Touring vs. racing bike?

Garrett1234

Starting to think about my next bike. I'm a road biker and don't ride so much for speed as for exercise and enjoyment. I'm wondering if anyone has experience with road bikes that are "touring" bikes, as opposed to straight racing bikes. I'd still do the drop handlebars and everything.

stresco

Personally, I prefer mountain bikes. I have owned Track-Bikes (Velodrome Fix Gear), a couple of Road Bikes and Quite a few Mountain Bikes. Road bikes and track-bikes are too stiff and rigid of a ride for me nowadays.

Jennjenn1974

Oh damn...we're talking about pedal bikes, aren't we? *sighs* Carry on...sorry to bother you..... :P

jmikels67

My hubby (who is an avid road biker) went with more of a touring style bike with his last one, still has dropped handlebars. Has front bag, and rack for panniers on the back. It's a Bianchi - he says he loves how smooth it is. I have a touring/comfort bike(Trek) I just got in May - it has upright handlebars (the forward leaning kills me) rack on the back for basket or panniers. LOVE IT! if you are a road/bike path enthusiast we definitely recommend a touring bike.

stresco

Oh damn...we're talking about pedal bikes, aren't we? *sighs* Carry on...sorry to bother you..... :P

Start up a MC thread! ;p

Garrett1234

LOL re motorcycles! I'm on a hybrid now, and it gets the job done, but I'm finding I'm using it less for the "mountain" and more for the road, and don't have any experience with the touring models. Thanks for the feedback.

TheBigYin

I've a classic touring bike in the shed - it's a lovely old beast - Dawes Super Galaxy, and it's a fantastic all day, every day of the week rideing bike, but I find it's just a little too laid back for me - the geometry of the frame is set up so that it'll handle nice and stable when loaded up with panniers front and rear, a handlebar bag for my camera gear etc. and the camping kit on the top of the rack. As a result, it's not exactly responsive when your out riding unladen, meaning it doesn't get the use it deserves to be honest.

Unless you're thinking of actually going out touring with all the kit, I'd consider looking at the newer generation of "Sportif" type bikes - something like the Specialized Roubaix / Cannondale Synapse models, or perhaps something from the Bianchi C2C ranges. These bikes are built for all day comfort - mainly slogging 200-300km up and down alpine passes admittedly - but still have _almost_ the same speedy ride quality and nimble handling of an out and out road racing bike. I'm thinking seriously of treating myself to something of this nature myself - once I'm down to a weight that I'm going to feel comfortable slinging a leg over a "plastic" bike of course...

For the moment, my main ride is an out and out solid as you like ally framed road-race bike, with a carbon seatpin and gel bar covers to make it a little more less like riding a girder :laugh:

healthybabs

Just invested in a Strommer electric bike this summer. Absolutely love it. I am not as young as I used to be and climbing the hills here became increasing difficult and was discouraging me from riding because I hate to get off the bike and push up hill. Now with the electric bike, I can get a little help with the motor when I need it. We love going out for hours along our trails that meander throughout the state. Now we can go out all day for up to 40 miles on a battery charge. Speed is only 20 mph but the beauty of it is you can reserve the the battery and only use it when you need it and use manual pedal power when you don't. Check out my avatar, you will see my new beauty. Probably not what you are looking for, but thought I would tell you about it anyway.