The Newbie's Guide To Touring Bikes
02-03-18 | 06:21 AM
#327
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 165
Likes: 11
From: New England Australia
Bikes: Malvern Star Oppy S1 Gravel
Hi all, new here. I've never toured before but I am very interested in trying. I am, however, very anxious & kind of scared to do it alone. I'm having a lot of trouble finding groups of people to do it with. I'm just one woman and I'm very nervous about the more nuanced aspects of long-term touring; the execution of the tour, interaction with people, finding safe places, staying safe on the road, preventing theft, avoiding assault or worse. Are there any women on the forum--or do you know any--who have toured alone successfully? I'm very interested in the experiences of people who are experienced tourists; what problems have you faced, how did you solve them? People interactions, road danger concerns, location safety, things like that. I'm very scared of being assaulted, kidnapped, robbed or run over. I do travel alone but I feel like bicycling makes one more vulnerable. Thanks for reading, I hope to hear some stories or advice. I very much want to try touring, very soon.
02-05-18 | 06:23 AM
#328
Member
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
From: Miami
Bikes: Lots, but one at a time!
Touring as a solo woman
In my years of touring experience I've met and sometimes traveled with numerous solo riders. Taking precautions as you would traveling by other modes, you can do so safely. Being in a bicycle does add risks but they're manageable. Feel free to ask me for any more info.
02-06-18 | 03:58 PM
#329
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 153
Likes: 62
From: Seattle
Bikes: BMC TeamMachine, Surly Pacer, All City Big Block
Would you guys recommend using fenders for a trip down the West Coast starting mid August? I'm going from Seattle to Cabo San Lucas and biking in the Seattle rain has made me think of how much cleaner and prettier my bike will be without fenders. Plus, less parts that may need adjustment is a huge plus. What do y'all think?
06-30-18 | 07:59 PM
#330
Typical MAMIL
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 71
Likes: 0
From: Lost Wages, NV
Bikes: 2011 CAAD-10, 2017 Evo HiMod Team Di2, 2018 Quick 5 Disc
I personally think you could leave the fenders at home, there is a chance of a few late-summer showers but it shouldn't be all that bad.
12-04-18 | 10:05 AM
#331
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 792
Likes: 20
From: New England
Bikes: Brompton M6R, Specialized Tricross Comp, Ellsworth Isis, Dahon Speed P8
Consider improving your aerodynamic footprint with a bikepacking set-up over weight savings with UL panniers - aero is a square force and usually much more significant than weight (a linear force) to bicyclists, particularly if you are a faster rider. As an UL backpacker, you could probably fit into just a good frame and seat pack.
For example, a 3lb weight savings on a 200lb rider/bike/gear total is a 1.5% weight savings, but due to the mechanical advantages of a bicycle, that really only applies to uphills. So for a loop ride where you might average uphill 1/3 rd of the time, the overall weight benefit might only be 0.5% to your overall pace or energy expenditure. If you believe THIS article, the aero benefit might be significantly more.
For example, a 3lb weight savings on a 200lb rider/bike/gear total is a 1.5% weight savings, but due to the mechanical advantages of a bicycle, that really only applies to uphills. So for a loop ride where you might average uphill 1/3 rd of the time, the overall weight benefit might only be 0.5% to your overall pace or energy expenditure. If you believe THIS article, the aero benefit might be significantly more.
02-28-19 | 12:57 PM
#332
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 108
Likes: 1
From: Santa Maria, CA
Bikes: 1988 Specialized Stumpjumper Monstercross Touring Rig, and a couple of others
Would you guys recommend using fenders for a trip down the West Coast starting mid August? I'm going from Seattle to Cabo San Lucas and biking in the Seattle rain has made me think of how much cleaner and prettier my bike will be without fenders. Plus, less parts that may need adjustment is a huge plus. What do y'all think?
03-01-19 | 10:06 AM
#333
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 153
Likes: 62
From: Seattle
Bikes: BMC TeamMachine, Surly Pacer, All City Big Block
Having finished this trip, there were a total of 3 days (out of 2 months) where it rained enough to justify the fenders. With that being said, they were also good to keep general dust and street grime off of my drivetrain.
03-02-19 | 11:13 PM
#334
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 108
Likes: 1
From: Santa Maria, CA
Bikes: 1988 Specialized Stumpjumper Monstercross Touring Rig, and a couple of others
How was the trip south of Santa Barbara to San Diego? I live in the Central Coast and hear mixed things about riding past SB. I'm planning to take a ride south and take the train for my return trip.
03-03-19 | 05:14 PM
#335
Early-onset OldFartitis
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 2,154
Likes: 749
From: USA
Bikes: 1996 Trek 970 ZX Single Track 2x11
Of course, August to early September is when things can begin turning ... and occasionally some gully-washers begin hitting the northern coastline about this time.
Myself, I'd probably ride in the region with fenders, for a trip as far as Seattle->Cabo.
Up to you. Probably won't need them that often.
03-04-19 | 09:47 AM
#337
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 153
Likes: 62
From: Seattle
Bikes: BMC TeamMachine, Surly Pacer, All City Big Block
It was great! Of course LA was a bit of a slog, but I have positive memories about the rest of it. If I recall correctly that's where the Pacific Ocean becomes very warm and accessible relative to the rest of the coast. I have a handful of fond memories where we would see a small beach right off the highway, park and lock our bikes, go for a 15 minute swim, and be back on the bikes. Beautiful scenery and pretty good cycling conditions.
07-18-19 | 10:10 AM
#340
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
Likely, based on average climate data typical for August, you're reasonably unlikely to meet up with more than a few showers here and there. Except for the southern Washington and Oregon coastlines, you can generally expect less than 1" of rainfall in the coastal towns through August.
Of course, August to early September is when things can begin turning ... and occasionally some gully-washers begin hitting the northern coastline about this time.
Myself, I'd probably ride in the region with fenders, for a trip as far as Seattle->Cabo.
Up to you. Probably won't need them that often.
Of course, August to early September is when things can begin turning ... and occasionally some gully-washers begin hitting the northern coastline about this time.
Myself, I'd probably ride in the region with fenders, for a trip as far as Seattle->Cabo.
Up to you. Probably won't need them that often.
12-03-19 | 10:25 PM
#342
Newbie
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 4
Likes: 1
12-23-19 | 03:33 PM
#344
Member
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
From: Buchanan Dam, TX (45 min w. of Austin)
Bikes: Fuji Absolute SX
It does rain on the coast during summer touring season, June through September but not often, meaning once every 2 weeks and then only a shower. My recommendation is put fenders on as they hardly weigh anything but if you want to save $50 plus/minus, then leave em off. You'll be fine especially as you get into California.
05-18-20 | 11:53 PM
#346
Clark W. Griswold
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 18,449
Likes: 6,758
From: ,location, location
Bikes: Foundry Chilkoot Ti W/Ultegra Di2, Salsa Timberjack Ti, Cinelli Mash Work RandoCross Fun Time Machine, 1x9 XT Parts Hybrid, Co-Motion Cascadia, Specialized Langster, Phil Wood Apple VeloXS Frame (w/DA 7400), R+M Supercharger2 Rohloff, Habanero Ti 26
However buy a saddle that is the right width and shape for your sit bones. When this whole crisis is over and fitters are doing their thing again check with them and help them guide you to a good saddle. What my butt likes may not be the same.
05-19-20 | 02:59 PM
#347
Enthusiast
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 61
Likes: 74
From: Duluth, MN
Bikes: ‘83 Trek 720, ‘85 Schwann Voyageur SP, ‘97 Ibis hakkalugi, '80's Haro
I tour on a Selle SMP Avant, it's a more modern saddle but anatomically shaped for long days on the road.... just as an option other than brooks.
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09-01-20 | 10:26 PM
#348
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 600
Likes: 326
From: NV
Bikes: 2021 Litespeed T5 105, 1990 Gios Compact Pro 105
Do people buy gravel bikes to use touring due to the wider tire clearance they take? Haven't seen any, but do they make gravel bikes with road components?
09-05-20 | 01:22 AM
#349
Early-onset OldFartitis
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 2,154
Likes: 749
From: USA
Bikes: 1996 Trek 970 ZX Single Track 2x11
Kona's line of Rove bikes is one. The Rove LTD has the Shimano 105, and the Rove ST (now DL) has the SRAM Rival.
The AllCity line-up is another. Their Gorilla Monsoon bike has the SRAM Apex. And their Cosmic Stallion has the Shimano GRX 2x11.
Plenty of others out there. Most I've seen sport road components for the drive train.
09-10-20 | 07:07 AM
#350
Senior Member
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 147
Likes: 14
My Jamis Renegade (two years old) has the standard 105 road componentry. Mine came with the common 50/34 compact paired with an 11-32 cassette, which makes it a poor choice "out of the box" for loaded touring. The current model which is most comparable to mine has switched to Shimano GRX components (unsurprisingly) but also switched to a much more appropriate 46/30 paired with an 11-36 cassette.