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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. The most popular touring bicycles that are used today are road, recumbent and tandem bikes. Each of these cycles has its own unique advantages and disadvantages and should be purchased according to your individual requirements. 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. A recumbent touring bicycle has a unique appearance because of the position of the seat. The recumbent rider sits on a reclined seat, low to the ground, with legs outstretched in front. Steering is positioned above or below the seat level. Tandems are known as "bicycles built for two", and are essentially meant to carry two riders. These are popular choices for couples wishing to travel long distances economically. The drawback to these bikes is that they can't carry any extra weight, so riders have to hitch a trailer to bring supplies along for the ride. Modern touring bikes are usually equipped with front and rear luggage racks, road handlebars and saddles for long distance comfort. These bikes also feature rugged hubs, heavy-duty rims and 36-spoke wheels, increasing their stability and reliability. A long wheelbase and stable steering arrangement adds to the practicality. Many models have a longer chain stay to ensure that the cyclist can 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
Essayist Celeste Izon writes for several popular web magazines, on outdoor sports recreation and leisure time themes.
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