Touring across the Europe w/ bicycle.

/n/ would probably be the better board to ask. Lost of bike fiends and threads about touring on a bike.

>>965461
I am looking at a touring bike as well. I have been test riding and researching. I really like the Jamis Renegade, for 800 USD. It is aluminium, but steel would be better for long rides, plus it has a really weird tire size at 700x36c. I test rode the Marin Lombard and Trek Crossrip Comp. Both were excellent but pushy on price and were designed for city, not touring.

Other bike tourists I have heard about like the Surly Long Haul Trucker, and Co-Motion Pangaea. Both are really pricey but excellent bikes.

Oh man, my cat just barfed!

>>965461
I've heard that it's good to think in parts-availability. Use a common tire size and suck and use basic brakes in stead of disk brakes since they're easy to repair yourself and to by new ones. I'll admit this guy I talked to basically biked halfway through Asia so being self reliant was prolly a lot more important for him than it will be for you in Europe

>>965993
*And such... Jesus

>>965993

discbrakes are are used on bikes of every level since 2000.
in europe you can get any parts you want for disc brakes.
also , they tend not to breake.

>>966020
Yeah, but *if* they - say bend - you have to buy new ones. Also mine squeked like hell

Get a full frame 24'' or 26'' wheels, and make sure there are lugs on the frame for whatever pannier mounting system you're using.

Bull bars or similar help with wrist fatigue over long distances.

If you get a decent torch you can get a bracket to mount it on the handlebars, rather than duplicity of carrying a dedicated bike light.

You don't NEED thousands of dollars. I have met plenty of people doing long distance cycling on cheap / thrift bikes inc one hippy girl cycling to Portugal (I was in France) with panniers made from weaved cane bags, her bike at most was £50

700c is a normal size these days.

If you were touring asia or south america, stick to V brakes and 26" tires. North America, Europe, the UK, you will not have trouble finding 700c (650b) and 29" tires or spare disc brake pads. You should still carry a spare tube, sealant, spare brake pads, and some tools though.

As far as bikes go: I own 3 Surly bikes. In my thousands of miles... THOUSANDS of miles on my Surly bikes, I have never had a breakdown (i don't count flat tire, of which i've only ever had 1 in those thousands of miles) Now that doesn't mean i don't carry my own repair tools and some parts.

I suggest checking out the Surly like of touring bikes. The steel is real and rides much nicer than aluminum.

Just get the cheapest second hand bike you can.

When you know what your requirements are you can get the bike that best fits you.

Bikefagging now is just wasting money.