Cycling in new countries. Long endless boulevards. Curious people. Sleeping under the stars. New Food varieties are some of the things that come to mind when we think of bicycle touring. However, before enjoying the journey, there are hundreds of things that need to be kept in mind. 

Choosing the best route so you are safe and don’t miss out on the view. Packing the right things for every weather while cycling is something that needs to be carefully planned. Besides, you also need to ensure that you’ve the best touring bicycle that can get you over hills, offer comfort, survive any weather and a hell lot more. 

While there are certainly a lot of you out there who might have toured India or other countries on a basic bicycle, chances are you would want to do it again on a better bike. 

But before we get into the best touring bikes, let’s help you decide the type of tour you will be doing. This indirectly will help you choose the best touring bicycle that you need to go the distance. 

So what kind of a bicycle tour are you looking to go on?

Your bicycle tour should dictate the type of bike you are looking to buy.  Keep in mind the kind of trip you want to make. 

What are the different types of bike trips?

1. Fast vs slow 

2. Lightweight tour vs heavyweight tour

3. On road vs off road 

4. Short tour vs long tour

5. Low budget tour vs high budget tour

The above factors will make a big difference in decides the best touring bike for your tour.  If you’re still confused, let’s take a look at the main principles of buying a bike.

Later, in this article, we’ll cover some of the best touring bikes, as well as budget options and more specialised ‘expedition’ bikes.

2. What’s your budget?

Decide on a budget. It’s not a lot? Go for a second hand touring bike. 

But if you do have a budget, getting the best touring bike will pay off in the long term.

Here’ s a list of some of the best touring bikes in India and around that you can get your hands on! We’ve made sure to cover all different aspects to give you a variety of choice to choose from!

Best touring bikes: Folding 

 

Bike Friday New World Tourer:

 

About the bike:

Designed to be ridden across fully loaded tours, the New World Tourist easily keeps up with the non-folding bikes. The bike is perfect for long or weekend touring. moreover, the bike can be folded and carried around in a plane of anywhere else with ease.

The bike will custom fit your body and is comfortable enough to ride on for days.

Who is this bike for?

If you enjoy light touring or riding long distance with load and also want the convenience of folding your bicycle, this new world tourist is perfect. Even if you plan on cycling around the world, don’t underestimate this foldable bike, it will be your best companion. 

Key features:

• Folds to fit into a small space, 32 x 24 x 12” . You can even disassemble to fit into the Samsonite F”lite GT 31 suitcase. The case has Airline approved dimensions.
• For riders up to 220-lbs (100 kg)  or the heavy rider version 260-lbs (118 kg)
• Lighter frames available for smaller/lighter riders under 150 lbs (68 kg)
• Takes front and rear racks, (up to 3 bottle cages) & many other standard accessories
• Different drivetrains are available. This includes Gates Carbon Belt Drive with Internal Hub
• Comes with V brake. However, you can fit Disc brake as well
• All versions have Electric Assist options with travel legal batteries

 

Bike Friday Pocket Lama:

About the bike:

If you’re looking for a folding touring bicycle, the bike Friday Lama is another great option. The bike can be ridden beyond paved roads such as gravel, trails and more. 

Who is this bike for?

If you are one of those who like to ride rough, this bicycle will go beyond.

Features:

• For riders up to 230 lbs (105 kg)
• The sturdier frame is available for riders up to 330 lbs (150 kg). The frame is called the Diamond Llama.
• Takes wider tires up to 2.1″ (5.5 cm)
• Folds to fit into space 32″ x 24″ x 12″  and will disassemble to fit into the Samsonite F”lite GT 31 suitcase. The case dimensions are 31″ x 21″ x 12″
• Takes front and rear racks for loaded touring
• Electric assist available – Rear or Front Drive E-Bike Systems
• Internal Hub options available

Best touring bikes for your money

Surly long haul trucker:

About the bike:

Over the years, the long haul trucker has surely developed a devoted following. Those who have one will only suggest a surly. No matter what type of riding you do. The bike comes with double-butted Chromoly frame, old-school five-arm triple chainset, Tektro cantis and Shimano derailleurs. The bike also has a long chainstay which means, you can carry stuff stably anywhere. 

Who is this bike for?

The bike is perfect for this who want to ride every day or get lost in the middle of nowhere. 

If you opt for the standard haul trucker, it’s compatible with rim brakes. 

It’s available as a frameset and as a complete bike, with 26˝ wheels in 42–62cm frame sizes, and with 700c wheels in 56–62cm. 

Besides the usual, Long Haul Trucker, Surly also comes with a disc trucker. The only difference is that this one comes with disc brakes.

Best cheap touring bikes:

If you don’t have a very high budget when it comes to buying a good touring bike, consider looking at these best cheap touring bikes. They are made buy good brands from quality material and guarantee to last long.

Fuji touring bike:

If you are looking for an affordable and a light touring bicycle, the Fuji Touring Bicycle is what you should be looking at. It’s durable, lightweight and comes with ultra-wide 3×9 or 3×10 gearing ranges allow riders to tackle both climbs and flats with ease.

Besides, the rims have 36-holes that offer extra stability. 

Who is this bike for?

If you are on a budget and are looking for a lightweight, durable touring bike, the fuji tourer is ideal. 

Features:

Available in XS (49cm), S (52cm), M (54cm), L (56cm), XL (58cm), XXL (61cm), XXXL (64cm)

Chromoly w/ 1 1/8″ steerer, low-rider water bottle and rack mounts

Gearing: Shimano Alivio, 48/36/26T, Shimano Deore, 9-Speed

Wheelset:- Vera Terra DPM18, double wall, 36/36h, Shimano Deore hubs

Tires: Vittoria Randonneur, 700 x 35c, 30tpi

Note: Long rides can be tiring and hard on your other parts of the body. Besides your rear, your hands need protection as well. Here’s a list of the best cycling gloves for hand numbness and long distance.

Trek 520:

 

About the bike:

 

As we know, Trek is known to make one of the best bikes in the world. And that’s what they did when they created the Trek 520 a few decades ago. The Trek 520 is a thin steel framed bike and comes with an allow disc touring fork and all wether disc brakes. It has a wide range of 27-speed drivetrain that’s great for hauling a heavy load up hills.

But that’s not it, the bike comes with Bontrager Tubeless Ready wheels with puncture-resistant tyres, Shimano Sora brake/shift levers

Who is this bike for?

If you are one of those who likes riding his/her bike on dirt tracks, roads, gravel, woods and still be comfortable, this bike is for you!

Features:

• Chromoly disc Frame to suit the heavy loads and high miles of multi-day touring
• Alloy Disc Fork for durability across different weather conditions
• Shimano Sora/Alivio 27 Speed Drivetrain for super fast, light and accurate shifting
• TRP Spyre C 2.0 Mechanical Disc Brakes for controlled stopping in any weather
• Bontrager H1 700 x 38c Tyres give plenty of grip and comfort in all conditions

Specialized AWOL:

About the bike:

If you’re looking for a modern touring bicycle, Specialized AWOL is something that you should be definitely looking at. The bike comes with disc brakes and fat 700C tyres that make touring super-fun. While the specifications of the bike have been drastically stripped down, you can add your own mudguards and racks. The bike also comes with a dynamo front hub that lets you add a lighting system.

Who is this bike for?

If you’re on the hunt for a modern touring bike that’s light and has fat tyres, this is what you should be looking at.

Features:

Frame: Heat-treated custom-butted Premium Cr-Mo tubing, internal light cable routing-ready, Adventure Geometry, post disc mount, fender/rack mounts, kickstand plate

Fork: Butted premium Cr-Mo, unicrown, heat-treated

Front Derailleur: Shimano Sora

Rear Derailleur: Shimano Alivio, Shadow design, SGS cage

Cassette: Shimano, 9-speed, 12-36t that makes climbing hills with load easy

 

 

 

World Traveller Signature by Koga Miyata:

A suit makes a man but what makes a cyclist? An awesome bike. That’s what the Koga Miyati is!

The bicycle frame is handmade and is the perfect long haul. The bike offers a comfortable and upright position that is suitable for long day riding. 

And what makes this bike better from the rest is the Rohloff hub. The Rohloff hub is a top-level performer and there are good quality and very durable kit that will last you over 50 thousand kilometres with ease.  That being said, the bike comes with Belgian-made touring rims and Continental tyres.

Who is this bike for?

If you have a very high budget and are planning to ride every corner of the world without worrying about your bike parts wearing off too quickly, this one is for you!

Features:

Size: 50, 54, 57, 60 cm

Cassette: Rohloff steel 

Rear Hub: Rohloff 14 speed internally geared hub (Rohloff Speedhub)

Saddle: Fizik Rondine Wing Flex

Tires: Continental Tyres

Commotion Americano (700c wheels):

 

Another best touring bicycle is the co-motion Americano. The brand has established a high standard of ultimate touring bikes that are strong enough to handle any self-supported expedition.  The geometry of these bikes is pretty stable, upright and comfortable that makes long distance seem easy. 

Who is this bike for?

If you’re looking for a sturdy bicycle that will support your every kind of touring, this one is for you.

Features:

Frameset – Reynolds 725 custom steel tubes that are strong and durable for the long haul.

Purpose – Multi-day to multi-year tours on the pavement, daily commuting and hauling heavy loads.

Components – The bike comes with a wide range of touring gears in your choice of 3x 10 derailleur system, Rohloff 14 spd hub or Pinion 18 spd. gearbox drivetrain. 

Disc Brakes: The bike also comes with all-weather disc brakes and symmetrically laced rear tandem-duty wheel for ultimate strength with heavy loads.

Kona Sutra:

 

If you happen to visit their official website, the description will blow your mind. The Kona is everything from gorgeous, stylish and versatile. The bikes come with Chromoly steel frame is outfitted by a Brooks saddle, cork bar tape, BarCon shifters, a Shimano Deore 3×9 drivetrain to give you maximum gearing, and smooth-rolling 700c WTB wheels.

Who is this bike for?

Looking to look stylish and go on big adventures? What more could you want?

Features:

• Frame Material: Kona Cromoly Butted
• Fork: Kona Project Two Cromoly Disc Touring
• Wheels: WTB ST i19 TCS 700c
• Crankset: Shimano Deore
• Drivetrain: Shimano Deore/Alivio 9spd
• Brakes: Tektro RRL-A 160mm front / 160mm rear rotor
• Tires: Schwalbe Marathon Mondial 700x40c
• Saddle: Brooks B17 Leather
• Extra: Fenders w/ Mudflaps, Pannier Rack

Roux Etape 150:

The Roux Etape is a touring bike that comes with an aluminium frame, Chromoly fork, wide-range gears. What makes this bike one of the best is that it’s relatively inexpensive.

All you need to do is install a set of mudguards and a rack, and you’re good to go!

Who is this bike for?

If you’re looking for a bicycle that offers supreme comfort and a relaxed touring experience. choose to go for Roux Etape.

Features:

Frame: 7005 Series alloy

Fork: High Carbon Ferrous Alloy

Rear Gear: Shimano Altus

Sizes: 52/55/58

Now It’s Your Turn…

Now that you know the best touring bikes and how to buy them

Which one would you want to buy?

Or maybe you have a question to ask about buying the best touring bikes in India.

Either way, leave a comment quick below.

We’ll be around to reply to comments and answer questions.

Special Thanks to Kunal Mithril for helping us collate this list.