Touring Bike or Adventure/Gravel Bike

[smutchin]

How easily do tents fit in bikepacking kit? I think I've only seen micro tents carried without a rack.

Bivvy bags seem to be the preferred option for bikepacking. I guess it comes down to what type of 'touring' you're doing, and whether you prioritise the convenience of having stuff to hand, or being lighter and faster.

 

[John the Monkey]

Surly Long Haul Trucker with 42c tyres is my gravel bike, fwiw.


More Words on #30Daysofbiking, The Best of Times, the Worst of Times. by Jacques LeSinge, on Flickr

 

[iandg]

Surly Long Haul Trucker with 42c tyres is my gravel bike, fwiw.

View attachment 353622
More Words on #30Daysofbiking, The Best of Times, the Worst of Times. by Jacques LeSinge, on Flickr

Surly cross-check with 40c tyres here - if I had to have only one bike it would be this one

edit: If I get the chance I want to get a rack and guards on later in the summer and head on tour then single-speed and guards for the winter.

 

[Heltor Chasca]

Slight variation but Surly Disc Trucker. Seen here, after transporting a tent, a picnic table and a lit BBQ. All on the rear rack. Honest.

 

[John the Monkey]

Slight variation but Surly Disc Trucker. Seen here, after transporting a tent, a picnic table and a lit BBQ. All on the rear rack. Honest.

View attachment 353624

Nice! My 2009 Trucker was the last model year without disc brakes - if only I'd known....

 

[Nibor]

For some reason I have always had a hankering for one of THESE which might fit the bill. Have never seen one in the flesh, sat on or ridden one, so have no idea how it rides but on paper it looks like a sensible winner for regular duties and not something you have to be too precious about. It used to come with Shimano Tiagra. I'm not sure how PlanetX work but I think they may have a custom build option if you wanted to specify Tiagra or 105.

The London Road would fit this remit too all the braze-ons and serious tyre clearance I have had many a happy off road milr until I went steel

 

[Blue Hills]

I think "Adventure Road" its just a way of making a tourer seem a bit more appealing and hip.

So my three 20 year old Ridgeback Adventure bikes are now hip? I knew hipness would come crawling and begging to me if I just stood still long enough.

 

[Blue Hills]

Nice! My 2009 Trucker was the last model year without disc brakes - if only I'd known....

You'd prefer discs? My Ridgeback Expedition 2016 appears to have been the last year without discs. And I may have grabbed the last one (definitely in my size) a couple of months ago. Well pleased. The new one is quite probably a fine bike as well.

 

[mjr]

All those poor old Surlys, having to lean against things because the daffodil manufacturer refuses to weld a stand plate on, calling them "fugly" and wittering about "design-intent" and invalidates the warranty if you use a stay/axle-clamped stand. Oh well, maybe you can get a proper touring bike next time

 

[Heltor Chasca]

All those poor old Surlys, having to lean against things because the daffodil manufacturer refuses to weld a stand plate on, calling them "fugly" and wittering about "design-intent" and invalidates the warranty if you use a stay/axle-clamped stand. Oh well, maybe you can get a proper touring bike next time

I use a Clik Stand. BrillIiant things. In the photo upthread I used a picnic table because it just happened to be stuck in my spokes at the time.

 

[John the Monkey]

You'd prefer discs? My Ridgeback Expedition 2016 appears to have been the last year without discs. And I may have grabbed the last one (definitely in my size) a couple of months ago. Well pleased. The new one is quite probably a fine bike as well.

I struggled to find a cantilever that worked well with the STI levers on the bike. IRD CAFAMs were where I ended up, but I think discs might be more effective.

 

[Blue Hills]

I struggled to find a cantilever that worked well with the STI levers on the bike. IRD CAFAMs were where I ended up, but I think discs might be more effective.

thanks for the reply. simpler for me as I use straight bars. The 2016 Expedition is V brakes - cantis can be insufficient fully loaded.

 

[Vantage]

Never owned an 'adventure bike' so can't comment on them. However, my Dawes Vantage (basically an alloy Galaxy) within reason will cope with pretty much anything I throw at it. Front and rear panniers mounts, mudguard mounts and triple bottle cage bosses make it all the more practical.
In my biased opinion, you can't really go wrong with a good tourer.

 

[Cycleops]

It does seem that definitions for the gravel/road/CX/commuter/all round type bikes are blurred now. I think you need to pick the features/geometry you need and disregard the category.
I've just bought a used Specialised AWOL which is billed as a commuter, but its got braze one for racks and relaxed frame geometry so will equally do as a tourer, plus takes up to 45c tyres.
I would say the discs do give extra security.