Comments on: Choosing a Bicycle for Long Distance Touring

By: Muneer Ahmed

Muneer Ahmed — Tue, 18 Jan 2022 00:37:47 +0000

I used to ride a stock Specialized Rockhopper mtb until the straight handlebars started causing numbness in my hands and forearms after a long ride.

I still ride the same, but have swapped the straight handle for a touring bar – difference is amazing. No more soreness in hands, much more comfortable and enjoyable on long distances. I’ve also put on smoother tyres for a better road experience. Almost feels like a sofa.
The ruggedness of the mtb frame and wheels gives confidence on the potholed roads and the tougher components give much more confidence on the longer trips….and it’s not heavy.

By: Akos

Akos — Mon, 06 Dec 2021 13:58:49 +0000

I know you wlll destroy me for me for this idea: But why not using a Road bike or even a triathlon frame for travel? I am a Triathlete and a world cyclist traveller. I have a road bike, a Salsa Fargo and a TT Frame Bike. I travelling the last 6 years with Salsa. Sure you can drive everywhere. BUT i became step by step a problem with my back and Piriformis because i sitting too much upwards. I assembly an aero handlebar extension and now a bit better. In October i try with my road bike to go into the mountains and made 450km in 4 days and two big mountain climbs. And i feel much comfortable on the road as ever with the Salsa. Why? Because i put less stuff on the bike, my lagguage was much lighter then with 4 -5 Ortlieb packs. i was faster, i made some 30-35km within one hour and arrived much earlier on the hotel. And i was not that tired after 100km as with the Salsa 100km. All in all it was a much better way to travel, because i thinking about what i need on the way and what i dont need. i would try i out in spring with the time trial frame and a Extrawheel trailer.

By: Allen b Harris

Allen b Harris — Mon, 26 Jul 2021 06:56:30 +0000

I am surprised that Ridgeback is still fitting aluminium racks to its high-end touring bikes when most other brands fit cro-moly. Aluminium whilst okay for components such as wheel rims, handlebars, and seatposts, is too fragile for heavily loaded racks with thin small diameter tubes and suffers too easily from metal fatigue.

By: Festus

Festus — Sun, 20 Jun 2021 12:36:55 +0000

important points to consider

1 tyre selection is huge, choose tyres with much lower rolling resistance

2 bike fit is huge, having a good fit becomes much more important with long distance cycling

3 as stated in the article there is no perfect bike, every type of bike is a compromise, but there is a perfect bike fit and a perfect type of tyre, and even a perfect aerodynamic can be achieved with pannier and load placement

4 start off slowly and focus on enjoyment and experience rather than distances, live in the moment

By: Festus

Festus — Sun, 20 Jun 2021 12:21:40 +0000

In reply to Kim. !!!!!!Awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

By: Brajesh kumar

Brajesh kumar — Sun, 07 Feb 2021 07:19:28 +0000

I am long distance cycling

By: Eva Hoekstra

Eva Hoekstra — Thu, 03 Sep 2020 13:28:19 +0000

In reply to dibehsh adhikari. Hello, thank you for your comment. We have some great resources on our website in the "touring advice" blog section. I would suggest you research the road and trail conditions you will be on and start by getting good tires.

By: Eva Hoekstra

Eva Hoekstra — Thu, 03 Sep 2020 13:27:37 +0000

In reply to dibehsh adhikari.

Hello, thank you for your comment. We have some great resources on our website in the “touring advice” blog section. I would suggest you research the road and trail conditions you will be on and start by getting good tires. Check out our tire blog https://tdaglobalcycling.com/2020/08/the-best-tires-for-cycle-touring-schwalbe-marathon/.

By: dibehsh adhikari

dibehsh adhikari — Fri, 28 Aug 2020 05:04:48 +0000

sir i am from nepal and want to travel from my place to southern part of nepal i have a bicycle but don’t know how to prepare my bike for the ride please help me

By: Eva Hoekstra

Eva Hoekstra — Wed, 29 Jul 2020 14:26:34 +0000

In reply to Maureen Liew.

Hi Maureen, thank you for your question. We have a great blog about choosing a bike for fully supported tour, these bikes also work very well for solo touring.

https://tdaglobalcycling.com/2020/02/choosing-a-bike-for-a-supported-cycle-tour/

By: Maureen Liew

Maureen Liew — Wed, 29 Jul 2020 01:40:52 +0000

I’m planning to do a bike tour in Europe and don’t know what type of bike to get. I’m 5feet 3inches tall weighing 58kg. being new to cycling, of course I wish to have something as much strength-efficient as possible. I do hiking a lot though. I guess I need to mount a camping gear, personal effects and essentials.
Please advise me, thank you.

By: Eva Hoekstra

Eva Hoekstra — Mon, 27 Jul 2020 21:10:18 +0000

In reply to Adnan. Hi Adnan That's a great bike for off road conditions and camping with gear. I would check on the bikes company website regarding sizing recommendations.

By: Adnan

Adnan — Sun, 26 Jul 2020 11:17:48 +0000

I am living in Prague. I like cycling. After 5 years, now i am starting starting bycycle. Sometimes, i am riding in city & outside Prague. In near Prague lots of cycling route & medium level mountain track road.. igo to mountain & staying alone in roadside with my tent.my question ROADRIDER ST530 is good for my,this type of travel. I like this bycycle because hydrolic brakes, tyre thick & grip is good,winter & rainy days perfect.next week,i buying this bycycle. What is your suggestion. My height 6 feet & weight 90kg.

By: Cheap PVA Gmail Account

Cheap PVA Gmail Account — Wed, 18 Mar 2020 07:00:45 +0000

Great tips and very easy to understand, Thank you.

By: John Hickie

John Hickie — Fri, 23 Aug 2019 00:15:29 +0000

I ride a lot of long distance. Did the Camino in 2013 on my Cervello RS road bike with an 11-32 rear cassette. With the stiff frame and slightly easier rear cassette range, I could do 22% grades.

Since then I’ve switched to an aluminum Trek 720. The bottom bracket is not as stiff, but I’ve put an 11-36 cassette on the back which makes the steeps easier. The really nice thing for distance is that I can put a carrier on for a pannier to carry rain gear etc. I also modified the standard tires with an upgrade to a 32mm tire. I can actually corner better with the bigger tires. They’re also nice on gravel and dirt. I use drop bars as I can put my hands in many different positions over the course of the day. I find that I get ulnar nerve parasthesias with flat bars. Plus it’s easier to fight a headwind when you’re down low. Standard handlebars too low, you can always get a stem with a rise so that you can still get down on the bars, but not so low to be uncomfortable. All in all, not as fast or light as the Cervello, but more versatile.

So, a frame as light as you can get while still being durable, wide range gears, slightly bigger tires and drop bars. The Trek lineup has some nice bikes in their gravel category that seem very similar to my 720 (maybe that’s why they dumped it from the touring line up). The frame is set up for racks and fenders and there’s a pretty nice drive train. Comes in all carbon or aluminum.

By: Peter Michaelson

Peter Michaelson — Thu, 18 Jul 2019 21:48:17 +0000

What is the general advice on e-bikes with pedal assist? I’m concerned that I will not quite be up to the task and would like some assistance with the big hills and headwinds.

I’m told that riding the newer ones without using the assist is just like the regular ‘sister’ of a particular e-bike model – except for the added weight. So for the most part I would be un-assisted – just not sure about the toughest days.

Thoughts?

By: RAJAT PRAJAPATI

RAJAT PRAJAPATI — Sun, 02 Jun 2019 18:59:08 +0000

I plan for long distance bycycle trip ( approx 2000+ km ) could you advice me, which is best bycycle & what kind of assesories are require.

Thanks.

By: Micah

Micah — Wed, 22 May 2019 15:41:26 +0000

In reply to cynthia sheller. Hi Cynthia, The first week or so of riding is on dirt roads where those tires would be a good fit. After that, there are mostly paved roads, and you may want to bring a second set of thinner tires. However, this is a matter of personal preference. This is a tour, not a race, and many people are perfectly happy to ride on paved roads on 50c tires.

By: cynthia sheller

cynthia sheller — Fri, 17 May 2019 20:40:29 +0000

Kong Sutra wheel question
North American Epic 2019
I have the ‘factory’ equipment, including those giant 50 mm wheels.
Will my bike be too slow? I can’t really get an idea On my own, because I haven’t been able to get out this spring to enjoy riding…. or even to train…. due to breaking an elbow, having the fortune of living in this century, so an orthopedist could insert a metal device and 8 screws to hitch the olecranon back onto the ulna …so I don’t know how it will perform….

Will I wish I had suspension systems?

Should I bring another set of wheels? I’m not sure how much of the trip will be on paved roads

Many thanks
Cynthia

By: Tim Niehoff

Tim Niehoff — Sat, 02 Feb 2019 03:59:45 +0000

I am just starting out bicycling to stay in shape and just for the fun of it. I have found some really nice bikes but they are used. but of good quality and would like to know of a good web site that could help me get them back in shape. Do you have any suggestions for me? Thanks

By: Chandan

Chandan — Thu, 22 Nov 2018 15:17:39 +0000

In reply to Peter. My name is Chandan I'm from India I wanna going to do India book of record in India by non stop cycling about 1837 km in 100 hours can u please suggest the best cycle model for this event...

By: Michael Coo

Michael Coo — Mon, 27 Aug 2018 14:41:42 +0000

In reply to Peter Karwacki. That might be a challenge is the daily distances get over 80 kms.

By: Peter Karwacki

Peter Karwacki — Sun, 26 Aug 2018 17:00:28 +0000

How about a Brampton, Dahon or other folding bike?

By: Tamburello Francois

Tamburello Francois — Tue, 10 Jul 2018 13:50:25 +0000

I plan to browse route 66 on bicycle what kind of bicycle and accessories could you advice me

Thank you

Francois Tamburello

By: Pravin Kumar

Pravin Kumar — Tue, 20 Feb 2018 13:34:15 +0000

I know the cycling. Enjoyed cycling as a child. Still I am physically fit and do yoga regularly. I just want to do cycling for long distance to nature with cycling.

By: Mick McManus

Mick McManus — Sat, 20 May 2017 06:40:04 +0000

In reply to Shanny Hill. Good memory Shanny hope all is well.

By: Shanny Hill

Shanny Hill — Fri, 19 May 2017 18:51:41 +0000

In reply to Mick McManus. lookin' good Mick :)

By: Mick McManus

Mick McManus — Thu, 18 May 2017 21:55:32 +0000

Have you considered payments for “image rights” now that I’m a famous touring cyclist?

By: Cindy Tesler

Cindy Tesler — Mon, 12 Dec 2016 19:38:29 +0000

Thanks for mentioning that there are three basic types of mountain bikes. You also said that a ‘hard tail’ mountain bike is the most versatile option. I think it’s a good idea to choose a mountain bike that has a comfortable seat for long-distance travel.

By: Kim

Kim — Wed, 19 Oct 2016 13:59:39 +0000

I see a lot of down talk in various blogs and sights over hybrid use for long distance touring! I ame a man and purchased a womans hybrid fuji silloette! The bike shop guy never could sell it due to being black painted as it was more masculine look didnt apeal to the gals! It fit me perfect !! It has 9 rings on the cassette and a tripple on the front ! My climber is a 32 , rapid fire shifters and chain stay is 2 inches longer than my specialize carbon fiber robaix ! Also disc brakes ! My super tor dx rack is solid on the mounts provided and i carry 25 lbd of stealth camping gear with absolutely no problems! The bike control is awesome even on gravel roads and old trainbed trails with 32 tires ! I have no problen clearing my panniers with my heels !! When traveling with the soandex croud of course tge roubaix is the way to go with sagg supported touring cruising 15 to 17 mph avg. but then i get tired of the testosterone hype of having to make the distances quicker and missing out on taking some pictures etc. am i slower on it? Of course but who cares when time is ni factor in the equasion ! I avg anywhere from 12.5 to 13.2 moh avg loaded and that was on a 55 mile journey including a dirt road here and there! I have seen many expedition bikers only avg 9 to 11 moh averages ! This bike is aluminum frame and feels very sturdy traveling! Also very cofortable ! To me cross country tourin/ adventuring is not about how fast you go its about nature/ fun ! If it is a little more effort riding all you do is take more breaks. No big deal! Sure i like to get out and haul on my carbon fiber niw and then but when alone i could care less about soeed ! I say tge right hybrid is a great long distance traveler !