After spending a couple of months shopping around for a new touring bike, I ended up snagging a gently used 2017 Fuji Touring bike on Craigslist. During the past 6 months, I have used this bike to commute between San Diego and Tijuana and to explore both cities. Since I’ve had the bike, I’ve put …
Bicycle Touring and Bikepacking
In recent years, dynamo hubs have become increasingly popular among bicycle tourists, bikepackers, commuters, and long-distance cyclists. This popularity can be attributed to improvements in efficiency and output thanks to advances in magnet technology, charging technology, LED light technology, and battery technology. Modern dynamo hubs can power a light that outputs over 1000 lumens or …
When it comes to carrying luggage on your bike, cargo trailers offer a great alternative to panniers for some tours. The best trailer for you depends on the amount of gear you need to haul, the type of terrain you plan to ride on, the type of bike you’re riding, as well as your personal …
While preparing for a bicycle tour, one of the most important decisions you need to make is how you’re going to haul your gear. Your luggage choice determines how much gear you can carry, how your bike handles, and the type of terrain you can ride. This guide explains all of the pros and cons …
Recumbent bikes make great touring bikes. They are more comfortable, more aerodynamic, more efficient, and easier on the knees than traditional upright bikes. There are some drawbacks. Recumbent bikes are heavier, less maneuverable, and they don’t climb as well. To help you decide whether or not a recumbent is right for you, this guide lists …
I bought the Moosetreks Full Frame Bag in preparation for my first bicycle tour in Washington State. Before making this purchase, I inspected several high-end frame bags from cottage bikepacking bag manufacturers. At $100-$200, they just seemed overpriced for what they are. I ended buying the Moosetreks frame bag for about 1/4 of the price …
I bought the Brooks B17 Standard Saddle on Amazon in preparation for my first bike tour. I was hesitant to spend so much money on a saddle but I needed something decent to replace the cheap plastic seat that was on the bike. 1000 miles later and I am very happy with my purchase. This …
When I first started getting interested in bicycle touring, the one thing holding me back from taking my first tour was the high initial cost of a touring bike and gear. I was hesitant to spend thousands of dollars on a bike and panniers not even knowing if I’d enjoy it. After some research, I …
When I first started bicycle touring, I knew that I needed to travel with my laptop but wasn’t sure how best to go about packing it. It’s an expensive, bulky, and relatively fragile piece of equipment, after all. I ended up experimenting with a few different methods to find the best solution. I either carry …
Whether you’re setting off on an overnighter or a 5-year expedition around the world, you need to pack some tools and spares while bicycle touring or bikepacking. Exactly what you need to pack depends on where in the world you’re touring, for how long, and what type of bike you ride. In this guide, I …