Want to tour but....

[ufkacbln]

Don't worry too much.

Touring is simply cycling a few miles, and carrying your gear with you.

Almost any bike will do this. The important thing is not to overplan as ths takes aay the enjuyment.

My wife's first "Tour" was Bristol to Bath and back!

We then knew that she could manage and did the C2C a few months later. All of this was done on a Giant hybrid and a Moulton APB

 

[derrick]

I'm sure you're right but I've only ever had ultra cheap mountain bikes around £100 or so!!

The bike on the left is a cheap old raleigh, she would not buy a better bike said there was nothing wrong with what she had, i did a bit of work on it before we went, ie new chain, brake cables, tyres, and a saddle, cost her about 40 quid, and she had no probs at all.

 

[BrazingSaddles]

How much are you planning on carrying - will you be taking camping gear with you or do you plan to B&B?
Proper touring bikes have a longer wheel base (length) that makes them far more stable than 'normal' bikes.
You could have a go at buying frames only (Surley's are great) and building them up yourself with mountain bike gears etc.

 

[DeepBurn]

So I bought myself a bike today eventually!! After waiting for the right deal to come up on eBay I managed to secure this bike for just £99. I'm very happy! http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/products/revolution-streetfinder-11

 

[Ticktockmy]

If you intend to carry full touring kit approx. 15Kg's the rack supplied may not be man enough for the Job, as looking at the link it looks like a rack designed in the main for day to day commuting and shopping use. but plenty of good racks out there.

 

[DeepBurn]

If you intend to carry full touring kit approx. 15Kg's the rack supplied may not be man enough for the Job, as looking at the link it looks like a rack designed in the main for day to day commuting and shopping use. but plenty of good racks out there.

Okay, thanks. I managed to get the bike for £50 under my budget so investing in a new rack sooner will be possible.

Any tips on which to go for?

 

[Ticktockmy]

Okay, thanks. I managed to get the bike for £50 under my budget so investing in a new rack sooner will be possible.

Any tips on which to go for?

Quite a large chose out there, Topeak, Tortec, Blackburn, Old man Mountain mades are all OK, depends what your budget is, I would check out online what each makes offer, and maybe visit your LBS to see what they have on offer.

 

[DeepBurn]

Quite a large chose out there, Topeak, Tortec, Blackburn, Old man Mountain mades are all OK, depends what your budget is, I would check out online what each makes offer, and maybe visit your LBS to see what they have on offer.

Yeah I was going to take the bike to the local bike shop anyway get it checked over once I have it in my posession.

Thanks for listing the different makes, I'll have a look at them.

 

[Tiberius Baltar]

Hi Deep Burn. Ive just noticed this thread and as I mainly do four and five day tours thought Id try and help you :-)

The bike you have picked seems fine for relaxed trail and road touring but before you embark on your tour proper I would suggest you do a couple of overnight runs. Just pick a campsite about 30 miles from where you live and get out there and do it. You will soon find what works and what needs tinkering with. I think the most important part of your touring setup is the frame size of your bike. I can't stress enough how important it is to actually sit on the thing before you buy it. Whether you opt for a mountain bike or a hybrid (which is essentially a MTB with big narrow wheels anyway) the biggest problem you will have is if your frame is too small your legs and back will just give up after day one.

Just ensure that any bike you pick has adequate threads on the frame to fit your racks and make sure you get the best racks and bags you can afford. The working parts of your bike can be serviced and upgraded quite easily but if your rack snaps on a weld or a bolt shears while your in the middle of the Northumbrian wilderness then that's gonna ruin your trip.

Get out there, get wet and enjoy the freedom of touring on a bike!