Which bike?!!

[FemaleDuck]

Lots of the threads that exist for motorcycles could be reproduced in here for bicycles - even some of the technical & maintenance stuff (less the engines of course).
Tyres, saddles, luggage, tool kits, best routes, travel paperwork (is there any?), mountain bike Vs road bike come to mind immediately.

So which bike is most suited to riding long distances? (yes, that begs the question about what a long distance is!). That's mainly on tarmac with the odd gravel path/track thrown in occasionally.

I am not a long distance rider I reckon, having done around 70 Km in "an easy-rider day" over a period of about a week.
I currently have a cheap mountain bike;- a pretty basic machine with 21 Shimano gears and no suspension.

[bobbirob22]

So which bike is most suited to riding long distances? (yes, that begs the question about what a long distance is!). That's mainly on tarmac with the odd gravel path/track thrown in occasionally.


its whatever makes you the most comfortable, myself I prefer a MTB, just like the feel and the higher handlebars never make my back feel any discomfort plus i like a good strong frame for those occasional off road ventures. However i never been on any long distance tours and such mainly just on 3 day to a week camp trips around the city where I live but even if I were going on a long trip, my MTB would be my choice of transportation just because it makes me feel good when I ride it.

[whittierider]

Lots of the threads that exist for motorcycles could be reproduced in here for bicycles

They already have been discussed here, for years.  I haven't tried the search yet on the new forum software, but I'm looking forward to it working (unlike the old one that always just timed out).  Do you have particular questions about tyres, saddles, luggage, tool kits, best routes, travel paperwork, and MTB v. road bike (to quote your list)?  To just go with the topic title, "Which bike?", you probably need to give more specifics of what you want to do.  A road bike is far more efficient on the road (not surprisingly) and can handle hard-packed dirt but is not the thing for deep gravel and mud, going over large rocks and logs, etc..

There is a persistent myth that road bikes aren't strong or can't handle anything but smooth pavement.  The picture below is in the Paris-Roubaix professional road race.  The riders take this stuff at 25-30mph.

I've also seen them bunnyhop large obstacles (bikes and riders that crashed right in front of them) on their road bikes.

[MrBent]

Almost any bike can work.  Being comfortable and having the ability to carry gear is what matters.  I wouldn't want ultra-light racing wheels or super skinny tires.  And you need sufficiently low gearing for load hauling up hill.  I would avoid super low-end rides like K-Mart bikes because I'd worry about durability.  With a trailer, virtually any bike can do the job.

I've seen many bikes advertised for under $400 that I think would make suitable touring rigs.  I'm a nut and spent huge $$ on a customized recumbent, but that is NOT necessary.  For me, however, the recumbent of some sort was required.  I just don't find conventional bikes comfortable enough for long distances, but that's just me.  The main point is that you don't have to break the bank to get the job done.

Ride on.