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How to Buy aTouring Bike Picking the perfect touring bike for you shouldn’t keep you up at night

our decision has been made. The Transamerica of finding that model at any one dealership are small, and the odds Route can’t live another year without you, and you need a of finding it in your size are even smaller. Ynew touring bike. It’s not possible to cover all good touring bike options in one Your objective in buying a new touring bike is to drastically issue of a magazine. Our listings remain focused the tradition- reduce the time spent thinking about it (and its limitations) when al upright touring bike with dropped handlebars. That said, we you’re on your adventure. You want a bike that easily carries your heartily endorse several “ nontraditional” bike choices. A few load, has appropriate gearing for the steepest hills on your route, comments on each: and fits your body dimensions like a well-worn pair of slippers. Tandems. These goals are also compatible with the way most of us use Regular readers of this space know we are big tandem fans at our bikes the other ninety percent of our lives: weekend rides car- Adventure Cycling. Touring on a tandem has interpersonal bene- rying no more than a patch kit, slogging to work on a misty fits you can’t get on a single bike. The short version on picking a November morning, and, if the spirit moves you, training in a tandem for touring: think wide, in both gearing range and tire size. peloton with the really fast guys. (I point this out to ridicule the Recumbents. myth that a touring bike is “ only” good for touring. As if those Some recumbents are made for touring, equipped with nice cutie carbon-fiber weekend bikes were somehow versatile!) wide tires and sold with optional pannier sets. Others are pure go- In 2005, you are the beneficiary of a competitive marketplace fast machines with skinny tires. It should be obvious which of that has made buying decisions relatively easy. You can pick a those kinds you want. One standout example of a touring recum- value brand and get bang for the buck by buying Jamis or Fuji bent is the Tour-Easy. They have a fiercely loyal owner’s club, or go for style and heritage with . You can decide on touring events for members, and the option of streamlining your American tradition with Trek or alumninum innovation ride with both a big fairing and a body stocking. with Cannondale. Or you can go for high-end, superb Hardtail mountain bikes. craftsmanship by choosing Bruce Gordon, Independent Two decades ago, when the was in its infan- Fabrication, Co-Motion, or a variety of other quality cy, most mountain bikes doubled as terrific touring bikes for peo- bicycle builders. The selection isn’t huge but it is ade- ple who wanted upright handlebars and go-anywhere knobby quate. And none of these bikes are turkeys with hid- tires. den traps. But mountain bikes evolved away from a touring-friendly What you probably will have to do is hunt for design. Many have a lean-forward rider position better suited to the bike you want. Some touring bike models are racing, and many frames lack eyelets for racks and fenders. Front made in small quantities (in the hundreds) for a suspension is now the norm, and it adds complications that road- brand that may have 2,000 dealers. So the odds riding tourists may not find worthwhile. At the high end, compo- By John Schubert MARK GORSETH nents can have complex maintenance Full-suspension mountain bikes. Specialized Stumpjumper, costs well over requirements best left to a pro cycling team I wouldn’t bother with one of these $2,000. mechanic. for road touring. But for the Continental Folding and collapsing bikes. All that said, a mid-priced mountain Divide Mountain Bike Route or other sim- These are the vehicles of choice for bike is still a viable option. You can ignore ilar tours, a state-of-the-art full-suspension people who think out of the box, and don’t the lack of eyelets by buying racks from mountain bike pulling a cargo trailer such just tour from Point A to Point B. Old Man Mountain or by putting your as a BOB would be my choice. I’d accept A series of two-day loops or day trips gear in a cargo trailer. the greater maintenance requirements in interspersed with train rides is a great way European-style “ trekking” bikes. return for less fatigue provided by full sus- to see the world, and the logistics get much Take a rigid mountain bike with pension. easier if you have a bike that folds up quick- upright handlebars, add racks, fenders and The best full-suspension designs ly to fit in a bag or suitcase. The best- lights, install street-tread tires, and you make ruts in the trail disappear in a man- known of these is probably the Bike have a trekking bike. If you want to go ner so seamless you’ll forget you’re riding a Friday, and a little web crawling will show touring with upright bars, this is a good suspension bike. The unwanted “ boing” you some incredible adventures by Bike package for you. Some companies sell these of early suspension designs is gone. Friday owners (who rival Tour-Easy own- in Europe, but not in the , If this is what you want, don’t buy an ers for rabid loyalty). England’s Moulton is assuming there’s no demand here. One “ economy” full suspension bike, and don’t another viable choice, and its space-frame company that does offer them here is Koga buy a me-too brand with a lesser design. design will be endlessly fascinating to the Miyata. The one I’m most familiar with, the engineer in you. The full-suspension is a very sophisticated folder with excellent riding qualities. Montague, , and Ritchey all TOM BOL make full-size diamond frame bikes that Loyal steeds. Two touring machines await the bidding of their masters at a store on the Southern Tier Route. hinge around the seat tube to fit in a suit- case or small car trunk. tourists ignore changing fashions. (That for touring, for numerous reasons. They lighter touring needs. The well-known S&S Couplers can said, I thought the paint job on the new aren’t made for on-the-road adjustments; So what about that fitting session? sometimes be added to an existing bike, or Jamis Aurora was inspired. Go check it their failure mode isn’t something you Some bike shops and many frame builders built into your new custom bike, and they out!) want to experience; and they are compara- offer customized fit sessions — use the make your bike easy to toss into a suitcase Touring frames haven’t changed tively delicate items for use in more con- Yellow Pages, your local bike club newslet- or travel bag. much in the past decade. Components trolled circumstances. Adjusting spoke ter, or the internet to find one. It’ll cost you So what’s new for 2005, and what is have evolved, mostly in positive directions: tension requires use of a spoke tensiome- somewhere around $200, and deliver a the first thing you should do to make a splined cranks are much nicer than the old ter, a $200 tool that is slow and cumber- better return on your investment than buying decision? The answers are “ not square taper design, nine-speed cogsets some to use. When you evaluate a bike, almost any other way of spending money. much,” and “ have a fit.” sure are convenient, and the threadless count the spokes, and if there are fewer It may reaffirm the position on your exist- Why isn’t much new in 2005? headset is far easier to adjust than old-style than thirty-six per wheel, move on to the ing bike, it may convince you to make Planned obsolescence simply hasn’t made headsets. bike. some adjustments, and it just might get rid it to touring bike designs. Manufacturers One component trend you should You won’t find low-spoke-count of a whole lot of pain and frustration you have wearily resigned themselves to the avoid is low-spoke-count wheels. Despite wheels on stout touring bikes, but you will didn’t know you could get rid of. fact that touring bikes last many years in whatever reliability claims you may hear see them on some in-between bikes which The odds are that a fit session will not the hands of thrifty owners. We cycle- about these wheels, they are not suitable would otherwise be viable choices for tell you you “ need” a custom frame. More

12 ADVENTURECYCLISTMARCH 2005 ADVENTURECYCLING.ORG ADVENTURECYCLISTMARCH 2005 ADVENTURECYCLING.ORG 13 likely, it will direct you to adjustments sorry substitute for that fit session. Go get that can be made on a stock bike. It may the fit session. also direct you to improvements that have What’s next? nothing to do with spending money. For Pick your maximum tire width. It will example, I believe that if I were to get a fit- rule out bikes that don’t accommodate ting session, I’d be told that my position tires that wide. would improve, and I’d ride better, if I How wide should your tires be? Any would stretch my hamstrings. (Another rule of thumb is the writer’s own person- new year’s resolution for a future new al preference. I’ll tell you mine. year!) I personally favor 700 x 28C tires for Most of us find that when a bike is unloaded riding and lightly-loaded motel sized for our leg length, the upper half of touring. My tire width preferences go up

our body is accommodated reasonably from there, as more weight is loaded onto TOM BOL well by a stock frame’s top tube length. not, you may need to buy a new handlebar the bike. While I’ve done a lot of self-sup- The fairly rare individual who is either all stem. Overall, you want to feel like you are ported touring with 28C tires, I personal- torso or all legs may need a custom frame straddling the saddle — not sitting on it, ly wouldn’t buy a new bike that couldn’t to get optimal fit. spinning the pedals — not pushing them, accommodate something wider. A 32C or Here are some general guidelines for and lightly leaning on the handlebars. Some 35C tire is a more secure platform for fitting yourself to a touring bike. You want of this is learned technique, such as putting most loaded touring. a more upright riding position than you weight on your feet while spinning the ped- Most bikes will accept larger tires would for racing so that it’s easier to hold als. By learning it, you’ll increase your com- without fenders than with fenders. your up and enjoy the scenery. The fort and the full days in the saddle won’t Touring bikes often allow for a choice: handlebars should be level with the seat seem so long. add fenders, or switch to a larger tire, but and should be within easy reach. If they’re My few words on this subject are a not both.

14 ADVENTURECYCLISTMARCH 2005 ADVENTURECYCLING.ORG There is no downside to having a bike that can accommodate super-wide tires. Touring Bikes for Your Consideration The people who ride carbon fiber cuties All prices and specifications may vary to some degree. Please check with the manufacturers before making any decisions. may think your bike doesn’t as cool as Airborne offers the Carpe Diem in many varia- (£1,175), and the WorldTraveller (£1,325). Waterford Cycles offers the Adventure Cycle theirs, but you’re a rugged individualist tions—with 105, Ultegra, and DuraAce koga.com. 1900 ($1,600) and the T-14 ($1,299). S&S who doesn’t care what they think. groups. Chorus and Record avail- Couplers additional. waterfordbikes.com, offers the titanium Blue Ridge, In general, you won’t have much able. Frameset ($1,199). Full bikes range from 262.534.4190. designed specifically for touring (price range: $2,500 to $5,700. airborne.net, 888.652-8624. choice when choosing tire diameter: 700C $3,500—$4,400). litespeed.com, 800.743.3796. Recumbents Bianchi offers the Volpe ($849.99), which is the norm. A few touring bikes are made offers the custom titanium Bender Custom offers three carbon comes with a wide, low gear range and 32c with 26-inch tires, and these have two Mootour ($2,650). Frame and Fork only. fiber bikes designed for touring — the Radian, tires. bianchiusa.com, 510.264.1001 moots.com, 970.879.1676. Lark, and Bolero ($2,749 to $3,149). bender advantages: the smaller tire allows a frame Breezer Bikes offers the Liberty ($970) and bikes.com, 208.342.3200. better-designed for short people and the Orbit Cycles offers the Expedition (£755- Greenway ($750). breezerbikes.com, £945), the Harrier (£1,375-£1,475), and the BikeFix offers the Street Machine (£1,430) 26-inch size has a larger variety of tires 415.339.8917. Harrier Endurance (£1,435-£1,645). www.orbit- designed for self-supported touring. bike- available. Although 700C tires now come offers the Midlands in a cycles.co.uk, +44 0114 2756567. fix.co.uk, +44 (0) 20 7405 1218. in a larger variety, From racing slicks to variety of models — Eco ($1,795), Travel REI offers the Safari, a 26-inch-wheel Easy Racers offers the Tour Easy recumbent, ($2,395), Deluxe ($2,795), and the custom studded snow tires, the 26-inch are easier tourer ($799) and the Randonee ($899). which comes in two models: the SS - Speed & Signature ($3,500 and up). bilenky.com, 800- to find. Some people (I’m not one of them) rei.com, 800.426.4840. Sport, and the EX - Expedition (both $1,995). 213-6388. www.easyracers.com, 831.722.9797. believe the smaller 26-inch tire gives a offers custom, hand- Bruce Gordon offers the Rock N’ Road Tour built touring frames ($2,495 to $2,550, or Lightning Cycle Dynamics offers the P-38 harsher ride. I can’t feel it. and BLT for “ serious loaded touring.” The complete bikes for $3,400 to $4,000). They ($1,800 for frameset or full bike $2,700 to No part of a 26-inch tire measures Deore XT-equipped Rock N’ Road is hand-built also offer the Atlantis frame ($1,300; or $2,100 $4,000). Add $1,200 for the Voyager, a fold up ($2,510, or $2,745 with racks). The Deore LX- exactly 26 inches, and no part of a 700C to $2,200 for a complete bike). that fits into a suitcase. lightning bikes.com, equipped BLT is factory-made, both made in tire measures 700 anythings. These num- rivendellbicycles.com, 925.933.7304. 805.736.0700 California. ($1,610 or $1,845 with racks). bgcy bers are naming conventions with boring cles.com, 707.762.5601. Rodriquez Bicycles offers the Adventure for Longbikes offers the Eliminator and men ($1,699) and the Stellar for women Slipstream ($2,500). Prices will vary depend- origins. The actual measured dimension is Burley offers the Hudson touring bike with ($1,099-$1,599). rodcycle.com, 206.527.4822. ing on options and accessories. tandem- the bead seat diameter: 559 millimeters on Truvativ Rouleur GXP 175 52/42/30 crankset. bike.com, 303.986.9300. Headland rack included for $2,199. Also offers Sakkit Touring Bicycles offers six models. All the “ 26-inch” tire and 622 millimeters on the Duet Tandem ($2,449) and the Taiko models start at $1,800 for the frame and fork, Rans offers the long-wheel-base Stratus and the “ 700C” tire. The differences in out- Recumbent ($1,999). burley.com, start at $3,200 for a complete bike, and start the short-wheel-base VRex (both for $1,595). side diameter is usually less, because 26- 866.248.5634. at $3,800 for bike with custom front and rear www.recumbent.com/rans.html, 714.633.3663. racks. coinet.com/~beck man, 541.388.5146. inch tires are typically taller than 700C Cannondale The T2000 ($1,499) features Volae offers the Expedition ($1,995) and the tires. Shimano 105 front and XT in the Santana offers a wide array of tandems suit- Tour ($1,250). www.volaerecumbents.com, rear; the T800 ($1,199) uses a Shimano Tiagra able for touring (starting at $2,995). san 715.340.1133. Make the pannier versus trailer deci- front derailleur and XT in the rear. cannon tanatandem.com, 800.334.6136. sion. If you know you’ll use a trailer, this WizWheelz offers the TTR Performance Trike dale.com, 800.245.3872. offers three touring bikes — the for touring ($3,199). WizWheels.com, frees you up to get a bike that isn’t rack Co-Motion Cycles offers the Nor’Wester titanium Vacanza ($4,095 to $7,595), the 269.945.5581. friendly, such as a full-suspension moun- ($2,860 to $3,150) and Nor’Wester Co-Pilot Vacanza Steel ($2,595 to $5,095), and the tita- Folding Bikes tain bike for trail touring. If you want the with S&S couplers (from $3,320 to $3,615); the nium Muse, ($3,195 to $5,995). sevency- Americano ($3,070 to $3,290) and Americano cles.com, 617.923.7774. Airnimal Designs offers the Chameleon in option of using panniers (and frankly, as Co-Pilot with S&S couplers (from $3,520 to conjunction with Carradice Limpet front pan- much as I like trailers, I would always want Specialized Bicycles offers the light touring $3,740). co-motion.com, 541-342-4583. nier system. airnimal.com. Sequoia in three different aluminum versions that option on some of my bikes), buy the Fuji Bicycles offers the Touring ($840) and ($900; $1,300; $1,800). www.specialized.com, offers a variety of folding bikes, bike with racks in mind. the World ($1,572). fujibikes.com, 215.824.3854. 877.808.8154. including the New World Tourist (from $1,050- Identify your rack system. If you have $2,600) and the Air Glide ($2,160-$3,865). Gunnar Bikes offers the 26-inch Rock Tour Surly offers the Long-Haul Trucker frame and bikefriday.com, 800.777.0258. your heart set on using a certain rack, ($900, additional $275 for a Vicious Rigid Fork fork ($400), Karate Monkey frame and fork make sure it fits before you buy the bike. or $399 for a Rock Shox Duke SL suspension ($450), and the Cross-Check ($410; $910 for Birdy offers the Grey (£1,900) with a Rohloff fork). gunnarbikes.com, 262.534.4190. full bike). surlybikes.com, 877.743.3191. hub, and Blue (£1,500). foldingbikes.co.uk/ Conversely, if you have no system in mind, birdy.htm, +44 01225.442442 Heron Bicycles offers the Wayfarer ($1,300) Terry Bicycles offers the Col de la Madelaine enlist the shop’s help in identifying a rack the Touring Frame ($1,045) for “ true, loaded ($1,430) and the Classic ($930) for women. Breezer Bikes offers the i7 ($800). breezer system before you buy the bike. touring.” heronbicycles.com, 815.223.1776. Both bikes have flat bars. terrybicycles.com, bikes.com, 415.339.8917 Remember that self-contained tourist 800.289.8379. offers the Brompton offers the T-type folding bike should always balance their load between Independence frameset ($1,600) for self-sup- Trek offers the venerable 520 ($1,210). This ($1.050) with six gears, a dynamo-powered front and rear pannier sets, and that Old ported, long-distance touring. Plenty of bike has proven itself as a solid performer over lighting stystem and rear rack. Add $140 for options available. ifbikes.com, 617.666.3609. many years. trekbikes.com, 920.478.2191. hard transport case and $100 for front touring Man Mountain racks will fit most bikes pannier and frame. www.bromptonbicycle. that weren’t made to accommodate racks. offers the Nova ($1,050) and Vanilla Bicycles offers three touring models co.uk, +44 208.232.8484 the Aurora ($750). jamisbikes.com, all initially priced at $1,625. Options will Ponder your shoe size. After you’ve 201.768.9050. increase the price. vanillabicycles.com. Moulton offers a variety of folding bikes (from done the fit exercise, most frame dimen- $885 to $6,350). pashley.co.uk, +44 Koga Miyata offers the GlobeTraveller sion questions come out in the wash, but 01789.292.263. (£1,375), GlobeTravellerS (£1,665), Randonneur one dimension may not. You may find

16 ADVENTURECYCLISTMARCH 2005 ADVENTURECYCLING.ORG ADVENTURECYCLISTMARCH 2005 ADVENTURECYCLING.ORG 17 yourself being picky about chainstay must be discounted because of the placebo length if you have big feet. effect of subjective testing. The differences People traditionally recommend that simply aren’t as great as many other deci- touring cyclists insist on long chainstays sions you’ll make that will affect the quali- (17 1/2 to 18 inches, whereas chainstays ty of your ride. racing bikes are 16 to 16 1/2 inches) so Don’t fret over frame angles. Yes that their heels won’t clip their panniers. they’re important. But I haven’t seen a bike But if your load is well balanced between with messed-up frame angles sold in the front and rear panniers, this inch or two U.S. market for many years, so we’ll doesn’t matter much. However, if you have reserve that discussion for another day. big feet this inch or two matters plenty, Go over your gearing. You want a low because you may not be able to move the gear of 20 to 25 gear inches to cart a heavy panniers back far enough to get heel clear- load up a steep hill at the end of a tiring ance on some bikes. Obviously, this day. If the bike doesn’t have a gear that dimension varies with every combination low, ask about a component swap. of bike, rack, and pannier. So if you’re a Sometimes, this is as simple as changing size thirteen guy, look for long chainstays, the small chainwheel for a few bucks. A and investigate all this thoroughly. high gear of 90 gear inches allows you to Don’t worry about frame material. ride 24 mph at a moderate pedaling With the exception of a very few titanium cadence of 90 rpm, and that’s all the high bikes, the touring bikes you see will be gear a touring cyclist needs. Yet you’ll be steel or aluminum. Both are good. Some hard pressed to find a bike with “ only” 90 people prefer steel because welders any- inches as its high gear. More likely you’ll where can repair it. Aluminum makes a find a high gear well over 100 inches.

slightly lighter, stiffer frame. Any ride CHUCK HANEY Avoid using gears that high. They will Rolling recumbents. Once rare, recumbents used for touring are now common. reports about which gives the better ride destroy your knees. Sheldon Brown offers a great resource for gear information at www.sheldonbrown.com/gears. Finally, after you buy the bike, learn enough about it so you don’t have to fret over it when you’re on tour. Use thread- TERRY BIKES AD lock adhesive on the bolts that hold the accessories onto the frame. When on tour, b/w grab a rag and clean the entire bike every five or six days, and use the cleaning as an NEW opportunity to inspect every fastener for tightness, and also to look for bends, can’t open cracks, or other possible problems. Clean and lubricate your drive train regularly, especially after you’ve been riding rainy or muddy conditions. On a well-planned tour, you’ll take care of your bike without having it domi- nate your activities. Instead, you’ll spend your time meeting new friends, taking great photos, and sending postcards home. The ability to enjoy and embrace new experiences is what you really get when you buy a touring bike.

John Schubert has been Adventure Cyclist’s inform- ative technical writer since 1988. You can read more at www.adventurecycling.org/magazine and he can be reached for further comment at [email protected].

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