This is the text of an email I sent to a customer who asked some questions about what makes a good touring bike:
A touring bike should be about comfort. Typically the tourist is not going to be doing too many short, hard efforts or sustained efforts in a paceline. Rather the tourist is concerned about riding at a moderate pace for a long time….6 or 7 hours or more.
-An extreme drop in height from the saddle to the handlebars, while allowing the competitive rider to take advantage of aerodynamics, might not be as comfortable on an all day slog at a moderate, steady pace.
-Tires are a major factor in comfort…use tires with 28mm minimum nominal width and 32mm or 35mm would be better. Don’t fall into the intuitive trap that hard skinny tires are faster. They aren’t and they beat you up on a long ride.
-You already mentioned fenders and we think they are essential, plus a bike doesn’t look right without them.
-Balance your load front and rear with more weight on the front (if the bike’s trail is suitable) On a good touring bike this will help stabilize the ride and steering. Your own weight on the bike is distributed about 60% rear and 40% front and adding more weight to the rear only can affect handling. We like Ostrich or Berthoud front rack top “rando” bags because they sit right on top of the front wheel/fender for a low center of gravity, they are easily accessible, and they have map cases.
-Drop handlebars offer more hand positions for long days and if the bars are up higher the drops are actually usable!
Get a traditionally spoked, cross three wheelset with minimum 32 spokes and 36 if you are heavier than 160 or so. Mavic or Velocity rims… they are the best.
Arguably, a good dynamo hub with a permanent headlight is a necessity. I think so.
We are big fans of leather saddles, for too many reasons to explain here.
A compact double crank set could work if you have a wide rear cassette and/or if you will not be doing much loaded touring. A triple is nice on loaded tours. 25 gear inches or less would be the recommended low range for loaded touring.
OK, you asked a loaded, open question. Hope I got close to answering it.
Regards,
Jim
Phillip Bissell March 15, 2013, 12:02 am
Jim, as an old saddlebum with a lot of touring behind me in Australia, I agree wholeheartedly with every word of yours about touring bicycles. Incidentally, I have never met a person in a Bike Shop in this country who would have a single clue on the subject. Sad, aint it?
My two bikes are taking shape with their new Nitto Dirt Drops plus a lot of other stuff. More later. . .
Phillip
Bike Hermit March 15, 2013, 8:37 am
Phillip,
I’m glad an “old saddlebum” thinks I was close to the mark! I still want to see pictures of your bikes when they’re finished.
Nomadic Justin January 2, 2014, 7:33 pm
I’ve actually had great luck with my local bike shop here in Austin, TX. More than one of the staff have done multi-thousand-km tours and they are all pretty knowledgeable about loaded touring in general.
I’m going to do this TransAmerica this year with a dog trailer and a 30kg Black Lab in tow… the fact that these same guys are questioning my sanity should probably give me pause 😀
Bike Hermit™ January 3, 2014, 7:25 am
Justin,
I’m not sure about bike touring across the US with a 30 pound dog either, but it appears that you have some experience riding with Mook. One wonders if he might present challenges at the end of the day when deciding where to stay? Care to share the name of your local shop for other bike tourists in your area?