Choosing a Touring Bike

What bike to ride -

Road bike -
Road bikes are built for speed on paved roads. They are lightweight and have narrow, high-pressured tires, which provide the least amount of rolling resistance on the road. They have curved "drop" handlebars, which allow you to tuck into a fast, aerodynamic position. The bars also allow you to vary your hand position in order to relieve hand and body fatigue. The bikes are not designed to carry gear and may become unstable when loaded down with panniers (saddlebags). Road bikes are a good choice for a supported ride when a truck carries your gear. All you need to carry on your bike are water bottles and a handlebar bag with some personal items.

Mountain bike -
Mountain bikes are built for rugged off-road riding. They have straight, wide, upright handlebars, which lets you maneuver the bike more easily and allows for a better view of the road. The fat, knobby tires cushion against road shock on bumpy terrain but feel slow and cumbersome on pavement. Mountain bikes are best for touring on gravel roads or trails. All bikes have front suspension and some come equipped with rear suspension. The bikes are sturdy because they are compact and low to the ground. Mountain bikes can be improved for on pavement riding by substituting lighter wheels and narrow high-pressured tires. If you want to equip the bike with panniers for self-contained touring, clamp-on racks are available. In addition, a heavy-duty trailer can be pulled from behind.

Hybrid bike -
Hybrid bikes have a combination of mountain bike and road bike features which allow you to ride on paved or dirt roads. The straight, upright handlebars, and low gearing provide the comfort and stability experienced on a mountain bike. The quick steering response and reduced rolling resistance from medium width road tires (32-40 mm) allows for a faster and more comfortable ride on pavement. When touring, hybrid bikes with narrow tires work best for supported tours. A hybrid with fatter tires will better equip you for a self-contained tour on dirt or paved roads.

Recumbent bike -
Touring on a recumbent, a "bent", is like cycling in a lawn chair with wheels. You sit in a chair with your legs out in front of you, rather than underneath. A recumbent provides a comfortable ride, especially for people with chronic back and neck pain. The rider has better visibility due to sitting in an upright position and the bikes are aerodynamic (faster in a headwind). One drawback is that recumbents are heavier and have more difficulty climbing than upright bikes. Recumbents have been used for many kinds of touring. Self-contained touring requires a special type of recumbent that can handle more weight. Gear can be hauled in panniers or pulled behind in a trailer. Read more about recumbents.

Touring-specific bike -
A touring-specific bike has the best design for self-contained touring on paved and gravel roads. It comes equipped with a strong but lightweight steel or aluminum frame with relaxed angles and a longer wheelbase for comfort and stability. The frame should be designed with brazed-on fittings for attaching racks, water bottle cages and fenders. It will have drop handlebars, a triple chainring to provide a wide range of gearing, and V-style or cantilever brakes. It should also have well built wheels, strong rims and wider tires. All of these qualities provide the bike with stability, long-distance comfort and the ability to carry heavy weight. Read more about touring bikes.