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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 bicycle has 700C wheels. The wheel diameters are the same as racing bike wheels, but they have wider rims and better frame clearance. In recent years, manufacturers have modified the 26" mountain bike tires to provide better resistance and greater strength. Recumbent touring bicycles are unique in appearance due to the seat position. Riders sit on a reclined seat with the legs stretched out in front. The steering can be positioned above or below the 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. 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. 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.articlewheel.com
Columnist Celeste Izon is a freelancer for several popular Internet sites, on sports recreation and recreation center subjects.
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