Nice ride!
I have a Giant Escape, and I've definitely taken it through its paces--long miles, overweighted, hit by a car once. I prefer it to my road bike for touring because it's nigh indestructible, and because it gives me more options if emergency rerouting becomes necessary.
My big suggestion for taking it touring is to add some drop ends to give yourself more options vis-a-vis hand position. They're really cheap and easy to install, so definitely worth the time and money if you're spending a lot of time in the saddle.
On that note, as you become a stronger cyclist, you might find yourself want a slightly more aggressive posture, which helps you draw power from more of your body. After a few months riding, that's how I felt, so I flipped the stem and slammed it, and then adjusted the saddle accordingly. At first it may feel a little uncomfortable to bend forward so much more, but ultimately you'll feel so much stronger.
I don't see any reason not to go cheap on this particular accessory. I have basic profile design bar ends on mine, but drop ends would probably give even more hand positions to choose from, which is especially important if you're doing long legs on your tours.
Thank you! I originally got this bike because I wanted some thing that I can get around New Orleans and the like, but I’ve recently been interested into taking it a bit more remote. I was worried that the style of bike wouldn’t really do well. But I got all the bags strapped on and I’m excited to give it a go this weekend.
There are a lot of people who have simply gotten on a bike and started touring. If it works for you, then it's the perfect touring bike. I think you really learn how a bike works for you after you've put some miles on it.
I reckon it'll be fine. I tour on a cyclocross bike because it's the bike I have that's best suited to touring, people your on all different kinds of bikes. Enjoy your trip!
Just finished 44 miles this past weekend and it was pretty good! Still was a bit sore in the saddle but I figure that’s a given and the longer rides I do, the better it will be
Nice ride! I have a Giant Escape, and I've definitely taken it through its paces--long miles, overweighted, hit by a car once. I prefer it to my road bike for touring because it's nigh indestructible, and because it gives me more options if emergency rerouting becomes necessary. My big suggestion for taking it touring is to add some drop ends to give yourself more options vis-a-vis hand position. They're really cheap and easy to install, so definitely worth the time and money if you're spending a lot of time in the saddle. On that note, as you become a stronger cyclist, you might find yourself want a slightly more aggressive posture, which helps you draw power from more of your body. After a few months riding, that's how I felt, so I flipped the stem and slammed it, and then adjusted the saddle accordingly. At first it may feel a little uncomfortable to bend forward so much more, but ultimately you'll feel so much stronger.
Thank you very much! Any recommendations of brands or companies or specific drop end add-ons?
I don't see any reason not to go cheap on this particular accessory. I have basic profile design bar ends on mine, but drop ends would probably give even more hand positions to choose from, which is especially important if you're doing long legs on your tours.
Awesome! Thanks!!!
That is a nice looking bike.
Thank you! I originally got this bike because I wanted some thing that I can get around New Orleans and the like, but I’ve recently been interested into taking it a bit more remote. I was worried that the style of bike wouldn’t really do well. But I got all the bags strapped on and I’m excited to give it a go this weekend.
There are a lot of people who have simply gotten on a bike and started touring. If it works for you, then it's the perfect touring bike. I think you really learn how a bike works for you after you've put some miles on it.
Fair point! Thanks! Excited to see how it does :-)
Do report back and tell us how your trip goes.
Will do! Thanks :)
No tips, just wanted to say that your bike is awesome! Have fun out there!
That's a nice bike. I have to ask, how did you attach the water bottle to the fork?
It’s a Blackburn outpost cage and then I used voile straps instead of the ones it came with.
I've never seen a water bottle attached to the fork and that made your bike setup even more cooler!
I reckon it'll be fine. I tour on a cyclocross bike because it's the bike I have that's best suited to touring, people your on all different kinds of bikes. Enjoy your trip!
This looks really comfortable. How is it for long distance?
Just finished 44 miles this past weekend and it was pretty good! Still was a bit sore in the saddle but I figure that’s a given and the longer rides I do, the better it will be
Oh yeah, you def build up those muscles and gets much easier. Happy trails :)
44 miles is 70.81 km