The choice of the type of bicycle for tourism depends on a number of basic properties that a touring bike should have, here they are:

– Low weight – when it comes to cycling, we must not forget that the bike will often have to be carried by hand, in particular during transportation. And if you add all the camping equipment to this, you get a very decent weight. Therefore, one should strive in minimizing the weight of the bike.

– Durability and reliability – a touring bike is waiting for a lot of tests in your multi-day wanderings, so it can not be allowed to break. The frame of a bicycle is of key importance, mainly, it depends on its quality whether you will be stuck somewhere far from civilization with a breakdown.

– The prevalence of parts – a very important aspect of a reliable bike is the ability to quickly find an analogue of a broken part that cannot be repaired. Of course, you can buy an expensive and undoubtedly good bike, but in the event of a breakdown, you will not like waiting for the part in the mail for a month. Therefore, make sure that the required components, or their equivalents, are available in the stores of your city or country.

– Riding comfort – cycling differs from ordinary walks around the house in that you have to pedal for many hours every day. Therefore, it is important that you feel comfortable sitting in the saddle, you don’t rub anything anywhere and there are no pains and discomforts.

– Possibility to install a rack – not all bike frames allow you to install a rack on them. For this reason, before buying, make sure that you have the necessary mounts for the trunk.

Once you have decided on the basic criteria for choosing a bike, you can choose which type of bike is best for you. Here, the choice of a touring bike will depend on where you are going on a bike trip. It can be like mountains and country roads, as well as civilized Europe and its ideal paved roads.

Mountain bike (MTB)
The most common choice is a mountain bike and it doesn’t matter if you are going on a day trip or a full multi-day bike trip. A mountain bike is considered universal, but in fact it is inferior to analogues on asphalt in many ways.
The mountain bike has the following features: 26 inch wheels, low seating position, straight handlebars and front shock absorber. This set makes it the perfect choice for mountain cycling as it allows for off-road cycling and has the most durability.
On the MTB, you can go to the Crimean mountains, visit the remote corners of Altai or travel around the Carpathian Range. However, if you intend to ride on asphalt most of the way, then other types of bikes should be considered.

Niner
This type of bicycle appeared relatively recently, but has already fallen in love with many. Niner перенял практически все от горного велосипеда, кроме размера колес, они у него целых 29′! So, is a Niner better than an MTB?
The bike has not lost such advantages as a comfortable low landing and a front shock-absorbing fork, which perfectly compensates for vibrations. This added decent 29′ wheels that make riding on asphalt more comfortable and a longer front fork that adds smoothness when driving over rough terrain.
But, also, the Niner is much more bulky and heavy, in comparison with the classic mountain bike. Therefore, separately for cycling, it is less suitable than the universal MTB.

Hybrid
The hybrid is a cross between a road bike and a mountain bike. Experienced cyclists consider the hybrid to be the most suitable type of touring bike. Hybridные велосипеды хорошо подходят для продолжительных велопоходов, как по асфальтным дорогам, так и грунтовым, могут показать себя и на бездорожье.
The hybrid has almost all mountain-class equipment – reliable and versatile. Road bikes borrow 28′ wheels with wider tires. But, the fork is short-stroke, not more than 70 mm., Either spring-elastomer or, less often, spring-oil is used.
And even though the front fork is inferior to mountain bike counterparts, the landing is higher than that of a road bike, and the frame is not as rigid, practicing cyclists call the hybrid the best choice for cycling.
There are also “road hybrids” – a variant of a hybrid bike with a rigid fork. But, it turns out absurdity, it is not suitable for cycling and there is nothing to do on the highway / off-road. We do not recommend.

cyclocross
Abroad, cyclocrossers are popular and known as off-road-adapted road bikes. Namely, The cyclocrosser is a compromise between a hybrid and a road bike.
A rigid fork, 28′ wheels and a ram handlebar are the perfect combination for asphalt. What distinguishes it from a road bike is the ability to use thicker tires with off-road tread. The brakes are only disc or cantilever, and most importantly, what allows you to go on a bike trip on it is the ability to install a trunk.
The modified geometry of the bike allows you to more confidently control the bike, and the shape of the handlebars helps you cope with difficult conditions. On flat ground, the cyclocrosser is not much inferior to other types.

touring bike
It is the type of bike that has been used for many round-the-world bike trips. Therefore, if you are interested in a touring bike, on which you will move on asphalt roads or densely packed dirt, then touring is perfect. It will allow you to comfortably drive colossal distances on a good flat road.
Distinctive features include: a rigid fork, a steel frame, a unique geometry and a ram handlebar, it’s not worth talking about a comfortable and correct saddle. And also, a touring bike gives off a not very attractive and modern appearance.

Choosing a bike for tourism
And if everything is more or less clear with a mountain bike and a niner, they are more needed for off-road, then with the choice of a bicycle for tourism on asphalt roads, not everything is clear. What do you prefer: a cyclocrosser, a hybrid or a classic touring bike?

Decide for yourself whether you intend to move off paved roads at all, if so, then take a hybrid bike or cyclocrosser. If you intend to overcome truly huge distances, for example, arrange a bike tour of Europe, then choose touring.

So that choosing a bike for tourism does not become a problem for you, we recommend that you assemble your own touring bike. To get started, get a bike that will fully cope with the tasks. Then properly complement it with the necessary equipment for cycling tourism.