I'm looking to buy a new touring bike. From what I understand, the most all-round bike should have 26" wheels, V-brakes and steel frame. Most touring bikes lack at least one of them.
I'm willing to spend up to 1500£ if necessary, but that would be half my budget so I'd like to stay lower.

I see a bunch of bikes sold for around 500£, are these of quality and would they hold up on tour (i.e. this list: tomsbiketrip.com/cheap-touring-bikes-for-low-budget-bicycle-adventures-a-growing-list/ ) I haven't toured before, but I'm contemplating on doing a several month long tour. Would such a bike hold up for this task?

If I'm buying a bike without either 26", V-brakes or steel frame; where should I compromise?

Lastly, do you know of any quality touring bikes out there with a reasonable price tag?

You got Surly LHT 26" in rim and disc versions where you are..? QBP has distributors in Europe

There is the Thorn Bikes at SJS cycles , another made for touring with full gear load , bike..

they're located over there...

Taiwan is where most originate from any more.. .





.....

Unless you're heading well away from civilization, you're overthinking this. Yes, there might be a "best" touring bike for you. But you won't hit that on your first attempt anyhow, since you don't know yet what you like. Pick any reasonably sensible combo and get riding. It'll work out. There will be repair options along the way.

+1

It all works. You make it work. Get what you think is a good bike. Try a few day trips, then over nighters. By then you will have yourself pretty much sorted out. Then do-it! Next year you will have a better idea of what works for you.

Touring gets to be a very personal thing, based on what is important to you, alone.

Best wishes, enjoy.


-Snuts-
(on tour)

is this really what you understand, or just something you read on the intertubes?

why do you think you must have these three?

I'm in Norway not UK, I just used this currency because people can relate to it.


Maybe you're right, I'm quite paranoid. But some preparation has it's place.



Thank you. There is a fine balance with preparation and spontanity, I guess.

Of course I don't fully understand it, but I'm inexperienced in this field thus I have to get information from somewhere. I.e. in this article ( bretonbikes.com/homepage/cycling-article-blog/66-wheels-for-cyletouring-700c-vs-26 ) he states that 700c wheels started breaking apart after 1 month, now that's not something I would want to happen.

International shipping happens.. Norway gets VAT rebates when buying in England,
[or its not charged, but shipping Is.]

As one of my fellow passengers on the Newcastle to Stavanger and Bergen Ferry took Advantage of (1991)
Form stamped when boarding ship..

Breton , thats the western tip of France, where the town of Brest & Roscoff are..

Currently Lots of Brands Contract out the manufacturing, The Taiwan based companies are happy to fill out the order.

What kind of riding are you planning? I've toured, loaded, over 4,000 miles of roads with 700c wheels. That was 14,000 miles ago; the wheels are still fine.

I might go to the 3rd world (eastern europe and asia). It isn't fully planned yet, just an idea of mine.

Eastern Europe is catching up steadiy since the fall of the USSR, IMHO. It's showing promise for great bicycle tours, again IMHO. We have some members on this forum that live in various Asian locations, as well as Eastern Europe, and I'm sure they can help with parts availability.

Brad

If you don't even have a destination in mind, then don't worry about the bike. If it has 2 wheels and it goes, that's all you need. Everything else is just the details.

My 3 tours of Europe were done on the same bike on 700 rims (Mavic's) Never had any problems with them and swear by Mavic. They weren't the rims the bike came with. Learn basic bike mechanics, read as much as you can, and then decide what's best for you. Also, if you've never toured before, I'd suggest starting out with a developed country. You're going to encounter situations in undeveloped countries which could ruin your trip if you have no experience behind you.

Check out the journals on this site of people who have toured in the countries you plan to visit. I suspect you will find a pretty good mix of bikes, brakes, wheels sizes, etc:
https://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/?doctype=journal

Doesn't feel like a 3rd world country to me living in Eastern Europe but whatever, parts availability is not an issue in large cities and in rural areas many people cycle as a means of transport so you should be fine...get a bike that's comfortable for you and can carry what you want to bring along and get pedaling.

Yeah, Poland and Czech are no more third world than Spain or Portugal, especially once you hit the villages. From a purely political designation, they'd technically be 2nd world countries anyhow.

Based on what you posted in the other thread, a couple options that caught my eye while trying to peruse Norwegian bike sites, if you want something built and ready to go. I wouldn't worry about 700/28" v 26" in Europe. Don't know anything about the manufacturers, but the components seem decently equipped, and well under your budget.

https://bikeshop.no/komplette-sykler...70-p0000072945

https://www.sorensensykler.no/produk...e-c3-tour-28r/

Thanks for all the advice. I'd settle with some 700c bike around 500£ I suppose, since those are the ones most available.

Well...

For touring, the big thing for wheels is endurance rather than sheer strength.
Since hub widths tend to stay the same, a smaller wheel can be stiffer/stronger.
But there's not the same link between hub width, wheel diameter and endurance.
That's more down to component choice and build quality.

The globally most common bike is a low-end, 26"(559 mm) MTB lookalike with Shimano (compatible) equipment. You might break down regularly, but you will never be far from spare parts.

When I started my research into bike touring I heard those same three suggestions. 26" wheels mostly because they are found anywhere. You can get 26" wheels when riding around Mt. Everest. I prefer 26" X 2" because with heavy loads I like to be able to turn the bars quickly, they make her agiler. I can feel a difference even with 700c's. Steel frame so that if the worst happens nd you need a frame repair you can get it anywhere. The steel holds up well to the excess weight too. Rim brakes since they are easier to fix and find parts for... This is where I disagree. I went with disc brakes because I needed extra stopping power. I learned how to maintain/repair them and carry what is necessary. If you are going to ride in areas that provide lots of service and mail order opportunity then this logic is out the window. Other than wheel size and that is a personal thing. But like someone said, buy a bike and set it up and you will learn to ride and enjoy it. Most people won't ever say full suspension when talking about bike touring but it works great for me.

I think by Third World you mean developing countries. Eastern Europe has Belgrade, Kiev, Zagreb, Prague, Vienna, Warsaw, Sofia, Budapest, Bratislava...quite developed. And Asia comprises a third of the world's landmasses and includes global economic hubs and megacities. As such, it shouldn't be generalized. But even if you were traveling through a developing nation in sub-Saharan Africa and happened to have a catastrophic wheel failure, you would make it work. At worst you would have to wait a few days (and pay some extra cash) for your friends at FedEx to bring you a new rim.

Side note from an historian: Third World was a term created during the Cold War to refer to countries not aligned with either the Soviet Union and its communist allies or the United States and its democratic allies. The United States, Western Europe, and their allies were referred to as the First World. Soviet Union, China, and their allies were the Second World. Those left over were the Third World. But alas, the Cold War has been over for decades and the term is outdated.

I agree with the first paragraph 100%. People are over thinking the scenario too much.

Also thank [MENTION=408381]Timequake[/MENTION] for the lesson on the term Third World.