| One of the current debates about touring bikes is | | | | A more likely scenario is that something small will |
| whether an aluminum or steel frame is a better choice. | | | | happen to your bike. Perhaps you'll break a braze-on |
| In the end, it comes down to personal choice. | | | | or some other small, critical part. If that happens, you |
| Aluminum is more rigid, which some people prefer. | | | | could be stranded with an aluminum bike, but will be |
| Steel flexes, which leads to a more comfortable ride | | | | able to get a steel bike repaired quite easily. |
| for many. | | | | When I was riding in India many years ago I was |
| However - we also need to consider ease of repair | | | | loading my bike on a bus when I broke a braze-on that |
| should something happen to your bike. Welding | | | | held my brake cable in place. As luck would have it, I |
| aluminum requires specialized equipment that you will | | | | was riding a steel bike and was able to find a welder |
| most likely only find in large cities. Steel is more easily | | | | in the tiny town we happened to be in. That weld is still |
| repaired and you should be able to find someone who | | | | holding even today. Had my bike been aluminum, I'm |
| can weld your bike in any small town throughout the | | | | not sure what would have happened - it could have |
| world. | | | | been the end of the tour for me. |
| Some people say this is all a moot point - when was | | | | So we come back to the original question: which is |
| the last time you had your bike welded anyway? The | | | | better for touring? If you plan to ride around the USA |
| chances of something happening to your bike that | | | | where you have an easy out, it makes absolutely no |
| would require welding are very small. One argument is | | | | difference whatsoever. Ride whatever you feel most |
| that you will not be able to find someone to properly | | | | comfortable on. If you plan to ride around the world, I |
| weld a frame back together in any case. Should your | | | | would recommend going with steel just for the off |
| frame completely break in two, you will need a new | | | | chance that you break a braze-on or other small part. |
| frame, so it makes no difference if you are riding a | | | | If your entire frame fails, get a new one sent out. |
| steel or aluminum bike. | | | | |