Choosing a touring bike

The first step in choosing a touring bike that is best for you is determining what kind of touring you want to do. A simple definition of the various types of cycle touring is difficult as there are varying degrees of each type. However, as I see it, the 3 main types can be boadly though of as Randonneuring, Creditcard touring, and loaded touring or expedition type touring.

Randonneuring has its routes in long distance racing over short periods of times (like 24 hours or more). Randonneuring events usually stick to a distance like 200kms (ranging up to 1200kms) participants choose when and where to sleep (if at all) and usually carry a bar bag, saddle bag or both. The bicycles they use have a slightly more relaxed geometry than a road bike usually characterized by having a little more trail and longer chainstays (both of these contributing to a longer wheelbase).

Creditcard touring may involve long distances and can last days to months. Usually the rider carries panniers with extra clothing and gear. These tourists lypically stay in hotels or hostels and buy their food along the route. The bicycles used by these types of tourists vary greatly but typically they should be able to handle well with a small load, accept a decent sized tire (say 32mm) and fenders. The ideal bike may be similar to a randonneur or a "European style" city/trekking bike.

Loaded/Expedition touring is characterized by more equipment. Expedition tourist carry food, and camping gear. They may be able to be on the road for severl days without stopping for food and they have all the equipment to cook and sleep. Often some varying combination. A loaded touring bike should have a long wheelbast and accept front and rear racks. Prior to the mid-late 1990s touring bikes often could not accept a tire any larger than 32mm making them less than ideal for expedition touring in which you may be travelling off pavement. The better option was a mountainbike which could accept a large knobby tire, fenders and had a very strong frame, able to stand up to the abuse of uneven terrain. Today there are many acceptable expedition touring bikes available such as the Surly Long Haul Trucker, The Cannondale T-series and the Koga-Miyata World Traveller.

In todays world the old argument over frame material are essentially moot. Components like shifters, wheels and tires are far more likely to fail than an alluminum or steel frame so your bicycle should be choosed based on the specifications of the components and the frame features and most importantly fit.
To examine some of the things which should be considered I will examine my personal specefied long haul trucker frame.

Refitting

After our last tour we learned some things about the equipment we choose for our adventure. We also did a small camping trip along BC railway grade trails. In places the gravel was large and very loose. Since we were finding ourselves on loose serfaces more and more I knew we needed larger volume tires, possibly with a more knobby tread. Our old Nishiki Internationals could not accomodate anything larger than a 32mm tire so it was time to get new bikes.

The requirements of the new bikes would be the ability to accomodate large tires with fenders. A 40mm tire would be wide enough on a 700c wheel and a 1.5 or even 1.75 on a 26" wheel. The Surly long haul trucker is affordable and has long chainstays for good fender clearance and comes with a full suite of braze-ons. The 1-1/8" headtube also offers greater handlebar adjustablilty and, in the case of large frames, much needed front end stiffness to improve handling.

There are many different kinds of touring bikes available today and there are several different types of touring. my next post will be on how to choose the bike that is best for you.