| It's technically possible to adapt any bike into a road | | | | weight of laden panniers and whatever else you have |
| touring bicycle for short journeys, but if you're planning | | | | with you. |
| a long tour, then you are better getting a bike designed | | | | The nature of touring makes it necessary for you to |
| for the job, a road touring bicycle is designed to carry | | | | carry a lot of equipment; everything you are likely to |
| the extra weight of loaded panniers that you will need | | | | need must fit on the bike. A road touring bicycle will |
| to take on your journey. | | | | have fittings for panniers over the back wheel and |
| If you're planning to do a number of long-distance tours | | | | also over the front wheel. There are also lots of small |
| then investing in a road touring bike is a good idea. | | | | bags you can attach to your bike. Like map cases |
| Touring bikes are light but strong enough to carry the | | | | over the handlebars and a small saddlebag carrying a |
| extra load required for a long tour. Your bike must | | | | basic tool kit. |
| carry all the essential items you need to be | | | | An essential part of a road touring bike are |
| self-sufficient while you are on the road, especially if | | | | mudguards. These little additions are simple but |
| you are going to isolated areas. | | | | essential part of a good touring bike, keeping you dry |
| A road touring bicycle is built for exactly this purpose. It | | | | when you encounter rain or wet roads. You may have |
| will be able to absorb the extra weight while still giving | | | | to navigate over dirt tracks where the mudguards will |
| you a decent speed during travelling. | | | | come into their own. |
| The classic touring bike is very similar in looks to a | | | | Touring bikes are designed to ensure the load you |
| racing bike but there are many subtle differences. The | | | | carry is spread evenly over the bike ensuring the bike |
| frame for example is different, built with comfort rather | | | | stays balanced and no undue stress is placed on one |
| than speed in mind if you're going to be riding your bike | | | | part of the touring bike. |
| for weeks or even months, comfort is crucial. A | | | | What kind of road touring bike you buy depends on |
| touring bike sacrifices speed for comfort. But if you're | | | | how much touring you are planning on doing. If you are |
| touring you are not racing so the sacrifice is well worth | | | | just thinking of a few small weekend tours then a |
| it. | | | | hybrid bike with fittings for panniers will be fine. If you |
| A good road touring bicycle will have heavy duty tyres | | | | are planning a long-distance tour, covering between 60 |
| to prevent punctures and the wheels will be stronger | | | | to a 100 miles a day for a few weeks, then you need |
| to cope with the different road surfaces and the | | | | to invest in a good quality road touring bike. |