The Newbie's Guide To Touring Bikes
06-18-11, 08:26 AM
#226
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touring bike set up
I found this thread is really interesting n useful and inspiring to me make me thinking of building up a touring bike and go out there. But none in this thread talked about bike set up appropriate for touring. When we buy a full bike for touring we should never get nervous about the set-up but how if we want to make minor up grade for instance, or collecting the parts and build up a touring bike ourselves because I saw some use full road bike drive train or full mtb drive train and some use a mix combination of mtb-road ones. Using full range of road drive train or mtb on touring bike is out of question but when I saw a bar-end shifter (road) or dura-ace down tube shifters work with xt rear deraileur and mtb 44-34-24 chain wheel I'm very curious.. are they compatible ? Please anybody with this experience fulfill my curiousness...
06-20-11, 10:57 AM
#227
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All I did by way modifying the drivetrain of my two decade old GT MTB is to change out my chainrings to give me the speed I want since I am mostly on the road. I have a 53-42-32 set up on a mountain triple. I'm looking for a derailer that can handle a larger spread so I can go a little lower on my small chain ring, but I am able to climb Seattle's hills loaded with that set-up and maintain a respectable top speed. Rapid-fire shifters mounted on highrise MTB handlebars take care of the constant shifting in Seattle's ever changing landscape.
Planning on setting up my new back-up bike the same way (original 1990 Sekai MTB).
Planning on setting up my new back-up bike the same way (original 1990 Sekai MTB).
Last edited by Medic Zero; 06-20-11 at 11:31 AM.
08-21-11, 08:20 AM
#228
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I've put a load of ideas at https://www.mybikeguide.co.uk hope it helps
Last edited by bilboburgler; 04-25-15 at 09:39 AM.
08-21-11, 09:34 PM
#229
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Thanks for all the bike information above---and the trip advice. Anyone know anything about the Specialized Tricross? Is this considered a touring bike? I'm so confused by the salespeople--here in central California, they seem completely bewildered that anyone would buy anything that wasn't for racing on the road or down a mountain. I'm going back to ride the Surly LHT again. The Specialized is aluminum. Should that worry me? So much to learn....THANK YOU for your help.
09-17-11, 08:04 AM
#230
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Hi folks. I love being a 'newbie'. I think I'll always consider myself as one. A couple of years ago I decided to do some long-distance cycling and ended up cycling from the UK to Brindisi along the Eurovelo 5. It was great fun and I recountered the whole adventure (not just the cycling but the planning and aftermath) on my blog https://www.eurovelo5.com . I even went a step further a wrote a book about the whole thing: Good Vibrations: Crossing Europe on a Bike Called Reggie . Haven't regretted it for a moment and have plans for more trips in the future kicking off with Eurovelo 8 from Athens to Cadiz in 2013... Once a newbie, always a newbie 
Cheers
Andrew
Cheers
Andrew
10-24-11, 10:34 AM
#232
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Good Resources for Touring
go to YouTube and check out 3 wheel journey. Guys crossed the USA from WA to Fl and back. Over a year on the road.
I have an almost new Brooks Saddle for sale.
John Young
I have an almost new Brooks Saddle for sale.
John Young
One question that I know comes up every so often is...
"What bike would be good for touring if I have a tight budget?"
Of course "tight budget" could mean alot of different things to alot of different people. I did a search for the word "budget" and this is some of what i came up with...
If your budget is really tight (below $700), you might be best off upgrading a bike you already own. It may not be a true dedicated touring bike, but touring can and has been done on all sorts of bikes. Also, older and/or slightly used touring bikes can be found on ebay, craigslist, or even at local garage sales in your area.
If you have a little more cash on hand ($750-$950), the next step up would be one of the budget touring bikes from REI (Novara Randonee), Fuji (Fuji Touring), or Bianchi (Bianchi Volpe). REI often times has coupons (check the coupon forum on this site) for 10-20% off.
Next up from that (on up to about $1400) would be the Trek 520 (ready to tour with after swapping to lower geared crankset and a stronger rack), Cannondale T600 (??) or T800 (Aluminum bikes), or the Surly LHT (sold as a frame and then you build it up how you want it).
After that, things start getting expensive for the "budget shopper". There is the Bruce Gordon BLT, the Rivendell Atlantis, the Koga Miyata World Traveler, and I think Waterford's models are in the high end as well. Regardless of which bike you get, "most" tourers have steel frames with attachments for three water bottle cages, front and rear racks (mid-fork braze-ons), at least 36 spokes per wheel, drop style handlebars or flats with some sort of extension for more hand positions, and mtb gearing for hauling heavy loads up steep mountains.
"What bike would be good for touring if I have a tight budget?"
Of course "tight budget" could mean alot of different things to alot of different people. I did a search for the word "budget" and this is some of what i came up with...
If your budget is really tight (below $700), you might be best off upgrading a bike you already own. It may not be a true dedicated touring bike, but touring can and has been done on all sorts of bikes. Also, older and/or slightly used touring bikes can be found on ebay, craigslist, or even at local garage sales in your area.
If you have a little more cash on hand ($750-$950), the next step up would be one of the budget touring bikes from REI (Novara Randonee), Fuji (Fuji Touring), or Bianchi (Bianchi Volpe). REI often times has coupons (check the coupon forum on this site) for 10-20% off.
Next up from that (on up to about $1400) would be the Trek 520 (ready to tour with after swapping to lower geared crankset and a stronger rack), Cannondale T600 (??) or T800 (Aluminum bikes), or the Surly LHT (sold as a frame and then you build it up how you want it).
After that, things start getting expensive for the "budget shopper". There is the Bruce Gordon BLT, the Rivendell Atlantis, the Koga Miyata World Traveler, and I think Waterford's models are in the high end as well. Regardless of which bike you get, "most" tourers have steel frames with attachments for three water bottle cages, front and rear racks (mid-fork braze-ons), at least 36 spokes per wheel, drop style handlebars or flats with some sort of extension for more hand positions, and mtb gearing for hauling heavy loads up steep mountains.
02-09-12, 06:19 PM
#233
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Adding a good link at crazyguy for newbies starting out touring. Excellent tips and recommendations. I am not the original poster but I think it is well written. Enjoy.
https://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/?...c_id=4255&v=CQ
https://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/?...c_id=4255&v=CQ
02-11-12, 09:31 AM
#234
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I'm picking up tips left and right on these forums! What a wealth of knowledge, and humor.
09-16-12, 06:37 PM
#236
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I am heading on my first 'tour' in November for charity. Here's the site if anyone is interested: www.facebook.com/therockyroadtolimerick. It's a completely solo ride with no vehicle support as of yet. I am wondering if there is a worth while book on roadside repairs and any advice for must have bits of kit. I am hoping to cheat a bit and stay at friends/b&bs/accommodation. But will be looking a buying a tent too just in case!.
Cheers
Cheers
09-17-12, 04:09 PM
#237
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Hey guys, this would be my first post on this forum.
I'm probably the biggest newbie on this forum, but a recent discovery of a passion for long distance biking has brought me here. Having completed a 70 km ride the other day with some friends who have also become suddenly interested in the sport, talk of bigger, longer rides are prevalent among us; we're all super pumped for all the riding we plan on doing in the future. All of us see a big draw in the long distance and touring aspect of riding; great, long, rides across wherever. We feel we're all physically able to do whatever we please, but what comes as the biggest issue right now is a matter of equipment and general know how for this kind of thing.
Specifically, we're talking about doing a ride (this will be our first ever "tour") from Toronto to Buffalo in the future, hopefully as early as next summer, as we are still in high school. We all did the 70 k ride the other day on practically children's bikes, (stuff from Canadian Tire, y'know?) Even I, who had the best bike out of all of 'em was riding a Schwinn Graft, dual suspension bike probably not meant for the sort of riding we'd like to do in the future. Being students, money is the biggest problem of all, and even $700 is a great deal of money that we can't necessarily produce for a decent touring bike. I'm just interested in what sort of options we can look at when it comes to what sort of bike we SHOULD be using, and how to get our hands on one? Any tips for our trip in general would be greatly appreciated.
I'm probably the biggest newbie on this forum, but a recent discovery of a passion for long distance biking has brought me here. Having completed a 70 km ride the other day with some friends who have also become suddenly interested in the sport, talk of bigger, longer rides are prevalent among us; we're all super pumped for all the riding we plan on doing in the future. All of us see a big draw in the long distance and touring aspect of riding; great, long, rides across wherever. We feel we're all physically able to do whatever we please, but what comes as the biggest issue right now is a matter of equipment and general know how for this kind of thing.
Specifically, we're talking about doing a ride (this will be our first ever "tour") from Toronto to Buffalo in the future, hopefully as early as next summer, as we are still in high school. We all did the 70 k ride the other day on practically children's bikes, (stuff from Canadian Tire, y'know?) Even I, who had the best bike out of all of 'em was riding a Schwinn Graft, dual suspension bike probably not meant for the sort of riding we'd like to do in the future. Being students, money is the biggest problem of all, and even $700 is a great deal of money that we can't necessarily produce for a decent touring bike. I'm just interested in what sort of options we can look at when it comes to what sort of bike we SHOULD be using, and how to get our hands on one? Any tips for our trip in general would be greatly appreciated.
09-29-12, 02:55 PM
#239
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Ahmyin You dont half to have 500 to 1000 dollar touring bikes to go places that is the biggest misconception i have ever seen sure the 700 tires will help you go a little faster a carbon frame is lighter but when you are carrying a 100 pounds in four panniers and a trunk rack with maybe 5 pounds in it you need a bike with some arse in it. I travel on a avalon 7 speed comfort bike and i do just fine. Got my racks panniers all my equipment for camping and my wife rides a 18 speed mountain bike from next. We have put over 3 to 4 thousand mile on them riding all over missouri where we live. We stay gone a week or to at a time. Only thing we done different is put thick thorn proof tubes and plastic tire liners in the tires. And the rest of it is stock below is a pic of our touring slash tight budget bikes. Cheap and works awesomely plus parts are easy to get to fix if need be.
10-01-12, 11:39 AM
#240
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It would be a good choice and add that if you look on Craigslist for a few weeks consistantly you will likely find one at a good price. Trek is also commonly found used and they are pretty good.
10-02-12, 03:42 PM
#241
Senior Member
Lots of people like older mountain bikes (non suspension). They can be had for pretty cheap and converted pretty cheap, too. Craigslist is your friend, but you gotta be Johnny on the spot.....
Last edited by Smokinapankake; 10-02-12 at 03:52 PM.
12-19-12, 11:32 AM
#242
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I'm a newbie to these forum but would consider myself an intermediate level cyclotourist and a decent shade tree bike mechanic.
The one piece of advice that has not been discussed in this thread that I think would be helpful to newbies is to try to acquire a few bicycle mechanic skills. I'm not suggesting that you become a full on bicycle mechanic but the more you know about how bicycles work, the better off you will be. For example, when I was a newbie I had no idea that left side pedals are reverse threaded. There are many simple adjustments that you can make to your bicycle that will save you a lot of time and make your riding more enjoyable. Here are a few things that I think most touring cyclists should be familiar with. None of these things is too difficult and there are plenty of resources on the web that adequately explain how these things are done. YouTube is a great resource and so is the Park Tool website. In no particular order...
1. change a flat
2. minor brake adjustments
3. minor derailleur adjustments
4. clean and lube the drivetrain parts
5. adjust the saddle
6. adjust stem/handlebar height
Maybe even a few other things to add to this list. These maintenance items are easy to do and require a minimal investment in tools and most of these tools are small enough to take with you. Also, many bike shops offer seminars covering basic bike maintenance, sometimes for free. Some bike shops even have open shop time where you can come to the shop and use their tools for a small fee like $5/hour.
If you are shopping for the old mountain bike to convert to a touring bike, learning how to do some maintenance and repairs can pay off big time. When you find that diamond in the rough you won't be paying for a bunch of expensive repairs, maybe just some parts.
The one piece of advice that has not been discussed in this thread that I think would be helpful to newbies is to try to acquire a few bicycle mechanic skills. I'm not suggesting that you become a full on bicycle mechanic but the more you know about how bicycles work, the better off you will be. For example, when I was a newbie I had no idea that left side pedals are reverse threaded. There are many simple adjustments that you can make to your bicycle that will save you a lot of time and make your riding more enjoyable. Here are a few things that I think most touring cyclists should be familiar with. None of these things is too difficult and there are plenty of resources on the web that adequately explain how these things are done. YouTube is a great resource and so is the Park Tool website. In no particular order...
1. change a flat
2. minor brake adjustments
3. minor derailleur adjustments
4. clean and lube the drivetrain parts
5. adjust the saddle
6. adjust stem/handlebar height
Maybe even a few other things to add to this list. These maintenance items are easy to do and require a minimal investment in tools and most of these tools are small enough to take with you. Also, many bike shops offer seminars covering basic bike maintenance, sometimes for free. Some bike shops even have open shop time where you can come to the shop and use their tools for a small fee like $5/hour.
If you are shopping for the old mountain bike to convert to a touring bike, learning how to do some maintenance and repairs can pay off big time. When you find that diamond in the rough you won't be paying for a bunch of expensive repairs, maybe just some parts.
01-01-13, 01:01 AM
#244
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A complete pair of novices.
Before we started touring a few weeks ago my girlfriend had not even rode a bicycle on a road before.
We are currently 900km into out trip from Thailand , now in Vietnam. We bought second hand Merida matts MTBs and ortileb panniers, learnt a little about a bike and got on our way. We are having an amazing time.
We set out from the Thai border on the 12th of december 2012, any questions please ask !
We are blogging our adventures
www.unweavingtheroad.blogspot.com
We are currently 900km into out trip from Thailand , now in Vietnam. We bought second hand Merida matts MTBs and ortileb panniers, learnt a little about a bike and got on our way. We are having an amazing time.
We set out from the Thai border on the 12th of december 2012, any questions please ask !
We are blogging our adventures
www.unweavingtheroad.blogspot.com
03-08-13, 07:10 AM
#245
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Hey. Welcome. A good touring bike costs money. It's a fact. You won't get much for $300. I understand what it's like to be a student. I was there once. Have you heard of Raleigh Sojourn? I bought one last year and while I love the bike, I can't bring it with me on the airplane with ease. I am selling mine for $800 and it's in great shape. Just like new. I take it you are in Toronto? I'd be willing to bring it there for you if you are willing to buy it... I'm in Winnipeg.... But I'd fly it there....(I work for an airline, to get there costs me about $70... No biggie... Let me know. Google the bike. If you start saving I can hold it for you. I'm buying a new touring bike that breaks down and fits into a regular check in bag, reason why I am selling it
03-10-13, 06:29 PM
#246
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Another shameless plug. Sorry!
I'm gearing up for my first tour. Arriving in San Fran on the 28th of April when blogging will begin in earnest.
Please have a look a my site;
www.gordybennett.com
and follow me on twitter @gordybennett
thanks
I'm gearing up for my first tour. Arriving in San Fran on the 28th of April when blogging will begin in earnest.
Please have a look a my site;
www.gordybennett.com
and follow me on twitter @gordybennett
thanks
03-11-13, 06:47 AM
#247
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Central CA =What's a Touring Bike?
Thanks for all the bike information above---and the trip advice. Anyone know anything about the Specialized Tricross? Is this considered a touring bike? I'm so confused by the salespeople--here in central California, they seem completely bewildered that anyone would buy anything that wasn't for racing on the road or down a mountain. I'm going back to ride the Surly LHT again. The Specialized is aluminum. Should that worry me? So much to learn....THANK YOU for your help.
Cheers,
ob juan
03-11-13, 06:53 AM
#248
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Blog with Video...
Another shameless plug. Sorry!
I'm gearing up for my first tour. Arriving in San Fran on the 28th of April when blogging will begin in earnest.
Please have a look a my site;
www.gordybennett.com
and follow me on twitter @gordybennett
thanks
I'm gearing up for my first tour. Arriving in San Fran on the 28th of April when blogging will begin in earnest.
Please have a look a my site;
www.gordybennett.com
and follow me on twitter @gordybennett
thanks
ob juan
03-22-13, 10:51 AM
#249
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I'm a road cyclist planning on getting into touring this summer. I understand the LHT is a really popular choice for frames. Anyone have any other suggestions for solid complete touring set ups? There's a lot in this thread, but I imagine a lot of it may be out of date.
03-22-13, 11:02 AM
#250
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Soma Saga? Kona Sutra? Both pretty solid bikes. If you wanted to go lighter and faster, Raleigh Clubman? Really, there is a lot of choice.