Touring bicycle

The touring bike (French Randonneur ) is a specially designed for the needs of distance cyclists bike, which can be driven safely and slowed still more than 50 to 75 kg of luggage. The mere bolting of porters on a series bike makes it not a touring bike. The acceptable system weight is 150 kg or more, the usual weight 16 to 19 kg.

Travel wheels have a different frame geometry and are designed for the higher loads by more stable materials and often greater wall thicknesses of the frame tubes. Travel wheels have a longer wheelbase and greater lag than any other series bikes. Typical load limits of Porter are:

• Rear racks up to 40 kg, but usually about 25 kg
• Handlebar bag 2.5 kg ( with integrated card window)
• Lowrider each up to 12 kg
• Additional front luggage carrier up to 10 kg

These values ​​are different depending on the manufacturer, but should be kept roughly to obtain the maneuverability of the bicycle. Much higher masses would also mean that the bike is either no longer able to stop or the wheels are overloaded. High masses ( tools, spare parts ) have to be stowed in principle as low as possible, bulky, lightweight items such as a sleeping pad, however, come up behind the driver. Usually, bicycle bags are used from waterproof tarpaulin. Only waterproof panniers are also dustproof, so sensitive baggage such as cameras is also transported in watertight bags.

If a trailer is available, the heaviest luggage can be stowed there. This can be beneficial to the handling of the bike. When transporting luggage on a trailer but the ratio of vehicle mass ( the outfit ) and payload is always less favorable than in securing the luggage on the bike. The total mass ( system ground ) of the rider, bike, trailer and luggage should not exceed 150-170 kg. A trailer increases this mass addition and does not solve fundamental problems caused by excessive loading: The braking distance is longer. Mountains cost more time and energy, as well to pull off on the crossing of main roads or in clusters of sharp curves, such as on cycle routes in crowded valleys.

Also recumbent cycles are longer trips. As the demands on the geometry and the dimensions differ fundamentally from the upright bike, see → Main article: recumbent and long Lieger

Requirements

On a touring bike particularly high demands are made that go far beyond the simple road capability. The frame must be suitable for the attachment of multiple racks and should go quiet even under heavy loads straight. All components should withstand at distances of several thousand kilometers high stresses. Stability is in doubt more important than weight. But the bicycle and its load should not claim beyond measure also the traveler: Excess weight takes energy and time, wherever you ride uphill. To upright posture and bulky to pack way make headwind harder than necessary.

Frame and mounting parts in detail:

• Stiff wheels with extra -duty spokes and rims (rear if possible 4 - cross spoke, possibly even 40 spokes instead of 36 ), waterproof bearings and resilient tires. Kevlar inserts can reduce the puncture of foreign bodies, however, are prone to spontaneous rupture.
• Ergonomic and tailored to the driving style of the traveler sitting position, which helps avoid fatigue and physical wear: A steep seat tube ( the frame strut between the bottom bracket and saddle ) improves power delivery while pedaling.
• At lower pedal position to the leg, but not the foot to be stretched.
• A high quality saddle ( usually cowhide ) avoids pressure points on the buttocks. He should be slim enough so as not to rub on the thighs.
• The saddle position should be based on the driving style. If you like driving slowly (up to 16 km / hr. ) And wants to sit upright accordingly, should adjust the seat horizontally. For higher sustained speeds, it is appropriate because of the wind resistance to be able to sit in Template several hours a day ( with racing or triathlon handlebars, for example ) to charge, without spine and genitals. But one the saddle nose something better turns down.
• The handlebars should allow multiple grip positions and be adjusted so that not only the position of the arms, but also of the spine can vary.
• Toe clips such as click pedals provide smooth pedaling. This toe clips allow driving with different shoes and help to prevent knee problems: If necessary, the feet can be rotated slightly inward or outward. Often combined pedals are used, which can be used both with special shoes, as well as with ordinary shoes ( without using the click mechanism ).

• A very low center of gravity improves handling and braking behavior.
• The arrangement bulky luggage behind the cyclist and, optionally, in the longitudinal direction reduces the wind resistance.
• The front panniers should hang on a lowrider, not be too voluminous and contain the heaviest pieces of equipment. However, it should be noted that the most popular Lowrider are limited in payload to a maximum of about 15 kg.
• A handlebar bag with plastic envelope for maps.
• Voluminous parts belong to or on the rear rack.
• As part of the triangle can be attached except the bottles still a small bag.
• A careful balancing of luggage load between the right and the left was formerly strongly recommended, but is not even in the front luggage bags required. A logical packing order ( for example, a bag for clothes, one for tool and first aid kit, etc.) accelerates the packing and unpacking.

Among the components of the claims particularly high load capacity and universal repair ability now and again require a compromise.

Even the highest quality components to keep touring bikes only tens of thousands of kilometers. This is due to the above-average exposure to the high payload. That's why you often find on touring bikes quality groups of road bike or mountain bike components. Accordingly, in such a way equipped touring bikes are expensive, usually clear in the four digit range.

Not infrequently travel wheels are custom made for the customer, in this case the body condition of the customer is considered in the production of the frame. Special body measurement programs make it possible that so look out Reiseradinteressierte even presumptuous and out of line of the series touring bikes the right. Leg and torso lengths determined here mainly the geometry of the frame. Personal preferences, such as delay characteristics can be considered as well as wheelbase and special circuits and brakes, which require special braze.

Dimensions on the wheel

For the determination of measure of the travel wheel, the methods of measurement of a racing bike in a somewhat modified form can be used:

• The saddle is adjusted horizontally (but see above under " ergonomic seating position " ), is as high as the handlebars in the middle.
• The fifth tip is vertically about 5 cm behind the bottom bracket.
• Squats are located next to the wheel and has the saddle in the armpit, should you with an outstretched arm, with the middle finger to the bottom bracket to reach (valid Here the below limitation especially).
• The stem is selected so that when the elbows on the fifth peak is the middle finger, extends to the handlebar.
• When sitting on the bike should be reached with an outstretched leg with the heel the pedal in its lowest position.
• These rules apply to normal built man, if you have differing long or short arms or legs, this can only be a rough guide. Women tend to have relatively longer legs and therefore prefer to drive shorter -built frame.

Alternatives

For cost reasons, are often other types of bikes (for example, road bike, touring bike or hybrid ) as a basis for touring bikes and adapted to the needs of the traveler. Such wheels can not be so heavily loaded as genuine touring bikes, but are easier under certain circumstances. The version with an elongated road bike frame and road bike handlebar was originally called Randonneuse (French, feminine form of hikers ), but now is also the masculine form of the word, Randonneur, by. In French Randonneur other hand, stands for the touring bike.

Mountain bikes are only suitable if they are very large, because the driver usually abuts the panniers while kicking with his heels. It can only unsprung mountain bikes are useful converted to touring bikes.

Also recumbent cycles are longer trips. They are very stable due to the low center of gravity also in the loaded condition. Depending on the model, the luggage capacity is limited. There are special travel recumbents that are approved for heavy loads. When driving in remote areas also can obtain spare parts of some components (small wheels, special handlebars ) pose a problem. Further information on the requirements for the geometry and the dimensions → Main article: recumbent