Cycle Touring 101: An intro to touring bicycles

[@michelemize]

Super-informative -- thanks for taking the time to make this!

[@merrydixon2273]

Excellent run down of what one should look for in a touring bike. Thanks!!!

[@endurametrics7013]

I have this frame! Same color ... everything! I love the leather accents of the Brooks saddle and tape ... as well as the polished silver stem. I just used leftover parts I had on hand for things like the cockpit and seatpost. Looks like you may have a Sugino crankset. I've done two long 200 mile bike tours in my life - France and the Pacific Coast. I just converted old mountain bikes with slick tires. Yeah, there's some occasional heel contact with the rear panniers, but I would slide the bags as far back as they could go on the rear rack and it was minimized. A big part of bike touring is improvising, anyway. Wonderful video.

[@zxdfty77]

Great video! So nice to watch and learn from you with your relaxed feel and essential, accurate information. I love touring and watch a lot of bikey videos, but this is the first time I've ever run across yours...I'm going to keep watching! Thank you so much.

[@antoninos4933]

from time to time I come back to this video, just to stare at that wonderful bike! magnificent

[@klas80n]

Iˋve been googling touringbikes for a week and have become more confused for every review and comparison. But this video was great!!! Big thanks! Now I know what Iˋm after!

[@OopsmarkMtl]

Glad it's helpful

[@cometcal2]

I recently got a 1990 Trek 520 touring bike that was hardly used for $100. Your video was just right to get me started trekking.

[@dennydsu]

enjoyed the video a lot! thanks for sharing this

[@mikesmit6663]

Great video. Really informative. I’m 57 and just starting out planning my first long road trip

[@telemachin]

So, 2 years later, how was it?

[@pedlpower]

Did you make that trip?

[@flpirate45]

Great video my friend. I'm incorraging my friends to watch this video to let them know on how much fun it is to tour on a Bicycle. Thanks

[@tyhughs2215]

I used to bike past where those bikes are made, St. Paul to Minneapolis has very good biking trails! Thanks

[@charlificity]

Love the wine rack, seems a fitting testament to the first Tours de France :)

[@lakufoekdm4237]

Master presentation and easy to understand all those specific tricks regarding Touring Bike...👍👍👍

[@WaltDesine]

I liked the Video! A few corrections: Top tubes are shorter, not longer on touring bikes because more upright riding positions have shorter reach... The first reason the chainstays are longer is to balance weight distribution. Shallow head angles and extended fork rake increases the distance from the bottom bracket to the front hub. This is balanced by increasing chainstay length... Additionally, longer chainstays help to keep the center of mass of the panniers in front of the rear wheel hub. This prevents the front end of the bike to become lighter under heavy pannier loads... I agree though, that heal clearance is another reason for longer stays... A few touring tricks of mine: 1) I use elliptical granny gears. Properly phased, they help you to stay in the saddle when climbing steep hills... 2) Rims should be as wide or almost as wide as the tires are large for Best Ride quality. Though, wider rims may only be available for disk brake bikes... 3) I prefer dual pivot brakes, specifically the ones where the pivots mount directly into the frame... These are a Lot more responsive than the cantilever brakes... Last, I'm a Fan of Gel Saddle Pads for the open road... What I Liked Most about Your Bike: Loved the Wine Straps! Liked the Front rack, never had one, but it looks much better than trying to secure the bag just to the bars... Pretty machine overall. Two Thumbs Up!

[@alantaylor6691]

Honestly Walter, the wine straps aren't good. That's the only thing you got wrong, although you may have got the elliptical granny gears wrong too. MAY have, anything's a possibility.

[@njrivetelite]

I think touring bikes may officially be my fav style of bike that is making me excited to get back into biking..

[@Moodus55]

Can you post a complete setup of your bike if I want to create the same look. Thanks

[@ricardoneto7789]

Very informative ! Good job shooting this video. I recognize Mount Royal and Oka😉 Thanks for sharing

[@ibneisa1538]

one of the best satisfying info on the KZbin about touring👌👌👌

[@roywilson6688]

Cool video mate, straight forward and informative, beautiful classic bike to, nice one.

[@BUCK3TM4N]

Such an awesome bike! All city makes great stuff!

[@jakobw135]

What do you think of the THORN touring bike (Nomad, Raven)?

[@clarkrust5891]

Need link for that bag setup i know its an old vid but do they they still sell it and the decalure

[@lchan1977]

one important frame design on touring bike is the length of the head tube length for more upright sitting. If you see a frame that has super long head tube length, its designed more for that.

[@aunjryamctaggart5957]

Does this guy have his own channel?! No one has ever explained all of these things so well. There was a mention of him making a new video... when's that happening? Please make it be soon!

[@OopsmarkMtl]

We made a couple of other videos together. They're on my channel. One about cycling in Argentina and one about our cycling trip together to argentina and Air Canada loosing my bike

[@HikeOntario]

That bike is classy as hell! Nice video!

[@philiprayner1772]

can a touring bike have a stepthrough frame ?

[@clayguinard3651]

Where is where is this bike shop and what's the name of his bike shop

[@sKunKeNsTeiN]

I love the hand pan music

[@MrRabi001]

Why no suspension in the front fork? Can we use MTB with some racks installed as Touring bike?

[@officialdeanporter]

I have a Ridgeback World Panorama Deluxe and a Brooks B17 with Titanium steel railings love the video

[@Beery1962]

I git a Surly LHT with the bar end shifters, but I never really got used to them. I really miss my old STI shifters. Then again, I'm seriously old school, so I even miss my old 1970s vintage "suicide levers" for modifying speed.

[@shahjahaAn]

Excellent video, sold onto a touring bike to commute to work and do visits to shops

[@streglof]

great video! Can you also achieve the "relaxed frame" position with a stem extender?

[@OopsmarkMtl]

Yes, they have different angles so you can raise it up.

[@djkenny1202]

Ordered a disc brake 520. I am adding Metro FSA bars, I just cannot DO the Drops.

[@bozmar1]

Hi. You don t touch the fenders with the toes ?

[@offcityhike]

very instructive, really good teaching material

[@ZBSlaya]

Do you know how much the bike weighs? I'm looking for a touring bike I can use for both commuting (I ride about 40/50km a day) and bikepacking. So I kinda want a low mainteneance light weight bike.

[@bikerookieGO]

Really interesting video. I cycle on a Merida Mountainbike. In the beginning I was thinking this was perfect. Now I see what I miss for the long ride. I am not even sure I can fit front panniers on it. One thing for sure I handling too much on the back. two times in Myanmar my rack has just snapped off and beyond a proper repair because it is alu or something. Have gotten a few local welding jobs done, but it does not last. On the other hand the roads have not been great, but adventurous ;) However , these kind of bike you are showing here, can you get like fatter tires for them , similar to a "normal" mountainbike ?

[@Geloloterte]

is it the longer top tube that helps give a more relaxed positioning or is it the less steep seat tube angle that really helps in having a more relaxeds geometry. I'm still a newbie when it comes to bikes.

[@wanderingsailor5503]

The top tube is only longer on touring bikes to help increase wheelbase. It also creates more space for top tube bags. Since you can always move your saddle forwards and most headsets have spacers, the longer top tube is not purposed for creating a more relaxed geometry in touring bikes. It's to enhance balance and space.

[@otto874]

i really apeciate a good hub dynamo with good dynamoligths and an usb chager

[@shadowsruss5748]

Great video, thanks. When you're touring without a lock, what do you do with the bike when you want to hike up a hill (hide it, don't bother - nobody will take it, etc)?

[@OopsmarkMtl]

The bike usually goes in the bag.

[@ImpatientTurtle]

"Hey what are you doing?" "Good". Ahhh, that awkward moment when you think they are going to say How are you doing? and you have your answer ready. Just a couple of bros enjoying a hillside rose'.

[@jbirdperez6003]

haha !

[@RealStealthyNinja]

It has happened to us all.

[@OopsmarkMtl]

Keeping it real

[@neeleshkushte6023]

Very informative. One ask: is the seat supposed to be higher or in line with the handle bars? I checked out one bike which said it was a touring thing, however, the seat was quite high set? It offered a good stance for speed, but I have my doubts regarding the comfort part. At least, I didn't find it that comfy with the seat set high.

[@OopsmarkMtl]

Seat hight is all about getting the right extension out of your legs. They should be almost fully extended towards the bottom of the cycle. If you felt the seat was way to high, it could be that the frame was too small for you.

[@unomeitsrjb]

Selle Anatomica X Series Leather saddle or Brooks Flyer Imperial Leather saddles are real nice

[@cepee183]

Thank you for posting this video i've seen it a few times as I'm very new to cycling (thank you pandemic). Question I also bought a Bordo folding lock. Do you have a special case to mount this on your bike? If so any recommendations? I live in NYC and will need to travel with my lock and I like how you have it situated.

[@OopsmarkMtl]

I use the bordo folding lock in the case that it comes with

[@dakuru]

I don't understand how you can spend 8 or 10 hours a day on a rigid leather saddle. How is that possible with, like you said, a "more upright position"?

[@brucewmclaughlin9072]

Cycle Touring 101: An intro to touring bicycles or at least one. You need to expand your vision and try a touring recumbent as the difference at the end of a long day makes touring more enjoyable. Lots more variety to choose from and all the same components that any normal bike uses .

[@philiprayner]

though I like the idea of a brooks saddle for some who want to bike tour we do not have the budget for the brooks saddle even used they are expensive

[@ohannes5864]

Is the front wheel bigger than the rear wheel ??

[@radimus323]

What company makes that handlebar bag? Thanks

[@OopsmarkMtl]

brooks

[@tugiaquan206]

radimus323 velo orange , swift industry for those type of randounner hipster style , ( brooks don't make handlebar bag I believe btw) axiom , ortlieb, Blackburn (maybe?)

[@PluralOfAlcesAlces]

He's the guy who bought the bag. I'm fairly sure that he knows what brand the bag is....

[@bicycleandrccars568]

can i join you guys?i have Trek 520 and its the best for cummuting all weather bike no problem

[@arifrahman1899]

I love your handlebar bag where I can find it ?

[@bladerunner_92]

velo orange

[@miggrodriguez9996]

I know this question has been addressed but I don't see the answer. What's the bike's brand? I ould like to get me one exactly like that one, including the wine rack.

[@SNKLTV]

Miguel Rodriguez it's allcity space horse

[@rejickmukherjee9154]

Do you ever feel the need for disc brakes on wet conditions or downhill

[@OopsmarkMtl]

I only use disc brakes now. I think they're much safer. I've toured all over the world and never had any epic brake fails, so i'm not sure why people fear disc brakes

[@wilkbor]

Thanks for the overview.... I'm curious about your front racks. Who makes them?

[@OopsmarkMtl]

Velo Orange

[@yardsalepicasso9413]

cost, make of your bike? For a newb inquiring.

[@Mr1wd]

Great video...very informative!

[@dorianblue4229]

Cool relaxed intro! I like the black bike too... is it also an All City? :)

[@bill7853]

nice effort but strange that in the first minute or so there are already two incorrect statements .As has been stated below , a shorter rather than longer Top tube gives a more upright position and the wheelbase is not the chainstay length essentially or unessentially! .if they are genuine mistakes I'm suprised you haven't edited it out as if I heard a bike salesman saying this I would think they really didn't have a clue. Sorry to be negative ..just an observation and good luck.

[@davidcannamela]

The front rack and handlebar bag who makes them??

[@OopsmarkMtl]

brooks

[@soneraktas9495]

VELO ORANGE CAMPEUR

[@bartmullin8018]

I've 'stolen' certain items from the tourer's stash. I have a 2018 Surly Karate Monkey with Moloko bars, full-sized racks, medium-sized pannier bags f + r plus 'box' bags on the tops thereof, Selle Atomica X saddle, and have the horns of the bars taped. I stick to Bikepacking orthodoxy with the full frame-pack, 3 liter hydration/gear pack, 1 x 10 drivetrain, and 4 pot hydraulic disc brakes (180mm f, 160mm r). On the Giardia mount, i have an extra liter of water covered with a sandwich bag secured with a hair-tie. If need be, i can also carry an extra 2 liters of water per pannier on the back. (8 liters total if needed, plus water filtration system). I found the ultra-minimalist fashionista Bikepacking rig not very accommodating or practical for all the gear i need to carry... Also, Never carry wine on your bike(!). Heat and the sun are wine's mortal enemy. A larger whiskey flask along with a couple of metal shot 'glasses' is a better choice.

[@OopsmarkMtl]

Sound like a good set up! Sometimes minimal is good and sometimes it makes sense to bring more. Depends where you’re going and what you’re doing. This will be the 16th country i bike tour in. Every time, my gear gets lighter and more minimal. I’m realizing more and more that I just don’t need most things.

[@bartmullin8018]

@@OopsmarkMtl I'm a comfort person, 51, and hate being cold and/or wet; born, raised, and lived in SoCal for a long time. Also, ultra-light/minimalist almost always equals a thinner wallet and I'd rather have something and not need it than need it and not have it.

[@karamarie6781]

Great informative video. Thank you!

[@ptliang011]

What's the size of your wheel?

[@lilbisket123]

Great stuff ,very informative

[@CDMJDMHHC]

great job

[@technicknb]

is it old bike or just new steel series? Looks awesome!

[@OopsmarkMtl]

new skiil

[@WorldonTwoWheels]

Cool video, really informative!

[@ykb946]

Why does your leather seat have a hole in it?

[@vankind8547]

ykb946 because butt-plugs.

[@vankind8547]

ykb946 that's weak, try again😁

[@FP1980]

To reduce pressure on your gooch

[@alantaylor6691]

It's good airflow as it gets sweaty and humid behind ya balls jajaja

[@wangdangdoodie]

It's where you store your gonads.

[@nickxxx1851]

where from i can buy so bike ????

[@thatguyonabicycleofconsurv3908]

I'll tell you what's hilarious to me, I am 58 years old now when I was 14 years old my brother who is an airline executive at the time brought myself and my sister to Montreal and we went out mom Royale and I remember is when we were going up I came about how we got to the top I think it we probably hike or something I can't remember when we get up there there's a martial arts class going on and they were stretching and doing all their moves and routines and stuff and in the beginning of this video when I saw the Overlook and I knew that you guys were in Montreal I knew that's where you were it even though I was thinking about asking I watch long enough in the video where you mention where you were and I was right on and what I remember the most other than that about Montreal is house spotless at city is or was back then and this is back in the early seventies mid-70s and it's like back then you know the Smokey and the Bandit cars were out and all that stuff and that's what I remember everybody had a nice car the streets with spotless I will never forget that what a good memory that City laughed in my life great video guys this was a great video

[@spottyride2657]

Interesting bike 🚴

[@danilocapellan1316]

Good review

[@WildOutdoorLiving]

Your wheel base is not your chain stay length. Chain stay length contributes to wheel base and having longer chain stays are important but your use of terminology is off. Wheel base is the distance between the contact patches of the tires (where the tires touch the road). Having more distance between the wheels which makes the bike more stable, and is very important for touring bikes.

[@phatmeow7764]

Actually a touring bike does not have to be made from a road bike frame? Many pick MTB Hardtail frames that can take really plush/thick tires that would be super comfy running at lower pressure especially fully loaded for an epic tour haha Most pick rigid forks and disc brakes to go with these sort of touring bikes though ^^

[@bikemaurice1953]

Excellent expose

[@jbirdperez6088]

Great video..

[@brianmurphy8032]

Concise description thanks

[@steffoOable]

good job

[@ramdhanziedan]

Nice info

[@orosvlad888]

such a nice bike

[@turkey4957]

These guys would have a hang drum in their own custom music lmao

[@1nsertExpletive]

Your front fender needs some work there, buddy.

[@beauc0te176]

Couldn't think of anything else after I saw that.

[@littlegoobie]

Yeah, everything in my head went silent after i saw that. The fender probably just needs to be pushed forward in the sliding bracket holding it at the fork crown. That's based on the closeup of the rear fender that seems to show it has the clampy adjustable sliding type of bracket that many fenders have

[@bikewales3431]

precisely... urgh.

[@MajestyPLC]

That’s what he said 😏

[@jbirdperez6003]

that's a ten four !

[@ukere2211]

For a more up-right position, the top tube must be shorter!

[@educationvivomediaartscent9938]

this is the second video i watch that suggests (i think incorrectly) that the top tube should be longer for a more relaxed angle... how can that be correct? With the top tube being longer, you have to lean over at a sharper angle because there's more distance between seat and handles.. ?

[@wanderingsailor5503]

Exactly. The top tube is only longer on touring bikes to help increase wheelbase. It also creates more space for top tube bags. Since you can always move your saddle forwards and most headsets have spacers, the longer top tube is not a worry.

[@ynotnilknarf39]

Incorrect, for a more upright position you can easily flip the stem, buy a more angled stem, put more spacers under the stem or buy a shorter stem. It is not a 'must' for the TT to be shorter.

[@MrRabi001]

Sir, wheel size please!

[@michaelfoulkes9502]

I believe he said 32cc, but some people choose to go with a larger tire.

[@Chamait]

Hey what your doing good

[@michaelfoulkes9502]

I prefer a large front rack.

[@rolandulyuju]

Steel is still

[@shaneruddock5852]

Granny gear? Sadly I've got rohloff. It can be a struggle for sure

[@carmelidor]

gotta love the bromance :)

[@Tundradoggle]

Marathon Plus is way too much. If you got zero punctures in a year then you spent more time and effort carrying around the overweight tyres for a year than you would have spent fixing the occasional puncture.

[@owenmcquarrie586]

Maybe for his purposes it's too much but if I'm out of the first world on huge tours I don't want to be carrying for and/or fixing more than one or two punctures.

[@jbirdperez6088]

Bitch'n bike .. where can I purchase That exact bike

[@wishythenwashy]

Respect

[@fiscalhairy]

sweet

[@beyondcompute]

Music is a bit distracting

[@fmc6338]

nice bike.

[@bradthomaspix]

"Hey how's it going"..."What are you doing?"... "Good" lol

[@shaukatkhan1600]

Good touring bike

[@erikponciano]

you make it sound like touring bikes are "hipster" bikes.

[@jacketgreatorex]

'What are you doing?' 'Good.'

[@OopsmarkMtl]

Yah, funny

[@yowzerbaby]

The first rule in bicycle touring: focus on fashion

[@OopsmarkMtl]

Oh yah, do you throw fashion to the wind? I think the aesthetics can be really important depending on what you're doing. I try and dress to blend in so that when i'm exporling new cultures, i don't look like a tourist. It helps me get closer to the locals. It's also not appropriate to go to a nice restaurant wearing cycling shows and cycling jerseys, but some marino whool shirt and a pair of nice short can be good for both.

[@yowzerbaby]

@@OopsmarkMtl I mostly focus on bikes and bike components that are capable, reliable, efficient. Unnecessary weight for fashion makes no sense. Nothing beats a bike that makes you want to ride longer distances and explore more. Trust me, nothing screams tourist more than hipster gear.