Touring Road Bikes

Do I require a touring bicycle? In a word, no, it really depends on the your style of bicycle touring.

If you are spending a week at a villa in Tuscany and taking day trips any bicycle capable of carrying your camera and traveling up the hills will do. While if you are cycling across Canada or the United States loaded with camping gear and proper touring bicycle is desired. And if on a two week bicycle tour on a European paved bicycle route while staying in hotels or bed and breakfasts a road bike or hybrid with racks, water bottle cages can sometimes work.

If you do use a road bike ensure that you use 700 x 28 tires and have a rear pannier rack. Fenders are nice but not a necessity.  You will be fine on the road.

Related posts:

1. Bicycle Touring Panniers