Originally Posted by
jargo432
Hello
I've been riding for a while now and have really wanted to do some touring. I'm really glad to have found this site so I can ask all the stupid questions.
So here goes....
What are some of the best brands of touring bikes? I'd love to shop around garage sales, flea markets ect.. but I have no idea what brands to look for.
P.S. as of now I'm riding a trek 3500 mountain bike for the dirt roads around my place, so I know a little about Trek. (been looking at the trek 520 for a touring bike)
Shame on everyone for avoiding the question! Let me make a list of my favorite do-anything touring bikes:
Surly Long Haul Trucker
Surly Troll
Salsa Vaya
Salsa Fargo
Bianchi Volpe
Jamis Aurora
Novara Safari
Raleigh Port Townsend
Velo Orange Campeur
Velo Orange Carmargue
Soma Saga
Soma Wolverine
New Albion Privateer
All of these are about the same price, $1,000-2,000
There are also some wicked mountain bikes for off-road touring, which means dirt roads and trails as well as roads:
Surly Ogre
Surly ECR
Salsa El Mariachi
Soma Juice
There are light touring bikes that are less burly, but faster and more fun. Any cyclocross bike is a good example, but check out:
Soma Grand Randonneur
Soma Double Cross
Surly CrossCheck
All-City Space Horse
All-City Macho Man
Salsa Warbird
Raleigh Roper
When in doubt, here are the traits of a good touring bicycle:
Frame material: Steel or Titanium
Wheel Clearance: At least 28c tires, preferably 35-40c tires
Geometry: Upright, not racing
Mount Points for extra water bottles, racks, and fenders
Long wheelbase for mounting panniers (Raleigh Roper fails this)
Parts: Shimano or Sram. Both are very widely available.
Of course, many bikes that are NOT touring bikes work great. My girlfriend tours on a 1990's steel hardtail mountain bike that fits every one of the above preferences.
Feel free to point questions my way and check out my site for more advice.