I want to start a bicycle touring, I'm not in a hurry, so I would like to enjoy my ride, 40% of the road gonna be dirt road and 70% mountain road.
< elops long distance 900 xl (1/11), I'm 179cm.
< specialized siruss elite EQ A1 (2/10).
< KTM x-life action street 2024 (2/11).
by ledal-ikni
21 Comments
The one that fits your budget.
Any of these would work just fine imo. If youre able to test any of them out to see how cozy you feel that would be ideal though
Normal question that anyone who isn’t an expert would ask and this sub downvotes the post and obviously has to add the classic ‘the one you can afford’. What is wrong with the cycling bubble?
elops imo is more like city commuter bike. I’d chose KTM
Probably a question you should ask you local bike shop.
Of the three models you listed, all of them are alright…
But since you actually consider purchasing a XL sized bike while “only”being 179cm tall, I’d strongly recommend to visit the LBS as I already mentioned.
I don’t understand the rack options on any of these, are they mounted off the mud guard? Is that suitable for long distance?
>< elops long distance 900 **xl** (1/11), I’m 179cm.
XL frame? That’s too large for 179 cm. I’m 185 cm or so and an L frame.
I guess this is just me but isn’t the fact that the rear racks do not attach to the seat stay/tube reduce the amount of weight it can actually hold?
They’re all ok
It’s totally personal choice
Your height only tells part of what size you need, because not everyone that height has the same length legs and the same torso and length of arm. It helps so much with comfort if the bike fits correctly to actually ride it. It is possible to adjust how forward/back and high the handlebars are, but too much affects how “natural” it feels when turning.
I think the very low front fender of the first is for urban commuting – on dirt and gravel, there’s some chance of getting a stone that is just the right (or wrong) size caught between the wheel and fender. I have had this happen on the rear with a fender that did not reach so low. Is a different fender possible?
Because you are not in a hurry, probably the 2×10 or 2×11 provides more range of gears, which you will want with mountain roads, so I’d rank the elops 3rd.
The middle image appears to have the largest cog in back, so that would be my 1st choice, assuming the small chain ring has the same number of teeth.
While you can change to different gearing, the derailleurs do have limits for the difference in count between the number of teeth on large/small chain ring, and IIRC for the total of the large chain ring and the largest cog, so getting what has the better range would be preferred.
I would get the one with the gearing I would want to ride, to be honest these all seem rather highgeared for my legs and the amount of kitchen sinks in my panniers.
[https://www.gear-calculator.com](https://www.gear-calculator.com)
The specialized has eyelets for a front rack. Catches much more my attention than the other ones.
Look at finding something dedicated for touring – a Surly LHT/DT/Troll/Ogre or the like. You’ll have to customize it to suit your needs and desires but doing so will mean that you have considered your choices.
2nd because gearing
I’m pursuing an used CUBE.
I would, if I were you, between the three:
check on weight, best technology for brakes, best carry on limits, best shimano mounted, best led technology already in.
Maybe GEMINI can help, but double check.
Then I would try them all and just buy the most expensive /S
Links to the specs please.
german brands i know: patria rennstahl böttcher norwid
If it means anything, I have a Specialized Turbo Vado SL 5 with drop bars which is very close geometry wise to the Sirrus. It is my most comfortable long-distance bike I own. I’ve done quite a few multiday trips without ever using the pedal assist on it.
It’s my go to for century rides. If I could find a reason to buy a Sirrus I would.
Not familiar with any of those but I think they all look like they could handle it, just make sure you got gravel tires for the dirt parts. Are you specifically trying to avoid drop bars?
I would get a Santos. I dream of that bike. Pricey, though. Still, it checks all my boxes.
The one that fits the best. Seriously, just ride em, adjust what you can, and pick the one that feels closest to perfect.