Choosing the right bike for touring

Mountain Bikes

Truly versatile bikes, used for everything from demanding trail riding to considerably less demanding rides to the local supermarket. No matter whether it’s set up rigid, with front wheel suspension or ‘full-sus’, the mountain bike is a classic, and everyone should have a go on one. Truly at home in nature, the mountain bike is in its element when the terrain becomes rougher. The suspension gives a much more forgiving ride on uneven ground, and the fatter tyres grip well even on much looser terrain. Regarding luggage, you usually have more options here than with a fat bike - some models have mounts for a rear rack and front lowrider, especially older mountain bikes. This is naturally more difficult with full-suspension models than with models that only have front-wheel suspension (hardtail) or fully-rigid (with no suspension). Bikepacking bags can be used to transport stuff on more or less any mountain bike, utilising space in the bike’s frame triangle, at the handlebars and behind the saddle. You can cover long distances on a mountain bike, but you’ll be much slower than on a racing or cyclocross bike. On the other hand, riding a mountain bike means you’re not restricted to staying on the tarmac and these bikes are the perfect choice for those who like to travel without a map and are prepared for all terrain. They also make great all-weather commuter bikes.

A great selection of mountain bikes can be found here

Fatbikes

Fatbikes originated in Alaska and New Mexico, where homebrew versions were developed to ride sand dunes and snow tracks. However, they’ve only been commercially available since 2005 and it wasn’t until 2014 that fatbikes started to gain real popularity. The selection has grown massively since then, and nowadays most big manufacturers have at least one to offer. Most fatbikes don’t offer suspension – it’s unnecessary anyway, due to the enormous-volume tyres that are run at super low pressures, gripping any surface and cushioning jumps. Another advantage of the giant tyre is that it sinks more dramatically than a mountain bike or cyclocross tyre - very practical when it comes to riding over snow, mud or sand. The fatbike is a kind of miracle weapon when it comes to riding surfaces that previously would have been impossible. But, every silver lining has its cloud, and fatbikes are heavy. The tyres have very high rolling resistance due to their size, and starting and stopping also requires more effort. On the other hand, the lack of suspension does save you a few grams compared to some mountain bikes. If you want to use a fatbike for touring, you’ll probably want to attach bags of some sort. Unfortunately, that's not always so easy. You can opt for bikepacking bags, which are attached to the frame, handlebars and seatpost, however, this is only really an option if you like to travel with a stripped-down, minimal setup. Attachments for lowriders and rear racks are rarer with these bikes, as they aren’t really designed with long-distance touring in mind. And anyone who has ever cycled long distances wearing a backpack knows that this is also not the best solution for touring. The fatbike is a special type of bike with a niche field of application. Therefore it doesn’t really compete with other bike types and is only really used when other bikes reach their limits – and totally out of place when used for road riding.

Touring Bikes

The name says it all. Touring bikes, theoretically, should be your first port of call when shopping for a bike for long distance tours. Everything is designed for robustness, carrying luggage and riding long distances in comfort. Tyres are often Schwalbe Marathon or similar – bombproof tyres that grip well even in the rain and can withstand thousands of kilometres of use. These bikes have mounting for front and rear racks as well as numerous bottles cages. Touring bikes are workhorses and can handle up to 50kg of luggage, depending on the quality of the racks. They also usually have several touring-friendly features: quick release skewers to quickly and easily remove the wheels, sturdy stands that grip even when the bike is fully-loaded and dynamo-hub lighting systems that offer powerful, reliable lighting without the need for batteries. Because they use widely-available parts, if something does break while you’re on the road, you should be able to have it repaired pretty much anywhere. The seating position is not as sporty as on a racing bike, instead comfortable enough for day after day of long riding.

Find a great selection of touring bikes here

Cyclocross & Gravel Bikes

Cyclocross and gravel bikes are designed to be ridden quickly, even off the beaten track. They have no suspension, are often as stiff as a board and more robust than a road bike - despite at first glance sometimes resembling one. But look a little closer and you’ll see several differences, the biggest being the tyres. Instead of racing bike slicks, wider tyres (usually) with some tread are the rule here – although they’re still thinner than modern mountain bike tires. These enable you to roll fast on the tarmac, but have the necessary traction when riding on less smooth surfaces. Another key point is the disc brakes - as the rotors are further from the ground, they are more difficult to get dirty and more reliable in wet and dirty conditions than rim brakes. They also grip better overall and offer greater braking power. Most newer disc brakes work hydraulically and getting these fixed in a remote location could be extremely problematic, if not impossible. Not only are these repairs more costly than replacing a broken brake cable, but there are fewer people able to fix them. This being said, it’s still pretty unlikely that your disc brakes will fail and overall, hydraulic brakes are much more low-maintenance than mechanical brakes. Of course, some people prefer to use mechanical disc brakes, and set up well they can still offer powerful braking. In terms of carrying luggage, some bikes are equipped with front and rear rack mounts, allowing you to use traditional pannier bags. These mounts aren’t always included as standard, so if you do want to take stuff with you, make sure to pick the right frame. There is also the option of using bikepacking bags. It’s important to note that there is a slight difference between a cyclocross and gravel bike. Generally speaking, typical cyclocross bikes have racier, more aggressive geometry and a lower position, designed for fast laps of short, muddy courses. Gravel bikes often have more relaxed geometry and can fit even wider tyres, making them slightly better for longer days in the saddle.

Find a great range of gravel bikes here

Racing Bikes

At the complete opposite end of the spectrum to the fat bike is the classic racing bike. Road bikes embody speed and sportiness with their minimalist, lightweight frames and light components. The ride feel is uncompromisingly efficient and stiff, and the fast, thin tyres make sure you feel every tiny bump in the road. The riding position puts you low, with as much weight over the front wheel as possible. This is great for aerodynamics but can be uncomfortable on your back in the long run. The thin, light saddles can be somewhat unforgiving without the right padded cycling shorts. If you’re looking for mounting options, you’ll find little more than mounts for two bottle holders. Again, for longer rides, bikepacking bags are also an option, but most true racing bikes aren’t designed to carry heavy payloads.

Find a great range of racing bikes here

Conclusion

It’s difficult to recommend one particular type of bike for touring when it depends so much on you, your riding style and what type of touring you plan to do with the bike. We will say that for longer tours, make sure whichever bike you choose is as comfortable as it can be. This doesn’t mean we’re excluding racing bikes or fat bikes, but bear in mind that when you plan to spend day after day in the saddle, you need a certain level of comfort. Perhaps a fully carbon racing bike is the most comfortable bike for you, and if so, great! Try as many bikes as possible, ride friends’ bikes and do as much research online as you can.