What would you consider a really good touring bicycle?

What is eating popcorn all about?

People at movies eat popcorn ... the more tense and dramatic the story, the more popcorn.

Indyfabz is suggesting that this thread might turn into a highly personalized debate, with people virtually screaming at one another about what is or is not a touring bike, a good touring bike, a bike, a bike tour ..... And then, it is possible people will hijack the thread in numerous directions to debate minutiae about components, destinations, travel services, their favorite bikes from childhood, their favorite toys from childhood, their favorite movies, which movies are about bike or touring, which are not, which should be ...

"Popcorn" is sort of shorthand to "Welcome to the 'Gallagher' comedy special. Cover yourself in plastic so you don't get sprayed and enjoy the craziness."

A budget would help. The cheapest good touring bike is likely the Fuji touring.

Lht

Fuji tourer, Nashbar tourer (if they still sell it) Marin four corners ....

Just started to cycle recently after buying a Fuji Tourer during end of March this year and love the bike except the original tyres which I have 2 punctures thus far. Changed them to Schwalbe Marathon Plus and rides with more confidence except that I was unfortunate as the rear tyre wall has a bloated patch after riding approx 800km and returned to the shop to claim for replacement due to manufacturer defect. Awaiting for the new replacement in a months time.

Nevertheless I would love to have an additional touring bike that is Surly LHT with 26" wheels and looking forward to it as my 55th birthday.

Higher quality 1980s or 90s rigid mtb.

Let the games begin.

A really good touring bike is one that gets you where want to go comfortably and efficiently with no mechanical problems. Spending more money doesn't always achieve that goal.

Bike Friday's NWT, built as ordered, its got 20" wheels, and is made to pack into a suitcase
to make flying to where you want to go less inconvenient. (May not be charged extra handling fees by the airline)

Its an investment. USA made..


"whats a good touring bike" is another FAQ, read the hundreds of archived posts that have come before..

People tour on all sorts of bikes since touring is really the activity, not the hardware.. (ski touring, touring cars , etc)






.....

I guess it really depends on what your touring goals are. My wife and I "tour" mostly in the Idaho, Oregon, and Montana areas so our ideal touring bikes are probably a lot different than someone planning on riding across India. Why don't you tell us what you really want to do with your bike and tour.

I get pretty good mileage out of my Montague Paratrooper, for people who would rather have a full sized folding bike. Sometimes I even get to fly it without paying fees.

It has to be steel

The one under you when you are riding, that suits your wants and needs and actually gets you riding.

That is a cool looking bike, how compact does it actually get?

Mine. It's carried me tens of thousands of miles, many of them memorable.

zackly!

can be repaired anywhere (except st. louise) by local village smiffy...

And have bar end shifters.

It basically cuts the size down to about half the length of the bike when it's folded. I usually only pull the front wheel off and it's about the right size to easily fit in the space behind the rear seats on the shinkansen, which is awfully convenient when compared to rinko-ing a regular bicycle on the trains in Japan. Just pop the front wheel, shove everything into the bag and go.

Trek 520 is pretty classic.

Needs eyelets! Unless you're into bikepacking. But that's probably a different thread.

I am a big fan of my Vaya; even though I have only completed a couple of overnights. I am riding the C and O Canal on it next month though.

Huffy Princess Bike.

On a more serious note Co-Motion makes some great touring bikes.

+1

Lots of good options here:

The 100 Best Touring Bicycles - The 100 Most Popular Touring Bikes

The Trek 520 and Fuji Touring are both good and reasonably priced. I think the Fuji sells for cheaper than the Trek.