The Best Touring Bikes
The Top 4 Entry-Level, Long-Distance, Budget, and Upgrade Touring Bikes
The author on a bicycle tour along the Oregon Coast.
After analyzing over a dozen professional reviews, drawing on our own personal experience, consulting with long-time bike tourers and a bike mechanic, we believe the 2020 Trek 520 is the best entry-level long-distance road touring bike for most people. If you’re willing to pay more to customize your bike, the Surly Disc Trucker sets the standard for entry-level touring bikes. The Trek and Surly bikes are well-built, reliable, time-tested touring bikes. If you need something bomb-proof for an international touring trip, we recommend the Surly Long Haul Trucker. If keeping your touring bike under $1000 is your goal, we suggest the Fuji Touring bike.
Read: Bike Touring Packing List
For more of our gear recommendations, see our most popular bike touring stories:
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The Best Touring Bike for Most People
Trek 520
A More Customizable Touring Bike
Surly Disc Trucker
the Best Affordable Touring Bike
Fuji Touring
Best International Touring Bike
Surly Long Haul Trucker 26”
Comparison Table
| TOURING BIKE | MSRP | EXTRAS INCLUDED | WARRANTY | BRAKES | FRAME | WEIGHT LIMIT (pounds) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trek 520 | $1,680 | Front and back racks, clip-in pedals | Lifetime frame warranty for original owner | Disc | Chromoly | 275 |
| Surly Disc Trucker | $1,550 | None | 3 years limited warranty on frame against defects | Disc | Chromoly | 330 |
| Surly Long Haul Trucker | $1,350 | None | 3 years limited warranty on frame against defects | Rim | Chromoly | 330 |
| Fuji Touring | $900 | Rear rack, touring pedals w/ clips and straps | Lifetime frame warranty for original owner | Rim | Chromoly | 355 |
THE BEST TOURING BIKES OF 2020
The Best Overall Touring Bike: Trek 520
After analyzing and aggregating more than a dozen professional reviews, we believe the 2020 Trek 520 is the best mid-range road touring bicycle for most people. While it was a hard call between the Trek 520 and the Surly Disc Trucker (winner of our Customizable Pick), we chose the Trek because we think it is a better value as an entry-level bike.
Unlike other bikes we considered, the Trek 520 comes complete with front and rear racks, pedals, and all-weather disc brakes, so it’s ready to hit the road as soon as you buy it (though we’d recommend getting it professionally fitted before taking it on a long trip). A majority of the sources we consulted agree that the Trek 520 is a durable road touring bike and (even better) it’s backed with a lifetime warranty.
The Trek 520 touring bike is shown here fully loaded with rear panniers on the Pacific Coast Route. Strapped on top of the rear rack is a tent.
We like that the Trek has excellent frame geometry (upright riding position, low center of gravity, and chainstay length) to comfortably carry heavy loads. We also like that it has super low gearing (aka, granny gear) that is able to take on tough climbs. Furthermore, the Trek 520 can accommodate 700 x 38c tires with fenders and 700 x 42c tires without fenders that make it capable of handling off-road or gravel conditions. While this isn’t a unique feature (Surly and Fuji also allow for fatter tires), we think if you’re going to spend money on a bike, you’ll appreciate the versatility.
Related: How to Train for a Century Ride
The Trek 520 is also a great choice for exploring the world or commuting to work. Touring bikes make great commuter bikes because they are rugged, reliable, and are designed to carry panniers. We discuss this more in the Can I use my touring bike as a commuter bike? section. One aspect that makes a touring or commuter bike reliable is whether it uses quality components. Folks in other review sites including Bike Radar, and CyclingAbout applaud the Trek for its quality shifters, derailleurs, and brakes. Justin Black, owner of Doctor Roscoe’s Holistic Bicycle Repair in Bingen, Washington, and a long-time bike packer said that both the Trek 520 and the Surly Long Haul Trucker/Disc Trucker (our winner for the best customizable bike) set the standard for mid-range touring bikes by being well-built, reliable, and time tested.
The Trek 520 touring bike on a trip down the Pacific Coast Route. Rear panniers and a tent are all held on the rear rack.
Another reason we chose the Trek as the best mid-range touring bike for most people is because of their time-tested lifetime warranty on the frame. As long as you are the original owner, Trek honors this warranty regardless of the age of the bike or miles you’ve put on it. My Dad had ten years and over 10,000 miles of fully-loaded touring on his Trek 520 including the Northern Tier and Pacific Coast routes, plus thousands of miles of training and commuting. When his mechanic discovered a small frame defect during regular maintenance earlier this year, Trek replaced his frame. Needless to say, my Dad is a loyal customer. Customer reviews echo this sentiment: Trek has one of the best warranties in the industry.
Read more: The Best GPS Watches
VIEW THE TREK 520
The Surly Disc Trucker is our top pick for best customizable touring bike, shown here in grey.
A MORE CUSTOMIZABLE TOURING BIKE: SURLY DISC TRUCKER
Another time-tested, solid mid-range touring bike is the Surly Disc Trucker. There has been a longstanding debate between Trek 520 and Surly Disc Trucker supporters about which is a better mid-range touring bike. While we think both are equally good, the Surly Disc Trucker is a more expensive option because it does not come equipped with racks and pedals. But, this may better suit folks that want to customize their bike rather than use the front and rear racks and clip-in pedals that come standard on the Trek 520.
We spoke with Justin Black, owner of Doctor Roscoe’s Holistic Bicycle Repair in Bingen, Washington, and a long-time bike packer. Justin said that both the Trek 520 and the Surly Long Haul Trucker/Disc Trucker set the standard for mid-range touring bikes. Both the Trek and Surly bikes are well-built, reliable, time-tested touring bikes.
This made it difficult to choose between the Surly Disc Trucker and the Trek 520. But the Trek’s lower price and all-included components swayed us. The main reason we didn’t choose the Surly Disc Trucker as our Main Pick is because it does not come equipped with racks or pedals. Surly front and back racks will add $265 to the base price of the Surly Disc Trucker and pedals will likely add another $50-$120. Therefore, when fully equipped, the Disc Trucker is a more expensive option than the Trek 520 by almost 20%. We don’t think you can go wrong with the Disc Trucker. Just be prepared to spend a little more on a bike built for world travel.
With the Surly Disc Trucker, Surly does not cut corners on this heavy-duty touring bike. Folks in reviews such as Tom’s Bike Trip and Going Around Places (see Sources) say that the Surly Disc Trucker uses quality components (shifters, derailleurs, and brakes) and a solid frame. That quality is something you may pay a little more for, but also are why this bike will last for a long time and many rides.
The Surly Disc Trucker has some similarities to the Surly Long Haul Trucker touring bike, shown here on the left.
The Surly Disc Trucker has the same build and ruggedness as Surly’s renowned world-touring bike sibling the Long Haul Trucker (read more below). Unlike a regular touring bike, a world-touring bike is designed to be taken in rough conditions including gravel roads or places where bike mechanics with suitable parts may be few and far between. The Surly Disc Trucker isn’t quite as rough handling as the Long Haul Trucker, but will still accommodate wider tires for gravel or off-road travel. Unlike the Trek, both of the Surlys come in a 26" tire model, which is considered a world tire because it is more readily available outside the US. Both of the Surly models are excellent choices for someone willing to pay a little extra for the ability to customize.
Related: Bike Touring Packing List
VIEW THE SURLY DISC TRUCKER
The Surly Long Haul Trucker is our top pick for best touring bike with rim brakes, shown here in black.
Best Touring Bicycle with Rim Brakes: Surly Long Haul Trucker
Disc brakes have become a more popular option on touring bikes over the last several years. However, rim brakes remain a popular option for many bike tourers because of their ease of maintenance, which can be especially useful if you are traveling in remote locations. (Not sure whether disc brakes or rim brakes are for you? We discuss the differences between disc and rim brakes below).
The Surly Long Haul Trucker is the best option for those wanting rim brakes on their bike. It’s the bike that I (the author) currently use on tours.
The author’s Surly Disc Trucker. Photo courtesy Mike Unger.
The Long Haul Trucker and Disc Trucker both provide dependability and comfort when carrying loads over long distances. Like the Disc Trucker, the Long Haul Trucker does not come equipped with racks or pedals—so you’ll have to outfit it with your own (see below for our recommendations). Still, if you are looking for a reliable, easy to maintain bike touring option, there’s a reason why this is one of the most popular touring bikes out there.
Related: The Best Road and Commuter Bike Helmets
VIEW THE SURLY LONG HAUL TRUCKER
The Fuji Touring and Fuji Touring Disc are our top picks for best budget road touring bike for 2019.
Best Budget Road Touring Bike: Fuji Touring
If you’re looking for an entry-level touring or commuter bicycle for under $1,000, we think the Fuji Touring is a great option. As we discuss in the What to Look for in a Touring Bike section, to get the most bang for your buck, you need to spend at least $900 to get a quality touring bike. With a price right at that sweet spot, the Fuji Touring bike offers an excellent budget alternative to other bikes in this category.
Last year Fuji offered a disc brake version of its Touring bike. Unfortunately, Fuji is not selling the Disc Tour in the United States this year (it is available in Europe). Fuji has indicated that the Disc Tour version may be reintroduced in 2021 in the US.
The Fuji has a good frame geometry for touring, decent components, and a solid steel frame. There is also low gearing to take on big climbs. The bike has ample attachment points for additional racks, water bottles, and fenders. The Fuji Touring comes with a rear rack and pedals. Because these are included, the Fuji’s price reflects most of what you need to hit the road ready.
There may be less expensive options for a road touring bike, especially if you primarily plan to use the bike as a commuting vehicle; however, if you plan to load the bike for long-distance touring, we believe the bike should include the essential features of a good touring bike. These features include a sturdy frame, good components, a relaxed geometry, and a longer wheelbase. The Fuji Touring bike checks all those boxes making it a great value for an entry-level touring or commuter bike.
VIEW THE FUJI TOURING
The Surly Long Haul Trucker is our pick for best international touring bike for 2020.
Best International Touring Bike:
Surly Long Haul Trucker 26” and
SURLY LONG HAUL Disc Trucker 26”
Reliability and durability takes on increased importance if you plan to tour internationally, especially in areas where western-style parts may not be available. The Surly Long Haul Trucker and Surly Disc Trucker are well suited for such conditions. The website Tom’s Bike Ride calls the Surly Long Haul Trucker the “Most Well-Travelled Touring Bike.”
The Surly Long Haul Trucker and Trek 520 on their way down the Pacific Coast Route.
The Long Haul Trucker and its sibling the Disc Trucker have rugged steel frames, exceptional components, and are expedition-ready with 26” tire versions available. Why are 26” tires a necessity when touring abroad? The 26” tire is the standard available internationally.
Between the Long Haul Trucker and Disc Trucker, we think the Surly Long Haul Trucker is the best international touring bike because it has rim brakes. The advantage of rim brakes over disc brakes is that they are much easier repaired if there is a problem. When traveling internationally, or in remote places where parts can be hard to find, this can be an advantage. We further discuss disc brakes vs. rim brakes later in this article.
Related: The Best Lightweight Tents
COMPARE PRICES OF THE SURLY TRUCKER 26"
SURLY LONG HAUL TRUCKER 26”
SURLY LONG HAUL TRUCKER 26”
Bike touring is a great way to see the country. Photo by Emmanuel Maceda on Unsplash
what is a touring bike?
Bike touring gives you the freedom to see the country, or countries, from a bike saddle in a self contained manner. Touring bikes are designed to carry heavy loads over long distances. All of the bikes reviewed also make excellent commuter bikes. The qualities that make a great touring bike (toughness, reliability, racks, fenders) are also perfect in-town commuter bikes.
Fully loaded Trek 520 and Surly Long Haul Trucker with rear panniers.
what should i look for in a good touring bike?
The following are the features of good touring bikes. All the touring bikes we considered for this story meet this basic criteria. From there, we narrowed down our list of contenders to find the best bikes for different kinds of riders.
Relaxed Frame Geometry
A touring bike frame specially designed to facilitate riding long distances with heavy loads. The touring frame will allow for a more upright, comfortable riding position. The touring bike’s center of gravity will also be lower than a standard bike to make it easier to carry heavy loads. The chainstays will also be longer. This helps maintains clearance between the rear panniers and peddling feet.
The attachment point for the Ortleib handlebar bag is shown here.
Multiple Attachment Points (Braze-Ons)
Braze-ons are attachment points that allow you to customize your bike with racks, water bottle holders, and fenders. They operate like little screws on the frame that allow you to screw on things you may need on a long ride. The more attachment points/braze-ons the better.
Quality Components
Reliability is perhaps the most important characteristic of a touring bike. To determine reliability, we drew on discussions in forums, long-term reviews, our own experience, and interviews with Justin Black. Our two top picks, the Trek 520 and Surly Long Haul Trucker/Disc Trucker are widely regarded as high quality, reliable world-touring bikes.
Low Gearing
A touring bike should have low gearing to get a heavily loaded bike up and over the hills.
The Trek’s 520 standard saddle is surprisingly comfortable.
what should i look for in a touring bike Frame?
The touring bike frame must be strong enough to carry heavy loads while providing a comfortable ride.
Frame Material
All of the touring bikes I reviewed have Chromoly frames. This is a strong and reliable steel alloy. Steel frames are more easily repaired than aluminum if something goes wrong on a far-flung journey. In addition, the steel provides more flexibility than an aluminum frame. This bit of flexibility makes for a more comfortable ride.
Comfort
Comfort is one of the most important factors in choosing a touring bike. You will be on the bike for many hours a day. Small adjustments to the bike seat, stem, or handlebars make a world of difference. We recommend that you train with your bike before taking it out on a multi-day journey. We also think it is a good idea to get your bike professionally fitted before heading out on a long journey.
A view of the ocean on the Pacific Coast Route. You can fit a surprising amount of gear in the two rear panniers.
Weight (but it’s not the main criteria)
A good touring bike will not be as light and nimble as a regular road bike. While no one wants to ride an overly heavy bike, we didn’t use weight as the main criteria in our picks for two reasons: First, the weight differences between the bikes we considered are relatively small. All of the bikes weigh approximately 30 pounds. While weight is important, for your first touring trip, it’s often easier and less expensive for beginners to focus on carrying less gear rather than bike weight.
Second, we found there wasn’t a clear “apples for apples” weight comparison between manufacturers. Disc brakes will add approximately one pound of weight. Racks, fenders, and other attachments will also add additional weight. We found that some manufacturers weren’t clear whether they were including racks and pedals in their calculations. For example, Salsa’s website lists a different weight than the REI website.
Related: Bike Touring Packing List
Rim brakes on the Surly Long Haul Trucker
The same disc brakes used on the Surly Disc version. Photo without changes by Shih-Han Lin under Creative Commons license.
Should I get Disc or Rim Brakes?
As we previously noted, the touring bike market has been trending toward disc brakes. The Trek 520 has phased out rim brakes. Surly and Fuji provide disc and rim brake versions of their touring bikes (although Fuji only has disc brakes in their European version).
The following are the advantages and disadvantages of each:
Disc Brakes
Advantages
Disc brakes will be more responsive and reliable in wet conditions. Wheel lockup is less likely. Wheel lockup is a scary and potentially dangerous situation when a wheel “locks” or stops suddenly when the brakes are used in wet conditions.
Disc brakes have better stopping power, especially on long descents. In contrast, rim brakes can cause tire blowouts if they heat up too much on long descents.
Disadvantages
Disc brakes, while generally reliable, are more difficult to repair. This could be a bigger issue if you plan to bike tour in more remote areas.
Disc brakes can add up to an additional pound of weight.
Disc brakes are more expensive.
Rim Brakes
Disadvantages
Rim brakes are less responsive, especially in wet conditions.
Advantages
Rim brakes are easier to maintain and repair.
Rim brakes are less expensive.
There is no single correct answer. If you expect to be touring in wet conditions or bombing down steep hills, disc brakes may be a better choice. But, if cost or ease of maintenance is a primary concern, then go with rim brakes.
Justin Black, the owner of Doctor Roscoe’s Holistic Bicycle Repair, prefers rim brakes on his touring bike. He believes that rim brakes work just fine and he can easily fix the brakes if something goes wrong.
A close-up shot of flat pedals.
What kind of pedals should I get for bike touring?
Selecting a pedal is your first big decision after selecting a new touring bike.
Most bikes do not come with pedals. The notable exceptions are the Trek 520 and Fuji Touring bikes that come with clip-in pedals. However, you may decide to upgrade the pedals on these bikes.
Pedals come in four options: Platform, Toe Clip, Clipless/SPD, or Dual Platform/SPD.
Below is a summary of pedal options:
A platform pedal.
Platforms pedals
Platform pedals are the simplest option. No special bike shoes are required. Your feet are not attached to the pedals. You will lose some pedaling efficiency with platforms, especially when climbing hills. On the plus side, you don’t have to worry about detaching your feet when coming to a stop.
If you opt for a platform pedal, we recommend that you use a wide pedal with pins to help keep your feet in place. A good option for the bikes we recommend is the Shimano GR 500 Flat.
SHIMANO GR FLAT 500
A Trek bike with toe clips.
toe clips
The toe clip pedals offer increased pedaling efficiency without the need for specialized biking shoes. Your feet are held to the pedal with a strap or basket. While not as efficient as clipless pedals, toe clips are a popular touring option because you will not need to pack an additional pair of shoes.
As previously noted, the Trek and Fuji bikes come with toe clip pedals. Another good clip-in option is the Power Grips Sport Pedal Kit.
POWER GRIPS SPORT PEDAL KIT
Clipless pedals.
Clipless/SPD
Clipless pedals are designed for use with cleated cycling shoes. Clipless pedals are the most efficient system because the foot is held to the pedal and you can take full advantage of the upstroke. It can be a little intimidating to use clipless pedals for the first time; however, it quickly becomes second nature to release the foot from the pedal.
Normal clipless pedals allow you to "clip in" on either side of the pedal which is more convenient if you will always be wearing bike shoes when you ride.
If you decide to go with a clipless pedal we recommend that you use a mountain bike pedal (SPD) such as the Shimano M530 SPD Bike Pedals. SPD pedals have the cleats retracted and are more flexible cycling shoes. This will allow you to get more easily off the bike and walk around without changing your shoes.
SHIMANO M530 SPD BIKE PEDALS
One side of the dual platform pedal. Photo by Mike Unger.
The other side of the dual platform. Photo by Mike Unger.
Dual Platform/SPD
Our favorite pedal option is a dual platform/SPD pedal. One side of the pedal is platform for use with any type of walking shoes, while the opposite side of the pedal is SPD for use with a bike shoe. This system allows for maximum flexibility. You can use the bike to commute with regular walking shoes, then switch to a specialized biking shoe when you are out touring. They aren't necessarily more expensive than normal clipless pedals, either.
A great dual option is the Shimano XT PD-T8000. Another good less expensive dual pedal is the Shimano EH500 SPD Sport Road Pedal.
SHIMANO XT PD-T8000 PEDAL
SHIMANO EH500 SPD SPORT ROAD PEDAL
How should I load my touring bike? This rider chose rear panniers. Photo courtesy Mike Under
How to Load Your Touring Bike
“Ultralight” has come to bike packing in the form of bags strapped directly to the frame. This is especially true for off-road bikepacking. However, the vast majority of road bike touring still uses traditional racks and panniers.
That said, weight does matter. You should take steps to minimize your weight carried. The easiest, most cost-effective way to reduce your weight is to carry less stuff. Do you really need two sets of town clothes or three cook pots?
The traditional bike touring setup is panniers on the front and back tires, and sometimes a handlebar bag. One way to reduce cost and weight is to only carry one set of panniers, either on the front or back tires. There has been a spirited debate in the cycling community about whether it is better to use either front or back panniers. Ultimately, it will be a personal choice. The most important factor is to keep each side as balanced as possible. The following are some advantages of each option:
FRONT PANNIERS ONLY
Better for climbing hills.
Better for dirt roads because there is more grip over the front of the bike.
There is better heel clearance.
REAR PANNIERS ONLY
There is more storage space. Rear panniers are typically larger than front panniers.
Slow speed maneuverability and U-turns are easier.
Parking and pushing it up stairs is easier. The urban environment is fraught with stair hazards. Whether a few steps up walkway or a flight of motel stairs, inevitably, we will be called on to push a fully-loaded bike up a flight of stairs.
An Ortleib handlebar bag shown on a Trek 520 touring bike.
Our personal bike touring setup is a back rack with two rear panniers (Ortlieb Back-Roller Classic Panniers) and a handlebar bag (Ortlieb Ultimate 6 S Plus Handlebar Bag). The handlebar bag is very convenient for bike touring. It can be used to store valuables. The handlebar bag is easily removed and carried when you park the bike. If you choose to use front panniers, Ortlieb Sport-Roller Classic is a great option. The Sport Roller Classic is smaller than the Back-Roller Classic (25 liters vs. 40 liters) to better fit on the front rack. Both panniers are very durable and waterproof.
Our recommended bike, the Trek 520, comes with front and back racks. The front rack with a 33 lb. capacity and a rear rack with a 55 lb. capacity. If you select a bike without racks or want to upgrade to rack with more capacity, the Tubus Logo Evo Classic Rear Bicycle Rack (88 lb. capacity) and Tubus Tara Lowrider Front Rack (33 lb. capacity) are excellent options.
The Tubus racks will fit the Surly Disc Trucker or Long Haul Trucker. Alternatively, you could buy Surly’s own very sturdy steel front and rear racks. Surly’s front rack has a 70 lb. capacity and the rear rack has an 80 lb. capacity.
Our recommended bike, the Trek 520, comes with front and back racks. The front rack with a 33 lb. capacity and a rear rack with a 55 lb. capacity. If you select a bike without racks or want to upgrade to rack with more capacity, the Tubus Logo Evo Classic Rear Bicycle Rack (88 lb. capacity) and Tubus Tara Lowrider Front Rack (33 lb. capacity) are excellent options.
The Tubus racks will fit the Surly Disc Trucker or Long Haul Trucker. Alternatively, you could buy Surly’s own very sturdy steel front and rear racks. Surly’s front rack has a 70 lb. capacity and the rear rack has an 80 lb. capacity.
BACK RACKS
FRONT RACKS
How can I train for bike touring in the winter? How can I train on the bike when I can’t go outside?
During winter, weather can be treacherous for riding. If you work long hours, finding enough time to ride outside can get tricky. In winter, days are shorter, so workouts after work are hard to pull off. That’s why many serious cycling enthusiasts or people trying to get in shape for bike touring season will turn to a bike trainer to get their bodies and mind ready for a long distance trip.
With a bike trainer, you can turn your touring bike into a stationary bike that you can ride in your home. By simply removing the rear tire, the bike trainer can be set up in a home or apartment. For touring bicyclists, this allows you to have more time to become familiar with your bike before going on a long trip. By getting in time with your bike at home, you can learn and adjust features to your choosing. It also allows you to have your stationary bike be uniquely set up with the features you’d normally use on a tour as well as having everything perfectly sized for your body.
This guide explains the different kinds of bike trainers. There’s a lot of variation in abilities, features, and pricing in trainers.
BIKE TRAINERS
Can I Use My Touring Bike As A Commuter Bike?
Yes! We at Treeline Review are strong believers in dual-use gear. The qualities of great touring bikes are the same as a commuter bike. Touring bicycles make excellent commuter bikes because they are rugged, reliable, and are designed to carry panniers. On a commute, much like on the long, open road, you’re likely to encounter some similar road conditions including potholes and occasional gravel.
Reliability is important for both commuter bikes and touring bikes because you’re unlikely to have a support crew or want to deal with repairs all the time in both situations. When commuting, you may need to protect work documents or a laptop in panniers. If you can only choose one kind of bike, we think a touring bike will be able to meet multiple needs. As we suggest below (but it’s worth mentioning again here), if you’re commuting with your bike, you already know bike theft is a problem in urban areas. Put it on the National Bike Registry.
Camping in a park along the Southern Tier route. Photo courtesy Brandon Lampley.
Touring and Commuter Bike Accessories
Part of the fun of cycling, but also the expense, is customizing touring and commuter bikes to meet your specific needs. Many of your accessories like panniers, racks, and fenders are good for touring or commuting. Below are some of our favorite accessories.
Read: Treeline Review’s Editor Brandon Lampley’s complete bike tour packing list.
Racks
A rear rack is essential to mount panniers for touring or commuting. Front racks are very common for bike touring. Our recommended bike, the Trek 520, comes with front (33 lb. capacity) and back (55 lb. capacity) racks. Our budget pick, the Fuji Touring, comes with a 40 lb. capacity rear rack. If you select a bike without racks or want to upgrade to a rack with a higher weight capacity rack with racks with more capacity, the following are good options:
REAR RACKS
For high high capacity rear racks, we like the Tubus Logo Evo Classic Rear Bicycle Rack. It has a whopping 88 lb capacity, which should be able to handle everything you need.
For a budget rear rack, our senior editor Brandon Lampley likes the Topeak Explorer MTX. It has a slightly smaller capacity at 55 lb. capacity, but that should still cover everything you need. Brandon writes of the Topeak Explorer, “handles my loads just fine.”
FRONT RACKS
For front racks, we like the Tara Lowrider Front Rack. It has a 33 lb. capacity.
Panniers
Panniers are essential for touring and commuting to securely stow and protect your gear or work supplies. While you can use the bombproof Ortlieb Back-Roller Classic panniers for your work commute, there are some better pannier options available for the daily commute or trip to the grocery store.
TOURING PANNIERS
Ortlieb Back-Roller Classic panniers are considered the gold standard for bicycle touring. Sold in pairs, they are rugged, waterproof, fit securely on nearly any rack, and provided 40 liters of capacity. If you choose to use front panniers, Ortlieb Sport-Roller Classic is a great option. The Sport Roller Classic is smaller than the Back-Roller Classic (25 liters vs. 40 liters) to better fit on the front rack.
The Ortlieb panniers are big compartments for stuffing with lots of gear. However, they can be tough to organize. Therefore, we really like the Ortlieb Packing Cubes that fit inside the Ortlieb Back Roller panniers.
When touring, we like to use the Ortlieb Ultimate 6 S Plus Handlebar Bag to carry snacks, sunscreen, our phone, and other items that we need want easy access to. The bag can be quickly removed and carried with you when off the bike.
COMMUTING PANNIERS
If you plan to commute to work or school we would recommend a pannier more suited organizing supplies and carrying into a work or school environment. The Arkel Bug Pannier Backpack converts from a pannier to a backpack with ample pockets to organize all of your supplies. There is even a place to store your bike helmet.
Another more professional looking commuter pannier is the Ortlieb Commuter Bag. The bag has a sleeve for your laptop computer and lots of pockets to keep you organized.
If you plan to ride to the grocery store, then the Banjo Brothers Grocery Bag Pannier is a great way to carry your groceries. The pannier has the capacity of a brown paper grocery bag and has a strap to carry the bag over your shoulder.
Fenders
Bike fenders are not mandatory, but they make riding in the rain much cleaner and more comfortable. Fenders also help keep grit out of your components, extending their life. You will want to make sure your fenders properly fit your tires. Planet Bike Cascadia Fenders will fit most 700cc wheels.
Senior editor Brandon Lampley’s East Coast bike tour took him to some famous places. Photo courtesy Brandon Lampley
How to Size A Touring or Commuting Bike
Ideally, you will have a bike sized and custom fitted by a knowledgeable professional. However, it’s increasing common to order a bike online; therefore, it’s good to know how to size a bike. The following table shows typical bike size based on one’s height.
| Rider Height (inches) | Rider Height (cm) | Bike Size (cm) | Size |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4'10" – 5'0" | 148cm – 152cm | 47cm – 48cm | XX-Small |
| 5'0" – 5'3" | 152cm – 160cm | 49cm – 50cm | X-Small |
| 5'3" – 5'6" | 160cm – 168cm | 51cm – 53cm | Small |
| 5'6" – 5'9" | 168cm – 175cm | 54cm – 55cm | Medium |
| 5'9" – 6'0" | 175cm – 183cm | 56cm – 58cm | Large |
| 6'0" – 6'3" | 183cm – 191cm | 58cm – 60cm | X-Large |
| 6'3" – 6'6" | 191cm – 198cm | 61cm – 63cm | XX-Large |
How can i deter bicycle theft?
Bike theft is a huge problem. We strongly recommend that you register your bike with the National Bike Registry.
The Registry has teamed up with 529 Garage (which registers, reports, and recovers stolen bikes) to create a North American database of bikes. Bike shops and law enforcement can use the database to find and return stolen bikes.
How We Researched
To develop criteria to consider when choosing a touring bike, we consulted the Adventure Cycling Association, CyclingAbout, Bicycling, Road Bike Review, Bike Radar, Bike Touring Pro, Wirecutter, Bike Forums, Toms Bike Trip, Simply Cycling, Going Around Places, Road.cc, and Bikeforums.net (see Sources for full links).
We also interviewed Justin Black, owner of Doctor Roscoe’s Holistic Bicycle Repair, in Bingen, Washington, which is on the popular Lewis and Clark bike route. Justin has been a professional mechanic for over 10 years. He and his family have bike packed together for many years. He’s also the founder of Columbia Gorge Gravity Bike Association.
We also used our own experience bike touring, including completion of the Pacific Coast Route and large sections of the Northern Tier and Sierra Cascade Routes .
WHY YOU SHOULD TRUST US
Mike Unger left his high-stress corporate job to thru hike the Pacific Crest Trail in 2006. That experience forever changed him, and he purposefully re-arranged his life to allow for as much adventuring as possible. Today, he’s closing in on 28,000 miles on North American long trails and is one of a handful of people who is Double Triple Crowner, having hiked the Appalachian Trail, Pacific Crest, and Continental Divide Trails each twice. He’s also picked up another passion along the way: long-distance bike packing, including the 1,850 mile Pacific Coast route. When he’s not hiking or biking, he’s probably planning his next trip and/or researching gear.
Sources
Justin Black, Owner of Doctor Roscoe’s Holistic Bicycle Repair, Bingen, Washington
