How to choose the right touring bike
While choosing your next bike you will need to consider several factors and features which we have listed below. Once you know what to look for, you’ll be able to choose the right touring bike for you.
The bikes in the World Randonneur series have been meticulously designed to ensure maximum safety, comfort, efficiency, durability strength and load capacity. We have designed bikes to have very low service requirements. A Vivente with Rohloff is a bike for life and for endless travel.
From our study and experience of the available technology, we have considered almost all touring bike options available on the market. Below we have put together a list of topics you should be considering when purchasing a touring bike of any make.
Your Vivente Bike doesn’t require a manual to be used but we’re fans of information and learning so want to share ours with you. Read up on some finer details of Vivente bikes here.
Choosing the Right Handlebar
The way we hold onto our bike becomes more of an issue when we ride several days in a row and for hours at a time. Being able to change position, especially the part of your hands you are resting on, and the angle of your back, makes a big difference. Choosing the right touring bike handlebars for you is of paramount importance.
Brakes on Touring Bikes
We have fitted all Vivente touring bikes with hydraulic disc brakes as they offer superior braking performance, control and durability and can be maintained and repaired in even the most rugged environments. But what other options are there and why did we decide on hydraulics?
Lighting & Electrical Systems on Touring Bikes
We design bikes that are ready for touring and lights are a key part of them. Even if you ride mostly in daylight, you still need lights. For example, tunnels sometimes just appear.
Wheels on Touring Bikes
Our bicycle wheels hold us up and roll us over the surface. They take the initial impact from the road and are designed to absorb much of the shock. Special spokes, rims and tyres are made for loaded bikes expecting to travel basically anywhere. Strength is especially important because damaging any of them could be an extreme inconvenience if you are travelling.
Gear System Options on Touring Bikes
Essentially, a gear system allows you to vary the number of times you need to turn the pedals for a given distance travelled. Because each turn gives you an extra push of the pedals, when climbing or in headwinds, using low gears, you can turn the pedals more times and strain less per turn. Or you can travel further with each turn in the high gears. A good touring bike gear system is integral to your trip.
Touring Bike Frames and Materials
The frame and forks are the heart of your bike and the most important part of it. Bike frames are mostly designed for general use which doesn’t include loaded, open-road touring. What specific things should we factor into frame and fork design for a long distance bike?
Other Features
An automobile would not get registered if it was just a chassis, engine, brakes, steering wheel and seat. A bicycle is also better when more features are integrated into it. Vivente bikes are designed to include all safety features and luxuries already built in. In addition to the above we include mudguards, a kickstand, a steering stabiliser, a rear rack and more.