A corral of sexiness to put between your legs
Touring bikes are experiencing a bit of a renaissance lately. Often now called "Adventure Bikes"; steel frames built for the long haul are finding a new appreciation for those interested in slower adventures.
I think it's great to see both steel frames and a relaxed geometry beginning to return in popularity. Classic touring bikes, however, are often now called "adventure bikes" and short over-night bike trips are referred to as "bike-packing". Whatever ya wanna call it, (it's just re-branding) folks have been carrying loads on their bikes and camping in the woods longer than most of us have been alive. It's simply the best way to travel (IMHO).
I've selected 26 new bikes from 15 major manufacturers to showcase some of the best "off-the-peg" touring bikes on the market. All of these are bikes feature steel frames, drop-bars, either double or triple chainsets, and support the use of front and rear racks.
Final Note: These are just my thoughts and opinions based upon reviewing the bikes and their components online. I have seen several models in showrooms, but I have not personally ridden any. Your feedback is always welcome.
| Classic | Cinelli: Hobootleg
Good components, excellent set-up, good price, without a doubt - very sexy. A unique contender and on my short list.
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| ★★★★ Cinelli Hobootleg | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Classic | Dawes: Ultra Galaxy
Good components, great frame on a solid build, somewhat overpriced for the design. A surprising departure from their renown heritage.
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| ★★ Dawes Ultra Galaxy | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Classic | Fuji: Touring
Good components, excellent set-up, includes lights, excellent price. I really like this throwback to the vintage style. A new classic.
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| ★★★★ Fuji Touring | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Modern | Fuji: Touring Disc
Better components, excellent set-up, great price. If you must have disc brakes and want a 10-speed, this is a great deal.
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| ★★★★ Fuji Touring Disc | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Modern | Genesis: Croix De Fer 30
Superior components and set-up. Disc brakes and a 10-speed at a high price. Accepts wider tyres for the gravel crunching crowd.
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| ★★★ Genesis Croix De Fer 30 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Modern | Genesis: Tour De Fer 10
Good components and set-up. Disc brakes, 9-speed, and decent value. A solid "off-the-peg" setup.
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| ★★★ Genesis Tour De Fer 10 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Modern | Genesis: Tour De Fer 30
Excellent components and set-up. Disc brakes, 10-speed, and great value. Most complete "off-the-peg" setup in this review.
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| ★★★★ Genesis Tour De Fer 30 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Classic | Jamis: Aurora
Good components and set-up with a shockingly low price!. An absolute brilliant bike and a solid contender in the "classic" category.
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| ★★★★★ Jamis Aurora | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Modern | Jamis: Aurora Elite
Superior components and brilliant set-up with an amazing price!. A fabulous bike and leading contender in the "disc" category.
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| ★★★★ Jamis Aurora Elite | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Modern | Kona: Sutra
Good components and set-up at a fair price. Good looking mid-range offering in the "disc" category.
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| ★★★★ Kona Sutra | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Modern | MASI: Giramondo 700c
Excellent components and set-up at a fair price. Good looking mid-range offering in the "disc" category.
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| ★★★★ MASI Giramondo 700c | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Modern | MASI: Speciale Randonneur Elite
Superior components and strong set-up at a good price. Gorgeous high-end offering in the "disc" category.
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| ★★★★ MASI Speciale Randonneur Elite | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Modern | Pinnacle: Dacite
Decent components and set-up at a great price. Good looking low-range offering in the "disc" category.
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| ★★★ Pinnacle Dacite | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Modern | Ridgeback: Panorama
Excellent components and strong set-up at a good price. Solid mid-range offering in the "disc" category.
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| ★★★★ Ridgeback Panorama | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Classic | Ridgeback: Voyage
Excellent components and strong set-up at a great price. Solid offering in the "classic" category.
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| ★★★★ Ridgeback Voyage | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Modern | Salsa: Marrakesh Drop
Excellent components and strong set-up at a good price. Solid mid-range offering in the "disc" category.
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| ★★★★ Salsa Marrakesh Drop | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Classic | Spa Cycles: Ti Roughstuff
Superior components and excellent set-up at a fantastic price. Quite simply; "Best in show".
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| ★★★★★ Spa Cycles Ti Roughstuff | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Modern | Spa Cycles: Wayfarer
Excellent components and very strong set-up at an excellent price. A very strong contender in the "disc" Category.
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| ★★★★ Spa Cycles Wayfarer | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Modern | Specialized: Sequoia
Excellent components and very strong set-up at an excellent price. A very strong contender in the "disc" Category.
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| ★★★ Specialized Sequoia Elite | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Classic | Surly: Cross-Check
Good components, Excellent set-up. Mid-range pricing for a solid brand and build.
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| ★★★★ Surly Cross-Check | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Modern | Surly: Disc Trucker
Good components, Excellent set-up. Mid-range pricing for a solid brand and build.
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| ★★★★ Surly Disc Trucker | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Classic | Surly: Long Haul Trucker
Good components, Excellent set-up. Mid-range pricing for a solid brand and build.
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| ★★★★ Surly Log Haul Trucker | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Classic | Surly: Pack Rat
Good components, Excellent set-up. Mid-range pricing for a solid brand and build.
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| ★★★★ Surly Pack Rat | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Classic | Thorn: Audax Mk3R
Very strong build. Great components with an excellent price. A top contender.
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| ★★★★ Thorn Audax | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Modern | TREK: 520
Great components, great set-up, excellent frame with a great price from a renown touring bike builder.
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| ★★★★ Trek 520 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
But what about...?
Trek 920
Genesis Day One Ltd.
Genesis Tour de Fer 20
Genesis Croix de Fer 20
Noteworthy:
My favourite bespoke bike manufacturers are:
Rivendale
My number one dream bike is a Rivendale A. Homer Hilsen. Lovely, lovely, lovely.
Breadwinner
Number two on that list would be a Breadwinner Continental. Fabulous classic look.
Condor Cycles
Number three on the dream list is the Condor Heritage. Love me some classic style.
Oxford Bike Works
Fabulous bespoke bikes for the touring connoisseur.
Co-Motion
Outstanding craftsmanship for the world traveler.
Note: Bikes were chosen with the following basic criteria; steel frames, capacity for front and rear pannier racks, drop handlebars, and a long frame geometry. Preferences include; bar-end shifters, mudguards, and rim brakes.