The Newbie's Guide To Touring Bikes
02-21-10 | 10:14 AM
#177
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
New to touring and cycling in general. I'm looking for a decent, sub-$700 bike that I can use for commuting and also load up for touring. According to rough measurements it should be a 55-57cm frame (or 17.5-18" if it's a mountain bike frame). If anyone could recommend something it would be appreciated. I would prefer a road frame, but I'm not terribly picky considering my lack of knowledge.
02-28-10 | 02:54 AM
#179
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
Playing with the idea of cycle touring in strange lands? Maybe some inspiration here? www.osmosno.wordpress.com
04-13-10 | 10:36 AM
#181
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 603
Likes: 0
From: Wellington, New Zealand
Bikes: Thorn Nomad S+S, Trek 520 - 2007 (out on loan), and a crap Repco MTB
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Sparsely updated blog
Sparsely updated blog
04-28-10 | 04:02 PM
#183
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 304
Likes: 3
From: Victoria, B.C. Canada
Bikes: LHT, International, 310
Why?
1: Protect your eyes. You're out in the middle of the day, ALL day. The UV protection is the biggest reason I can think of.
2: Protect your eyes, again: Bugs in the eyes is a pain, so is road grime kicked up by passing trucks, or small chunks of whatever flying around in the air on a windy day.
Shorts? Depending on who you are, are either unwanted, a luxury, or a necessity.
Some people chafe without them, and thus require them. Others find it more comfortable with them, but don't chafe without them, and then there are people who just don't need them, or want them.
This one is all dependent upon your needs.
05-22-10 | 03:20 PM
#184
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
From: Bellingham, WA
Bikes: Novarra Randone
Sunglasses of any sort, I would deem necessary.
Why?
1: Protect your eyes. You're out in the middle of the day, ALL day. The UV protection is the biggest reason I can think of.
2: Protect your eyes, again: Bugs in the eyes is a pain, so is road grime kicked up by passing trucks, or small chunks of whatever flying around in the air on a windy day.
Shorts? Depending on who you are, are either unwanted, a luxury, or a necessity.
Some people chafe without them, and thus require them. Others find it more comfortable with them, but don't chafe without them, and then there are people who just don't need them, or want them.
This one is all dependent upon your needs.
Why?
1: Protect your eyes. You're out in the middle of the day, ALL day. The UV protection is the biggest reason I can think of.
2: Protect your eyes, again: Bugs in the eyes is a pain, so is road grime kicked up by passing trucks, or small chunks of whatever flying around in the air on a windy day.
Shorts? Depending on who you are, are either unwanted, a luxury, or a necessity.
Some people chafe without them, and thus require them. Others find it more comfortable with them, but don't chafe without them, and then there are people who just don't need them, or want them.
This one is all dependent upon your needs.
Personally I hate riding with glasses. I definitely do get the occasional bug in the eye but I don't mind. The biggest problem is the wind. If you don't blink enough you can really dry ur peepers out! My biggest gripe against glasses is that they get all sweaty and fog up.
I also think that shorts are necessary for any kind of long riding. I also use Body Glide on the delicate bits down there. It prevents chaffing better than chamois buttr I think.
06-10-10 | 09:26 PM
#185
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 122
Likes: 0
From: Maumee, Ohio (near Toledo)
Bikes: Rans Stratus XP, Trek 740 hybrid
This is a great site for newbies (go to the touring section): www.biketoledo.net
06-11-10 | 08:30 AM
#186
Prefers Cicero
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 12,860
Likes: 146
From: Toronto
Bikes: 1984 Trek 520; 2007 Bike Friday NWT; misc others
I would recommend both sunglasses with UV protection and a helmet visor. You're going to be out in an awful lot of sun and there's additional reflection off the road and shiny cars. You don't want to end up with cataracts or macular degeneration down the line.
https://www.agingeye.net/visionbasics...tandvision.php
https://www.agingeye.net/visionbasics...tandvision.php
06-29-10 | 10:22 PM
#187
Eater of Food
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 103
Likes: 0
Bikes: Surly Long Haul Trucker, Follis Concorde Tandem, Surly Big Dummy
My ideal touring bicycle:
-Steel frame that fits right and can hold big tires w/fenders -bombproof 36 spoke wheels -hub dynamo + led lights -linear pull brakes -Schwalbe marathon tires -Brooks B-17 leather saddle -low gears (lowest should be 22 tooth cog up front, 34 tooth cog in the rear) -solid rack (tubus is good) -big handlebar bag -2 bottle cages with stainless steel bottles
-Steel frame that fits right and can hold big tires w/fenders -bombproof 36 spoke wheels -hub dynamo + led lights -linear pull brakes -Schwalbe marathon tires -Brooks B-17 leather saddle -low gears (lowest should be 22 tooth cog up front, 34 tooth cog in the rear) -solid rack (tubus is good) -big handlebar bag -2 bottle cages with stainless steel bottles
07-07-10 | 03:04 AM
#188
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 278
Likes: 0
I first toured on a 10-spd road bike, with a day-pack on my handlebars (straps wrapped over the bar, cinched-up in the center so my wheel could turn) that fell against my brake cable. I had to disconnect the front brake while riding and climbing, then - when topping a pass - stop, put the pack on my back, re-connect my front brake and ride down.
I had a rear rack, where I kept my sleeping bag and tent rolled-up under a foam pad, and bungeed it all together so my wet clothes could dry-out on top.
Sure, I looked like the Beverly Hillbillies, but I rode all over Idaho and Montana for as long as 3-weeks at a time and fell in love with bicycle touring. I also learned about what to carry, how to organize my stuff, how to plan a trip, how to climb big hills, how to eat on the road, etc.
Since you can't learn to do something without "doing" it, I say get on whatever you have, jerry-rig something to carry your gear, pick an adventurous route and hit the road. You will learn by doing and have many a tale to tell.
You've got the rest of your life to select gear. Get touring now and happy trails.
I had a rear rack, where I kept my sleeping bag and tent rolled-up under a foam pad, and bungeed it all together so my wet clothes could dry-out on top.
Sure, I looked like the Beverly Hillbillies, but I rode all over Idaho and Montana for as long as 3-weeks at a time and fell in love with bicycle touring. I also learned about what to carry, how to organize my stuff, how to plan a trip, how to climb big hills, how to eat on the road, etc.
Since you can't learn to do something without "doing" it, I say get on whatever you have, jerry-rig something to carry your gear, pick an adventurous route and hit the road. You will learn by doing and have many a tale to tell.
You've got the rest of your life to select gear. Get touring now and happy trails.
It's an adventure. Just figure on being self reliant and the rest will fall in place.
07-24-10 | 04:45 PM
#189
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 240
Likes: 0
I do plan plenty of tweaks and upgrades as well as using a trailer over panniers. I'll let you know how it goes.
08-11-10 | 09:16 AM
#190
Stealing Spokes since 82'
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,875
Likes: 0
From: Boy-z, Ideeeho
Bikes: The always reliable kuwie
About to go on my first "tour" ride its only gonna be about a 110 mile round trip but its all up hill on way out, i live in idaho so no matter where i go its gonna be up hill. I was wondering if you guys have any suggestions about gears i should run for it. I run 26" wheels current gear set up is 11-32 in rear with a 50-39-28 in front im trying to be kinda in the middle its all up hill one way and its gonna be down hill on way back. I think its gonna be like a 9000ft climb over 25 miles or so of crappy idaho "roads". I pretty much wanted to know if my current set up is ideal for this
08-11-10 | 09:26 AM
#191
Galveston County Texas
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 33,335
Likes: 1,286
From: In The Wind
Bikes: 02 GTO, 2011 Magnum
About to go on my first "tour" ride its only gonna be about a 110 mile round trip but its all up hill on way out, i live in idaho so no matter where i go its gonna be up hill. I was wondering if you guys have any suggestions about gears i should run for it. I run 26" wheels current gear set up is 11-32 in rear with a 50-39-28 in front im trying to be kinda in the middle its all up hill one way and its gonna be down hill on way back. I think its gonna be like a 9000ft climb over 25 miles or so of crappy idaho "roads". I pretty much wanted to know if my current set up is ideal for this
https://www.thethirdhand.com/index.cg...d=907433219260
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Fred "The Real Fred"
08-12-10 | 11:51 PM
#194
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Hi Clunkrider, people tour on damn near anything: straight up touring bikes, hardtails, recumbants, unicycles, skateboards and yes there are a few singles out there as well as blind people, young people, middle aged people and the well retired. The trick to touring is to do it. No matter what you bring to the table your experience will be unique and a memorable part of your life.
08-14-10 | 08:14 AM
#195
Stealing Spokes since 82'
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,875
Likes: 0
From: Boy-z, Ideeeho
Bikes: The always reliable kuwie
Change the 28T to a 24T .
https://www.thethirdhand.com/index.cg...d=907433219260
https://www.thethirdhand.com/index.cg...d=907433219260
09-18-10 | 12:19 PM
#197
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 631
Likes: 277
From: South Jersey near PHL
Bikes: Frequently
Bar-ends v integrated
I know a lot of good touring bikes use bar-ends for some good reasons (more basic than integrated shifters, so less likely to malfunction and easier to repair if they do, even in Timbuktu).
However, the convenience of the STI shifters on my road bike makes me a safer rider than in my downtube days, now having shifting and braking *right there* to bail me out in dicey last-second situations.
I've never ridden bar-ends (yet).
How do experienced tourers feel about the safety and convenience of use, including braking (especially if no third-world touring is planned)?
TIA.
However, the convenience of the STI shifters on my road bike makes me a safer rider than in my downtube days, now having shifting and braking *right there* to bail me out in dicey last-second situations.
I've never ridden bar-ends (yet).
How do experienced tourers feel about the safety and convenience of use, including braking (especially if no third-world touring is planned)?
TIA.
09-20-10 | 12:41 AM
#198
Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 35
Likes: 0
From: Grand Rapids, MI
Bikes: Schwinn Traveler, Trek 800
Clunkerider- I am planning a 300+ mile, 4 day trip on my Schwinn Traveler- fixed-gear. Going to do it in the next couple days. I do my tri's on it and my commuting on the same bike. I have done many long rides between 20-70 miles. Can't imagine what I would do if I had gears
10-18-10 | 07:08 PM
#199
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 476
Likes: 0
From: sf bay area
Bikes: Affinity Lo Pro-madison(RIP)-specialzed bmx-
amazing thread
To add to the budget touring bike debate:
Basically many of these 20-30 year old bikes are similar to a touring bike, except a little less relaxed geometry.
Don't be put off touring because someone says you don't have the right bike. If your bike can take 2 panniers and 2 water bottles, just do it!
Basically many of these 20-30 year old bikes are similar to a touring bike, except a little less relaxed geometry.
Don't be put off touring because someone says you don't have the right bike. If your bike can take 2 panniers and 2 water bottles, just do it!
i am a newb to touring, i just got back from a 150m tour with my 2 friends.
it was all our firsts time. i took my Schwinn Madison and climbed up from half moon bay to merill at uc santa cruz then to big sur. i did it all on a fixed gear and a lot of ambition.
this thread has helped me a lot im going to post a thread about my experience when i upload some pics.
thank you for all the advice
10-20-10 | 06:23 PM
#200
just another gosling
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 20,583
Likes: 2,690
From: Everett, WA
Bikes: CoMo Speedster 2003, Trek 5200, CAAD 9, Fred 2004
I know a lot of good touring bikes use bar-ends for some good reasons (more basic than integrated shifters, so less likely to malfunction and easier to repair if they do, even in Timbuktu).
However, the convenience of the STI shifters on my road bike makes me a safer rider than in my downtube days, now having shifting and braking *right there* to bail me out in dicey last-second situations.
I've never ridden bar-ends (yet).
How do experienced tourers feel about the safety and convenience of use, including braking (especially if no third-world touring is planned)?
TIA.
However, the convenience of the STI shifters on my road bike makes me a safer rider than in my downtube days, now having shifting and braking *right there* to bail me out in dicey last-second situations.
I've never ridden bar-ends (yet).
How do experienced tourers feel about the safety and convenience of use, including braking (especially if no third-world touring is planned)?
TIA.