When looking for a new touring bike, make sure it has these 7 features (2023)

During the epidemic, cycling has experienced an unprecedented upsurge, which has also prompted many riders to trybike tour. Or you might know it by its funky names: bike wrap or adventure bike.

Whatever you call it, there's no hard and fast definition to touring, and there's no wrong way to do it, assuming you're safe. I think of touring as a non-race ride, but more cyclists think of touring as a ride that includes at least an overnight stay away from home. You don't need special gear to travel, though there are plenty of companies eager to sell you travel gear. Grab a bike, pack some supplies in a backpack, and start pedaling—you're on a bike tour.

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However, if you want to improve the comfort and convenience of your travels, you'll want to jump down the rabbit hole and explore the wonderful and geeky world of bicycle touring equipment. The longer your trip lasts, the more important equipment (and preparation) becomes.

Below, I'll cover the basic features you'll want to look for when considering a touring or touring-capable bike. This is not a discussion of the best frame material for traversing the continent nor the best number of spokes for traversing the continentKazakhstan—I'll save them for another story. The thing I want to stress most is that you don't need a traditional touring bike to take a bike tour. Many bags can be strapped to traditional frames without special attachment points. and some shelves fitCyclingNorack mount. But by paying attention to some or all of the features below, you'll have a better tour experience.

high weight limit

Before loading a ton of gear and supplies onto your frame, check your bike's overall weight limit. If you have a dedicated touring bike then this is less of an issue, but if you're touring with a carbon fiber race bike you'll need to make sure it's not overloaded or it could cause a breakdown. Also, the frame, wheels, and other components (handlebars, pedals, seatpost) often have their own weight limits, so be sure to check all of them.

generous tire clearance

Higher loads and the comfort of sitting in the saddle for long periods of time are two of the best reasons you'll want the biggest possible tires on your touring bike. You'll also get more grip and safety, more tire clearance also means you can fit fendersaddwider tires.

many mounts

Short trips don't need racks and bag racks——strap bagA small backpack is enough. But if you're planning to embark on a more ambitious trip, you'll need racks and accessory mounts to mount the extra gear and supplies you need. Front and rear rack mounts hold the bag inside. Not only do they swallow a lot, but they also mount lower on the bike for improved handling. The three-pack holders on the forks (they look like water bottle holders with extra holes) make it easy to attach additional water bottle holders (standard or extra large) or something similarSalsa's Everything Cage。

Some frameworks also have the ability to install packages directly. A direct mount bag can be more stable and has more security (it's harder for a thief to walk away with a bolted bag). Plus, bag straps can scratch or scuff the frame, especially if the bag is heavy and has many miles of use on wet or dirty rides. The challenge with direct fit kits, however, is that they tend to be specific to a particular bike model and, furthermore, frame size specific.

You can find other mounts depending on your preferences and type of travel: light mounts, bracket mounts, pump spikes, chain holders, and additional water bottle mounts.

Disc brakes

There are many reasons why you might want to travel with disc brakes. The biggest reason is that disc brakes manage heat better than rim brakes, which is critical when riding a loaded bike. Hard braking with rim brakes can overheat the rim, causing tube and tire failure. Disc brakes also provide more consistent braking performance, especially in wet conditions. Additionally, with disc brakes, riders can install larger diameter disc rotors when they need more power and thermal capacity while touring, then swap to smaller diameter rotors for everyday riding and enjoy the reduced weight and The benefit of better conditioning. For best performance and safety on a loaded touring bike, pair disc brakes with thru axles.

low debt ratio

I'll detail the various drivetrain options for touring bikes in another article, but for now, know that low gear ratios are an important attribute of a touring bike. The extra weight of laden bikes, the added rolling resistance of tempered tires, and the aerodynamic losses of the upright position and trunk are all reasons for the low touring gear. how low as low as possible. Maybe even too low. Because the rotation is conducive to climbing up when going downhill. If you're repurposing your standard bike, consider installing a larger cassette and smaller chainring. With some modern drivetrains, like SRAM's AXS, it's easy to mix parts from a brand's mountain, road, and gravel drivetrains to build a touring-friendly gear line.

various hand positions

Cycling for long periods of time can get tiring. You want a handlebar setup that lets you switch between multiple hand positions to keep it as comfortable as possible. Traditional drop bars are a good start, and you can enhance it with add-ons like clip-on aero bars with extensions and elbow pads, or something simpler likeFarr's Aero Bolt-on. For riders who prefer flat bars, there are a few more options. Flat bars with various hand positions, e.g.Sally's Milk, or you can addInsideand / oroutsideThe rod end is a standard flat rod.

coupler

If you plan to start your trip from a distant destination, considerframe with coupler. This allows you to pack the bike into a smaller case, potentially avoiding the airline fee. Plus, smaller boxes are easier to move through airports and load into trains, taxis and rental cars.