Trekking vs. touring and the Genesis Croix de fer

[a_nic_an]

What is the difference between the types of bikes?

I've been asking a fair bit recently about a bike for commuting, pulling a child buggy, enjoying on slow weekend rides and these terms keep coming up. I can't identify the difference, any help would be much appreciated as I am mightily confused by cycle industry lingo.

Also, any thoughts on the Genesis Croix de fer would be much appreciated, the LBS are evangelistic in their efforts to try to sell me one as the bike that will meet every need that I will ever have.

Cheers,

 

[Pale Rider]

Trekking is a northern European style of riding involving reasonable distances - 30 or 40miles - at lowish speeds with lots of stops.

Hence trekking bikes are upright and fully equipped for the job - big comfy tyres, mudguards, decent luggage carrying capacity, prop stand, pavement lock and dynamo lights.

All comes with a weight penalty, but it's not so important given the bike's intended use.

Tourers can carry more luggage, but usually have drop bars and are designed for longer hops in the saddle.

A tourer will often have narrower tyres to reduce rolling resistance - comes with a comfort penalty, but touring riders are bit more hard core than trekking riders.

Of course, it matters not what you call the bike so long as you get the right one for your needs.

 

[rams1de]

I can see why the Genesis would be recommended as a good all round performer. Drop bars and steel frame for riding comfort, light yet strong enough for rack and pannier if you're planning a day tour or a bit of shopping and rugged enough to use in all weathers with room to fit full chromo-plastic mudguards.

When I went shopping for an all purpose bike to use on and off-road (bridle ways, cycle paths and gravel tracks) the Genesis fit the bill but was a few hundred pounds more than I'd budgeted. If I'd known I would get as much pleasure from cycling as I'm experiencing, I'd have bought it in a heart beat.

IMO, it's one of the best looking bikes around, a valuable factor once you start 'living' with your bike - but obviously very subjective.

 

[GrumpyGregry]

Croix De Fer is a fantastic all-rounder bike. Plenty of folk have toured on them, some have trekked too.

 

[a_nic_an]

Thanks, now I need to convince my wife that over £1000 on a bike is not loopy!