PMC]

Another what kind of travel are you looking at?

The hardshell cases out there are pretty bomb proof. If you need something you can put in a standard size bag you're going to need to spend a lot more than a grand. If the addtional baggage fees for a bike aren't a big deal the Thule bike box is nice and your carbon bike would be quite safe.

[Stumpy2011]

55x11 & PMC - I am not planning on touring, I am looking into charity riding that will require flying with the bikes.
My main concern is damaging the bike in transport and storage.
So I am looking for a used bike with a few nicks, but one that s not heavy, smooth and reliable.
This way I won't eat my heart out if something happens to the bike...

[smcnees]

If you're going to be flying, I'd recommend either a Ritchey Breakaway or something with S&S couplers. Baggage fees for anything else are highway robbery. I just built up a Breakaway Ti for my wife and she loves it. The ability to break it apart in no way affects the ride (or the look) of the bike. I ordered a Breakaway CX that I'll be building up this weekend and can't wait to ride it.

[Stumpy2011]

55x11 & Smcnees: thanks for the Ritchey Breakaway, Surly Travelers Check or S&S coupler bikes advise.
I wasn't even aware of their existence...
Back to the drawing board....
It looks like it will be very difficult to find a used frame/bike though..

Smcnees, I am inclined to go with the breakaway frame, steel.
What are the considerations for cross Vs. the Road Pro ?
I guess with the cross frame I will be able to go off-road as well...

[55x11]

Originally Posted by Stumpy2011

55x11 & Smcnees: thanks for the Ritchey Breakaway, Surly Travelers Check or S&S coupler bikes advise.
I wasn't even aware of their existence...
Back to the drawing board....
It looks like it will be very difficult to find a used frame/bike though..

Smcnees, I am inclined to go with the breakaway frame, steel.
What are the considerations for cross Vs. the Road Pro ?
I guess with the cross frame I will be able to go off-road as well...

we have a number of discussions in Ritchey forums that you may want to read.

There are used breakaway frames or even complete bikes sold on ebay all the time.
I would go (and I actually did) with Cross over the road - geometry is almost the same (wheelbase is tiny bit longer) but the ability to use wider tires, up to at least 35mm (you will need to use cantis or v-brakes) and mount fenders/panniers is a big plus in versatility. It still rides as well as a road frame. I think steel is definitely the best choice for travel bikes.

I already saved about $900 in travel fees over the regular bike, and that's since last August.

[smcnees]

55 X11 nailed all the reasons I went with a CX frame instead of a road. Mine will be my everyday commuter as well as a travel bike so I needed to be able mount fenders, rack, etc. I watched CL and EBay for months looking for a used one with no luck. There was one used frame that popped up on Seattle CL but the guy was really proud of it and super firm on price so I passed. I ended up ordering online. It's supposed to arrive today (DAMN is sucks being stuck at work).

[Stumpy2011]

Thanks 55xx11 I will check out the Ritchie forum.
It looks like the CX is the way to go. the closest thing to MTB and RB...)
SMCnees, please feed us info and pictures as you go on with the build...

[smcnees]

And it's built. Here's a quick cell phone pic I took before mounting all the commuter gear on it and completely ruining the look of the bike. I went with an all Ritchey cockpit, Force groupset and TRP Euro X brakes. I haven't got to ride it yet but am excited to do so.

[rward325]

I just bought this as my grocery getter and commuter(haha I work form home). It is a little weighty but I could see doing a century on it the way it is setup. The price tag was almost where you want to be at $1399 not including sales tax from REI. Because of the requirements of the manufacturer it has to be shipped to and assembled by REI. I have alread had discussions with a few people about fitting it with SS Couplers and the price to do it is attractive.


Raleigh Bicycles Roper

[55x11]

Originally Posted by smcnees

And it's built. Here's a quick cell phone pic I took before mounting all the commuter gear on it and completely ruining the look of the bike. I went with an all Ritchey cockpit, Force groupset and TRP Euro X brakes. I haven't got to ride it yet but am excited to do so.

very nice.
if anyone is interested to see more photos of my Ritchey Breakaway CX, same model as smcnees above, here's a few of my posts on tumblr, of both road (700x23) and CX (700x35) setups:
Oleg's Ritchey Breakaway Adventures - Ritchey Breakaway: The Concept

Oleg's Ritchey Breakaway Adventures - Versatility of the Ritchey Breakaway CX

[Stumpy2011]

Looking great Oleg...
I think that you need to change the 62" caption.
Isn't the case size: 8.5" W x 26.5"H x 31"L w/ wheels ?

I am interested to know what a total build roughly cost.
I would probably build with compact 105 or Ultegra.

[Stumpy2011]

Originally Posted by smcnees

And it's built. Here's a quick cell phone pic I took before mounting all the commuter gear on it and completely ruining the look of the bike. I went with an all Ritchey cockpit, Force groupset and TRP Euro X brakes. I haven't got to ride it yet but am excited to do so.

Nice looking bike, SMCnees
What's the rough total cost of full build ?

[Stumpy2011]

Originally Posted by rward325

I just bought this

Nice looking bike..
What's the weight on them ?
Any idea what's the cost to convert to S&S ?
Is it possible to convert to Breakaway or S&S couplers are the only option ?

[smcnees]

Frame/fork and box $1150
Force group $830
Brakes $130
Bar/stem/post $250

I already had the seat, pedals andwheels/tires.

[55x11]

Originally Posted by Stumpy2011

Looking great Oleg...
I think that you need to change the 62" caption.
Isn't the case size: 8.5" W x 26.5"H x 31"L w/ wheels ?

I am interested to know what a total build roughly cost.
I would probably build with compact 105 or Ultegra.

The case is 66 linear inches, even though I also seem to remember getting numbers closer to 64 linear inches when I measured it myself. Could be depending on how you include the wheels.

In either case, this is what I meant by "just over 62 inch limit" comment (as in a few inches over, not 62.xx inches), sorry for confusion.

I already had old 9-speed ultegra, wheels and handlebars/stem, seatpost+saddle, so with frame and bottom bracket I was all set.

Check put bike doctor USA, I bought the frame from them and they have complet bike builds for Breakaways as well - very competitively priced (you have to contact them). Don't pay attention to terrible webpage design, they are very fast and reliable.'

Coming Soon

[Stumpy2011]

mmm. Loos like a full build is at approx $3000.00 per bike.
I need 2 bikes = $6000.00 and that makes it Very expensive, given the fact that I just bought a couple of months ago 2 new 2012 Roubaix CF...
The original purpose was to get some used bikes for travel, so probably $3000.00 for both bikes will be tolerable..
BTW, what gearing ratios are recommended ? currently using 2x10 compact on my CF bikes, is 3x9 which is the way to go ?

[Wolfman]

Originally Posted by Stumpy2011

Nice looking bike..
What's the weight on them ?
Any idea what's the cost to convert to S&S ?
Is it possible to convert to Breakaway or S&S couplers are the only option ?

Years ago, I had my steel IF converted to S&S at Elliott Bay Bicycles in Seattle... Frame Shop | Elliott Bay Bicycles. Their current labor is $225 + materials for the conversion.

If you go with S&S, you'll likely be around $700 +/- when it's all said and done. Don't forget that you should spend for a repaint and you'll need the travel case, as well.

In the end, though, totally worth it to have a travel specific bike.

[55x11]

Originally Posted by Stumpy2011

mmm. Loos like a full build is at approx $3000.00 per bike.
I need 2 bikes = $6000.00 and that makes it Very expensive, given the fact that I just bought a couple of months ago 2 new 2012 Roubaix CF...
The original purpose was to get some used bikes for travel, so probably $3000.00 for both bikes will be tolerable..
BTW, what gearing ratios are recommended ? currently using 2x10 compact on my CF bikes, is 3x9 which is the way to go ?

it should not be that high. I think full build should be closer to $2,000 if you don't need high end componentry (105 or so) and if you already have wheels.
See smcnees post below.
$1100 or so for frame+fork+case (about $300 value for case right there).
Groupset is about $500-600 if you are willing to compromise a bit to get good value and get 105 or similar (it's a travel bike after all). Then add seatpost+seat, and stem+handlebar and pedals. Maybe another $300 or so. You can find good deals used.

In my case, I already had all spare parts from another, older bike (9-speed ultegra), just needed frame+fork+bag.

Or, you could just get a complete bike on clearance at Performance, like this one:
2011 GT GTR Series 2 SRAM Apex Road Bike - Exclusive - Road Bikes
currently $899, get frame+fork+case, swap all components, sell the original GT aluminum frame+fork and the whole build will be under $2K with reasonable componentry. You could save a few $ and even get a $600 bike if you don't care about Sora-level components.

I think under $2K is not a bad deal overall, considering quality frame, bag, etc.

FYI - over past 6 months alone I went on 5 trips (1 foreign, 4 domestic) and saved $900 in just baggage fees (compared to bringing a full-sized, not break-away bike).