Originally Posted by
idaho237
Hey guys,
I am new to the thread and just wondering what your opinions were on the best touring bikes? My wife and i are getting into touring and looking to make the investment into a nice rig. We are wanting to make a trip to Europe next year. We are looking for bikes that will be able to pack 50lbs or so of gear one. Wanting something that has good gears for climbing long hills and good components as well. Our price range is 1500 or so a piece. Thanks for the help!
So far i have been interested in the surly lht, trek 520 and the maxis aura elite. Just curious what u guys think and what kind of rigs you are riding?
I don't think there's one, single "best" touring bicycle.
And, as mentioned before, $1500 doesn't go too far, but you could probably get an adequate frame, and build it up with some decent components. You might even have a look at your local OP shops and tips to see if you can find steel frames that would work for you, and then build them up with the components you want.
Also, as Doug mentions, make a list of all the bicycles that fall within your price range, have a look at them, talk to the shop about changing the gearing out for something lower (mtn bike gearing, most likely), and see what appeals to you.
As for what I am using ... I toured Australia for 3 months, and Europe twice, plus a whole bunch of shorter tours, with a Marinoni Ciclo. That's a sport touring bicycle, but it handled 50 lbs of gear quite well. Marinoni doesn't make the Ciclo anymore, but it makes a Sportive which is similar, and it makes a touring bicycle.
My Marinoni was stolen a couple years ago, so now Rowan is building us a pair of Thorn Club Tours. Thorn is a British bicycle from SJS Cycles. Since you are going to Europe, one option might be to consider waiting till you get there and picking up a pair of Thorns ... but I suspect that might be over your $1500 budget.