What does the ideal touring bike for longer cycling trips look like?
Essentially, this depends on the intended purpose. How long will the bike tours be? How much luggage will be needed? Once these questions are clarified, the type of bike can be determined.
For day trips, regular city or trekking bikes are generally sufficient. However, a bike designed for longer tours should definitely feature a sturdy construction, a high maximum load capacity, and a torsion-resistant frame. The latter ensures smooth riding and helps the bike stay on course even when carrying heavy loads.
The frame material could be either aluminium or steel, as both can be used to create robust frames with high load capacities. Aluminium is lighter than steel, though it usually requires a higher budget. Touring bikes are predominantly built with 26-inch wheels because they are generally more stable than larger 28-inch wheels.
The nature of the tyres—whether knobby or smooth—should also be chosen based on the intended purpose. The rule of thumb is that the knobbier the tyre tread, the better suited the bike is for off-road terrain. Regardless of tyre tread, a high level of puncture protection is crucial to prevent constant repairs. Wider tyres are generally less prone to punctures as they offer greater cushioning comfort.
The choice between hub gears and derailleur gears depends on the intended use. The advantage of hub gears is that they are low-maintenance, as the transmission is encapsulated and therefore protected from external influences. Derailleur gears, on the other hand, offer a greater number of gears with finer increments, making them smoother to ride.
Touring bikes are mostly equipped with hydraulic brakes. These are always easy to operate and provide strong, well-modulated braking power. Even in wet conditions, hydraulic disc brakes maintain their braking performance and protect the rim, which is already under increased stress due to the higher weight.
Since handlebars, stem, saddle, and frame all influence the riding position, they should be adjusted to the individual preferences of the cycle tourist for long-distance journeys. The same applies to the material of the grips, as these are the constant contact points for the hands. Bar ends on the outer side of the handlebars, for example, provide variety by allowing different hand positions.
The pannier rack, like the frame, should be as torsion-resistant as possible. For longer tours, a load capacity of 40 kg is recommended. It is also important to consider lowered struts, as these shift the centre of gravity further down rather than to the rear, helping to prevent energy-draining and nerve-wracking swaying.
How can luggage be packed correctly and securely for longer bike tours?
The primary and most important rule for cycle tourists regarding luggage is this: less is more! If you know what you truly need and can leave unnecessary items behind, you already have an advantage. The more weight you carry, the harder it becomes to pedal, which can quickly diminish the fun of the ride. Bicycle, luggage, and rider should never exceed the maximum permissible weight limit – not least due to insurance reasons. A small tip: step onto a scale while holding your bike and fully packed gear to check the total weight.
Observe the specified maximum weight of the pannier rack. Load capacities vary between 20 kg and 40 kg. For very heavy luggage, it is best to distribute the weight between the front and rear wheel. For the front wheel, so-called lowriders are available, which allow you to attach one bag on each side of the wheel, with a maximum of 5 kg per bag. Even with less luggage, it makes sense to split the load between the pannier rack and the lowrider, as this makes the bike easier to handle overall. Cyclists who weigh a little more and are at risk of exceeding the permissible total weight could consider storing their luggage in a travel trailer. The rule here is to limit the weight to a maximum of 25 kg in hilly terrain!
Nowadays, commercially available bike bags are usually weatherproof and often come with special attachment systems. The hooks on the bags should match the diameter of the rack’s rods, or if needed, be secured using additional parts provided by the manufacturer. Where possible, only a few and preferably lightweight items (such as tents) should be secured with straps.
Packing systematically pays off! Particularly heavy and rarely used items are best stored low and close to the center of the bike in the pannier bags. A lower center of gravity positively affects riding comfort. Equally important for smooth, safe, and comfortable riding is the even distribution of weight between opposite bags to prevent the bike from pulling to one side or knocking the cyclist off balance. Smaller items that you need to access quickly and frequently, such as ID, a bank card, or gloves, are best kept in a small handlebar bag.
What clothing is essential for cycling tours?
A wide range of functional cycling clothing is available in stores – making sense of it all can sometimes be quite overwhelming. The most important factor is ensuring that you feel comfortable in the clothing and have enough freedom of movement. Chafing seams or pullovers that constantly need adjusting can quickly become a nuisance on longer cycling tours.
A wide range of functional cycling clothing is available in stores – making sense of it all can sometimes be quite overwhelming. The most important factor is ensuring that you feel comfortable in the clothing and have enough freedom of movement. Chafing seams or pullovers that constantly need adjusting can quickly become a nuisance on longer cycling tours.
To regulate warmth and cold effectively at all times, the layering principle is applied. Instead of wearing one thick layer of fabric, multiple clothing items are layered on top of each other, which can be combined depending on the temperature and conditions. To avoid heatstroke or overheating, a lightweight head covering is an absolute must-have for hot days! Functional clothing made from synthetic fibres offers several practical advantages to cyclists, as it quickly wicks moisture away from the body, helping to regulate body temperature effectively and ensuring consistently comfortable wear. Additionally, good protection against the wind prevents the body from cooling down too quickly. Jackets, therefore, should always be breathable, as well as wind- and waterproof. Generally, upper body clothing should not be too tight-fitting, ensuring that it still covers the lower back even when leaning forward while riding.
A few tips to keep your wardrobe as compact yet sufficient as possible:
Functional shirts are easy to wash and dry quickly – taking fewer with you and washing them during breaks is definitely worth it!
Special trousers with zips at knee height can be particularly practical. By removing the lower part, these transform into shorts on warm days.
Padded trousers provide extra seating comfort on long journeys.
Footwear should be sturdy yet lightweight, with a stable sole that evenly distributes pedal pressure across the entire foot.
Wind- and weather-resistant gloves, which protect the palms from shocks while riding, are also essential, especially during tours in transitional seasons.
How can B.O.C. assist with your cycling tour preparations?
Each of the 28 B.O.C. and Bikemax branches across Germany has professional workshop facilities where bike checks and repairs are carried out reliably, expertly, and quickly. The trained staff provide advice on all questions you might have. Additionally, B.O.C. offers everything cyclists could need – from durable touring bikes and weatherproof cycling apparel to an extensive range of accessories.
With this knowledge and preparation, nothing stands in the way of your cycling adventure. DFDS ferries allow you and your bicycle to travel conveniently to Southern or Northern England, from where you can continue onwards to Scotland or even the Baltic region.
Stay tuned for the next part of our cycling tips, where we share more useful information for optimal travel preparation and equipment!
