Many people use bikes for long-distance travel. Cyclists can go on incredibly long rides, even across the country. Touring bicycles, developed to accommodate this form of bicycling, allow riders to position bags and equipment all over the bike, distributing the weight while storing the equipment needed for rides that last weeks on end. Touring bikes are a specialty bike and are rarely used for other purposes. They are also difficult to find unless you go to a bike specialty shop. When choosing a touring bike, you'll need to consider several features.
Step 1
Compare the heights of various bikes by straddling the crossbar -- this works only with men's bikes, since women's crossbars curve down toward the pedals and gears. When standing flat-footed, you should have about 1 inch between your crotch and the crossbar. Frames are often sized in relation to the ideal height of the riders, but since wheel size can influence how high a saddle is positioned, it is wise to try out the bikes individually to assess their comfort.
Step 2
Assess the available handlebars and choose between flat handlebars like those found on mountain bikes and the curved handlebars of road bikes. Touring bikes feature both, and for the most part the types of handlebars used are a matter of personal preference. However, curved handlebars are widely regarded as reducing stress on the back and making long-distance riding more comfortable.
Step 3
Examine the touring saddle. Most bikes come with stock saddles that may be beneficial, but these should not have large amounts of cushioning; they may feel good when you sit on them, but over the long course of a ride the cushioning increases the weight placed on your soft tissues, which can lead to greater discomfort.
Step 4
Examine the tires. It's important to have sturdy tires on a touring bike, and many bikes feature extra protection to improve the durability of the tires. For example, you may have double-walling on your rims to improve the structural integrity of the rim. Many rims are also a bit wider on touring bikes to accommodate thicker and wider tires.
Step 5
Look over the gear mounts. Different manufacturers provide different types of mountings on a bike to store baggage and equipment. How much you need, the type of bags you have -- if you already own some -- and your comfort with where the baggage is located may cause you to lean in the direction of one touring bike over another.
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