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Two Wheels for Touring

By: Celeste Izon

One of the best ways to see the countryside and appreciate the beauty of the land is to travel by bicycle. All you need is a pack with the basic necessities, a good quality touring bike and a lot of energy, and you'll be on your way to seeing the world in a whole new way.

As the name suggests, touring bicycles are used by cyclists who want to travel while carrying supplies. These bicycles feature storage racks mounted on the front and rear of the frame to carry extra gear like food, water and extra clothing. They also have mudguard mounting points, triple water bottle mounts, a large wheelbase and a frame suitable for wider tires.

Road, recumbent and tandem bikes are the three most popular touring bicycles in use today. Each style of bike has its own distinct advantages and disadvantages. Learn about the different touring bikes and choose one according to your particular needs.

A classic road-touring style of bicycle has 700C wheels. While these wheel diameters are the same as racing bike wheels, road touring bikes have wider rims and better frame clearance. Recently, manufacturers have begun to modify the 26" mountain bike tires to provide more strength and increased resistance.

Recumbent touring bicycles have a unique appearance due to the seat position. On these bicycles, the rider sits on a reclined seat with the legs stretched out in front of the seat. The steering may be positioned above or below seat level.

Tandems are essentially meant to carry two riders, and are popular choices for couples wishing to travel long distances economically. However, these bikes can't carry any extra weight, so the riders often have to hitch a trailer.

Most modern touring bikes are equipped with road handlebars, front and rear luggage racks and saddles designed for long distance comfort. These bikes also feature heavy-duty rims, 36-spoke wheels and rugged hubs to increase their reliability and stability over long trips. A longer wheelbase and stable steering arrangement adds to this enduring practicality. On many touring bikes, a longer chain stay helps to ensure that cyclists are able to ride longer distances without discomfort.

There are various attachment points on touring bikes to keep luggage, fix fenders, and store those all-important water bottles. Some models even allow additional space to store spare parts. Attaching a trailer is another option, and pulling the extra gear behind the bike can provide a low center of gravity.

Touring bicycles are built to handle the elements and carry the rider over long distances. The frame and parts are made of sturdy, long lasting materials, allowing the bikes to handle fast ascents and descents even when loaded down with gear. Normal caliper brakes used in racing bikes are replaced by cantilever or lever-pulled brakes. Some manufacturer even use disc brakes to provide excellent stopping power.

What's gained in ruggedness and utility can be lost in speed, but it's a compromise that most touring cyclists are happy to make. With all of the available features and benefits of a touring bike, these are the obvious rides of choice for so many adventurous tourists looking for a new way to get up close and personal with the countryside.

Article Source: http://www.articlebankonline.com

Freelancer Celeste Izon provides material for several web sites, on outdoor sports recreation and travel and leisure topics.

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