Road bike versus Road touring bike

[bigjim]

My personal issues with touring bikes are the canti brakes. I find them an abomination on a heavily laden touring bike. Hard to keep adjusted, squeal and difficult to set up. I've removed them from two of my tourers and fitted standard sidepulls. I don't need wider than 28c tyres so suits me.

 

[briantrumpet]

Why a touring bike then, rather than a road bike that is the right size for you?

As I'm actually very comfortable on my 'road bike', with a fairly 'aggressive' set-up, I'll tour with that. I actually find sitting more upright tiring. This one took me from Paris to Rome:

 

[mickle]

I have a deep and profound fondness for cantilevers, probly because they were the technology at the time I found myself working as a mechanic in a bike shop - so I know how to get the most out of them. I miss them. Especially Suntour XC Pro Circa 1989. Or type one XTR.

*sigh*

 

[Globalti]

There's definitely a difference even between an endurance bike like a Roubaix and a racer. The racer will be faster up hills and down, faster on the flat but conversely will usually be stiffer and less comfortable on long runs. As the owner of a Roubaix and a rather naughty Italian climbing bike I can testify to this.

Maybe the bike industry ought to get together and establish a sporty - endurance - touring grading system where 1 is an uncompromising racer and 10 is the most comfortable tourer.

 

[Nebulous]

As @Ian H says there are a fair few steps between full on road and full spec tourer. Ive got a Spa steel Audax which fills the gap nicely. Bit more relaxed and comfy than a full on road bike but fast enough when you put a bit of effort in, full mudguards, handbuilt wheels, full 105 or sram apex, 28c tyres at a push and under £1000. Whats not to like!

Stop it! I'm coveting one of them already, without you adding to it. I haven't spoen to them, but going by the website you can't get handmade wheels and 105 below £1000.

 

[Nebulous]

I had an allez which was pretty much an aluminium racing bike and an Edinburgh bike tourer with flat pedals, guards, rear rack and an extra 6 kilos. Over a distance of more than 30 miles, particularly in wind, it was hard to separate them timewise / speedwise. Allez was 54 cm frame, tourer was 55, but felt more stretched with a longer top tube. There are so many variables though in weather, wind, air pressure, fitness and condition of the legs that it is difficult to be objective.

 

[briantrumpet]

The OP was concerned about speed on a touring bike though. Of course we can tour on any bike, but carrying enough luggage is usually a reason for choosing a purpose-built tourer, apart from the more relaxed geometry. How did you carry everything for your trip?

B&Bing it, I had a seatpost-mounted saddle bag: apart from essentials, all I took were T-shirt, shorts & flip flops for the evenings, when my cycling kit got washed. Here I am, fully-laden for Exeter to the Alps in 2012:

 

[bigjim]

One thing about a touring bike is the ability to take mudguards. I have never been on tour without hitting substantial rain even if it was only for one day.

 

[vickster]

I'd rarely be carrying luggage, I'd use it just like a road bike really.

Perhaps get a road bike then...preferably one that can take proper mudguards and a rack (even with P clips, just in case)

Don't buy the wrong bike just because it's cheap, and don't buy the wrong size bike because it's cheap. £300-400 will get you a decent second hand roadbike like a Giant Defy, if you sell it on in a year when you've more cash, if you've looked after it, it won't have lost a lot of value

 

[Welsh wheels]

Perhaps get a road bike then...preferably one that can take proper mudguards and a rack (even with P clips, just in case)

Don't buy the wrong bike just because it's cheap, and don't buy the wrong size bike because it's cheap. £300-400 will get you a decent second hand roadbike like a Giant Defy, if you sell it on in a year when you've more cash, if you've looked after it, it won't have lost a lot of value

Thanks. Made the latter mistake when I brought my current road bike, never again lol.

 

[snorri]

I'm considering getting a touring bike to replace my oversized road bike. How much of a difference is there performance-wise between road and road tour bikes? Would my average speed come crashing down? Are they more sluggish uphill?

As your main priority appears to be performance, I suggest you get a new road bike if the present one is not suiting you.

 

[vickster]

Thanks. Made the latter mistake when I brought my current road bike, never again lol.

What's your budget? Are you prepared to get a new bike on finance for example?

 

[Welsh wheels]

What's your budget? Are you prepared to get a new bike on finance for example?

Pretty low unfortunately (due to being a poor student) , which is the only reason I was considering that particular touring bike as it was only just over £100. I am trying to raise some funds by selling my hybrid but the ideal would be an exchange of my current road bike with one with a smaller frame. But I haven't had any luck there so far. I've had one or two offers but they have been too far away to be practical. I don't think I would consider finance to be honest because I wouldn't be able to commit to paying the amount back at the moment.

 

[vickster]

Flog it on eBay?

 

[Welsh wheels]

Flog it on eBay?

Yeah I might end up selling both bikes, but deciding currently if I want to be without a bike for a while if I sold both.