Where can I find a touring bike for beginners?

Hi everyone,

I don’t bike much, but I live on the VéloRoute 6, and I dream of adventure. I’m 51 and my old hybrid bike from 20 years ago no longer suits me.

I’d like to get a new bike at a reasonable price, but I don’t know where to look besides Decathlon and Intersport. I’m not after a racing bike—I want something a bit comfortable in terms of riding position (not recumbent) and with a luggage rack. 🙂

All your tips are welcome, with a budget of... let’s say 800 € max.

Looking forward to reading your suggestions!

Richard

Hi Richard,

A good new fully equipped touring bike costs between 1500 € and 2500 € these days. For second-hand bikes, you’re looking at around 800 € to 1200 €, but that price doesn’t always include all the gear.

For your budget, I asked Gemini, and here’s what it said:

https://gemini.google.com/app/e523b232188f0fcb

Happy hunting!

Decathlon has a line of touring bikes. Check it out here:

https://www.decathlon.fr/landing/velo-de-voyage-riverside/_/R-a-velo-de-voyage-riverside#produits

They also offer affordable travel panniers.

https://www.decathlon.fr/tous-les-sports/velo-cyclisme/sacoches-velo

I’d be happy with the 520 (750 €) with two waterproof rear panniers + a 40 L roll-top bag.

The rear panniers: - In one pannier: clothes, toiletries, first-aid kit - In the other pannier: food for two meals (lunch and dinner picnic-style), repair kit + pump + possibly 2 L of water in collapsible bottles for hot days.

https://www.decathlon.fr/p/sacoche-porte-bagage-voyage-a-velo-24l-etanche-ipx6-advt-900/_/R-p-358029?mc=8912340&c=beige

The handlebar bag filled with: A small towel to wipe your face, sun hat, sunscreen, spare phone battery, meds, etc.

https://www.decathlon.fr/p/sacoche-de-guidon-voyage-impermeable-ipx4-7l-advt-900/_/R-p-311060?mc=8561751

The 40 L roll-top bag: It holds all the sleeping gear (tent, sleeping bag, mat, etc.). Secure it with straps on the rear rack lengthwise, not crosswise.

https://www.decathlon.fr/p/sac-polochon-etanche-40l-kaki/_/R-p-325070?mc=8584879&c=orange

All these panniers are reasonably priced. No regrets if you later want more advanced gear based on your experience. Decathlon has really improved lately—I think it’s solid stuff.

This setup suits a traveler who: Doesn’t want to carry more than 12 kg of luggage (excluding food). Doesn’t want to cook meals. Doesn’t hesitate to treat themselves to a nice restaurant for lunch or dinner now and then. Travels light with just the essentials: one change of t-shirt + hiking shorts + swim trunks + a sweater + a lightweight rain jacket.

my rigid Nalgene 1.5 L water bottle

https://www.amazon.fr/Nalgene-340605-PE-Flaschen-Loop-Top-Liter/dp/B001E6K7V6/ref=sr_1_12_mod_primary_new?__mk_fr_FR=%C3%85M%C3%85%C5%BD%C3%95%C3%91&s=kitchen

its insulated sleeve (at 36 °C, keeps cool for about 9 to 15 hours)

https://www.decathlon.fr/p/housse-isotherme-pour-gourde-randonnee-1-2-a-1-5-litre-gris-bleu/_/R-p-109627?mc=8575942&c=gris_bleu_vert

Its bottle cage

https://www.amazon.fr/ZEFAL-Adventure-Cage-Bikepacking-Contenants/dp/B0BL5154XR/ref=sr_1_21_mod_primary_new?__mk_fr_FR=%C3%85M%C3%85%C5%BD%C3%95%C3%91

Collapsible Nalgene 1.5 L water bottle

https://www.amazon.fr/Nalgene-Bouteille-pliable-transparent-1412650/dp/B000BS0AQU/ref=sr_1_4

My sun hat. With that, you can handle a day at 35 °C. With the strap, if it flies away—which happens with the relative wind—at least you won’t find it 100 m down the road with cars having run over it. Nowadays, there are plenty of other options.

https://www.amazon.fr/Sunday-Afternoon-Adventure-Chapeau-pierre/dp/B01641EODC/ref=sr_1_6?__mk_fr_FR=%C3%85M%C3%85%C5%BD%C3%95%C3%91

My mini Zefal foot pump with a pressure gauge—I have the old model, sturdy, the piston rod is in one piece, the gauge is mechanical, no batteries, tough. I’ve had it for ten years.

https://www.amazon.fr/Z%C3%A9fal-pompe-pied-Profil-Travel/dp/B00B545NS4/ref=sr_1_5?__mk_fr_FR=%C3%85M%C3%85%C5%BD%C3%95%C3%91

Hi VFpromeneur, thanks so much for all this valuable info—I’ll study it all carefully! 🙂

Hi there, I have a very simple touring bike—a steel Specialized mountain bike with butterfly handlebars for a comfortable position and pedals with toe clips at the front so I can pedal with shoes that also let me walk around easily. It has interchangeable sliding-block rim brakes. My wife and I both have the same setup, which makes gear management much simpler. I’ve had the same bike since 2002, and it’s taken me around the world. On my blog, I explain all the prep work for a bike trip. Happy riding! https://curieuxcyclos.eklablog.fr