rykoala

I was wondering what good resources are for low budget touring. I had in mind a few things that I already have for up to 1 week tours, if not longer. I'll be going out for only a few days at a time, max. I have a small pup tent that I picked up a few years ago for only $25, and I have a trailstove (www.trailstove.com) that doesn't require fuel, and I have cheap sleeping bags from walmart.

Is there anything that would prevent me from touring with such simple gear? Or is there more to it that I don't get? I keep seeing tents mentioned that are almost $200. I don't know about everybody else but that's just too expensive for me. What's the story? Is the cheap stuff just not worth it?

cyccommute 

Cheap gear will work and some of it will work well. The only reason to buy anything more expensive is for durability and features. For instance, tents. A cheap tent will protect you from the elements but if a wind comes along it may end up on your head. You don't want to be repitching a tent at 3 a.m. in a raging thunderstorm. A cheap tent may not be waterproof. Nothing is worse than waking up at 3 a.m. in a raging thunderstorm to repitch your tent and then crawling into a wet bag!

A good tent, and they start at less than $200 (look at the Eureka line), will stand up in a thunderstorm, will be waterproof and will be easier to put up. It might last longer than the cheaper tents too. My wife and I have a Eureka Timberline that is over 20 years old and is still in good shape.

But if you can't afford more expensive gear, we tourists won't look down our noses at you. We're not roadies. If we see you out on the road we will wave and say hi and ride with you a bit. Don't care about the bike or the stuff on it, I'd rather talk to the person on top.

Camel

I guess it depends on what you feel comfortable (and safe) with using. Price seems to increase with "technology"-ie weight savings, or packed size, or weatherproofing.

Give your tent a once over before you go-check the seems that they are holding the seal. You can make an excellent seem sealer with clear silicone caulking mixed w/denatured alcohol. Then just brush it on.

If its warm weather when/where you go, you might not even need the sleeping bag. Sometimes a nice lite blanket (or just sheets) works inside a tent.

The stove you suggest seems nice, also check out the miriad soda can stove ideas (fuel is <1$ for ?5days).

I can afford some expensive kit, so I buy it. I don't have a problem with anyone elses kit(gear), but offer advice when I can.

hoogie

I agree with the cyclocommutes comments ... cheap stuff will work, but often just not as good ... personally I don't scrimp on sleeping or shelter, ie tent or sleeping bag ... you don't want to be cold and wet if it all turns pear shaped, unless you are touring somewhere warm and dry ... everything else is a 'make do' if necessary ...
i toured the grampians and great ocean road on a cheap bike with basic components with no hassles ... my 2003 tour

cheers,
hoogie

Rowan

Creativity and courage... they're about all you need.

Courage to just go and do it and do things that don't fit the norm -- like a cheap tent, or using your trailstove. So it looks like you've got most of that covered. Along with the desire to do it.

I did my first major ride, across the Nullarbor, with panniers converted from old canvas backpacks, with the straps cut off and hooks screwed in place for the rack. My sleeping bag was big and borrowed. My tent was a $59 special from a campshop in Perth -- they're down to around $35 now for the same style. My cookkit was a cheap gas cannister stove with a cheap pot. Clothing was nothing special except for the bike shorts. My bike was a $350 steel hybrid. I took my time, had a few little problems that weren't insoluable, and have many, many memories.

It's always a good idea to look for a Plan B if the weather turns nasty. But otherwise, you can tour on cheap kit. It won't last very long (although I still do have most of the stuff as "keepsakes" or in case someone else wants to use it), but you will know by then if you want to keep cycle touring and invest in more durable gear (as I did).

rykoala

Thanks for all the encouraging remarks! I really appreciate it. Sounds like I'll be able to at least get started with what I've got, and can move up from there.

Machka 

There's no reason why you can't start with what you've got. Try it out a time or two, and as you do, you might discover either that it works just fine, or that you might appreciate something better.

For example ... I toured in 2003, with no mattress. I thought it would be OK on a short-term basis, but the ground was hard, and I was so cold. On my next tour, I took one of those inexpensive, very thin, blue foam mattresses. It was better, but the ground was still pretty hard. Now I've got a thermarest which I'm going to test out soon. However, I survived the previous tours with my inexpensive options ... it's just that I decided I wanted to upgrade.

One more thing to keep in mind ... if you're out there, and it is cold and pouring rain, and your deepest desire is to be inside somewhere nice and warm ... consider checking into a hostel. They are usually cheaper than the average hotel, and nicer/cleaner than the cheap motels. You might pick up some hostelling information for the places you want to go so you know where they are and what they charge. Most of the time you'll probably be fine in the tent, but there are occassions where "indoors" seems much more appealing.

Alekhine

Good comments all. I have little to add except further endorsement.

I've been touring with a mixture of great, ok, and not-so-great stuff and loving every minute of it. The fun thing (for me) is upgrading continuously, but I wouldn't say that the upgrades I've personally accumulated made my trips significantly better--just better in one particular way or another. I like getting new stuff. It gives you a desire to test it out, which translates directly into a further desire to get out into the void again and again.

But the big thing is this: If you ever see someone touring on a wondermachine, with Arkel panniers and the works, you have to ask yourself whether they are qualitatively enjoying themselves more than you are on your semi-beater and C-dale bags. Usually the answer is...no, not really (unless your bike causes you pain or something). In my experience, I had just as much fun in 2002 as I did last year, despite last year's equipment improvements. I expect that once I get my ideal bike, I'll enjoy it more, but it's not going to make my trips any better. Mother nature provides all I need there.

Ohio Trekker

I worry a little more about my equipment when I am back-packing, but on a bike, I can get out of a pinch in a hurry and don't worry much at all. Gotta agree with Alekhine, is that guy with full top o' the line kit having any more fun than me. Honestly it's hard to imagine. I had the cheapest of stuff when I started out, but have upgraded through the MANY years to a point where I have the lightest, most compact and best I can afford. Sure. others maybe able to rationalize, lighter, smaller and more expensive, but I can't imagine them having any more fun!! Fore me it does double duty, I can load it on my back, or I can load it in a pannier and be happy either way.

Marge

Man, when I look at the old time pictures of then women climbing Mt. Rainier in full petticoats, with leather
shoes, I think no one would do this today. My point is go out and have fun! You'll soon discover what works and what doesn't work. Expensive gear is mostly the tech factor with the weight factor. The
reccomendation for hostels is dead on. Clean, cheap, and like minded folk. Enjoy!

Michel Gagnon

A lot depends on the places you go and compromises you are ready to make.

I had a $20 tent back 25 years ago and did three tours with it before it disintegrated. Considering the length of these tours, it is the tent that cost me the least amount of dollars per night. But planting that pup tent was sometimes a bit tricky; a self-standing tent is easier to use in soft sand or rocky terrain, for instance.

If you always ride in warm and dry environments, your current tent and sleeping bag are more than sufficient. It's when you face damp stormy nights at 0°C (or less, even in July) that you appreciate a better sleeping bag. And if you ride in remote places where Plan B is impossible to use (ex.: nearest town 100 km away), then it's important not to freeze in the dark. Still, bicycle touring is not an expedition into the Himmalayas.

Machka 

I don't know ... I think the people with the top of the line equipment can have just as much fun as the people with less. Often the people with top of the line equipment have top of the line equipment because they've been out there enjoying themselves on the bicycle for many years, and have been gradually upgrading.

I've got a custom-built sport touring bicycle now, after having gone through a number of "off the rack" bicycles, because I reached a point where I could afford it, and where I wanted something built for me. I could justify it because I knew I'd be logging thousands of miles every year on it. I love that bicycle and I have had a lot of fun on it!!

acantor

Touring is supposed to be fun. If the stuff you have works, go on out and have a blast!

I have toured on a bike whose frame that was too big for me with mostly fair components and gear, and I have toured on a custom-built "True North" (www.truenorthcycles.com) loaded with excellent components and snazzy gear.

My conclusion: there is NO connection between how much fun I have and the cost of equipment! Don't let a restricted budget prevent you from hitting the road.

rykoala

Thanks for all the encouraging words! I think I'm going to have some FUN this summer!

Rowan

Just reading through here, a couple of thoughts:

1. The person with the schmicky stuff that costs a fortune might not be having such a good time... unless that equipment is well and truly paid for already. And that person actually knows how to use it!! It's less likely on a bike tour -- and for contributors to this list -- but I think many people worry so much on holidays about how they are going to pay afterwards for the resulting credit card bill. If you tour on the cheap, that's less likely to be the case.

2. I can tour pretty lightly, but I am finding that my tour weight is creeping up slightly again as I put in place things to improve my camp comfort.

Alekhine

I hear ya.

I didn't mean to imply that top-o-the-liners would have less fun, but rather that they wouldn't have necessarily more. I don't feel envious of anyone when I'm travelling, and I invite any person to feel free to think that they are somehow having a better time out there than I am! I'll just shake my head and laugh about it and ride on. Touring is fun for me no matter what I'm on or what I bring (within reason). Part of the ongoing adventure is continuously upgrading and being enthusiastic about new toys, absolutely, but my post was meant to imply that I've (personally) had just as much pure fun from day one as I have today, regardless of the stuff I bring with me or the knowledge I keep gaining. I love the discovery aspect of cyclotouring infinitely more than any 'thing' I own, and the improvement I most love is my own strength as I get more and more in shape during the season.

Despite these comments, I too am spending a small fortune on a custom right now, and I look forward to it greatly, but it's not going to make me enjoy the qualitative experience of journeying into the inexorable world so much more--rather, one aspect of it (an important one, to be sure). But even on my junkiest of junky bikes, I can be seen with a massive smile on my face while riding along in the proper mood and weather, and there's just no more genuine smile that I can make, even with a Peewee Herman-perfect bike. There are varying levels of joy, definitely, but touring itself has always brought me to the absolute peak. Conversely, not even the greatest bike ever made is going to make me enjoy riding through the rain or snow, hehe.

spanky4x4

there is a guy right now posting on crazyguyonabike.com/poor guy on a bike that is around12 or 13 hundred miles into iton a walmart bike and tent.

my stuff i have gathered over the years as I could find it onsale. I agree with the others dont scimp on cold weather sleeping. I got a o degree rated bag from campmore for late fall, winter, early spring camping. I spent last weekend out @26 degrees and was way warm. had a lot of fun,even though it was a little cold at midnight when I got up to pee. the cloudless sky and millions of stars made it all worthwhile

Kodama

I think I'm in agreement with most around here in saying that the tour is more important than the gear. Ideally you at least have gear that you aren't worrying about the whole time. Now that being said, I personally believe that buying the best quality you can afford pays off in the long run. It is both pragmatically and ideologically sound to buy something expensive that will last as opposed to buying cheap and buying often. However sticking within your means and useing what you have is also wise, especially if you haven't done much touring. Give it a shot, see what works and what you'll want to replace. Then try to buy for the long haul.

Dahon.Steve

I spent all morning reading his journey. It's enjoyable reading them and addictive. What's incredible is that he was able to cross the country on a $350.00 dollar department store bike! Incredible.

Machka 

The bicycle he rode isn't all that incredible to me. I've got a $300 Walmart bicycle which I've had for almost 6 years now. I've put over 10,000 kms on that bicycle and it is still going. I've had very few repairs as well. I've replaced the chain once, I think I've replaced each of the tires once as well, and I've had it in for a couple basic tune-ups. Hmmmm ... seems to me I might have had one of the brake cables replaced too. But really, nothing major in those 6 years.

I use it mainly as a commuting/winter bicycle and have saved myself thousands of dollars in bus fare. That bicycle has more than paid for itself. If it crumbled to rubble tomorrow, I'd still say it was a fabulous deal!

Besides commuting through, I've also ridden a number of centuries and my first 200K brevet on it, so it is also fairly comfortable for longer distances.

I think some people would be astounded what can be done with inexpensive, department store equipment.

hoogie

Wow ... you spent that much on your bike??? I picked up one of mine from a second hand place for around NZD$140, or about USD$70 as it was then ... just some TLC and a tune up and regrease and I was away ... this was the bike I took with me on my Aussie tour in 2003, just to prove to myself that i could tour for little money ... i stayed in camping grounds, mainly in my tent or occasionally in a cabin of it was wet and I had a ball ...
i think i even toured on a tyre that had a nail go trhough it a week or so previously ... i just put in a tyre boot and headed away ... just cleaned that bike today and see the hole still there.

so long as what you taek with you works ... expensive stuff often works as good as non-expensive stuff, it is just a bit lighter [which is handy if you have to chuck it all into a bag to put on a plane!]. you really do not need expensive gear or a bucket load of cash to go touring ... i just upgrade stuff on a needs basis or when i see stuff on special or going cheap or even second hand stuff too ...

just get out and do it ... then make a few modifications to suit your touring style ... what works for us won't necessarily work for you ...

have fun and let us know how you got on ...

tvphobic

This brings back so many bad memories, it's not funny. In case you ever thought there was a place with no roots or pebbles, you're wrong... unless it's someone's lawn or golf course.

Magictofu

If you want to compete on cost... my partner found her bike in the garbage... 0$

Cheers

rykoala

I've got to say, I am really glad I posted this thread! I seem to have hit a nerve among many of you. I really hear what you all are saying. When I first started commuting, it was on a walmart bike but it broke down after about 350 miles of riding, at the most. I can't imagine touring on one, but to each his own! I really like the attitude of you, the touring crowd. So refreshing! Most groups are "gotta have the best, or don't even try". Well I can't say *most*. But SO many are.

Its also looking like most of my tours will be no more than 3 days and 2 nights or so, because of family obligations (ie, having a wife and two kids ) but I think I am going to have SO much fun! I can't wait to do it, and tell you all about it. I am SO excited about it now!

cyccommute 

I have a wife and 2 kids also. But, either my wife is the most understanding person on the planet or she's hoping to cash in on the life insurance She let me touring in 2003 for 3 weeks by myself in the US Midwest. My daughter and I are planning on a trip in August for 3 weeks again. My wife doesn't have a problem with it as long as I do something with her in June. Try asking your wife if you can do more. Plan on meeting her and the kids somewhere that they want to go to. Or maybe take her along. There's lots of ways to get more days touring.

As for the "gotta have the best, etc" stuff, we touring cyclists do like good stuff. I have a lot of high end stuff I have collected over the years but I, personally, don't look down my nose at people with less high tech or less expensive equipment then I have. I'd rather see someone out on a Schwinn Continental with a canvas tent have a good time, then a jerk out hammering on the latest unobtainium super bike! I'd share my last drop of water with the guy on the Continental but I wouldn't stop to help the jerk (unless he was bleeding to death).

Enjoy your trips. Wave at other cyclists. Patiently answer "the question*" everytime you hear it. And talk to everyone you can.

*The question is "Where are you going/where are you from? ... I could never do that!" You'll hear it 20 times a day.