Embarking on a cycle tour is an exhilarating experience, and while the spirit of adventure is paramount, the right equipment plays a crucial role in your journey’s success and enjoyment. You might be thinking, “Can’t I just use any bike?” Well, yes, you could. Just like Ed Pratt circumnavigated the globe on a unicycle and Tom Allen conquered Armenia on a vintage mountain bike, you could technically use almost any bike for touring. However, for optimal comfort, efficiency, and reliability, especially on longer expeditions, choosing a bicycle specifically designed for touring makes a world of difference.
Comfort is king when it comes to cycle touring, particularly for extended trips. If you’re not comfortable in the saddle, your dream tour can quickly become a grueling ordeal. Beyond comfort, logistical considerations come into play. You’ll want a bike that’s easily repairable, ideally with parts readily available worldwide. This is especially pertinent for long-term touring where you might find yourself in remote locations.
While personal preferences and specific needs vary from rider to rider, this article aims to provide a comprehensive guide to help you navigate the key considerations when selecting the perfect touring bicycle bike for your adventures. We’ll delve into essential features, different types of touring, and factors to consider before making your purchase. We’ll also share insights from our own experiences of cycling through over twenty-seven countries on our chosen touring bikes. For a detailed look at our specific setup, you can explore our bike specification here.
In this article:
How We Selected Our Touring Bikes for Global Cycling Adventures
When preparing for our round-the-world cycling tour, our priorities were clear: functionality and comfort. Budget was secondary; we were committed to investing in durable, reliable, and high-quality bikes. Our mission was to cycle through over 30 countries across two years, fully loaded with gear. This demanding undertaking necessitated brand-new, custom-built bikes equipped with top-tier components.
Sharing this context is important because our choices were driven by specific needs and ambitious goals. Your circumstances might differ significantly, especially if budget is a primary concern or if you’re planning a shorter tour. Identifying your non-negotiables in a touring bike is the first step towards making the right decision. To help you pinpoint these crucial factors, let’s explore the essential features of touring bikes and the key considerations you should evaluate.
Explore Our Touring Bike Setup & Specifications
Want to know exactly what we ride? Check out the detailed breakdown of our bike setup and full specifications.
Essential Features of Touring Bicycle Bikes
Before diving into the decision-making process, let’s understand the defining characteristics of traditional touring bikes:
- Steel Frame: Renowned for its inherent comfort and exceptional durability, steel frames are a classic choice for touring bikes. The material’s flex provides a more forgiving ride, especially over long distances and varied terrains.
- Frame Geometry: Touring bikes are designed with a longer wheelbase and extended chainstays. This geometry enhances stability and control, particularly when carrying heavy loads. It also promotes a more upright riding posture, significantly improving comfort for long hours in the saddle.
- Wide Gear Ratio: A wide range of gears is crucial for tackling diverse terrains, especially when fully loaded. Lower gears make climbing steep hills manageable, while higher gears allow for efficient riding on flat roads and descents.
- Reliable Brakes: Powerful and dependable brakes are non-negotiable, especially when controlling a bike laden with 30kg or more of gear, particularly when descending hills. Look for robust braking systems that offer consistent performance in various conditions.
- Comfortable Wide Tires: Wider tires contribute significantly to ride comfort by absorbing road vibrations and providing better traction. They also offer increased stability and puncture resistance, essential for touring on varied road surfaces.
Steel frame touring bikes on a long term tour. Picture taken in Thailand, showcasing the bikes loaded with gear against a backdrop of lush greenery.
Seven Key Considerations Before Buying Touring Bicycle Bikes
Choosing the right touring bicycle bike involves careful consideration of several factors. Let’s explore seven key aspects to guide your decision. For each point, we’ll outline your options, weigh the pros and cons, and share our own choices as a point of reference.
1. The Type of Touring You Plan to Do
Different touring styles demand different bike characteristics. Defining your touring approach upfront will help you select a bike that perfectly aligns with your needs. For instance, if you’re planning a lightweight tour staying in hotels, a less robust (and potentially less expensive) frame might suffice.
Let’s examine various touring types and their implications for bike selection:
Long-Term Loaded Touring
This style involves carrying all your necessities – tent, cooking equipment, clothing, tools, and more – on your bike. This is the type of touring we typically undertake.
Bike Considerations: A robust steel frame is highly recommended to withstand the weight and demands of long distances. Steel also provides a more comfortable ride, crucial for extended days in the saddle. A wide gear ratio is essential for efficiently hauling a heavy load uphill and maintaining control on descents.
Credit Card Touring
Credit card touring prioritizes speed and lightness. You’ll primarily stay in hotels, dine out, and rely on readily available services to address any issues. This style of touring is similar to our cycle tour across the Outer Hebrides.
Bike Considerations: A lighter frame, potentially made from aluminum or even carbon (though less common for traditional touring), can be suitable as the bike will endure less stress from heavy loads. You can potentially save money on the frame since extreme durability isn’t as critical.
On-Road Touring
If your touring primarily involves paved roads, you’ll generally be riding on quieter, well-maintained routes, cycle paths, and minor roads alongside car traffic. This is the most common type of touring for us.
Bike Considerations: A more streamlined and aesthetically focused bike might be appealing. Mudguards and tire clearance become less critical as you’ll encounter less mud and debris. Thinner tires can also be used for enhanced speed and efficiency on smooth surfaces.
Off-Road Touring
Off-road touring takes you onto gravel paths, muddy trails, and more challenging terrains.
Bike Considerations: A highly durable frame is essential to withstand the varied and often rough surfaces. Wider tires with good tread are necessary for traction and stability. Ample clearance between tires and mudguards (if used) is crucial to prevent mud buildup, which can severely impede progress. I learned this lesson firsthand on Gordezi Pass in Georgia, where frequent mud removal became a necessity!
