Touring - Touring Bikes Not Made Anymore??

Hi All,

I'm in the early stages of shopping for a new bike for touring. At one LBS, I was told that they no longer carry touring bikes. I could order one from them (Trek), but I wouldn't have the opportunity to test ride it.

And LBS #2, I was told that the model they used to carry (Giant) are no longer manufactured. The guy also went on to say that many manufacturers are no longer offering a touring model.

What gives? Are touring bikes really falling out of favour? If so, what's a new tourer to ride instead?

Bike shops just don't like us self-reliant types - it was like pulling teeth to get a Trek 520 from my local shop 4 years ago - haha

I called Trek 2 weeks ago, and the person I talked to said, they only sell about 1, Trek 520, every 3 years.

The vast majority of bike shops just stock the type of bike they think they can sell fast to people who walk in the door knowing nothing about bikes. The current thing seems to be 'anything made of carbon fiber'. Previously, the 'thing' was mountain bikes, and before that, believe it or not, touring bikes.

Unfortunately very very few bike shops cater to educated, interested cyclists... because they are the tiny minority and therefore the money lies elsewhere, with the masses.

I would say that touring bike are seeing an upswing in popularity. The touring bike is never going to be as hyperpopular as mountain bikes or the latest carbon fiber unobtainium race bike but it has it's place. The popularity of the Surly LHT has almost single handedly reenergized the market. As little as 3 years ago, you had the choice of 4 'real' production touring bikes (not cross bikes repurposed for touring). Those were the Trek 520, Cannondale's two bikes - the T800 and T2000, and the Fuji Touring.

The problem with the touring bike market - and I'm guilty of this as anyone - is that we touring bicyclists tend to be skinflints! We hang on to these bikes for far longer than we should...like 20 years... and don't go shopping for new ones. My first true touring bike I bought in 1983. I bought my second one in 2003. In the same time period, I bought 18 other bikes - most of which were mountain bikes. The technology changes, and improves, so much for them that you really need get a new one to keep riding.

Another part of the equation is marketing. Bicycle companies want to market race bikes and race technology in either mountain biking or road biking. It's sexy. You can go very fast for a couple of hours and get lots of excitement. It's testosterone charged! You can have the very same bike that ____ (place your favorite racer's name here) rides! Get out there and buy one now!

With touring bikes you have to sell the idea that you are getting a bike that is heavier and you are going to put more stuff on it. Not an easy sell. If the marketing departments were smart...and not filled with exracers or racer wannabees...they'd market the touring bike as a perfect commuting vehicle - which it is. "Go green and here's how" kind of thing. They make much more sense than a cross bike since they are designed to carry stuff and last forever.

Touring is a thinking person's sport. You aren't beating the competition...you are the competition! It takes more mentally and nearly as much physically, to ride a bike over long distances carrying your tools of survival as it does to race day in and day out but you don't have the support system that the racers do. Real touring - letting go of your safety net, going it alone, depending on your own wits and skills- scares the crap out of most people! In 2005, my daughter and I did 3 weeks along the Lewis and Clark. When she got back to college, the racer dudes were more then impressed by her trip. They never would have thought of doing it! The questions she got were along the lines of 'How could you ride all day like that?' And this was from guys who think nothing of doing a 60 or 70 mile training ride...but they do it with a coach and a support van.

The one other thing to consider is that tourist don't necessarily fit the emaciated racer look (think Triplets of Bellville) that is oh so sexy. We tend to be more middle age, middle class, 'clydy' if you will. Who wants to sell recreational equipment to 'those people':rolleyes:

Besides popularity and trends as an issue, how many people buy a second touring bike or upgrade touring bikes? A mountain biker may go from a $400 hardtail to an $1000 hard tail to a front suspension to a full suspension bike. A roadie may go from an aluminum bike to a aluminum carbon mix to all carbon fiber. Once you buy a touring bike, you're pretty well set. People ride a touring frame forever, and short of buying a different brand, you can't buy a higher end tourer through most. Components may change, but how different is today's 520/T800/T2000 from the same ones made a decade ago?

When I was shopping a few years back, the local Trek dealer told me to make the 4 hour round trip drive to the Trek Store in Wisconsin to try it and then come back and he'd order it. :rolleyes:

I more or less stumbled into another shop out of town that had a T2000, in my size no less, sitting on the floor. Wasn't there to look for a tourer, but it caught my eye. Granted it had sat there for two years, but that's how I found mine.

I would look around other shops. My LBS maintains some interest in touring so they usually have a Fuji Touring around and will now order Surly LHT (either frames or complete) for customers. While never a huge market, some shops still look at bikes for other things than racing. I lucked out and bought a 20-year-old Fuji Touring from Craigslist before I was completely seduced by a new Fuji Touring. I held out from doing a test ride on the new Touring because I knew I would be hooked. Now I have a very similar bike for a whole lot less money -- its the best of both worlds!!

I think what these arguments are missing the fact that quality LBS make their money on service, and not selling the bikes. It becomes even more lucrative when a buyer returns their bike regularly for servicing. An LBS that caries one or more touring bikes is a sign that they place an importance on service since they know that not only will they own this bike for a long time but can return for regular servicing. In my region, the best LBS have many good touring bikes to offer. One even builds their own (Bertrand).

Sounds to me Bike-a-Boo that you need to shop for the right LBS first.

I think what these arguments are missing the fact that quality LBS make their money on service, and not selling the bikes. It becomes even more lucrative when a buyer returns their bike regularly for servicing. An LBS that caries one or more touring bikes is a sign that they place an importance on service since they know that not only will they own this bike for a long time but can return for regular servicing. In my region, the best LBS have many good touring bikes to offer. One even builds their own (Bertrand).

Sounds to me Bike-a-Boo that you need to shop for the right LBS first.

That's a bit (quite a bit) unfair for most shops. Most shops aren't exactly high profit, so judging a shop by whether it can afford to have a few thousand dollars of stock on the floor that may or may not sell in the model year, and may not even be the right size for the right buyer is a little harsh. I don't like that and found it frustrating, but I understand that.

There are plenty of touring bikes. You just need to do a little more research. Since touring bikes are a bit of a niche in the cycling world, you should look at more than the biggest three or four manufacturers.

Some places to start:

REI (Novara brand)
Surly
Bruce Gordon
Rivendell

Many other small custom or semi-custom builders.

There are plenty of touring bikes.

But there aren't plenty for a shopper to try out first.

Old touring bikes are practically a dime a dozen and fantastic.

But there aren't plenty for a shopper to try out first.

That's the thing. I'm new to this and I definitely want to try out as many as I can. This is the advice I hear over and over when it comes to buying a bike.

Maybe I will have to look into the used market. The idea makes me a little nervous, since I don't know a whole lot about bikes (I'm learning!), but maybe it is the way to go, anyway.

Old touring bikes are practically a dime a dozen and fantastic.

That's were I'm going. I'm on the hunt for one right now. :)

That's the thing. I'm new to this and I definitely want to try out as many as I can. This is the advice I hear over and over when it comes to buying a bike.

Maybe I will have to look into the used market. The idea makes me a little nervous, since I don't know a whole lot about bikes (I'm learning!), but maybe it is the way to go, anyway.
Bike A Boo, I tour on a 20 year old Schwinn Passage.....it holds up well, and is simple. The Passage is a purpose built touring bike, by the way.

That's were I'm going. I'm on the hunt for one right now. :)
I gots 4 in my basement right now..:p

Bike A Boo, I tour on a 20 year old Schwinn Passage.....it holds up well, and is simple. The Passage is a purpose built touring bike, by the way.

Yea, thanks to you I've got the bug to get one of my own!

The problem with tour bikes is that once you buy one you won't buy another because they last forever. You might upgrade components but not the entire bike. Go to the TREK site--TREKBIKES.com and see if you can find another LBS or one within reasonable distance that has your size in stock. There are other bike manufactures that have touring models (Surly, REI, etc.) but for the money, in my opinion, the Trek 520 is the best value.

Yea, thanks to you I've got the bug to get one of my own!
:D Good!

I just recently bought my first "serious" touring bike, and saw the same thing. Most bike shops don't really know touring at all. More than once a salesperson at a LBS tried to sell me an aluminum road frame when I described what I was looking for.

On the flipside, you're probably one of the very few people looking for a touring bike in any single locale. That means that you don't have to worry about someone else snapping up that tourer you found. I was able to get a great deal on a 2005 Fuji World that had literally sat in stock at a LBS for more than a year and a half before I picked it up last week. I asked why it sat so long, and the sales guy said that "No one goes touring anymore or wants a heavier touring bike."

I figure that Surly will probably up production on the LHT over the next several months/years. When I initially tried to order an LHT, the LBS was shocked that they were out of stock at QBP. Word gets out quick!

Geez, tell me about it. I can't find any shops with touring bikes on the floor except REI where I live :rolleyes:

And the attitude is generally, "We don't stock those on the floor because they take too long to sell." So, the only time I ever find a touring bike is from either:

1) stores that specialize in selling touring-based equipment (I've only found a grand total of ONE store in SoCal so far, and that was in HOLLYWOOD, of all places!)

or

2) somebody putting in a deposit for a tourist and never showing up. This happened recently for a 2007 Trek 520 that the customer never came to pick up. Unfortunately, it was 2 sizes too small for me. 1 size too small...I could probably wing it. 2 sizes too small? Fahgettaboutit! :mad:

I didn't realize that I was so lucky to go to my LBS and get to try not only one, but two touring bikes. Granted they were both 520's but different sizes. The one that fit me was even already sold! Never occured to me that they were difficult to come across.

Realistically, they should probably start to call them commuting bikes. There are far more bicycle commuters than tourers, though the ideal bike is virtually identical. Market them with racks, fenders and panniers. But only sell them as basic bikes. Let people buy the racks, fenders and panniers as they choose. The marketing taglines should read something like, "this is the replacement for your car" or something similar. I'm sure the touring market would be OK with this new naming convention and marketing angle, probably even welcome it if it would result in more "commuting" bikes in the shop.

The commuting bike is similar to the touring bike. Nothing fancy, but purposeful. Able to take everyday use and abuse. Last forever.

One thing I'm surprised about is why every shop doesn't carry at least one Surly Cross Check or LHT. They are available from QBP (parts catalog every shop orders from), so everyshop could carry one. It's a solid bike and one that would suit many a would be commuter. Put fenders, rack and panniers on it and see if anyone bites. Come on, those bikes rock. I went into a shop the other day that specializes in steel road and city bikes. I asked them why they don't carry at least one Surly Cross Check. They said they are too heavy. Come on, these guys also had the Jamis Satellite and Aurora in there. The bikes are virtually the same weight. But Surlys are obviously more desirable.

Whatever. Maybe the only Surly owners are the ones on this forum. Maybe I have it all wrong.

You're Canadian ... buy Canadian!!

Surely you can find some Marinoni dealers in your area!

http://www.marinoni.qc.ca/EN/Bikes/index.htm
http://www.marinoni.qc.ca/EN/Bikes/Touring/Turismo.htm
http://www.marinoni.qc.ca/EN/Bikes/Touring/Fango.htm


Or contact Mariposa:

http://www.mariposabicycles.com/


Or maybe Devinci:

http://www.devinci.com/9786_an.html


Think outside the Trek/Giant box. :D

Realistically, they should probably start to call them commuting bikes. There are far more bicycle commuters than tourers, though the ideal bike is virtually identical. Market them with racks, fenders and panniers. But only sell them as basic bikes. Let people buy the racks, fenders and panniers as they choose. The marketing taglines should read something like, "this is the replacement for your car" or something similar. I'm sure the touring market would be OK with this new naming convention and marketing angle, probably even welcome it if it would result in more "commuting" bikes in the shop.

The commuting bike is similar to the touring bike. Nothing fancy, but purposeful. Able to take everyday use and abuse. Last forever.

One thing I'm surprised about is why every shop doesn't carry at least one Surly Cross Check or LHT. They are available from QBP (parts catalog every shop orders from), so everyshop could carry one. It's a solid bike and one that would suit many a would be commuter. Put fenders, rack and panniers on it and see if anyone bites. Come on, those bikes rock. I went into a shop the other day that specializes in steel road and city bikes. I asked them why they don't carry at least one Surly Cross Check. They said they are too heavy. Come on, these guys also had the Jamis Satellite and Aurora in there. The bikes are virtually the same weight. But Surlys are obviously more desirable.

Whatever. Maybe the only Surly owners are the ones on this forum. Maybe I have it all wrong.




I have an LHT and it rocks my world! I can't think of anything I'd rather commute on. Really, if you're not actually racing, I think weight is a non-issue.

I saw a Trek 520 on the shop floor at the new Trek Store at Yonge and Eglinton (used to be Sports Swap), but it's true you rarely see them.

I think you could find something if you poke around a bit. I dont know if touring is more popular on the west coast but most of the bigger shops here will have a Devinci, Trek or Cannondale and I think they could get their hands on a Surly or Marinoni if one asked politley. Machka tossed in a couple home made bikes and I will toss in another Canadian made custom: True North Cycles, They are in your neck of the woods, Kitchener. Custom is an expensive route to take but you get exactly what you want.

Bicycle touring isn't about bikes really. It's about riding and seeing the world. It's an event, journey, vacation, personal challange, life changing experance.

Most of the riders I know who have really toured have spent darn little on their bikes. It's possible to pick up an old MTB at Goodwill and ride it coast to coast in the USA. The trip isn't cheap, BTW, and any money put into a bike often takes money away form the trip!

Bike shops have a hard time making money out touring. The bikes last a long time and most of use would buy a plane ticket to France before the latest high tech bike!

touring is making a comeback. at an lbs today i was told they had sold more bikes in the last month than they had in the last three years and if i wanted a new cannondale t2000 i would have to order one. LOL try an lbs that caters to the bike messenger crowd i have seen several touring bikes in one of these tho none in my size.

1) stores that specialize in selling touring-based equipment (I've only found a grand total of ONE store in SoCal so far, and that was in HOLLYWOOD, of all places!)


fbn, can you tell me what store this is?

To add to the list of touring bikes , the Rocky Mountain Sherpa, great bike Reynalds 853 frame , I did my first tour in cuba on it ,I tour once or twice a year tour ,good all around bike and feels great loaded .

My LBS owner got talked into building up a 2nd LHT after he saw what mine looked like (not by me). And it's been sitting on the rack since November (while I've been commuting fulltime on mine). I keep sending my friends over to try out the bike, figuring at some point the price will get dropped and someone's gonna get themselves a sweet touring/commuting bike.

I hope your LBS gets full price out of that LHT, canterwoody. Otherwise he'll not get a 3rd one and that would be a shame.

http://www.stanford.edu/~jcolwell/TouringListBikes.html

list is about seven years old, but has some of the most used touring models plus some modified ones.

Touring bikes are still out there but, availability seems to depend on where you live. I've heard they're more popular on the west coast. Here in Vancouver B.C., most bike stores carry at least one or two models such as: Trek 520, Cannondale T800 (T2000 often has to be special-ordered), Devinci Amsterdam, Marinoni Tourismo, etc. However some of the staff, particularly the younger ones, really don't understand the features of a classic touring bike. I don't mention that I'll also use it for commuting or they'll suggest a road or hybrid - they don't 'get' it.

I'm trying to upgrade from my 1983 Trek 620 but having problems finding a higher-end, steel frame bike for fully-loaded, long-distance touring that's significantly better than the 620.

My LBS's owner is encouraging me to write to Trek's CEO and encourage them to bring out a higher end touring bike, like the classic Trek 720 Touring bike that was produced from 1983 to 1985. I believe that there a many baby-boomers with the interest, time and bucks to finally upgrade our 20+ year-old touring bikes. I'll post a new thread about this to get feedback from other touring cyclists.

If you haven't already done so, check out the thread "Cannondale T2000 vs Trek 520". Lots of good advice has been posted.

Thanks Stu. Good post.

Richard

Boys....save up and come over to the UK where you will have a choice of tourers either custom-built or off the shelf. Has to be the way to go.

That's were I'm going. I'm on the hunt for one right now. :)

Well I got me a Miyata 1000 last night. Can't wait to see it. :)

You're Canadian ... buy Canadian!!

Surely you can find some Marinoni dealers in your area!

http://www.marinoni.qc.ca/EN/Bikes/index.htm
http://www.marinoni.qc.ca/EN/Bikes/Touring/Turismo.htm
http://www.marinoni.qc.ca/EN/Bikes/Touring/Fango.htm


Or contact Mariposa:

http://www.mariposabicycles.com/


Or maybe Devinci:

http://www.devinci.com/9786_an.html


Think outside the Trek/Giant box. :D

Or Rocky Mountain Sherpa 30!

Haw. Recently I bought a Cannondale Classic Touring. I was originally looking for a hybrid, but since the only hybrids I found generally was just a mish mash of stuff from this and that which in turn would be sure to not function properly, I by a lucky accident found out about Cannondale Classic Touring. Brilliant bicycle. Even though I haven't done any real "touring" with it yet, it fits pretty much every purpose I can think of. Best of all, it's built to last <3. When I wanted to buy it you could see the surprise at the shopkeepers of my LBS. They even gave me a few hundred dollars off just to be sure I bought it. When I asked what they thought of the bike, they didn't really know a thing it seemed. I mean, even I, who haven't really been into the ins and outs of biking would have been better at selling the bike. They didn't have any problems in selling racing bikes though. And there were a bunch of people coming by needing to upgrade/fix something about their racingbikes or equipment. Really makes me glad that I found out about touring bikes by accident. Innoying that noone tries to show people what real quality is in biking. But I suppose it's just like that, just as it is everywhere else in life.

I was able to get a great deal on a 2005 Fuji World that had literally sat in stock at a LBS for more than a year and a half before I picked it up last week.

Ah sure, rub it in... :rolleyes: ;)

Bike A Boo, I tour on a 20 year old Schwinn Passage.....it holds up well, and is simple. The Passage is a purpose built touring bike, by the way.

I rented one a couple years ago. Plenty nice.

I rented one a couple years ago. Plenty nice.
Yep, Columbus frame and VERY comfortable!:D ;)

Well get your hands on a randonee if you want one because I just talked to an REI guy who told me they are on their way out after this year. Less and less options for touring people.

Well I got me a Miyata 1000 last night. Can't wait to see it. :)

Lucky dog.

I've got a Univega Grand Touring, which is the touring bike they sold just after they stopped selling Miyata 1000's rebadged as Gran Tourismos. I've only had time to put a few 40 mile rides on it since getting it roadworthy, but man is it comfy.

I think there are still many bikes on the market that can be used for touring, I use an aluminum-framed Trek 7500FX with a co-mo fork for touring and it works fine. There are older 520's for sale on ebay, or you can go custom. Really there are suitable bikes for pretty well every budget.

I think there is too much of an attitude nowdays that you have to have the best gear or it's not possible to do it and impossible to have fun.

I doubt REI is doing away with the Randonee either.... it's a big seller.

Looking at the luck Surly is currently having....more touring bikes are on the way from other big companies.