Questions tagged [touring]
Touring usually means very long multi-day (or multi-week) rides carrying a lot of gear (camping, cooking, clothes, etc) on the bike. Can also apply to unloaded/creditcard touring involving using hotels/motels instead of camping.
8
votes
9answers
4k views
Is it possible to do 50 km distance without any previous training?
I'm considering to do a 50-55 km distance on a mixed surface. Mostly asphalt and gravel, maybe even a little bit of sand. Haven't done any training or exercise, basically been sitting at home all day, ...
5
votes
4answers
134 views
Multi-city bike rental in Europe (NL, BE)
I'm considering a bike trip in Europe, primarily the Netherlands, over a week or two. But I'd rather rent a bike (in fact, two) than bring mine all the way from Australia.
Are there any options for '...
7
votes
2answers
183 views
How to ensure security of panniers when touring
I'm planning a cycle tour carrying baggage in panniers on the bike. For at least some of the trip, I'll be alone, and when I need to go into shops/cafes/toilets, I can lock up the bike, but the ...
1
vote
2answers
168 views
Hose Clamp Salsa Watter Bottle Cage to Rigid Fork with No Sliding (Gravel)
Last year, I used some plastic clamps I bought from a LBS to mount two stainless steel Salsa water bottle cages to my rigid fork as shown in this picture:
Unfortunately, the plastic clamps wouldn't ...
10
votes
13answers
2k views
Touring vs race bike [closed]
I am Fabrizio, completely new in this forum full of experts, considering myself somebody who wants to take his very first steps at biking on the roads. I started to live in the Netherlands since 2 ...
1
vote
3answers
99 views
Bottom bracket replacement
I have an old '89 Trek Singletrack 950 with the original Shimano Mountain LX group bottom bracket. I'd like to replace the bottom bracket with something new. Can anyone help me determine what will fit ...
15
votes
6answers
4k views
Is it possible to construct an overnight shelter using a bike as the upright?
Next year I might find myself needing a lightweight touring/camping shelter, suitable for overnight stops at camspites and at the roadside. One option is a single-hoop bivvy tent (example) but many ...
2
votes
2answers
235 views
Purpose of fork with single bidon mount and no eyelets?
I saw a fork that had a single bidon mount on each blade, midway down, and no eyelets on the dropouts. I don't understand the use of this. I was under the impression that any front rack would need an ...
0
votes
3answers
358 views
New bike for commuting and touring
I went downstairs earlier to get ready for an afternoon ride on the cheap bike I picked up a few months ago as I wasn't certain if I would keep the cycling up and found to my dismay that, once again, ...
2
votes
1answer
88 views
E-bike rims: can I use them on my touring bike?
I am touring with my MTB, now for 4 months.
I have been using really good Pacenti 29er rims, but just 2 days ago I cracked the rear one.
I am carrying a lot of weight and Pacenti (after I contacted ...
-1
votes
1answer
108 views
Riding from San Francisco to Los Angeles
I am planning a San Francisco - Los Ángeles bike trip next spring. Is it better to do LA to SF or SF to LA? Thanks, regards from Mexico City
1
vote
1answer
99 views
Is a Surly front rack compatible with tubus mount for eyeless forks?
I am looking at the Surly front rack and was wondering if it's compatible with this Tubus mount.
If it's not I'll have to go for the Tara but I was keen on having a platform on my front rack. Any ...
0
votes
1answer
131 views
CrossRip 3 carbon fork for front panniers
I was considering to deploy TREK's CrossRip 3 for light touring (1-2 weeks, rear and front panniers, 25 kg total at max). All looks very good but my only concern, at the moment, is its carbon fork. ...
1
vote
4answers
391 views
Cycle touring. First chain failure. Thoughts on cause?
Was pedalling up steep hill on gravel road. No gear change. Just seemed to go mid push. Was very steep and out of saddle....had to push the remainder of way! 🙈
9
votes
4answers
645 views
How to decelerate during long downhill rides and avoid brake glazing
I mostly ride touristic style, and its not uncommon descents of few hundred meters or even 1000 meters (vertically, usually average gradient is around 5-10%). What's the best technique to brake to ...
0
votes
1answer
115 views
Trek 520 model changes during years
What are main changes in Trek 520 during the years? I have possibility to buy new Trek 520 year 2015 for 1000 Eur and year 2018 for 1300 Eur. Is there right place to safe some money?
What are ...
2
votes
1answer
124 views
Mating Brifters and MTB drive train and disc brakes - Marriage or Divorce
Looking to buy a Salsa-Cutthroat equipped with SRAM Rival brifters; a 1X drive train (11-42t rear cassette RAM Rival long cage deraileur); SRAM GX 1000 crankset; and SRAM Rival Hydraulic Disc Brakes. ...
3
votes
4answers
93 views
Bormio (Italy) to Annecy (France) multiday bike tour
I'm planning a cycle tour from Bormio (Italy) to Annecy (France), estimating about 80km / day. Has anybody done this? Any recommendation for routes, preferably taking in cols / passes along the way.
2
votes
3answers
368 views
How much does a front wheel last with disc brakes vs calipers?
I've read that the calipers end up "eating" the rim. How many km in the city or touring (with a normal use of the brakes) does it take to destroy a rim? Is it something to worry about?
Considering ...
3
votes
2answers
145 views
Touring on meal replacements (Soylent or alternatives). Anyone tried? Thoughts, impressions?
Has anyone tried going on a bicycle tour fueled by meal replacements like Soylent or alternatives?
Can you carry more food like this, could it give you more range, or open up areas of the map that ...
0
votes
2answers
159 views
Hi! Im looking to ID a rebuilt touring bike with serial number
Just bouncing around the net looking for answers and I found this site. Hoping there are some die-hard bike historians among you :)
I bought this from a fellow who rebuilds and repairs bikes. He says ...
8
votes
5answers
632 views
Should I change my Schwalbe Marathon Plus tyre?
I'm here trying to decide if I should get a new Schwalbe Marathon Plus for my touring bike. I've just finished a 6000km tour in Australia, riding on paved roads with a heavy load. Here's the looks of ...
3
votes
4answers
2k views
How much should a long distance touring bike weigh?
I'm planning in the far future to do a long ride of around 3000km (~1864mi). As I just have a single speed, I've been looking at what is in the market "designed" for that purpose in the price range ...
2
votes
1answer
813 views
Minimal Low-Rider Touring Front Rack Recommendations
We're in need of a good, reliable low-rider front rack for long distance touring. I've come across a good number of heavy-duty front racks with low rider rails like this from blackburn
(source: ...
1
vote
1answer
89 views
Buy or rent a bike in Europe for 2 week backpacking trip
My wife, daughter and I will be traveling to Germany, Switzerland, Amsterdam and a few other areas in late July of 2018. We will be traveling with what we can carry on our backs. I'm looking for ...
3
votes
1answer
62 views
Front rack symmetry - spacers and handling
The combination of disc brakes and full mudguards on my tourer means I'll need to space the left lowrider rack at least 30mm from the fork. On the right I'll only need 5--10mm. Should I space them ...
1
vote
1answer
123 views
touring weight distribution
I have a cross bike with two back ortliebs,
a 6 liter top tube bag
https://www.rei.com/product/877045/revelate-designs-tangle-bike-frame-bag-large
Frame bag (the long one below toptube)
and a ...
4
votes
1answer
167 views
What is the longest off-road portion of the East Coast Greenway as of 2018?
The East Coast Greenway nominally stretches from Maine to Florida. But a lot of it has yet to be built. That means a lot of the route is actually still on-road cycling.
What is the current longest ...
2
votes
2answers
90 views
Finding other riders for a cross country tour for charity
I'm in the early stages of planning a long distance bike tour, and I am looking for people to ride with across/around the country during the summer months.
If you have suggestions on how to find ...
1
vote
1answer
192 views
Getting a Brompton on and off a plane without going broke
After the damage done to my Brompton by StarPeru, and from the information in my previous question, I now have a Chubby. It protects the bike better than the B-bag, and my carry-on goes in it between ...
3
votes
1answer
486 views
Ways to protect suspension from wear
I'm looking at getting front suspension for my bike for long (several months +) off-road tours (think Great Divide). I was thinking about whether it would prevent requiring maintenance/servicing to ...
2
votes
2answers
2k views
Cyclocross bike as a touring bike
I am planning to get a new bike specifically for touring purposes. Though there are special one out there (like TREK 920), I was wondering if anyone has experience of using cyclocross bike for this ...
1
vote
1answer
462 views
Outboard bearing bottoms bracket (hollowtech II) - assessment of wear and lateral play, lifespans & when to replace?
I have a road-version hollowtech II bottom bracket (shimano 105 model - BB-R60). over the last couple of days i noticed a very slight clicking feeling as i pedalled.
removing the crankset i find ...
4
votes
3answers
3k views
Charging eBike Battery with Solar
I need some advice / info on solar charging an eBike battery. We have two RadRovers from Rad Power Bikes. They are powered with a Panasonic Dolphin 48V, 11.6Ah Lithium-Ion battery https://www....
3
votes
1answer
944 views
measuring a spoke that's already in a wheel
i have a wheel, and i want a spare spoke to take touring. (it's a front wheel with a disc rotor, i have one for the rotor side but have lost the one i had for the non rotor side)
is it possible ...
8
votes
1answer
505 views
Can someone help identify my vintage bike frame?
I don't know a lot about bikes and bought this frame about 5 years ago in Montreal. It was repainted and looks like an old touring frame. It is very light steel, very low (close to the ground), doesn'...
4
votes
1answer
280 views
Rear pannier bags on touring mountain bike
Why people are not using rear pannier bags on MTB for touring? Most of reports and photos I see have a saddle bag and the rest of luggage seems to go to the front of the bike.
I have done touring ...
1
vote
1answer
107 views
Long tour in winter [closed]
I'm thinking of doing a longish (1-2 months) tour starting around November.
I will start in Germany, and the destination is not important to me.
I have done one day tours in the German winter, and I ...
4
votes
1answer
153 views
What's a good way of cooling down my legs after a long ride? Are pain-relief sprays a good idea?
Usually, after doing some legs intensive exercise (150 burpees, 2 hours of football) my legs burn and I have problems to fall sleep, and to keep asleep. I'm planning a small bike touring trip, that ...
2
votes
1answer
377 views
8 speed drivetrain stronger than 9 speed?
I see a lot of people recommending 8 speed drivetrain over 9 speed for a touring bike because they are supposed to be stronger (e.g. in the buyers guide of the Adventure cyclist magazine, issue april ...
-1
votes
1answer
581 views
Senator bicycle [closed]
I own a bicycle by the name Senator, manufactured in Austria, by the Senator company. I have had the bike for over 35 years. I Would like to find out any information on it.
1
vote
1answer
139 views
Mounting long reach center pull brake on Marrakesh (or similar disc-braky) frame?
I wanted to build a commute/touring bike using a existing parts. I'm considering Salsa Marrakesh or similar frame that's designed for disc brakes. I'd love to use rim brake 650B wheels I already ...
5
votes
2answers
203 views
What are the reasons for using a cradle with a handlebar mounted drybag?
I am talking about things like the cradles that Salsa and Revelate make. The most obvious reason seems to be to keep the drybag away from cable and cable housings. However, on my particular bicycle, I ...
2
votes
2answers
1k views
Front panniers for 15 inch laptop [closed]
I've recently built up a specialized awol with Salsa lowrider racks. I'm using it largely for commuting so I don't need a load of room, just enough for my laptop, lunch and extra clothes. I've been ...
1
vote
4answers
1k views
How many days does it take for an absolute newbie to bike 330km?
I have no cycling experience but want to purchase a bike and do a 330km multi-day route by myself. Before getting into this somewhat risky business, I would like to run pros/cons by experts on this ...
3
votes
1answer
2k views
Giant Toughroad SLR 1 for long distance tour [closed]
I will be undertaking a cycle tour of around 2700km (~1800 Miles) in Europe this summer (Early July to the middle of August) and have been looking at the Giant Toughroad SLR1 as the bike to go for.
...
0
votes
1answer
134 views
Can I put 700x32 tyres on my Avanti Blade?
I'm kitting out my 2006 Avanti Blade for some touring in Tasmania, and the tyres need replacing. Currently they've got some 700x28's on there, but I want to go a bit thicker for touring in case I need ...
8
votes
3answers
435 views
Cycling into tunnels
I am planning a long trip in Japan (about 1400 km) in a hilly/mountain region. I already know there will be no cycling path and then I will have to share the road with cars. This is allowed by local ...
0
votes
4answers
1k views
Selecting a drivetrain for touring bicycle
I am planning to build a touring bike with a Surly LHT frame. I'm looking for some advice on selecting a drive train.
My requirements are:
Reliability - I am planning on doing weeks or months long ...
-4
votes
2answers
1k views
Are Bikesdirect.com bikes any good? [closed]
I need a new touring bike. I live in an area where such bikes are associated with exorbitant prices. Given that I am really attracted to buying my next touring bike from Bikesdirect.com and cut the ...
