Touring on a Roadrat

Cycle-touring, Expeditions, Adventures, Major cycle routes NOT LeJoG (see other special board)
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Remaerd
Posts: 16
Joined: 18 May 2015, 6:55pm

Touring on a Roadrat

Post by Remaerd »

Does anyone tour on a Cotic Roadrat?
Or are they too flexible as I've heard?

Only talking 2 Super C's reasonably full.
albal1
Posts: 206
Joined: 2 Feb 2011, 4:09pm

Re: Touring on a Roadrat

Post by albal1 »

My colleaggue is on one as we head south from nordkapp, hes ridden it all over the place. FB clive rogers and chat to him? :D
Remaerd
Posts: 16
Joined: 18 May 2015, 6:55pm

Re: Touring on a Roadrat

Post by Remaerd »

I have tried to contact him via Fb but as yet no reply.
Most of what I can find on internet is about the older rim braked version
Want to know if latest ones any better.
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squeaker
Posts: 4112
Joined: 12 Jan 2007, 11:43pm
Location: Sussex

Re: Touring on a Roadrat

Post by squeaker »

My 2009 version (using 559 wheels) is certainly more 'lively' with 2 laden 25l panniers, but nothing unmanageable. As I only use it for very local trips (shopping +) I've not investigated further (it might be due to the cheapy rack I fitted, for example), but there is clearly a lot of weight on the rear when laden.
"42"
Dudley Manlove
Posts: 249
Joined: 18 Jun 2009, 10:41am

Re: Touring on a Roadrat

Post by Dudley Manlove »

I've got a Roadrat, but use it as a commuter rather than a tourer. It's the old frame, so may not be entirely relavant...however -

There is a little flex if you load it up with like 20kg, but it's nothing that would put me off touring on it. You can also stick Surly forks on it (either Disc Trucker or Straggler would work) to give front mounting options if you want to spread the load.

The newer frames have lower BB, longer headtube, and disc mounts on the chainstay (so as not to foul the rack mounts). All of which I think make them better as a touring machine.

I probably would buy a dedicated tourer, if that's all I planned doing on it, but I wouldn't hesitate to use one for touring if it's a multipurpose bike. Also you probably have come across this guys blog if you've been goggling about - he's been all over on one:

https://everydaystories.wordpress.com/2 ... -obituary/
Kieran2663
Posts: 12
Joined: 15 Apr 2015, 4:00pm

Re: Touring on a Roadrat

Post by Kieran2663 »

Hi there,

Did a 6 month tour of India & Laos on a Cotic Road Rat a number of years ago, although not a great touring bike, it certainly did the job with a few modifications.

Just make sure you take a spare rear gear hanger, mine was broken in Laos and it essential ended our tour, this is the one down side to a versatile bike with multi set up options, sometimes you need specialist replacements that are impossible to find on the road. I would say this is the true Achilles heal of the bike, I went through 3 gear hangers in less than 2 years.

I would also mention that my frame cracked on one of the water bottle bosses due constant usage, thankfully due to its steel build I was able to weld the damage, but the frame did cracked fully 5 months after.

I used this as the perfect excuse to purchase a Thorn Sherpa which I love and have toured on for a few years now.

Happy riding .
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Rear gear hanger
Rear gear hanger
Dudley Manlove
Posts: 249
Joined: 18 Jun 2009, 10:41am

Re: Touring on a Roadrat

Post by Dudley Manlove »

Kieran2663 wrote:Did a 6 month tour of India & Laos on a Cotic Road Rat a number of years ago, although not a great touring bike, it certainly did the job with a few modifications.

Just make sure you take a spare rear gear hanger, mine was broken in Laos and it essential ended our tour, this is the one down side to a versatile bike with multi set up options, sometimes you need specialist replacements that are impossible to find on the road. I would say this is the true Achilles heal of the bike, I went through 3 gear hangers in less than 2 years.


To be fair the newer frames include a fixed gear hanger rather than the replacable one. Suppose how much any of this is a big deal depends how much the OP is touring on it and where he/she is going.
Kieran2663
Posts: 12
Joined: 15 Apr 2015, 4:00pm

Re: Touring on a Roadrat

Post by Kieran2663 »

Great news that Cotic have replaced the rear gear hanger part with a sturdier fitted gear hanger, because it was a weak spot on the bike.

As the OP hasn't stated which model was to be used, I thought it was only fair to share my experience of the model I toured on and the issues I had with that bike. I would suggest that it would be wise if using an older model of the Roadrat with the rear gear hanger part to take a spare where ever the tour will be, certainly as they were not always in stock and I had to wait a week or so to receive the part. Which would be a real downer if on the road with a limited time frame.

Overall I would not suggest the OP to purchase this model as a touring only rig, but if planned to be used as a commuter at home and as a tourer for a few weeks a year then maybe it would be a more suitable bike to go for, certainly if the versatility of the bike was appealing.
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