TM's 2011 "Dynamic" List of Touring Bikes!!!
 

ITS BACK!!! AND BETTER THAN EVER!!! AGAIN!!!

version 1.1 (frames page under constriction)
version 1.2 Fixed Salsa Vaya, added Thorn bikes to Custom section
Download: 2011 List .xls excel sheet from Rapidshare

changes from 2010 list:
Bikes with a high scores are better than those with lower scores
Add sliders to dynamically change your "importances and preferences" for your ideal touring bike.


Since my 2010 and 2009 list of touring bikes was so well received i have continued.... to create this years list of latest and greatest touring bikes.

First I'm sure its not all the touring bikes. I've included a separate page dedicated to frames. Also I have included links to the manufacturers page for each model (click model name) as well as links to the manufacturers home page (click brand name)

These touring bikes (and other bikes requested to be added by the community) are those specifically labeled as touring bikes by their respective makers, or labeled as acceptable touring alternatives by the touring community. Yes, it's true you can tour on any type of bike, but for those who wish to purchase a new bicycle for the purposes of touring I recommend, well a touring bike.

Using this sheet, preferences and importances
Using sliders above certain columns you can adjust the importance and preferences of various aspect of the bicycle. What does this mean you say? Using these sliders you can specifiy how important a component is (importance's) and what your preference of the level of technology you want (preferences). Importance's adjust the weight of that component weighing in on your final score for each bike for example a better rear derailleur may be more important to you than a front derailleur, so those bikes with better rear derailleurs will score higher. While preferences help pre-weigh certain components like brakes for example since comparing disc brakes to cantis is unfair, you can specify if you'd prefer cantilevers over disc brakes or visa-versa.
Bike scores are now percentages of what you're looking for. It's not perfect but you can get the general idea. There's a bike out there for everyone.
Importance's and preferences are based on a scale of 0-5 with 1 being don't like, and 5 being a must have, and 0 being "it sucks so much" don't even calculate this in.
Hopefully I've explained this well enough

Whenever a # column follows, these are the rankings of the components/price of the previous column. I have pre loaded the ranking columns so you can get a feel of how it works. These current rankings (except the price and gear difference columns) are my own opinion so please feel free to use your own.


If you find I have made an error please post it here. If you think I should add another bike please post that too. If you think how I judge touring bikes is stupid I don't want to hear it and neither does anyone else.

The list includes:
Bilenky Midlands Touring
Bilenky Tourlite Sport
Bianchi Volpe
Brodie Elan
Brodie Argus
Bruce Gordon Rock & Roll Tour
Bruce Gordon Rock & Roll Tour-EX
Co-motion Americano
Co-motion Nor'Wester
Co-motion Pangea
Devinci Caribou 1
Devinci Caribou 2
Fuji Touring
GT Peace Tour
Jamis Aurora
Jamis Aurora Elite
Jamis Bosanova
KHS TR-101
Kona Sutra
Marinoni Turismo
Marinoni Turismo Extreme
Masi Speciale Randonneur
Norco Cabot
Novara Safari
Opus Legato
Opus Largo
Raleigh Sojourn
Rivendale Atlantis
Rocky mountain Sherpa 30
Salsa Casseroll
Salsa Fargo
Salsa Vaya
Schwinn World Tour
Surly Long Haul Trucker (LHT)
Surly Cross Check
Trek 520


Bikes are rated/info-given on:
price
brand
model
color
frame material
fork material
brakes
brake type
shifters
front derailleur
rear derailleur
chain
BB
crankset
chainrings
speeds
cassette range
min/max gear ratios (alot of hard work )
pedals yes/no
hubs
rims
min/max size
wheelbase for min/max size(not for all models)
chainstay length
weight (not available for msot models)
...and more

Download excel xls here
http://rapidshare.com/files/44955819...-2011_v1.2.xls

This is a great list. You've done a lot of work putting it together.
Thorn bicycles from England make several touring bikes.
http://www.thorncycles.co.uk/index.html

The Thorn Sherpa for sure meets your requirements for inclusion in the list.

Yes I remember Thorn not sure how it fell off my list. I do have a UK and Cananda sectio im working on but im afraid Thorn would end up in the Custom/semi Custom list anyway. Thorn is very serious about their touring bikes and it shows. I'll be sure to add them in the next update.

Ask and you shall receive. This is a wonderful tool. You are a gentelman and a scholar and whatever they are paying you it isnt enough( who ever is paying you for whatever you do...not enough) That being said I did notice you have last years specs on the salsa vaya.

Salsa Vaya has been corrected.
Thorn has been added to Custom section

I'm not sure what my problem is, but I can't open the EXCEL sheet. When I click any of the links, it tries to open it in a googledoc, and it says that they can't generate the page. Anyone else having a similar problem? Or know any workaround, etc?

10 out of 10 for your excellent work;-)

Excellent,but I thought I'd let you know that Rivendell has a new bike for loaded touring, the Hunqapillar. I just built one up and think it's great. It's built to be heavier duty than the Atlantis but is also less expensive.

Marc

I'm having a problem, too. When I click the link I get taken to the RapidShare home page where I'm asked to log in but I don't get the Excel file.

This file is highly recommended by a touring friend to help me narrow down the possibilities but ... I can't get the file. Any suggestions?

When you click the link you can bypass the registered login by choosing the slow downloading.

Yeah at the bottom of the page there is a link says "wait in line" after you click it will turn into "download now" almost immediately. I'll look into hosting my file elsewhere. Not too happy with rapidshare.

I too am impressed with the Rohloff hubs, neat idea, I will stick with the Shimano for now.

It's Rivendell, not Rivendale. Also, the Atlantis takes 26" wheels, not 700c. Rivendell also says the Sam Hillborne is for touring. The Salsa Fargo is marketed as "a disc brake only, drop bar mountain bike designed for off-road touring". If you consider off road touring as part of touring, then it should be listed.

Depends on frame size.

My understanding is that bikes with touring frames with flat handlebars are called trekking bikes. And in Europe, they also have the Shimano Deore, LX and XT in trekking version. But, are there any trekking bikes in North America? I mean flat bars, 700x37, 700x38 or 700x40 tires with touring frames (and maybe the Deore LX trekking group)?

I can smell 2012 touring bikes......be prepared.

How about the Bike Friday folding bikes? We have three trips to France for touring on the canal towpaths and really like them. When it's time to fly home they just go into the suitcase.

Great list, missing offerings from Waterford. Will custom a touring ride for discs, fenders, Rohloff, racks/lights...., and perfect custom geometry. I have the classic 1900 Touring Frame, current version is the T-22 for loaded touring and the T-14 for 'sport' touring. http://waterfordbikes.com/now/models.php?Model=648

I added 2cm to my chainstays and 1 cm to my top tube for heel clearance and relaxed geometry in Reynolds 853 (12 years ago). Many tube selections, any geometry. And, the absolute best 5 word guarantee available: "your frame is guaranteed forever"

Waterford also produces the Gunnar brand

To me the ultimate tourer might be the KOGI-Miyata, but I am very happy with the Waterford 1900.

Might want to include Tout Terrain "Silkroad". Outstanding German expedition touring bike with Rohloff Speed Hub.

If you update the list for 2012, here are some excellent touring frames/forks left off your list -- or perhaps you only intended to list complete bikes.

Gunnar Grand Tour - http://gunnarbikes.com/site/bikes/grand-tour/

Bob Jackson World Tour - http://www.bobjacksoncycles.co.uk/pr...products_id=43

Mercian King of Mercia - http://www.merciancycles.co.uk/frames/22/king-of-mercia

Bruce Gordon BLT - http://www.bgcycles.com/blt.html

Soma Saga - http://www.somafab.com/archives/product/saga

This list is a great service to cycle tourists. Thanks for your hard work.

Tout Terrain's Silkroad is a heavy duty expedition touring bike which I feel is worthy of your list.

Sadly my new job has kept me from touring, but due to popular demand I will create a new 2012 list of touring bikes. Stay tuned

How about some love for the Surly Troll? I think it could be a good steed for touring.

Here's hoping TM will finally add a few Recumbent style touring bikes to the list in 2012.

http://www.rans.com/stratus-xp
http://www.easyracers.com/toureasy.html
http://www.bacchettabikes.com/bikes/...ikes/bella-att
http://lightfootcycles.com/products-...orld-traveler/

jeez, why dont we get right to the point, and skip the formalities and thanks