A new lead?

Riggedfmx

Riggedfmx

Well-Known Member
This year has been pretty crazy for me. However, with some changes, I find myself with more time and with this itch to start touring. I'm considering selling my fat bike and looking into picking up a touring bike and giving it a wirl. So my question is, has anyone here done some touring? If so, did you enjoy it? And what are some good touring bike out there?
 
Cool. Are you thinking of a traditional setup (sticking to pavement/ packing in panniers), a more lightweight setup, or maybe hitting some dirt / bikepacking?

I've done some shorter localish stuff up to a few days, nothing completely nuts. Grew up backpacking, and it's fun to couple that with bikes.

I've done trips on hardtail, rigid geared mtb and road bike, all depends on where you're going and how prepared you want to be for the inevitable "cool looking side road/trail" detour.

Depending on what your camping gear quiver and your bike quiver look like, you may be able to use a bike you own and spend the funds on other gear.
 
IMG_1866.JPG


All City Space Horse
 
I think Liong and Jim have shown you can tour for a few days with just about any bike.
If you already have a bike with braze-ons for rear racks, it will work for most unsupported rides for a few days.
When you get to the point where you need to go full loaded touring, out weeks to months at a time, then that's another bike. For that application the Surly LHT and BG Rock 'n Road come to mind. Bruce may no longer be taking orders though, as he's retiring from building. Also LHTs are not expensive on the secondary market.
 
Distance, terrain, and level of support will determine bike and gear types. I'll generally tour with minimal gear for road and obviously much more for offroad winter riding.

IMG_20170324_132245_832.jpg

IMG_20170108_103005_996.jpg

Pick your poison.
 
I was gonna go I guess more traditional. Something for the road/gravel that I can throw a tent, sleeping bag/pad and go.
 
Riggedfmx said:
I was gonna go I guess more traditional. Something for the road/gravel that I can throw a tent, sleeping bag/pad and go.
Click to expand...

See top pic in my post. Was taken during a 355-Mile tour of the D&R. Shelter, bag, pad, pillow, and change of clothes are in the panniers.
 
Riggedfmx said:
I was gonna go I guess more traditional. Something for the road/gravel that I can throw a tent, sleeping bag/pad and go.
Click to expand...

I'm a huge fan of the Windsor Tourist that Bikes Direct sells. It's basically a re-badged Fuji. Inexpensive, STI shifters, proper touring gearing everything on it is actually setup for touring, cantilever brakes, decently sized tires, 32 spoke strong wheels, comes with the rear rack.

I've done simple overnight credit card touring trips with mine to 2 week long trips where I lived off the bike.

I've upgraded mine but it's great as-is. Besides the bike all you need is some decent bags and camping/cooking gear. I went overboard and got Ortlieb bags, but it's really not necessary unless you're going to use them all the time or deal with horrible weather.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom