Touring Bikes

How to choose a touring bike?

When choosing a bike for touring, first consider the surfaces you will ride on most often, the distances you plan to cover and whether you will carry luggage. For longer rides, a comfortable riding position, the right frame size, tyres suited to your routes and an appropriate gear range are particularly important.

This category includes different types of bikes selected for touring, so their design and riding characteristics may vary. Some are better suited to faster riding on paved roads, while others are designed for mixed-surface routes and gravel roads.

Gravel or hybrid bike for touring?

If your routes include plenty of gravel roads or rougher surfaces, or you prefer a sportier riding position, a gravel bike is worth considering. Wider tyres and a design suited to mixed surfaces make it easy to combine paved roads with unpaved sections.

If you mainly ride on paved roads, cycle paths and easier unpaved routes, a hybrid or fitness bike can be a practical choice. A flat handlebar and a choice of more or less sporty geometries allow you to select a bike for both active riding and longer leisure trips.

What to consider when choosing a bike for touring?

Size and riding position. On longer rides, the correct bike size and riding position are particularly important. A sportier position may suit faster riding, while a less aggressive position can be more comfortable when spending many hours on the bike.

Tyres. Choose tyre width and tread according to the surfaces you plan to ride. Smoother tyres are better suited to paved roads, while wider tyres with a more pronounced tread provide greater grip and versatility on gravel and rougher roads.

Gears. Gear range is particularly important on hilly routes and when riding with additional luggage. When comparing bikes, focus not on the number of gears but on whether the available range suits the terrain you plan to ride.

Luggage mounting. If you are planning multi-day trips, check in advance whether the specific bike can accommodate the rack, bags, bottle cages and other equipment you need. Mounting options vary depending on the model and frame design.