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News > Camping Tips > Picking the right bicycle type for a tour
Picking the right bicycle type for a tour
If you're planning a bike tour, here are a few of the cycles you can choose from, each with their own pros and cons.
1. Traditional touring bike. These are the standard touring cycles, designed specifically for long stretches of road. Touring bikes tend to have larger wheels, which help to ease bumps in the road and provide the stability needed for bearing a load, such as any luggage you may be toting. They also feature drop handlebars, as you'd see on a racing cycle, which allow riders a little more comfort when facing a headwind, as you can lean down and cut through the air more efficiently. While these bikes are great for the open road, they don't handle particularly well off the asphalt. You also don't have much choice when it comes to tire size - wheels are typically sized at 700C. If your trip is going to be limited to open road, a touring bike can easily do the trick.
2. Mountain bike. You might be skeptical about touring on a mountain bike, but it can be done, as long as the cycle fits you comfortably and you're okay with spending hours riding it. One of the main things to consider is whether you're capable of carrying all of your gear on a mountain bike - suspension forks can make fitting a luggage rack a little tricky, but you can certainly find panniers that work. Note that mountain bike suspension tends to absorb some of your pedaling energy, so you may feel like you're moving slowly for the amount of effort you're putting into it, but if you need to cross over off-road terrain at some point during your trip, this bike will be able to handle the challenge.
3. Recumbent bike. If you have back problems or simply prefer the more laid-back position of a recumbent bike, there's no reason you can't tour on one. There are special Ortlieb panniers designed specifically for these cycles, so carrying your gear likely won't be a problem. Recumbent bikes tend to be slower on uphill climbs due to the lower center of gravity and heavier materials, but the small front results in aerodynamics that are great when facing a headwind.
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Schwalbe Marathon Mondial HS 428 (Wire Bead Tire) ($37.90)
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Schwalbe Marathon Mondial HS 428 (Folding Bead Tire) ($71.90)
MKS EZY Superior Exim Pedals ($73.90)
