Panniers Bicycle

Road Touring Bike   by Paul Merry

It’s technically possible to adapt any bike into a road touring bicycle for short journeys, but if you’re planning a long tour, then you are better getting a bike designed for the job, a road touring bicycle is designed to carry the extra weight of loaded panniers that you will need to take on your journey.

If you’re planning to do a number of long-distance tours then investing in a road touring bike is a good idea. Touring bikes are light but strong enough to carry the extra load required for a long tour. Your bike must carry all the essential items you need to be self-sufficient while you are on the road, especially if you are going to isolated areas.

A road touring bicycle is built for exactly this purpose. It will be able to absorb the extra weight while still giving you a decent speed during travelling.

The classic touring bike is very similar in looks to a racing bike but there are many subtle differences. The frame for example is different, built with comfort rather than speed in mind if you’re going to be riding your bike for weeks or even months, comfort is crucial. A touring bike sacrifices speed for comfort.

But if you’re touring you are not racing so the sacrifice is well worth it.

A good road touring bicycle will have heavy duty tyres to prevent punctures and the wheels will be stronger to cope with the different road surfaces and the weight of laden panniers and whatever else you have with you.

The nature of touring makes it necessary for you to carry a lot of equipment; everything you are likely to need must fit on the bike. A road touring bicycle will have fittings for panniers over the back wheel and also over the front wheel.

There are also lots of small bags you can attach to your bike. Like map cases over the handlebars and a small saddlebag carrying a basic tool kit.

An essential part of a road touring bike are mudguards. These little additions are simple but essential part of a good touring bike, keeping you dry when you encounter rain or wet roads. You may have to navigate over dirt tracks where the mudguards will come into their own.

Touring bikes are designed to ensure the load you carry is spread evenly over the bike ensuring the bike stays balanced and no undue stress is placed on one part of the touring bike.

What kind of road touring bike you buy depends on how much touring you are planning on doing. If you are just thinking of a few small weekend tours then a hybrid bike with fittings for panniers will be fine.

If you are planning a long-distance tour, covering between 60 to a 100 miles a day for a few weeks, then you need to invest in a good quality road touring bike.

About the Author

Paul has been cycling for over thirty years. He is a great believer in the health benefits of cycling and is the author of the blog

Defensive Cycling where he discusses all aspects of cycling. Call in to

Defensive Cyclingand get your free book “Cycling For Life” Watch the videos on bike maintenance and get lots of other great cycling tips.
DIY Hardside Bicycle Pannier

M-Wave Double Day Tripper Bicycle Pannier $27.99 Carry everything you need for a short trip in the M-Wave(r) “Day Tripper” double pannier. This set of two saddlebags attaches easily to your bike with quick releases, and its plastic framework ensures both light weight and stability. The 600-denier polyester is tough and durable, and reflective stripes improve your visibility to traffic….

Bicycle Quick Clip-on Pannier (Unit:single) $39.99 Ibera painners snap on Securely in seconds, no straps requires. Pannier bags can be used in pars or singularly. Hand-carry strap. Reflective strips. ABS base, 1680 nylon….

Avenir Metro Panniers (1,380 Cubic-Inch Capacity) $32.99 Avenir by Raleigh is the premier bicycle accessory line from legendary Raleigh Bicycles….

The Essential Touring Cyclist: A Complete Guide for the Bicycle Traveler, Second Edition $9.08 The classic guide for beginning and intermediate cyclists is back—and it’s better than ever. With the latest on bikes, gear, and training techniques and new sections on short tours, and touring abroad, this new edition of The Essential Touring Cyclist promises to appeal to a whole new population of aspiring cyclists. Whether you’re heading out for five hours or five months, this vividly desi…

Bike Touring: The Sierra Club Guide to Travel on Two Wheels (Sierra Club Outdoor Adventure Guide) $7.75 First published in 1979, Bike Touring introduced tens of thousands of riders to the joys of bicycle travel, and quickly became the go-to reference for an entire generation of bike-touring enthusiasts. But much has changed in the last three decades—and this fully revamped edition provides authoritative information on both the latest equipment and the ever-expanding universe of touring options for …

Tour de France Double Pannier Bicycle Bag $36.99 This Tour De France bicycle bag features a rugged 600D tear proof nylon construction with reflective strips for the most demanding cyclists. This bag also spotlights reinforced through plastic walls and a large compartment with quick release.