Originally Posted by
gauvins
It is my understanding that a touring bike is meant to carry heavy loads over "reasonable" roads, whereas a trekking bike is meant to navigate trails with modest loads (similar to bike packing). See
here.
Problem is that in English trekking usually means a rugged, extreme form of touring such that we think of crossing Mongolia as trekking whereas using bike paths with the little ones following in a duck row as touring.
Shimano now has a trekking pseudo group, which is basically XT with a triple 48-36-26 crank, basically unavailable in America while not common in Europe.
I do not think that these designations are inspired by shady marketing. They reflect real differences in how people use their bikes.
wow! Excellent commentary and great link. After reading the previous replies it occurred to me that my op seemed to imply that I was asking about saddles. I was merely citing the reference I used for the distinction between trekking and touring. I meant to question the difference between bikes. Thank you for tuning into my wave length and the excellent reply