What to look for in a Touring Bike

Thinking of buying a bike for bicycle touring? This video covers what to look for in a long distance Touring Bike. Focusing on the classic or traditional touring bike, I mention the key features to look for, as I talk about the bike top through to bottom.

[Yonok]

I have a Fuji Touring travelled 12, 000 kms without a problem
This bike has all the features you mentioned except for the quill stem
Enjoyed you video:)

[buffplums]

Yeah I would agree with Thierry, mudguards are essential. I dont understand why so many cyclists dont use them. I can understand on a road bike considering the weight issue but I used to have the little short mudguards made from aluminium on my road bikes and they weigh almost nothing and they only need to be secured by a single lug so they can be fitted or removed in a jiffy. Better than having a line of shit that does look like you have shit yourself all up your back, that is just misery in the wet.

[eugenedelatorre]

Thank you for the information. I'm planning to buy my first bike as I wanted to do bike touring. Very informative

[sergefog]

These "simple cantilevers" are Avid Shorty Ultimate and are among the highest quality cantilevers you can get today! Great choice! Great video too, I really enjoy the "British" looks of this bike, I personally can't do drop bars but you Brits have a thing or two when it comes to bike styling and these drop bars with classic shifters look amazing!

[deezkayx]

Good job, I only ride steel, the long wheelbase on a true tourer makes for a stable ride when loaded.

[rogerkomula]

I got the Brooks all weather carved one and I like it. I even bought another for my other bike.

[brucewmclaughlin]

@1:46 handlebars, interesting as I look back at my touring on an upright bike and I would change hand positions every 15 minutes because that was what I was taught for touring and yes you have about 5 positions to choose from. Now I ride a recumbent which has far better aerodynamics and I can ride for 3 hours with the same position as I no longer hold any body weight on the bars. Wish I had bought my recumbent far sooner. The truth of the matter about buying a touring bike is, you can tour on any bike period. The only enhancements would be lower gearing and a decent saddle.

[babbar]

Surprisingly informative video. Really well explained.

[ArchimedesWoo]

Good down to earth advice, especially regarding wheels. Aluminium frames have a tendency to flex after years of touring with a full kit, and forget trying to get one fixed in an undeveloped country.
;-)

[ful]

Dave, great informational video! I'm going to purchase a Trek 520 for bike touring. I'm currently using a Specialized Cross Trail, but it is not built for touring. Thanks again for making the video! Good riding, mate!

[garrycleak]

Lovely bike. However I think it could do with some decent mudguards. Thanks for the overview.

[Liamofloin]

Hello Dave,
Thanks for the talk through of the fundamentals of a Touring Bike. But I don't understand how a longer Top Tube would give a rider a more upright position. Surely a longer top tube would mean your handlebars are further away from the saddle and therefore the rider would have a less upright position?
Sincerely,
Liam.

[ditofuhrer]

debate between steel and aluminum will never end but here two things, if you ride near coastal line(beach etc) u might prefer aluminum since its gonna less corrode, while steel is good for most of the touring bike because if something happens (chainstay break for example) you can weld it in almost every workshop available

[badger]

When I was into my touring bikes there were a few things that I required.
Campag record hubs.
B17.
40 spoked laced x4 doubled walled rear rim.
Jim blackburn 4 point carrier and front low riders.
Reynolds 531 frame and I'm showing my age 😆😆😆😆👍

[IS-xkiq]

I would have liked to hear about gear ratio and number of teeth in the back cassette to tackle those inclines.

[johnbrookes]

Thanks for the info Dave especially what to look for re geometry.

[frankzagarino]

Always great to hear that friendly Australian accent ! Thanks for the vide-o!

[SinnerSince]

At 04:00 How is a longer top tube going to give a more upright position? It seems to me, a longer top tube would lay a rider down more, right?

[medawc]

The front tire is mounted backwards, the thread direction should be the opposite way.

[jbirdperez]

Nice !! I want that bike .. Add some fenders and you're ready