Recommendations for every wallet
Seven Vacanza
Most expensive
In spite of logging thousands of bicycle touring miles in my life, I've never owned a strictly production touring bicycle. I've taken whatever bike I had at the time and modified it for carrying gear over the long haul — sometimes more successfully than others.
That's why the article about choosing a touring bicycle in Adventure Cyclist's April issue was so interesting for me. Technical editor John Schubert gives an excellent primer on what to look for in a touring bike, then reviews some of the top contenders in several price ranges.
Adventure Cycling Association, the magazine's publisher, has posted the story — “Buying a touring bike in 2008”— online so you can check it out.
Touring bike makers
How many companies make touring bicycles? I would guess about 10. Actually, there are 30 listed in the article. That doesn't include 12 recumbent and foldable bike makers that offer touring models, as well as 11 touring frame builders.
They're all listed in a sidebar, as well as each bike makers' favorite models and contact information.
Cannondale Touring-1
medium priced
The list includes seven companies that offer touring bicycles in the under-$1,000 range (the least expensive is Breezer's Greenway at $799). Seven Cycles' titanium touring bikes are the most expensive, costing up to $9,000 for a complete bike.
How to choose
In terms of choosing a touring bicycle, Schubert's first suggestion is something I wouldn't have considered but it makes perfect sense: Find a bike shop that stocks touring bicycles and accessories. The staff will be knowledgeable about touring and committed to making you comfortable.
Other suggestions, which you've probably heard before but bear repeating:
Gearing
Tire width
Riding position
Front and rear rack attachments
Frame material
Recommendations
For the lowest priced bikes for touring, under $600, Schubert suggests looking at mountain or hybrid bikes. He names the Trek 7.2 or Trek 7.3 in this category for their wide tires, steel fork and aluminum frame and good gearing.
Jamis Aurora
Entry level
One step up are the least expensive entry-level touring bikes that start at around $800, those sold by Surly, Fuji, Jamis, Bianchi and REI. Schubert likes the Jamis Aurora and describes it in detail.
In the medium price range, Schubert touts the aluminum Cannondale models slightly ahead of steel-framed Trek 520. He likes the aluminum frame and prefers the Cannondale Touring-1 at $1,900.
Schubert admits he can't make a decision among high-priced bicycles, which include Waterford, Co-Motion and Bruce Gordon. Seeking the assistance of the owner of Hubbub Cycles in Chesterfield, Ohio, he names Seven Cycles, which offers steel, aluminum and titanium frames.
Among other types of bikes, he mentions the Greenspeed recumbent, Santana Enduro tandem, and Bike Friday folder.
My recommendation is to take Schubert's article, absorb it with everything else you've ever read about touring bikes, and use it as a guideline for choosing your next set of wheels of an upcoming bike adventure.
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