Two things mattered a lot on the tour: the tent I crawled into at night and the bike I spent most of the day on. The second one didn't have to be expensive; mine was second-hand.
Where I started: a second-hand bike
The bike was not one of the things I could spend a big budget on. I bought a second-hand one from a friend, made some changes to it and set off. Buying a proper touring bike to use for years is of course another option; my story is just one example that you don't necessarily need the most expensive model to get started.
I swapped the bike's flat handlebar for a drop bar. I loved having different hand positions, but while preparing I found out that it wasn't just a handlebar change: other parts were added to the bill too.
The first thing I'd check: how it feels to ride
A bike that looks good in the shop window and a bike that still feels comfortable after hours in the saddle may not be the same bike. That's why frame size, reach to the handlebar and saddle position are at the top of my list. Testing before you buy, and if possible doing a trial ride with the load you will carry on tour, is extremely valuable.
How I would build my checklist today
- An easy gear for hills: Rather than looking only at the total number of gears, I would care about a low gear ratio that makes climbing easier on a loaded bike.
- Tyres and wheels: Narrowness alone is not the measure. The road surface, the load, comfort and how the tyre fits the frame should all be considered together.
- Saddle: Narrow, wide, leather or gel; there is no universal winner. Judge what suits you and your riding position on a long test ride.
- Brakes: Disc and rim brakes each have their advantages. For me, the real point is that they stop a loaded bike safely, that they are serviced, and that spares for your system are available.
- Rack mounts: Think about how you will carry your bags, and about the load limits of the rack and the bike, before you buy.
- Handlebar: On long rides I liked being able to change the position of my hands and body. If you are converting, check with a bike mechanic that the parts are compatible.
- Fenders: If I'm planning a rainy tour, I look at function before looks. After the rain of the first few days, I had no objections left.
Where would I spend the money?
I set aside some budget for the rear tyre; I couldn't afford to replace the front one, so I carried on with the one already on the bike. The lesson I took from this: instead of upgrading every part at once, pick the places where you really need it. Adding expensive accessories to a poorly maintained bike doesn't mean you are ready.
Before asking “What is the best touring bike?”, I would ask: “How does it feel to ride this bike for days on end?”
A loaded weekend trial ride shows you a lot before you set off: from the saddle to how you pack your bags, from the brakes to the gear you'll use on climbs. The most instructive part of my training was riding the bike with its real load.
Further reading for the technical side: REI: How to choose a touring bike.
I'm Oğuzhan Şeker, and for as long as I can remember I have loved driving and riding things. As a kid I started with toy cars, then moved on to the bike you see here, and after that I drove whatever I could get my hands on: cars, planes, boats. I even did my recently finished military service as a transport private. But the thing that has always attracted me most, the thing that makes me feel free, has been the bicycle. A bike gave me the breeze of a convertible, the freedom of a bird in flight, and the fuel economy of a car coasting downhill. I have felt a sense of achievement most strongly when I looked back after finishing a tour. Even my university diploma didn't make me as happy as reaching my destination after days on the road. I'm sure friends who have been on bike tours will understand exactly what I mean as they read this. And I hope those who are still planning one will look back afterwards and say, “Ah, yes!”