Feb
26
How well do Specialized Tricross bicycles compare to Touring bikes?
The goal is trans-continental tour. Bikes I’m looking at are the Trek 520, Surly Long Haul Trucker, and comparable in price Specialized Tricross. Going west to east, solo, front and rear panniers, and I’m 6′ 170 lbs.
A comment regarding the Specialized. Wheel base is a little short. May or may not have heel clearance for your rear panniers. Gearing is not quite low enough for my taste. I would exchange the 12-27 cassette for at least an 11-32. You will be hauling at least 45 to 50 pounds of racks, panniers, and gear. Plus 28-30 pounds for the bike and your 170 pounds. Grand total of upwards of 250 pounds. Plus water. All being propelled by your legs, lungs, and heart.
As far as training, hit the weights. Can’t emphasis enough the importance of strength when you are riding day after day. If you are carrying any extra weight, do your best to be as lean as possible. Any and all extra weight will conspire to sap strength from you and contribute to fatigue.
I rode from Seattle to San Francisco. 3 weeks covering 1000 miles supported. Bike was about 7 pounds too heavy and I was about 25 pounds too heavy despite losing weight prior to my trip. I was very fatigued by the end of the trip. Your trip will be twice as long carrying more gear. Are you using an Adventure Cycle mapped route?
Also something to consider. Use a lighter weight bicycle and carry your gear in a B.O.B. trailer. Trailer carries the bulk of the weight, so you can use a lighter bicycle. No need for a heavy front tire and rim.
Good Luck
Front Bicycle Pannier (Pletscher rack)
|
|
New Cycling Bicycle Frame Pannier Front Tube Bag Bike $5.39 |
|
|
2012 New Cycling Bike Bicycle Frame Pannier Front Tube Bag For Cell Phone Red $0.99 |
|
|
2012 New Cycling Bike Bicycle Frame Pannier Front Tube Bag For Cell Phone Blue $0.99 |
|
|
Bike bag Bicycle front tube bag Cycling frame pannier pouch Rack Bag New Black $0.99 |
|
|
2012 New Cycling Bike Bicycle Frame Pannier Front Tube Bag For Cell Phone Silver $0.99 |
|
|
Bike bag Bicycle front tube bag Cycling frame pannier pouch Rack Bag New Yellow $0.99 |
|
|
2012 bicycle handlebar bag Bike Cycling front tube pannier Rack bag basket New $0.99 |
|
|
New Cycling Bicycle Bike Pannier Front Tube Bag Frame Rack Pouch Orange $0.99 |
|
|
2012 Cycling Bike Bicycle Front Frame Tube Bag 3 in 1 Pannier + Rain Cover $0.99 |
|
|
New Cycling Bike Bicycle Trame Pannier Front Tube Bag $0.99 |
|
|
2012 Cycling Bicycle Trame Pannier Front Tube Bag Yellow with rain cover $0.99 |
|
|
2012 Utility Bicycle Waterproof Front Belt Tube Pannier Rack Bag $7.99 |
|
|
Bike Bicycle Cycling Handlebar Bag Front Tube Pannier Rack Bag Basket wnuk B28z6 $0.85 |
|
|
New Modern Version of the Versatile Bicycle Cycling Front Belt Pannier Rack Bag $7.98 |
|
|
2012 New Bicycle Waterproof Front Belt Tube Pannier Rack Bag $8.49 |
|
|
New Bike Bicycle Cycling Front Belt Pannier Rack Bag With Transparent Map Holder $9.99 |
|
|
Bike Bicycle Cycling Handlebar Bag Front Tube Pannier Rack Bag Basket cmsh B28z6 $0.85 |
|
|
Bike Bicycle Cycling Handlebar Bag Front Tube Pannier Rack Bag Basket anlo B28z6 $0.85 |
|
|
2012 New Cycling Bike Bicycle Frame Pannier Front Tube Bag For Cell Phone Silver $0.99 |
|
|
2012 Cycling Bike Bicycle Front Frame Tube Bag 3 in 1 Pannier + Rain Cover $0.99 |
|
|
2012 bicycle handlebar bag Bike Cycling front tube pannier Rack bag basket New $0.99 |
|
|
New Cycling Bicycle Bike Pannier Front Tube Bag Frame Rack Pouch Orange $0.99 |
|
|
Bike bag Bicycle front tube bag Cycling frame pannier pouch Rack Bag New Black $0.99 |
|
|
Bike bag Bicycle front tube bag Cycling frame pannier pouch Rack Bag New Yellow $0.99 |
|
|
2012 New Cycling Bike Bicycle Frame Pannier Front Tube Bag For Cell Phone Blue $0.99 |
|
|
2012 New Cycling Bike Bicycle Frame Pannier Front Tube Bag For Cell Phone Red $1.04 |
|
|
Bike Bicycle Cycling Handlebar Bag Front Tube Pannier Rack Bag Basket mljb B28z6 $0.85 |
|
|
Bike Bicycle Cycling Handlebar Bag Front Tube Pannier Rack Bag Basket yyms B28z6 $0.85 |
|
|
2012 New Cycling Bike Bicycle Frame Pannier Front Tube Bag For Cell Phone Silver $9.58 |
|
|
Bike Bicycle Cycling Handlebar Bag Front Tube Pannier Rack Bag Basket qnjm B28z6 $0.85 |
|
|
New Cycling Bicycle Bike Pannier Front Tube Bag Frame Rack Pouch Orange $0.99 |
|
|
Bike bag Bicycle front tube bag Cycling frame pannier pouch Rack Bag New Yellow $0.99 |
|
|
2012 bicycle handlebar bag Bike Cycling front tube pannier Rack bag basket New $0.99 |
|
|
2012 New Cycling Bike Bicycle Frame Pannier Front Tube Bag For Cell Phone Silver $1.54 |
|
|
2012 Cycling Bike Bicycle Front Frame Tube Bag 3 in 1 Pannier + Rain Cover $0.99 |
|
|
2012 New Cycling Bike Bicycle Frame Pannier Front Tube Bag For Cell Phone Blue $0.99 |
|
|
Bike bag Bicycle front tube bag Cycling frame pannier pouch Rack Bag New Black $0.99 |
|
|
2012 New Cycling Bike Bicycle Frame Pannier Front Tube Bag For Cell Phone Red $1.50 |
|
|
Bike Bicycle Cycling Handlebar Bag Front Tube Pannier Rack Bag Basket vovz B28z6 $0.85 |
|
|
Bike Bicycle Cycling Handlebar Bag Front Tube Pannier Rack Bag Basket iqza B28z6 $0.85 |
|
|
Bike Bicycle Cycling Handlebar Bag Front Tube Pannier Rack Bag Basket ajcr B28z6 $0.85 |
|
|
Red Bicycle Cycling Bike front tube Bag Trame Pannier Can be extended New $9.95 |
|
|
Blue Bicycle Cycling Bike front tube Bag Trame Pannier Can be extended New $9.95 |
|
|
Black Bicycle Cycling Bike front tube Bag Trame Pannier Can be extended $9.95 |
|
|
New Cycling Bike Bicycle Trame Pannier Front Tube Bag Blue $6.99 |
|
|
New Cycling Bike Bicycle Trame Pannier Front Tube Bag Red $6.99 |
|
|
New Cycling Bike Bicycle Trame Pannier Front Tube Bag Black $6.99 |
|
|
Bike Bicycle Cycling Handlebar Bag Front Tube Pannier Rack Bag Basket yroc B28z6 $0.85 |
|
|
GRAY Cycling Bicycle Bike Sport Frame Pannier Front Tube Bag Pouch with Cover $10.99 |
|
|
2012 Cycling Bike Bicycle Front Frame Tube Bag 3 in 1 Pannier Frame Pack $12.49 |
|
|
2012 Cycling Bike Bicycle Front Frame Tube Bag 3 in 1 Pannier Frame Pack $12.49 |
|
|
Blackburn CL1 Custom Lo-Rider front pannier rack black MTB Cycle Road Touring $51.90 |
|
|
Blackburn CL1 Custom Lo-Rider front pannier rack silver MTB Cycle Road Touring $51.90 |
|
|
Bicycle Bike red Frame Pannier FRONT TUBE BAG NEW $4.99 |
|
|
New Black Bike Bicycle Pannier Frame Front Tube Bag $9.89 |
|
|
New BLUE Bike Bicycle Frame Pannier Front Tube Bag $4.95 |
|
|
XXF Bike Bicycle Cycling Trame Pannier Front Tube Bag $12.99 |
|
|
New Cycling Bike Bicycle Trame Pannier Front Tube Bag $0.99 |
|
|
1pcs Cycling Bike frame pannier Trame Pannier Front Tube Bag tool kit B-15 Black $10.99 |
|
|
New Cycling Bicycle Bike Pannier Front Tube Bag Frame Rack Pouch Orange $0.99 |
|
|
Bike bag Bicycle front tube bag Cycling frame pannier pouch Rack Bag New Black $0.99 |
|
|
2012 Cycling Bike Bicycle Front Frame Tube Bag 3 in 1 Pannier + Rain Cover $0.99 |
|
|
Bike bag Bicycle front tube bag Cycling frame pannier pouch Rack Bag New Yellow $0.99 |
|
|
2012 bicycle handlebar bag Bike Cycling front tube pannier Rack bag basket New $0.99 |
|
|
New Cycling Bike Bicycle Trame Pannier Front Tube Bag Yellow $1.29 |
|
|
2012 Cycling Bike Bicycle Trame Pannier Front Tube Bag RED with Rain Cover $3.26 |
|
|
2012 Cycling Bicycle Bag Bike front Fork bag pannier Basket + Fork Rack $52.99 |
|
|
New COOL Cycling Bike Bicycle 5 in 1 Trame Pannier Front Bag Black $14.99 |
|
|
For Bike Bicycle Frame Pannier Front Tube Bag New $0.99 |
|
|
Blackburn CL1 Custom Lo-Rider front pannier rack black MTB Cycle Road Touring $51.67 |
|
|
Bike bag Bicycle front tube bag Cycling frame pannier pouch Rack Bag New Black $0.99 |
|
|
2012 New Cycling Bike Bicycle Frame Pannier Front Tube Bag For Cell Phone Blue $1.29 |
|
|
2012 New Cycling Bike Bicycle Frame Pannier Front Tube Bag For Cell Phone Red $2.29 |
|
|
Bike bag Bicycle front tube bag Cycling frame pannier pouch Rack Bag New Black $0.99 |
|
|
2012 New Cycling Bike Bicycle Frame Pannier Front Tube Bag For Cell Phone Red $5.50 |
|
|
New Cycling Bicycle Bike Pannier Front Tube Bag Frame Rack Pouch Orange $0.99 |
|
|
Bike bag Bicycle front tube bag Cycling frame pannier pouch Rack Bag New Yellow $0.99 |
|
|
2012 New Cycling Bike Bicycle Frame Pannier Front Tube Bag For Cell Phone Blue $3.00 |
|
|
2012 Cycling Bike Bicycle Front Frame Tube Bag 3 in 1 Pannier + Rain Cover $0.99 |
|
|
2012 bicycle handlebar bag Bike Cycling front tube pannier Rack bag basket New $0.99 |
|
|
NEW Vaude Aqua Front Pannier Set – Waterproof Bike Panniers TOUR COMMUTE $117.60 |
|
|
NEW Vaude Aqua Front Pannier Set – Waterproof Bike Panniers TOUR COMMUTE $117.60 |
|
|
NEW Vaude Aqua Front Pannier Set – Waterproof Bike Panniers TOUR COMMUTE $117.60 |
|
|
Bike Bicycle Cycling Frame Pannier Rack Front Tube Bag $0.99 |
|
|
2012 Cycling Bike Bicycle Front Frame Tube Bag 3 in 1 Pannier Frame Pack $12.49 |
|
|
Bicycle Bike Cycling Frame Pannier FRONT TUBE BAG +Gift $7.88 |
|
|
Bike Bicycle RED Frame Pannier FRONT TUBE BAG + Gift $7.88 |
|
|
Bike Bicycle BLUE Frame Pannier FRONT TUBE BAG + Gift $7.88 |
|
|
NEW RED Bike Bicycle Frame Pannier Front Tube Bag $4.95 |
|
|
2012 Cycling Bike Bicycle Front Frame Tube Bag 3 in 1 Pannier + Rain Cover $0.99 |
|
|
2012 bicycle handlebar bag Bike Cycling front tube pannier Rack bag basket New $0.99 |
|
|
Bike bag Bicycle front tube bag Cycling frame pannier pouch Rack Bag New Yellow $0.99 |
|
|
Bike bag Bicycle front tube bag Cycling frame pannier pouch Rack Bag New Black $0.99 |
|
|
New Cycling Bicycle Bike Pannier Front Tube Bag Frame Rack Pouch Orange $0.99 |
|
|
2012 New Cycling Bike Bicycle Frame Pannier Front Tube Bag For Cell Phone Red $5.51 |
|
|
2012 New Cycling Bike Bicycle Frame Pannier Front Tube Bag For Cell Phone Blue $4.36 |
|
|
New Cycling Bike Bicycle Trame Pannier Front Tube Bag $0.99 |
|
|
Arkel Bicycle Touring Front/Rear Panniers bike $109.99 |
|
|
Bike bag Bicycle front tube bag Cycling frame pannier pouch Rack Bag New Black $0.99 |
|
|
Bike bag Bicycle front tube bag Cycling frame pannier pouch Rack Bag New Yellow $0.99 |
|
|
Aprilia Mana 850 Photo Mugs bike, Aprilia, Mana, 850, Auto, Italy, Italian, Europe, European, red, 2008, 2000s, current, contemporary, sportsbike, sports, sportbike, bike, motorbike,…. |
|
|
BMW R1200RT Germany Photo Mugs bike, BMW, R1200RT, Germany, German, Europe, European, black, 2006, 2000s, current, contemporary, touring, tourer, bike, motorbike, motorcycle, static,…. |
|
|
Harley Davidson Customised Photo Mugs bike, Harley, Davidson, Customised, Police, Special, FLHTP, American, America, US, USA, United, States, multi, classic, tourer, touring, bike, motorbike,…. |
|
|
Photo Jigsaw Puzzle of BMW 1200GS Germany from Car Photo Library $24.99 Photo Puzzle, BMW 1200GS Germany. bike, BMW, 1200GS, Germany, German, Europe, European, blue, black, 2008, 2000s, current, contemporary, sports, tourer, motorbike, motorcycle, bike, static,. Chosen by Car Photo Library. 10×14 Photo Puzzle with 252 pieces. Packed in black cardboard box of dimensions 5 5/8 x 7 5/8 x 1 1/5. Puzzle image 5×7 affixed to box top. Puzzle pieces printed on RA4 paper at 30… |
|
|
Photo Jigsaw Puzzle of Honda Pan European from Car Photo Library $24.99 Photo Puzzle, Honda Pan European. bike, Honda, Pan, European, Japan, Japanese, Asia, Asian, silver, 1990, 1990s, 90s, nineties, current, contemporary, touring, tourer, tour, bike, motorbike,. Chosen by Car Photo Library. 10×14 Photo Puzzle with 252 pieces. Packed in black cardboard box of dimensions 5 5/8 x 7 5/8 x 1 1/5. Puzzle image 5×7 affixed to box top. Puzzle pieces printed on RA4 paper at 3… |
|
|
Photo Jigsaw Puzzle of Yamaha FJR1300 Japan from Car Photo Library $24.99 Photo Puzzle, Yamaha FJR1300 Japan. bike, Yamaha, FJR1300, Japan, Japanese, Asia, Asian, black, 2009, 2000s, current, contemporary, touring, tourer, tour, bike, motorbike, motorcycle, static,. Chosen by Car Photo Library. 10×14 Photo Puzzle with 252 pieces. Packed in black cardboard box of dimensions 5 5/8 x 7 5/8 x 1 1/5. Puzzle image 5×7 affixed to box top. Puzzle pieces printed on RA4 paper at … |
|
|
Bike/Bicycle Cycling Frame Pannier Rack Front Tube Bag $6.79 Two side bags and top is mobile phone bagSide bag size: approx. 14.5 x 11.5 x 5 cmMaterial: 600D POLYESTER, waterproof1 x Bike bag1 x Mobile phone bag… |
|
|
GT-18-BP Backpack or Front Bicycle Pannier Yellow $169.95 The GT-18 is a single bag, not a set…. |
|
|
Racktime Tourit The Tourit Is The Touring Carrier Of The Racktime Carrier Range. The Carrier/Bike Rack Can Be Used Universally And Carries Up To 30 Kg. In Addition To All The Snapit Components The Tourit Supports Side Panniers For Longer Bicycle Tours. Like The Addit, The Tourit Has A Second Rail Below The Loading Platform. Note: When Using The Lower Rail To Clip Baghooks On, The Outer Distance Of The Baghooks Ca… |
|
|
Cyclist’s Companion … |
