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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. 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. 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 is gained in utility and ruggedness is often lost in speed, but it's a compromise that touring cyclists are willing to make. The combination of features and benefits make these bikes the ride of choice for adventurous tourists wanting an up close and personal view of the countryside. Article Source: http://www.articlewheel.com
Columnist Celeste Izon contributes to a variety of Internet magazines, on leisure activity and recreation center issues.
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