Bike Touring Gear Guide
BICYCLES
WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN A TOURING BIKE
- Steel (Cromaly) or Aluminum Frame
- Long Chain Stay (distance between pedal and pannier)
- Eyelets/Braze-ons for Installing Racks
- Wide Range of Gears
- Strong Wheels- 32-36 Spokes
- Puncture Resistant Tires
- Wider Tire Width (28-37mm)
- Disc Brakes or Rim Brakes
- Drop Bars or Flat Bars
- Fenders (optional)
- Comfortable Saddle
RECOMMENDED BICYCLES
Surly Touring Bicycle– $1999
Fuji Touring Bicycle– $1499
Salsa Touring Bicycle– $1999
Public Road Bike– $999 * Teen Treks Choice
Marin Gravel/Road Bike– $989
Motobecane Touring Bicycle– $699 * Teen Treks Choice
Windsor Touring Bike– $599 * Teen Treks Choice
SUGGESTIONS ON SHOPPING FOR A BIKE ON A BUDGET
Craigslist is a great place to find used bicycles in your area, directly from seller, at budget-friendly prices. Look for bikes in the category of “road,” “hybrid,” or “touring.” Use the above checklist and video, “10 Things to Look for in a Touring Bike” as a guide when shopping on Craigslist.
Visit your local non-profit bike shop, otherwise known as a “community bike shop” or “bike co-op.” Most non-profit bike shops have used bikes that can be purchased for a donated price. Ask one of the bike shop volunteers to help you find a “road,” “hybrid” or “touring” bike. Use the checklist above as well as the “10 Things to Look for in a Touring Bike” video as a guide for picking out the right bike for a Teen Treks trip. Most community bike shops operate on a bike educational system, so volunteers would be happy to help you learn more about your bike.
Non-profit bike shops are also a good place to acquire other bike gear for donated prices, like lights, locks, helmets, etc. Bring your Teen Treks packing list, and see if the shop can help you acquire any items.
Facebook Marketplace has become another great place to find used bicycles directly from the seller, at typically lower prices than you would find from a dealer. Search for “road,” “hybrid” and “touring” bikes, and use the checklist above as well as the “10 Things to Look for in a Touring Bike” video to help guide your search.
TEEN TREKS TIPS
If your trekker is new to bike touring, it may be best to start with a low-cost bike and upgrade later on when they know they are going to continue to travel more by bicycle.
On the other hand, if you know your trekker is already a fanatic about bike touring, this could be a great opportunity to invest in a bike they can use for many years to come.
PANNIERS
WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN PANNIERS
- A Set of 2 Rear Panniers
- Waterproof, or an Added Waterproof Cover
- 25L, 27L, 30L, 40L- All acceptable. Trekkers carry group camping gear, cooking gear and group groceries, so the more space the better! It would be wise to pack panniers with extra room for group gear.
- Bright Colors for Visibility
- Reflectors for Visibility
- Separated Panniers (not connected)
- BONUS: Removable Shoulder Strap (great for traveling through airport/train station)
- BONUS: Roll Top Cover (great for keeping water out)
- BONUS: Three-point Secure Connection
- BONUS: Quick Release System
Ortlieb Back Roller Panniers– $200, 40L
- Thule Shield Pannier– $186, 25L
Ibera Panniers– $129, 30L * Teen Treks Choice
SUGGESTIONS ON SHOPPING FOR PANNIERS ON A BUDGET
Craigslist is a great place to find used panniers directly from the seller. Use the checklist above to help guide your search for panniers.
Visit your local non-profit bike shop, otherwise known as a “community bike shop” or “bike co-op.” Most non-profit bike shops have used bicycles, bike parts and supportive gear that participants can purchase for a donated price. This could be a great place to find good quality, used panniers for a low price. Use the checklist above to help guide your search for panniers.
Facebook Marketplace is another great place to find used panniers directly from the seller for a budget-friendly price. Use the checklist above to help guide your search for panniers.
TEEN TREKS TIPS
While some bike tourists may choose to have front and back panniers to balance the weight of their load, for a Teen Treks trip it is only necessary to have rear back rack with a set of two panniers. This will keep trekkers bicycle load lighter, and make for a more comfortable trip. It may be a good idea to have a front handlebar bag for smaller items, in combination with the set of two panniers on the back of the bicycle.
BIKE RACKS
How to Choose a Bike Rack for Your Bike
Each bike will need it’s own specific bike rack, depending on where eyelets are available to install one (as described in the video “10 Things to look for in a Touring Bike”. We have provided a video below with instructions on how to install a standard rear mounted cargo rack. However, it may be best for you to visit a local bike shop or community bike shop if you are uncertain what kind of bike rack you may need for your trekker’s bicycle. Bike technicians can also install the bike rack for you, but it might also be a good opportunity for your trekker to try some basic bike mechanics to learn about their bike.
Recommended Rear Bike Racks
Contact Us for Questions
We would be more than happy to discuss any questions you may have about collecting gear for your summer bike touring adventure with Teen Treks through our contact information below.