DownTheRoad.org
The continuous bicycle touring story since 2002
no plans to stop

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The story of how we saved money, quit our jobs, sold our possessions, and set off to bicycle tour and travel around the world

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Continue our Travels

Alaska / Canada / USA
5-3-08 to present
Index to all pages

New Zealand
9-16-07 to 5-2-08
Index to all pages

Australia
9-15-06 to 9 -16 - 07
Index to all pages

SE Asia / China
11-22-04 to 9-15-06
Index to all pages

South America
6-3-03 to 6-17-04
Index to all pages

North & Central America
3-30-02 to 4-17-03
Index to all Pages


*Help Support this Web Site and Continue Our Travels.


Sign up for our RoadNews Newslette.r Written on the road as we travel around the world on our bicycles including free downloadable video links  MORE INFO HERE


Equipment Pages Index

Introduction
How Much to Bring and Weight
Some Advise About Advise
A Note to Perspective Sponsors and Gear Suppliers

START HERE for Touring Bikes and Commuting Bicycles
Bicycle Touring Frames 
The Steel Repair Myth.
Steel and Aluminum Derailleur Hanger Repair.
Bicycle Touring Wheels
Phil Wood: The Best Bicycle Hubs

Panniers / Bike Bags
Cargo Trailers Vs Panniers
Tires for Bike Tours..
Bicycle Touring Saddles.
Cindie's Women's Specific Bike Touring Saddles
Brooks Leather Touring Bicycle Saddle Care and Conditioning
Bike Computer
Touring Handlebars, Bar Ends, Adjustable Stems, and Padded Grips.
Sealed Cartridge Headsets

Camping
Buying Camping Equipment
Tent and Ground Cloth
Sleeping Bag
Sleeping Pad
Camp Stove
Pots and Pans
Water Filter

Clothing
Bike Touring Shorts

Health and First Aide

Electrical
Short-wave Radio
Computer
Internet
mp3

Books
Packing list
Pictures of Equipment Failures
Shopping

We have bicycle toured in Central/South America, Asia, Australia, and Canada

1:39 Min. VIDEO


Bicycle Touring Laos in South East Asia

5:15 min. VIDEO


Where do you work and write as you bicycle tour abroad or travel overseas?

1:17 Min. VIDEO


Australian Radio (ABC) Interview with Cindie Travis
DSC00009.JPG (597482 bytes)
5:01 min. VIDEO


See All Videos Here

Our Recommended Best Values Buys in Touring Bicycles from Surly Long Haul Trucker LHT, Novara Safari, Randonneur,  and Salsa Fargo for Loaded Bike Tours.

(see also Custom Touring Bicycle and Bike Upgrade Buyers Guide.)

(see also Surly Long Haul Trucker LHT Touring Bicycle here)

 We do not have a touring bicycle sponsor so we are keeping the brand, make, and model of the bikes we ride on our around the world bicycle tour private in hopes a manufacture will come along that we like.  We are often asked by first time or new bicycle tourist what touring bicycles are the best buys and highest value for the money.  Below are my picks.


 

Novara Safari Touring Bike - all sizes 700c/26 inch wheel

Click to Purchase Novara Safari Touring Bike - all sizes - 700c/26 inch wheel.

(from Tim Travis) This style of 700c/26 inch wheel traveling wheel bike is my favorite type of go anywhere touring bicycle.  I (Tim)  personally like aluminum frames for touring bikes because I am a big guy and carry a heavy set of panniers and gear.  Aluminum touring bicycles flex less and feel more solid under me.  If you are lighter or travel with less equipment an aluminum frame may feel too rigid.  No matter what kind of bikes we are riding I usually build them up similar to this.

(from REI) The ultimate adventure-touring cycle, Safari rides on—even when the pavement runs out!

  • Kinesis aluminum double-butted frame is strong yet lightweight; chromoly, double-butted fork is built for solid steering under heavy loads

  • 27-speed drive train is designed for ease of use and reliability with low maintenance; ideal for the loads and long distances of touring

  • SRAM Attack shifters offer easy, intuitive shifting; Shimano disc brakes provide dependable stopping power in all kinds of conditions

  • ATS adjustable stem gives you a precise fit; handlebars allow a variety of hand positions

  • Durable Alex DP17 rims are mounted with Vittoria Randonneur tires for excellent performance on- or off-road

  • Fizik Nisene saddle and Kalloy micro adjustable seat post create a smooth riding experience

  • Comes ready to travel with a sturdy aluminum rear rack

  • Please note: Sizes Small (15 in. frame) and Medium (17 in.) have 26 in. wheels; sizes Large (19 in.) and X Large (21 in.) have 29 in. wheels.

  • The two smaller-sized frames utilize 26 in. wheels in order to optimize fit and versatility for smaller riders

    Click to Purchase Novara Safari Touring Bike - all sizes - 700c/26 inch wheel.


 

Novara Randonneur Touring Bike - 700c - all sizes.

Click to Purchase   Novara Randonee Touring Bike- all sizes.

(from REI) Set off on an adventure aboard the REI Novara Randonneur touring bike, which will comfortably carry you through long days exploring new countrysides, climbing passes and taking in beautiful vistas.

  • Load it up! Classic touring frame accommodates fore and aft racks and fenders—rear rack provided (front rack and fenders sold separately)

  • Reynolds 520 chromoly frame is double butted for added strength under heavy loads; tubes are thick at the ends, narrowing once toward the center

  • Long wheelbase and low center of gravity optimize stability and handling under heavy loads and high speeds

  • Shimano touring gruppo provides smooth shifting through a gear range designed to get bike, rider and equipment up and over mountain passes

  • Keep the cadence you want—27 speeds let you adjust for the smallest changes in wind and terrain

  • Lightweight Mavic A319S rims and puncture-resistant Vittoria Randonneur tires have the durability needed to log long miles

  • Shimano brake levers and Tektro brakes provide reliable stopping power; cantilever configuration allows ample room for fenders front and back

  • Novara Touring Anatomica saddle is contoured and padded for support and comfort during long days on the road

  • No fancy shoes required—platform pedals with toe clips accommodate many casual shoes; we suggest supportive cycling shoes for long rides

  • And just to make sure we thought of your every need, Randonneur includes a spare spoke mounted on a seatstay

Click to Purchase   Novara Randonee Touring Bike- all sizes.


 

Salsa Fargo 700c Touring Bicycle

Click to Purchase Salsa Fargo 700c Touring Bicycle

If that long and winding road is beckoning to you…consider our 29’er adventure mountain bike, the Fargo.

Crafted of Salsa Classico CroMoly, the Fargo is a bit of a bicycling anomaly: a disc brake only, drop bar mountain bike designed for off-road touring.

Drop bars provide multiple hand positions for long days on single-track, path, or roadway. A full compliment of braze-on’s on the frame and fork allow for both front and rear racks and fenders. The investment cast chainstay-mounted disc brake mount is conveniently tucked out of the way, eliminating accessory mounting interference. Load as much or as little gear as you choose for your next adventure.

Six (count ‘em, six) water bottle cage mounts (on sizes 18 – 24") help keep you hydrated on a long journey. The sloped toptube allows plenty of standover clearance for those fully-loaded starts and stops.

Both frame and fork offers gobs of tire clearance: throw on some big 29 x 2.4" meat (29 x 2.1" with Planet Bike Cascadia fenders).

The Fargo is designed to take you wherever it is you wish to go. Throw a dart at a map, make some plans, load up your gear, and hit the dirt. Fargo. Go far.

Click to Purchase Salsa Fargo 700c Touring Bicycle


 

Buy More City, Urban, Commuting Bikes Here
All Types of Transportation Bicycles

Click to Purchase All Types of Transportation Bicycles

 

eXTReMe Tracker

 

Our 3rd Book
Down The Road in Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam

A Bicycle Tour Through War, Genocide and Forgiveness

Our 2nd book
Down The Road in South America

A bicycle tour through poverty, paradise, and the places in between.

Our 1st book
The Road That Has No End

How we traded our ordinary lives for a global bicycle touring adventure.

Printed Soft Cover
(Ships Internationally)

mp3 Audio Book
 Download
Hear First Chapter NOW

PDF eBook
 Download


Cycle Touring Racks: Why chromoly steel is best.



Heavy Duty Travel Tested
Sealed Cartridge Hubs.

Take a look at the strongest hubs built specifically for touring


What years on the road have taught us about bikes.

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