[Closed] touring bike recommendations

Steel or aluminum

yes, one of those, but answer may depend on where you're going and what you expect of it.

panniers or bikepacking bags ?

yes, either of those, make your mind up what you want first 🙂

there's a lot of choice for both traditional touring bikes with all associated braze-ons etc, and also more 'adventure' and bikepacking style things, and that's not to say neither type can cross over to the other but you need to have a think (or tell us) what you're actually going to be doing, and what your requirements are before we can offer any useful suggestions.

does your £700 also include budget for bags/luggage?

I am going to be doing short 1-2 week tours, aiming to pack light. I know I want a easy to repair bike - threaded BB, rim brakes, full cable housing etc.

I have another budget for bags.

What kind of riding do you want to do?

Off-road bikepacking kit is probably better.

On-road or longer tours then panniers are probably more suitable.

sorry, on road.

I am going to be doing short 1-2 week tours, aiming to pack light. I know I want a easy to repair bike - threaded BB, rim brakes, full cable housing etc.

TBH I'd not worry about it too much.

2 weeks is hardly going to expose the fragility of even a carbon race bike (there's a famous 3 week tour of France every year, it's on TV and everything). You're not going to wear anything out, even brake pads are unlikely, in 2 weeks.

Mine:

[url= https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1570/26037247400_1e5e41ec21_c.jp g" target="_blank">https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1570/26037247400_1e5e41ec21_c.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/FEPGwC ]2016-04-08_05-20-37[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/7614571@N05/ ]thisisnotaspoon[/url], on Flickr

I like it, at least partially because it looks like I think a touring bike should look. On the other hand:
Canti's are still rubbish in the wet.
Friction shifters are still rubbish, when climbing out the saddle you will slip out of gear just as your overtaken by an HGV.

I'd rather take panniers, only take bikepacking kit out of necessity rather than choice. The latter is fine for an overnight in the woods with no need for a change of clothes. The panniers you can take 2x sets of riding kit, and something vaguely smart to wear to the pub.

So get whatever's comfortable, an old 26" inbred with 35C slicks, 100mm stem and narrow flat bars with bar ends? An old touring bike? It'll all be fine if it's in good nick.

Spa Cycles. They're touring specialists and a good bunch of lads. They have full bikes in your price range from Raleigh, Dawes, Ridgeback etc. They also have their own range but they're more money.

[url= http://www.spacycles.co.uk/products.php?plid=m1b0s21p0 ]Knock yourself out[/url]

Whats your size I have a tourer sat in the shed that i mail ordered to large for me can be had cheap in very good condition i bought it new,to fit size 5'/10" up.

I think Evans do a Fuji that looks great value. They also allow test rides...

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Looks like its £600

https://www.evanscycles.com/fuji-touring-2016-touring-bike-EV241592

Edinburgh Bicycle Coop always did a decent tourer for the money. Worth a browse anyway.

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im a fan of this.... how ever youll likely want a lower set of chainrings(think 26-38) up front for propper touring - or as im doing a fitting a triple - the joy of claris is its cheap as chips even for brifters 😀

£599 and rather capible off road as well .... much nicer off road than my cross bike - has 40c tyres and guards on compared to 35s and no guards on the CX (which has no clearance for bigger tyres or guards.

[img] [/img]

A cheeky Cannondale SilkTour Series?
Caad2 w/tyre clearance up to at least 38
SilkTour Headshok D fork
Magura Hydraulic rim brakes
SUP 700c
Triple front, Ultegra up back
USE suspension post
Lepper Voyager hide saddle w/Reynolds 531 hollow rails
Cinelli Eubios drops
Continental Touring Plus

[IMG] [/IMG]

Sublimely comfortable and nicely swift. Except I just got bitten by Monstercross, so anyone wants this as a project give me a shout.

like the look of that malvern rider whats the size?

ST 55cm
TT 58

As pictured set for me, I'm 5' 10" - 31.5 inseam.

My short arms = short stem. I know a man hereabouts with a selection of 'Dale stems...

*Edit - Just re-measured seat tube: Centre to top is 56cm.

Great shame I can stretch to a 56 top tube but 58 is to long 5.9 short back and bent spine.

love the dale tourers i had the flat bar ultra and regret selling it the forks are sooo good.

^ maybe. The centre of the bar-clamp to the nose of my seat (adjusted full fwd) is 50cm if you want to compare to yr current setup.

I will measure in the morning.

hi Malvern Rider pretty sure thats to long for me but if you have time measure from the centre of the top tube cap to the centre of the seatpost as close to horizontal as you can and ill know for sure, the seat nose measurement will vary according to seat.

There's no reason why you can't mix traditional style panniers and bikepacking style harnesses/bags. I've a Genesis Croix de Fer which has braze-ons for panniers but it also happens to be just the right size to take my Wildcat Ocelot partial frame bag. I didn't plan for this, I just tried it and it fitted. The handlebar harness won't fit though - the gear cables exit the hoods at right angles and get in the way.

Noodles for the gear cables may solve that problem.

I like my surly disk trucker. Its a "proper tourer", but i use it as my day to day road bike/ town bike/ tourer (anything where its more suitable than my five)

Its tough but basic 4130 steel, and will take a beating

Also, as a lanky git (more superior, tall person), the low bottom bracket keeps the saddle down, and the bars high without being a complete gate (i dont think)
Frame was 300 quid, built from spares bin. All XT and Hope.
V comfortable geometry. Get a good saddle, take your time and you will be able to ride all day and not feel it.

Genesis Croix de Fer, Tour de Fer, etc are very similar type things and cheaper.

In theory an aluminium frame wont like the stress of loaded riding, and will eventually fracture where as a steel bike should spring better (im sure some clever sod will be along to say that in reality it is unlikely, but technically it WILL in maybe 20 years)

Consider that a good quality tourer will last you a life time. Do it right the first time.

I rate my rim brake Trucker. Stable with any load. Comfortable all day. My Spa Steel Tourer is pretty similar. Less clearance for big tyres though. The Trucker takes up to 700x42 and mudguards while the Spa is 700x35 and mudguards. Both are more than the OP's budget though.

The Fuji tourer linked above looks great value. Steel frame, proper touring gearing. I'd switch to V brakes - a cheap change - but otherwise a really good component choice for the budget. If I was buying an off the shelf tourer now i'd give it a close look.

My size 58cm is £509! The Spa and Surly are good but there is no way they are nearly twice as good as the Fuji. Paying £509 leaves plenty cash for upgrading the tyres or changing the saddle or stem etc.

https://www.evanscycles.com/fuji-touring-2016-touring-bike-EV241592?xid=78888&awc=1302_1462990056_b20ca518d2deaa3297c1b8aa76896fd9&utm_source=Awin&utm_medium=Affiliate&utm_campaign=78888

Sorry wicki been away from the bike for awhile. OK - stem cap top,centre to seatpost top centre = 59cm

my email in profile if interested cheers.

One of those Kona Roves and whatever kind of luggage you fancy looks great for that price.

I like steel but wouldn't hesitate to buy the right bike if it was alloy.

Just noticed your 'no discs' preference, sorry.
In that case the Fuji looks perfect.
Great spec and crazy value.