Best bike for touring?

Hello. I was just wondering what sort of bike you would recommend to me. I have a mountain bike that I love (21 speed) that I use on the road. I like it because I can go "off-roading" really easy and it's fun to get in ditches and easily come back out again...but I mostly want to go long-distance. I am sort of new to this...me and my son started last summer and the furthest we went together was about 20 miles. So yeah, don't laugh! :)

But we are missing it so much and we can't wait to get going again when the weather gets better. I am going to get a new bike and was wondering what some suggest. Thanks for any help!

Do you plan to actually use the bike for loaded touring or you use mostly just looking for a bike that you can ride on the road?

No, I'm not ready for real "all-out" stuff yet. I am sticking local. I have to admit that the cheap old Walmart mountain bike I'm using is something I like (I'm used to it though) but I feel like I'm going to die going up small hills. I wonder if it's the weight of this bike? I wonder if getting a road bike will make me more comfortable?

I decent road bike is better suited to riding on the roads than your average Walmart mountain bike. Do you have any bike shops near you? That's where I'd start. What part of Tennessee are you from if you don't mind me asking. I've ridden a fair bit of the state. There's fabulous ride roading there!

There are no bike shops that I know of. I am in West TN, about an hour or so from Memphis. There is a sports center that carries some bikes in Memphis but I haven't gone in there. Do you think I'd find a good bike there? Is there any such thing as a road bike that has bigger tires (tread) and a lot of gears? Or am I just dreaming? :)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by happinesshill

There are no bike shops that I know of. I am in West TN, about an hour or so from Memphis. There is a sports center that carries some bikes in Memphis but I haven't gone in there. Do you think I'd find a good bike there? Is there any such thing as a road bike that has bigger tires (tread) and a lot of gears? Or am I just dreaming? :)

---

Cyclocross bikes and touring bikes have that.

What's your price range?

Surly has the long haul trucker and the cross check, you might want to check those out.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by happinesshill

There are no bike shops that I know of. I am in West TN, about an hour or so from Memphis. There is a sports center that carries some bikes in Memphis but I haven't gone in there. Do you think I'd find a good bike there? Is there any such thing as a road bike that has bigger tires (tread) and a lot of gears? Or am I just dreaming? :)

---

I'm sure there are bike shops in Memphis. Google bike shop and Memphis and see what comes up. Or PM Andrea, a TE member who works at a Memphis bike shop as a mechanic. Tell her Indysteel sent you. She's not been on TE for a while, but I doubt she'd mind a PM.

Cyclocross and touring bikes have tires with bigger treads and lots of gears. Surly and Jamis come to mind, but there are others.

I have had a road bike for 7 years and recently got a Specialized tri-cross for touring. It has 32mm tires, a more relaxed position on the bike but is somewhat heavier. It has been perfect for touring and has worked well for the short trips we have done. My husband used his cross bike for a fully loaded tour on the Southern Tier last spring. He loved it. Try out several bikes before you settle on one and definitely take the advice of indy and call the shop near Memphis. I live at the exact opposite end of the state and am in a small town. We have about 6 or 8 shops within a 30 mile radius, so I am sure that you can find a shop to help you. Good luck!

Thanks to everyone for the tips and help! We are really not in a position to be able to afford a "bike shop" bike. I was pretty happy with something I found at Walmart...called a Schwin City Series. Well, let me tell you, it's a big leap from that clunky old mountain bike I was using. It's SO much faster! I rode it around in Walmart and everyone looked at me like I was crazy! :)

It's fast, 21 speeds, has great tires (not too thick and not too thin) and the distance between the seat and the bars is perfect for me! Wow, I never realized what a big deal that is! I'm so short. So, it's more affordable and I guess I'll get it for now. Eventually, someday, I'll get an awesome bike. But for me, this cheaper up-grade seems like it will be just wonderful. I will need my old saddle off the dirt bike, though...the saddle on the new bike was awful!!! :)

Have fun with your new bike!