Need an alternative to my tourer for day rides

[helmbarrie]

My 20 year old British Eagle tourer serves me well for all my cycling which includes short light touring, day rides, commuting and shopping. However I sometimes ride with my brother who has a full carbon road bike. He has nagged me to get something faster, even though I insist that my bike would be quite fast with a faster rider. I don't want a high geared full on racer, with me obliged to wear lycra and have my bum higher than my hands giving me an ache in my neck.

How would a Specialized Tricross fit the bill for day rides? I have thought about a titanium framed bike too. So much choice, but I am not inclined to purchase brand new.

Any advice gratefully received

Helmbarrie

[NUKe]

tricross are good. However I'd suggest something like the Specialized Secture for your requirements or bike that use the word Audax somethnig like Dawes Audax or Ribble winter bike, Tiffosi CK7 Audax. but these are just a few names in a grwoing market

[horizon]

helmbarrie: your brother has a carbon road bike for a reason which I needn't discuss here. Suffice to say that should you increase your speed with a lighter bike, he will respond in kind with whatever delicate wafer thin plastic stuff they sell these days. Sorry to be rude about your brother but what he is really saying is "Look at my bike". Why not challenge him to a winter cycle camping trip next weekend? I think he will stay at home with a "headache".

[Si]

if you must spend your money, have you considered just getting some lightweight 'fast' wheels and some race tyres for the tourer - must be cheaper than going for a whole new bike.

[stewartpratt]

I don't want a high geared full on racer, with me obliged to wear lycra and have my bum higher than my hands giving me an ache in my neck

Reality check: If you want any significant speed gains then you're going to have to bend down into a more aerodynamic shape, lose any flappy clothing, and push a bigger gear.

If you don't want to do any of those things, you probably won't gain too much from a new bike.

[theopr]

Why not challenge him to a winter cycle camping trip next weekend? I think he will stay at home with a "headache".

Or make sure your next ride together includes some gravel tracks or muddy bridleways

[al_yrpal]

I wanted a light alternative to my tourer without drops. My pal has a part carbon Specialised Sirrus which is nice, so I chose a similar Decathlon Fitness 3 which is very similar having carbon forks and stays, and weighing only 9kg, but much cheaper. Decathlon seem to have exhausted stocks for the winter, but no doubt they will be back.

Al

[xpc316e]

+1 on the Decathlon Fitness 3. It is superb value for money.

[pete75]

A Touristique? Try it without gurads, carrier etc and with some lighter wheels , something like this http://www.roseversand.com/article/race ... aid:202988, and 25 mmm Rubinos. You'll notice a big difference. Alternatively something with a 531C frame from Ebay.

[andyh2]

If you're anywhere near each other in size have you tried swapping bikes so that you can work out how much of your speed difference is the bikes and how much the riders.

[horizon]

A tandem would solve most of their problems.

[helmbarrie]

Thanks everyone for the helpful and amusing replies. I have tried his bike but he is 1 and 1/2 in taller at 6 ft 1 in and got a 60 cm frame too big for him really I think and certainly for me. To be honest I would be embarrassed on carbon Trek Madone and durace gears when someone like me comes past on an old tourer! I will check out the Decathlon fitness 3 though, but lycra hm, need to think about that.

Regards

[CREPELLO]

Does your bike have 700c wheels? If it does, how wide are the rims? Unless they are 17mm (between the rim beads), get another pair of wheels and shod them with slicks. And take off any unnecessary weight, like rack and mudguards. Just to prove to your brother that it's not all about carbon.

[steady eddy]

Save your money and wrap some lead round his frame when he isn't looking or just weigh him down with cake at the cafe stop.

[Ayesha]

Why are you asking us such a stupid question.

Everybody NEEDS two bikes. Go out and get one.

A Spesh Secteur or a Spesh Allez. A Roubaix would be nice. Nah, get a SWorks SL3 with full DuraAce.