After several years of limited touring bike offerings, there seems to be a resurgence of interest in touring and touring bikes—it's really exciting to see some attention being paid to our little corner of the bike world. Frankly, it's also cool to see that there are more *cough* affordable touring machines coming on-line. I'd like to highlight a few of these new offerings, as well as noting a few of the classics.
A couple of things to note: first, this is not intended to be a comprehensive list. Next, if I don't mention frame material, assume it's steel. Also, all the bikes covered here, though they have different geometries and ride characteristics, share some general similarities: longer wheelbase, lower BBs, braze-ons for rack, fenders, and extra bottle cages. They all have space for wide tires, and complete bikes will run heavy-duty rims wrapped with big tires.
With that in mind, check out the 2010 touring bikes . . .
Hot off the presses is the Vaya. Salsa does what they do: exotic tubing, nice fit and finish, goofy spanglish name.
Ever wished for another choice in a disc-brake touring bike? Now you've got it. I have to say, this one is drool-worthy. They took the La Cruz and made some touring-specific tweaks: lower BB, beefier rear triangle, longer chainstays, and rack fitments. What they ended up with is a cool sport touring machine—they call it a road adventure bike. Its slightly more aggressive steering geometry an shorter overall length will probably make it a slightly sportier ride, and if you're a purist you'll probably want to build up your own from a frame kit, since the complete bike build comes equipped with a compact double crankset and 32-spoke wheels.
It's available through TTR as a frame kit or complete bike. $540 and $1500. Salsa also features the Fargo, a go-anywhere 29er trekking bike with more braze-ons than you can shake a frame pump at.
Straight from the Bay Area (via Taiwan) comes the Saga, from the steel-benders at Soma Fab. It's a classic touring frame with some nice features: oversized top- and downtube, Tange Prestige tubing, and—if the aesthetics are important to you—a handsome blue paint job. I had the pleasure of building one of these up last year . . . wow. It's a nice, lively tourer, and would make a useful commuter/utility bike, as well.
Available through TTR; frame kit only, $499.99.
The Trucker is a veteran now, and it's back for another campaign. As usual, the smaller sizes (54 and down . . . WAY down . . . to 42) use 26" wheels. This year, though, you have the option of 26s on the bigger frames, if you so choose. "Long Haul" isn't just the name. It's the longest-wheelbase bike in the bunch, except for the Gordon.
I like the stock gearing on the LHT: a 48-36-26 and an 11-34 cassette. That's real loaded touring stuff, there but the 48 makes it a bit more muscular when unladen.
I also like the price ($1095). It's available through TTR, and also sold at a reasonable price as a frame & fork.
Long-time builder Bruce Gordon offers a new wrinkle this year—his classic BLT (Basic Loaded Touring) in an afforable made-in-Taiwan version.
The Fuji Touring is back with a new lower-geared road triple but otherwise little has changed. It's still ready for anything, and still a great value, particularly if you like STI shifting.
TTR has 09 and a few 08 Tourings on sale. Get a deal!
Co-Motion has switched to Reynolds 725 tubing for its touring fleet, and added an off the peg Rohloff build for the Americano, pictured above. Their whole touring fleet is in dream-bike territory. They're great rides, meticulously designed and built. The Americano has 145mm rear hubs, so you can use a symmetrical rear wheel, for strength.
TTR is a Co-Mo dealer, so see us for your custom build. Likewise for the other dreamweavers at Waterford.
A slightly steeper head tube and less fork rake make for a shorter wheelbase and, like the Vaya, a little bit sportier ride. Also like the Vaya, this mean boy is disc brake only (note: I don't know if it's really a boy). It includes front/rear racks and fenders for $1199. Not bad.
I may add to this if other interesting touring rides come to my attention. In the meantime, I'm looking forward to seeing some of these out on the road.
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