![]() ![]() For most tourers who stick to primarily paved surfaces and won’t be heading too far off into the developing world, the standard road wheel size, which is 700c, will be just fine. Wheel size: When considering the right wheel size for your touring bike, think about the surfaces you’ll be riding on and where in the world you plan to go.For touring, you’ll want spokes that cross each other twice or even three times. Some lightweight race wheels have spokes that don’t cross at all. It’s also worth paying attention to how many times the spokes cross each other. Wheels with 36 spokes are often a better choice if you’re going to be carrying lots of weight and/or riding on rough roads. More spokes typically mean stronger wheels, so a good general recommendation is to choose wheels that have at least 32 spokes. Number of spokes: With all that weight you’re hauling on your touring bike, it’s good to think about the strength of the wheels.When considering wheels for touring bikes, look at: Steel is unlikely to break, but if it does, it may be possible to repair the damage with welding. Bike tourers also tend to choose steel for its durability, especially for traveling long distances in remote locations. The most common choice for bike tourers is chromoly steel for its strength and smooth ride quality-steel is able to absorb road vibrations to create a less jarring feel compared to some other materials. By extending these, frame builders can create more space for rear panniers on the bike. Something else you’re likely to see on a touring bike is longer chainstays (the part of the frame that’s nearest to the chain). (The wheelbase is the horizontal distance between the hubs of the front and rear wheels.) Longer wheelbases generally allow for easier steering and better stability while carrying a load. To accomplish this, you’ll find that most touring bikes have longer wheelbases than road bikes. Here's a look at some of the key differences between road bikes and touring bikes.īikes meant specifically for bike touring are designed so they can remain comfortable and stable while carrying a heavy load. But if you’re wondering if the road bike you have at home will work, it can be helpful to have a basic understanding of how these impact ride quality. If you’re purchasing a touring-specific bike, the manufacturer incorporates these factors into the design. The geometry of a bike frame, the materials used to construct it and the components that are on it can play a big part in how the bike feels, especially when you’re hauling a heavy load and riding on variable surfaces. If you’re planning to tour frequently, then a touring-specific bike may be a good choice for you. But there are reasons why bikes designed specifically for touring exist: They are purposefully made to be durable, comfortable and stable while carrying lots of gear over very long distances. People commonly use road bikes, mountain bikes and hybrid bikes. Spend a little time researching what people use for bike touring and you’ll find that there’s no one right type of bike. ![]() Bike touring really is about the long haul not the sprint, so you’ll want to make decisions that align with that. This may require you to shift the way you think about things, especially if you’ve previously shopped for a road-specific bike and prioritized light weight and speed. When choosing a touring bike, your main goal is to find comfort, stability and durability. So, whether you’re assessing the bike you own or shopping for a new one, this article will help you understand things to consider as they relate to bike touring. That said, lots of different types of bikes can work for touring and, in fact, you may already have one at home that will do just fine. With a bike that’s well-suited to bike touring, you can travel just about anywhere there’s a road while carrying everything you need for the days, weeks or months ahead. Previous Article Introduction to Bike Touring
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