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Home | Recreation & Sports | Cycling A touring bicycle, as the name suggests, is used by a cyclist who wants to carry supplies while traveling. Built for travel, these bicycles have racks mounted on the front and rear of the frame to carry extra gear like a change of clothes, food and other necessities. They also feature triple water bottle mounts, mudguard mounting points a large wheelbase and a frame that's designed to accommodate 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. Also known as "bicycles built for tow", tandem touring bikes are perfect for a couple looking for an economical way to travel together. These bikes can't handle the additional weight of storage and gear, so the riders may want to hitch a trailer to bring their supplies along for the ride. 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. Touring bikes have various attachment points for luggage, replacement gear, and those all-important water bottles. Some models even provide space to store spare parts. When space is limited, some touring cyclists choose to attach a trailer and tow their extra gear behind the bike. The low center of gravity is an added bonus to using a bike trailer. When you need a bike that can handle the elements and take you over long distances, look for a touring bicycle. With parts and a frame made of sturdy, long lasting materials, these bikes can handle fast ascents and descents, even when loaded down with gear. The usual caliper brakes found on racing bikes are replaced by lever-pulled or cantilever brakes, and some manufacturer use disc brakes to provide even better 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.articlewheel.com
Writer Celeste Izon is a columnist for a variety of Internet sites, on outdoor sports recreation and recreation center themes.
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