Anybody done this before?
A friend and I are wanting to do a lil' three(ish) week tour of somewhere in Scotland. I own a Cove Handjob with 3x7 slx gears, risers, 120mm travel fork that i use for some singletrack and Cross country fun. Logistically i'm not sure which bits and bobs i'll need to focus my money on and would appreciate any advice you could offer about turning it into a tourer type.
I have looked into buying a new bike but would like to research this as, hopefully, a more pocket friendly option.
Thanks
50/50 tyres like travel contacts or crossroads, rack. That works for me. Done hundres of touring miles on and off road like that. Its slower but more comfy than a dedicated tourer - more time to see the scenery
What TJ said - smooth tyres and a rack. If you can lock out the fork that would be a bonus but not worth spending cash on.
Not worth getting solid forks then you'd say?(for the cash) Bar ends? or different wheels? just a smoother set of tires?
Thanks
Work out whether or not you'll be sticking to roads or going off onto mixed surfaces.
I've just fitted some Marathon Cross tyres to my wee hardtail to make it ready for some on/off-road touring. They are a 26x1.75 which some would still consider a bit wide for dedicated road use, but give some volume for bump suppression and added grip on less than perfect surfaces.
A cheap set of rigid forks will make it lighter and (potentially) more efficient.
Bar ends will give you a wider choice of hand positions on longer days.
It's worth saying that the idea of a tourer being a sturdier, dropped barred bike seems to be almost exclusively British. The Euros just don't do that style.
Sticking to roads for sure, so i guess i'll just get slicks and not bother with new rims. Will look into cheap rigid forks too. Barends are a must then, probably just stick them on my risers contrary the common faux pa. Thanks for the info.
If you're not bothered about fashion then some of those trekking/butterfly bars might be worth looking at.
rigid forks,slick tyres, mudguards and a rack
If you have an open bath Marzocchi, you could just raise the oil levels. That'll near enough give you a lock out.
Bar ends are good for getting you more riding positions.
I have a set of unused butterfly bars if you want them - sell to you for much cheapness. E mail in profile
We are just back from 500 miles around the Netherlands on the tandem. A 4" fork rather than a 6" one and 1.75 crossroads tyres and returning to a triple from 2x9 were the only modifications we made.
We would have been a couple of MPH quicker with a road bike but who cares - its not a race
Go the whole hog - slick tyres, drop bars, cantis, rigid forks, slap a testosterone patch on your goolies and you too can be Floyd Landis.
Drop bars are great for getting the miles in, as are narrow slicks. Fair enough if you want to do less miles.
travel contacts are a nice compromise and pretty hardy. A rack and some pannier bags. A cheap handlebar bag will be handy too. Some nice big bar ends will save your hands and arms.
Go forth and enjoy some of the most beautiful scenery on the planet.
oh and rigid forks will make a big difference.