Newfoundpassion

[ScottyH]

Hi,

I've just rediscovered the joy of riding a bike and after coming
across bike touring in the net, which was something I had never
given any thought to, I've definitely found what is going to become
a great passion in my life. The idea of travelling under one's own steam
and the challenge it involves speaks to me in volumes.

I have just dusted the cobwebs off my MTB which has never really
been used, with the intention of getting fit. but now that I am totally
interested in touring I was wondering if someone could tell me whether
or not a touring bike would be better to train on from the start. I.e. get
used to a body position that will not alter at a later stage etc etc.

Thanks
I hope people don't get sick of the many questions I'm probably going to ask.

 

[xilios]

Hi,

I've just rediscovered the joy of riding a bike and after coming
across bike touring in the net, which was something I had never
given any thought to, I've definitely found what is going to become
a great passion in my life. The idea of travelling under one's own steam
and the challenge it involves speaks to me in volumes.

I have just dusted the cobwebs off my MTB which has never really
been used, with the intention of getting fit. but now that I am totally
interested in touring I was wondering if someone could tell me whether
or not a touring bike would be better to train on from the start. I.e. get
used to a body position that will not alter at a later stage etc etc.

Thanks
I hope people don't get sick of the many questions I'm probably going to ask.

Hi, most of your questions about touring can be answered in these two links>>
http://bicycletouring101.com/index.html
http://sheldonbrown.com/touring/index.html
I hope they help you out some.
Cheers and safe travels.

 

[philso]

just putting in the hours in the saddle is all you need to do to get in shape. 6 months or a year down the line, if you're still gung ho and ready for some long distance touring, you may want to get a touring bike. i wouldn't bother with thinking about getting one immediately though. beyond the 2 links above, go through the threads. there's a lot of info that will help you make a more informed purchase when you get to that point.


for now, just get out and ride

 

[nun]

just putting in the hours in the saddle is all you need to do to get in shape. 6 months or a year down the line, if you're still gung ho and ready for some long distance touring, you may want to get a touring bike. i wouldn't bother with thinking about getting one immediately though. beyond the 2 links above, go through the threads. there's a lot of info that will help you make a more informed purchase when you get to that point.


for now, just get out and ride

I'd recommend starting on a mountain bike and going out regularly, but go to your LBS and then ride some road or touring bikes with thinner tyres. I think you'll feel a big difference and I bet you won't be able to stop buying a new bike. I'd recommend something like a Bianchi Volpe or Trek 520, they are both good solid bikes. Their stock gears are a bit high, but these can be changed and you might want to get a nice broad saddle. I've been riding my Volpe for 5 years and its been a good introduction back to cycling. I've put a Brookes B17 saddle on it and the front rings are now 46-36-26 which is more like a touring set up.
I've used my Bianchi as a learning and training experience. I know what gears I'm comfortable with now and I'm setting about buying a couple of new bikes, a single speed and a tourer. I've decided to get a custom lugged frame from Circle A Cycles and build it up with the exact components I want. I think I'll get exactly the bike I want for a few hundred dollars less than the price of the really nice tourers from manufactuers like Heron, Waterford and Bruce Gordon.