Two nomads on fully loaded touring bikes on a multi-decade round-the-world bicycle journey.

A Full List Of Heavy Duty Touring Bikes For Round-The-World Rides

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Following a ludicrous amount of research (by humans, not robots), I present to you a detailed spreadsheet of ultra-heavy-duty touring bikes being built and sold around the world, featuring bicycles from 44 builders in 9 countries on 3 continents, and links to each bike’s official webpage.

The bikes in this list are not designed for short cycling holidays, nor for casual local bike tours (though they’d be fine for these kinds of cycle tour too). 

No: they’ve been designed specifically for extremely long, fully-loaded, self-sufficient bicycle journeys through remote parts of the world on challenging terrain over periods of time measured in years.

In other words, these are the most hardcore touring bikes in existence, designed for the most demanding cycling adventures possible (on Earth, anyway).

Any of these bikes could take a rider round the planet – and most of them already have.

Incidentally, why would I bother listing all these world touring bikes in one place (and then coming back to update the list every year)?

Simply because such bikes (and the accompanying specialist knowledge) can be hard to find in this tiny niche, and my goal with this blog is to help you get out riding on the right bike. Other bloggers will make you pay to download a PDF file containing a similar list of bikes. This one is free.

Many of these bikes are built to order. That’s why the spreadsheet is ordered by country of origin (though many bikes in the list are distributed internationally).

Heavy-duty, round-the-world-capable demonstration touring bikes are rarely on display even in specialist touring bike shops. Ordering, building and fitting them often involves weeks or months, and at least one in-person visit to a workshop (or at least it should!). Your participation in this process is critical at these prices and for this purpose, so where you and your bike builder are based plays an important part in the buying decision.

In the table below, you’ll also find the key specifications I’ve written about in my touring bike FAQ, including wheel size, frame material, drivetrain type, braking system, handlebar style, etc. This means you can easily shortlist the bikes that fit your requirements without trawling individual specification charts.

Some bikes are available in different configurations, eg: derailleur and Rohloff models, or flat- and drop-bar variants. Where differently-priced variations of the same bike exist, the price for the cheapest model is listed.

And away we go…

CountryBrandModelFrameWheelsDrivetrainBrakingBarsPrice FromURL
AustraliaViventeThe GibbSteel700CRohloff + GatesDiscTrekking6,000 AUDviventebikes.com
CanadaPanoramaForillionSteel700CDerailleurDiscDrop2,400 CADpanoramacycles.com
FranceAlex SingerCyclo CampingSteel650BVariousVariousVariousContactcycles-alex-singer.fr
FranceGilles BerthoudThe Cyclo-CamperSteelCustomCustomCustomCustomContactgillesberthoud.fr
FranceRando CyclesGlobe-TrotterSteel26”DerailleurV‑brakesFlat2,000 EURrando-cycles.com
GermanyBoettcherSafariSteel26”Derailleur / RohloffV‑brakesFlat1,350 EURboettcher-fahrraeder.de
GermanyBombtrackArise TourSteel650B / 700CDerailleurDiscDrop2,750 EURbombtrack.com
GermanyIdworxGrandone Travel / All RohlerAluminium26”Derailleur / RohloffDiscFlat5,100 / 6,000 EURidworx-bikes.de
GermanyIntecM01Steel26”DerailleurV‑brakes / DiscFlatContactintec-bikes.de
GermanyNorwidSpitzbergenSteel26”1,200 EUR (frame)norwid.de
GermanyPatriaTerraSteel26”Derailleur / RohloffHydraulic rimFlat2,582 / 3,694 EURpatria.net
GermanyPoisonMorphinSteel26”Shimano AlfineV‑brakes / DiscFlat1,732 EURpoison-bikes.de
GermanyRad-SpannereiParipa S.U.V.Steel650B / 700C990 EUR (frameset)rad-spannerei.de
GermanyRotorReiseradSteel26” / 700C / 29”RohloffV‑brakes / DiscVariousContactrotorbikes.com/
GermanyTout TerrainSilkroadSteel27.5”Derailleur / Rohloff / PinionDiscVarious3,500+ EURen.tout-terrain.de
GermanyUtopia VeloMöweSteel26”DerailleurV‑brakes / hydraulic rimFlat2,959+ EURutopia-velo.de
GermanyVelotraumVK2 / VK3Steel26” / 27.5”DerailleurV‑brakes / DiscFlat2,790+ EURvelotraum.de
GermanyVSFTX-800 / TX-1000 / TX-1200Steel26”Derailleur / Rohloff / PinionHydraulic rim / DiscFlat2,600+ EURfahrradmanufaktur.de
ItalyCinelliHobootlegSteel700CDerailleurCantileverDrop1,700 EURcinelli.it
NetherlandsAvaghonS28Steel700CDerailleur / Rohloff / PinionHydraulic rim / Hydraulic discVarious2,910+ EURavaghon.nl
NetherlandsKogaWorldTravellerAluminium700CDerailleurDiscFlat2,750+ EURkoga.com
NetherlandsSantosTravelmasterAluminium26” / 700CRohloff / PinionV‑brakesFlat / Disc4,615+ EURsantosbikes.com
NetherlandsSNELSteel RideSteel26” / 700C / 29″Derailleur / RohloffV‑brakes / DiscFlat2,000+ EURsnelfietsen.nl
SwitzerlandAariosExperienceSteel26”Derailleur / RohloffV‑brakesFlat3,460+ EURaarios.ch
SwitzerlandMTB CycletechPapalagiSteel26”Derailleur / Rohloff / PinionDiscFlat3,200+ EURmtbcycletech.com
UKBob JacksonWorld TourSteel700CContactbobjacksoncycles.co.uk
UKCondorHeritage / Heritage DiscSteel700CV‑brakes / Disc1,100+ GBP (frame)condorcycles.com
UKGenesisTour de FerSteel700CDerailleurDiscFlat / Drop1,800 + GBPgenesisbikes.co.uk
UKMercian CyclesKing Of MerciaSteel700C1,340+ GBP (frame)merciancycles.co.uk
UKOxford Bike WorksExpeditionSteel26” / 700CDerailleur / RohloffV‑brakes / DiscCustom2,790+ GBPoxfordbikeworks.co.uk
UKRidgebackExpeditionSteel26”DerailleurDiscFlat1,350 GBPridgeback.co.uk
UKSpa CyclesSteel TourerSteel700CDerailleurV‑brakesFlat1,050 GBPspacycles.co.uk
UKStanforthKiboSteel26” / 650B / 700CDerailleurCantilever / V‑brakes / DiscFlat3,000+ GBPstanforthbikes.co.uk
UKThornNomad Mk3Steel26” / 650B / 700CDerailleur / RohloffDiscCustom2,400+ GBPthorncycles.co.uk
UKWoodrupChimera BD / Rohloff TourSteelCustomCustomCustomCustomContactwoodrupcycles.com
USABilenkyMidlandsSteel26” / 700CDerailleur / RohloffV‑brakesVarious3,047 / 4,927 USD (frame / complete)bilenky.com
USABruce GordonRock ‘n Road TourSteel26”DerailleurV‑brakesDropContactbgcycles.com
USACo-MotionPangaeaSteel26”Derailleur / Rohloff + Gates / Pinion + GatesDiscDrop2,600 / 4,200+ USD (frame / complete)co-motion.com
USAKonaSutraSteel700CDerailleurDiscDrop2,100 USDkonaworld.com
USARivendell Bicycle WorksAtlantisSteel650B / 700CDerailleurV‑brakes1,750 USD (frame)rivbike.com
USARodriguezUTBSteel26” / 700CDerailleur / RohloffV‑brakesVarious4,000+ USDrodbikes.com
USASalsaMarrakeshSteel700C / 29”DerailleurDiscDrop1,150 / 2,050 USD (frame / complete)salsacycles.com
USASurlyDisc TruckerSteel26” / 700CDerailleurDiscDrop2,000 USDsurlybikes.com
USATrek520Steel700CDerailleurDiscDrop1,830 USDtrekbikes.com

If these price tags make you feel a bit sick, by the way, and you’re not afraid of putting in a bit of effort, you can probably get a touring bike for cheap or free. Check out the story of how my scrapyard-rescue touring bike made it all the way across Eurasia.

There are also plenty of commercial touring bikes available at lower prices.

If you know of any world touring bikes that are missing from this list, let us know in the comments. Thanks!


Comments (skip to respond)

101 responses to “A Full List Of Heavy Duty Touring Bikes For Round-The-World Rides”

  1. Hi my friend. I am from China. I always refer to cycling weekly and cycling news and bikeradar. one funny thing, the best touring bike on all three sites is the Genesis Tour De Fer 30. i respect and adore the knowledge you have and do. Especially DIY bikes. But it’s too hard to DIY a bike in China, really too hard. If I wanted to buy a touring bike would this still be my first choice right now? Do you know why all three sites have this bike as their first choice I’m curious…

    1. The Tour De Fer is a well respected touring bike, so if it’s all you can find available near you, go for it! As for why it’s the top tourer on all three sites, I’m not sure… perhaps the same freelance copywriter wrote all three articles! None of these big sites specialise in touring, and commercial media outlets are generally more interested in search engine rankings than anything else!

  2. Ahmed Carter avatar
    Ahmed Carter

    Hi Tom, currently a UK man living in Australia and wanting to cycle home on a trusty steed. I feel I’m getting bogged down in the research. This list is great though thanks. Bikes im looking at are the Vivente Gibb, very expensive due to the Rolhoff and belt, but the Anatolia models have been discontinued. I’m also looking at upgrading the wheels for a Masi Giramando — putting Ryde Andra rims on both. What do you think? Love you content

    1. Hey Ahmed. My first thought would be to see if a second-hand or ex-demo Vivente Anatolia is available in your size anywhere nearby (Australia is rather large!). My second thought is to take a look at the Riverside Touring 520 from Decathlon. Both options should be a bit more budget friendly than Vivente’s now very limited range of very expensive touring bikes. Hope that helps!

  3. Peter MacFarlane avatar
    Peter MacFarlane

    Hi Tom, great site, thanks. Sorry to have to tell you that Tim Stredwick of Velosmith cycles retired last year — does not build frames or whole bikes anymore. I know this because I finally have the money for one and he only lives a few kilometres away from me but I missed out by a year. Gutted! Thanks again, Pete MacFarlane.

    1. Thanks for the update, Peter! I guess all good things must come to an end…

  4. PAUL DAVIES avatar
    PAUL DAVIES

    Hi Tom, I am fortunate enough to own a number of the bikes that you mention above, but just a couple of possible corrections for your list: the vsf bikes that you mention are mostly 700c, I believe, rather than 26″ and the Spa Cycles steel (and titanium) tourers are mostly drop bar rather than flat.

    1. Thanks Paul – I’ve updated the VSF listing. Spa do both flat and drop bar bikes so I’ll leave both in.

  5. The Koga Worldtraveller is also available as a Rohloff build with belt drive, see https://www.koga.com/en/bikes/trekking-bikes/collection
    Although anyone considering a Koga will probably have come across Alee Denham and his steed 😉

    1. Indeed it is. For what it’s worth, the belt drive makes even less sense to me than the Rohloff – but hey, if you’re sponsored by Koga, why not? 🤣

  6. I’d second the Chinese brand LKLM. They only have two models — LKLM 318 or their World Traveller. The 26” 318 will take 650 and a 700C model is available. The World Traveller is made from Reynolds 725. I live in Vietnam so just got the frame shipped and had it built up at a LBS. I’ve got an Oxford Bike Works Model 2 in the UK but haven’t been able to get home to fetch it so I caved in and gambled on LKLM 318 and it is great ride. For expedition riding I’d go for their World Traveller but alas I’m only able to do a few weeks at a time.

    Thanks for your inspirational site. It has really helped me as I’ve got more interested in touring.

  7. Carlos Clarke avatar
    Carlos Clarke

    Hi Tom,
    I recently bought a handmade Patria Terra. I use it daily on short and long hauls. It‘s a terrific little thing.

    Thank you for your articles.

  8. Hey Tom, What about the Salsa Marrakesh?

    1. Hi Will, you’re right – it seems the current spec of the Marrakesh is better suited to world touring than the Vaya, which seems to have mutated into a light touring / gravel bike. I’ve updated the article to reflect this. Thank you!

  9. Rob Coleman avatar
    Rob Coleman

    I think the list you’ve put together is quite good, but I wish that you had included titanium builds. I know the cost of those bikes might really make some heads spin, but for me they’re the only way to go.

  10. Sonder Santiago from Alpkit is another touring horse, worth being added to your list:

    https://www.alpkit.com/sonder/sonder-santiago

    1. I believe the prices they ask for such excellent builds, based on a steel frame with replaceable hanger is just top-notch! Real winner for me.

  11. update:

    another great dutch builder (only in steel):
    m‑gineering.nl

    check out his work.
    imo better then most listed but I am biased 😉

    1. Thanks John! I’ll add this next time I update the list 🙂

  12. carmine avatar

    Dear Tom, Ihave been following for a while, I just want to say (and is not for mere nationalism) that some Italian makers are absent from you list ‑Bianchi, Olmo, Wilier — and others are now (late, but better late…) making Tourism and Gravel bikes. Just for you to know. Ciao

    1. Thanks – I’ll look at their listings!

  13. Bill McCown avatar
    Bill McCown

    Hi Tom,
    Could I ask a favor? Could you please consider adding the Chinese/Taiwanese to your list? I’m riding an LKLM 318, and it’s every bit as good as any other touring bicycle I’ve ever ridden, including the Surley LHT. In the past, people have questioned how good a Chinese touring bike could be. Considering that most midrange touring bike frames come from China or Taiwan, it seems a bit incongruous to exclude them. They build world class equipment, and should be recognized for it.

    1. Happy to include Chinese/Taiwanese bikes on this list if you would be good enough to share some recommendations…

  14. I would update that list to include the Vivente ‘The Gibb’. It would be my own choice over and above the ‘Anatolia’ even if it does cost twice as much. Let me know if you have a list for dirt road expedition bikes anywhere. I’d be keen to look at the options. Thanks.

    1. I have a Vivente “The Gibb”. It is an outstanding bike and tremendous value for money. Apart from the Rohloff, which is a wonder in itself, Vivente touring bikes come fully equipped and ready for touring. The box could even be delivered to your tour’s start point — eg. an airport. All the tools for assembling it and hitting the road are included in the box!
      You’d likely want a set of panniers. That’s basically all you’d have to buy unless you were taking front panniers as well. Then you’d need to fit a front rack. I’d be surprised if you could find better value, anywhere in the world.

      1. Hi! I’m considering the Gibb, but wondering what the main difference between it and the Stirling are and why you went for the former?

        Thanks in advance!

  15. David Talbot avatar
    David Talbot

    Mercian will build a Rohloff King of Mercia if you ask them to, that is beauty of buying a custom frame, you can have it built exactly how you want it.

  16. Hi Tom,
    Great list and aid to investigation. Thanks for doing the leg work to get it together. Curious that the Thorn Nomad did not appear on the list as it’s been around a few years?

    1. Still no Thorn Nomad on the list? Any reason for this — seems like a great expedition touring bike?

      1. It is indeed – just added it.

        1. Thorn Nomad Mk3 is 26” / 700C. 🙂

          1. Updated – thank you!

  17. Frosty Wooldridge avatar
    Frosty Wooldridge

    You might add: Franklin Frame out of Newark, Ohio, building touring frames since 1976. I’ve been riding their custom Franklin Frame Mountain Expedition Touring bike for 27 years without a hitch. I bought it in 1990, and it’s got 100,000 miles on it. Phil Wood hubs and bottom bracket. Forty spoke rear rim. I’m riding it 4,000 miles this summer, coast to coast. Frosty Wooldridge, six continent world bicycle world traveler

    1. Thanks Frosty! 🙂

  18. Hi Tom,
    what do you think about the Ortler Grandtourer 2 ?
    https://m.fahrrad.de/ortler-grandtourer‑2–386510.html

  19. Knut Erik Hansen avatar
    Knut Erik Hansen

    Pelago bicycles from Finland have some bikes that performs well for expedition.…

  20. I have a 1980’s Specialized Expedition I would like to sell. Would you know where would be the best place to advertise, or know anyone who would be interested. It is in great shape.

    1. If you’re in the UK, I’d try the Singletrackworld or Thorn website forums.

  21. One of the most comprehensive lists of tourers I have seen — well done.

    What’s your opinion on the future of 26″ wheels for tourers? One of the main reasons tourists started using them was because, when the MTB craze first hit the world in the 80s, the 26″ wheel size became nearly universal. Thus easy to obtain a wide tyre in virtually any country.

    Now MTBs are nearly all either 700c or 650b wheel size, 26″ tyres and rims are starting to become not so common. Here in Australia you’re now more likely to obtain a 40–622 than a 45–559 tyre.

    What’s your opinion?

    Cheers in advance.

  22. Hi tom,

    What do you make of Sven cycles tourer? Its got the spec and in same price range as Oxford bike works bikes. I need a reason not to get one, tossing up between Sven and Oxford Bike Works, or possibly thorn. Sven’s tourer won tour bike of the year 2014, is it not expedition grade?http://www.svencycles.com/ what be great to hear ya thoughts.

    1. I can’t see any mention of a tourer on the Sven website, but it seems like comparing apples to oranges to bananas. Sven is a bespoke framebuilder, OBW is a one-man custom assembler & fitter, and Thorn is a relatively large mix-and-match mail order company. If I were you I’d call all three and see who you want to work with.

  23. Thanks for putting such an intersting list together.
    I have 3 tourers, a Spa 725 touring, a Dawes galaxy 531, and a Trek 520 from 1994 which I think is true temper. The components are the same on each, brooks b17, deore lx, bar end shifters, rigida sputniks, marathon tyres. For some reason even though they are all well fitted to me the Trek 520 is by far my favourite ride for loaded touring.

  24. Great list Tom!

    Would you consider the Trek 920 an expedition touring bike? 

    I test rode both the Specialized AWOL Elite and the Trek 920 today and loved both of them. I liked the Trek 920 a wee bit more as it felt more rugged, smooth and relatively lighter.

    Thanks!

  25. Hi, out of curiosity, does anyone know the make of steel bike ridden around the world by Alastair Humphreys, that he covered the logo on because they wouldn’t give him a discount? It had a very distinct curved top tube. You can see it here: http://blog.escapethecity.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/Alistair‑1–600-x-450.jpg and AH’s story here: http://www.alastairhumphreys.com/

    1. It’s a Specialized Rockhopper from the ’90s

  26. Doug Lockhart avatar
    Doug Lockhart

    Hi Tom: Thank you for your time putting this together, its been very helpful. An addition you may wish to consider is the USA, Gunnar, Grand Tour, Steel, Derailleur/Rohloff, V‑brakes/Disc, Drop, price varies with build.

    http://gunnarbikes.com/site/bikes/grand-tour/

    Cheers,
    Doug

  27. Hi Tom, you left out the german bike company Cube. Check out their travel series. Their producing very nice touring bikes. I am geting the cube travel rf in the coming weeks. Cant wait!

    1. Gareth that’s the exact model I am looking at. But for some reason it seems to be always left out in blogs & articles discussing touring/expedition bikes. It’s impossible to find any reviews of it. I am not by any means an expert in touring & expedition bikes but still to me the cube travel looks like an excellent option for the price (799€ for the entry model).
      Did you end up buying one yourself? what are your thoughts?

  28. I’m curious how the recumbent went for you? Have noticed you mention it on this blog for a while. Do you think a recumbent is a good idea for an expedition bike? I know you said it was supremely comfortable but how about safety/visibility in 3rd world city/traffic conditions? Ease of repair or replacements of parts? I’ve never tried one but often daydreamed about tackling the Australian desert on one, just cruising along watching the clouds go by and chewing up the miles with a drink in one hand 🙂

    1. If I was to head off on another long road tour without too many epic mountain ranges I’d certainly consider a recumbent. Lots of people use them and there are plenty of tour-specific ones available. Flags help a lot with visibility; it’s not as much of an issue as you might imagine in my experience.

    2. Bill McCown avatar
      Bill McCown

      I don’t recommend recumbent touring bikes because they require that you stay seated for all conditions. Upright bikes allow you to pedal out of the saddle or when you need torque, such as when climbing. Because touring bikes are usually heavily laden, this can be frequently than one might expect. To a long distance rider, there are no such thing as a flatland ride, and downhills are a just a cruel trick to reduce your recuperation time before having to grind your way up that next big hill. Recumbents have to rely on ultra-low gearing to reduce the energy burnoff rate within your legs. Upright bicycles can also use the same low gearing, but then allow you to ride out-of-the-saddle to use different muscle groups and spread the wear. Further, recumbents use a limited set of muscles in your legs, whereas upright bicycles spread the effort between more individual muscles and muscle groups, hence do not exhaust the glucose within each muscle as quickly. Many within the recumbent world may dispute these comments, but after riding my TourEasy for several years, I’ve gone back to an upright bike. Thankfully, saddle technology has quite improved in the last several years, and saddles are available that reduce the internal fatigue on one’s body from riding long distances over many days and weeks. Recumbent touring bikes seem like a brilliant answer to many of cycling’s problems, but expedition bicyclists encounter a wider range of conditions than most recumbents are adept at, such as dirt roads, hills, poor shoulders and mud. Lastly, recumbents offer a smaller visual presence than do upright bikes, hence do not get noticed as much by cars. They also make looking behind you difficult and require good sized mirrors. My best advice? Take this list seriously and get yourself a very-very comfortable saddle. Happy trails…

  29. Orbit Cycles of Sheffield folded a while back. There is a website but it’s dead.

  30. StuartG avatar

    I have just rejuvenated a Dawes Sardar for my son for his 18th. Totally resprayed and rebuilt with modern components and hub dyno. The frame is around 12 years old, 631 tubing and with the option of disk or canti brakes. A good expedition bike can last a lifetime and well worth the money. This has been past over to him to now enjoy trips across Europe.

  31. Cheers Alee – I did indeed find your excellent list during my research for this. Good job!

  32. Surly Ogre? and Rivendell Hunqapillar? You’ve got both the Troll (very dirty) and other 700c (not 26″) bikes, so …

    Perhaps you need a “dirtiness” rating/spectrum column.

    1. Oh yeah, should have said also: Impressive list! I didn’t know there were this many out there.

    2. Thanks, Patrick. I’ve chosen what seems to be the best all-rounder from each manufacturer as a long-haul expedition bike, with the idea that people can dig deeper from there…

  33. That is a very impressive list there Tom, must have taken you a while to put it together. I’m looking to spend around £1500 for a bike that will get me across europe and back so this is just what I needed.

    1. Glad to be of service – I hope you have a great ride!

  34. What could i say, your post is trully one of the best ive read for a while.

  35. Ludwig avatar

    As I’m currently looking for a touring bike I came across your site and I love it! Just found it interesting that I’ve narrowed it down to two bikes and neither of them were on your list.

    I’m looking at either a Salsa Vaya, which I understand is probably not an expedition bike — or a bike from ROTOR bikes. http://www.rotorbikes.com

    Anyways your list has given me a lot more reading material and completely screwed up my plan. Thanks!

    1. This isn’t a list of touring bikes, though – it’s very specifically a list of high-end expedition touring bikes. There are hundreds, if not thousands, of other touring bikes which will all do a fine job too (including the two you mentioned). No two tours have the same needs…

  36. Another bike to look at would be the Jeff Jones touring cycle.
    http://www.blog.jonesbikes.com/jones-as-a-city-and-touring-bike/

    Designed for touring with bigger tires, but not a fatbike, it looks good. I use Jeff’s H bar handlebars and they are well built so I’d imagine the bike would be too.

  37. Wonderful job! Chapeau! It’d have spared me hours of web searches had I found it before. All my previous findings are there and there are a lot more.
    Thanks Tom!
    Too bad there are very few entry level models in the market for this kind of bikes.

  38. Thanks for the comprehensive list. Just to say its been really useful for me to look through all the different builds as I’m having to replace my drivetrain (bike came with Sram, which has failed mid tour), lots of interesting combinations here.

    1. Happy to be of service!

  39. Lizzie avatar

    I’m simply fascinated by people who ride bikes a long way (44.3 miles is my furthest so far!!!) and am equally fascinated by your list! I feel chuffed to see a mention of Spa Cycles as I recently ordered a Tubus front carrier and Ortlieb panniers from them and they were the cheapest.

    1. Indeed – they’re one of the UK’s most prominent touring specialists.

  40. carmine avatar
    carmine

    Sorry, now I see the lonely Cinelli Hobo as a rapresentative for the country.
    How about Bianchi, Bottecchia, Atala, and countless more?

    1. If there really are countless more Italian expedition touring bikes in production, please do contribute by listing them here! Bear in mind, though, that I won’t include any bike in this list that doesn’t truly qualify as an expedition tourer, as it would dilute the usefulness of the article.

  41. carmine avatar
    carmine

    None from Italy? Bummer.

  42. This is one of the best comparison tables I have seen in a long time. And that’s not praise I give lightly.

    1. Excuse me while I pick myself up from the floor 😛

  43. If not a Pugs, then I’d definitely petition for an ECR. Rolls ok on asphalt, and excels on dirt. It would be on my shortlist for tackling, say, the length of the Americas.

    1. Great to have you here, Cass! Fancy helping put together a similar chart of really dirt road-oriented expedition bikes/framesets? 😉

  44. hi
    just to prove you dont need to spend mega bucks
    back in 1988 I bought a british eagle mountain bike for £249 it had renaulds tubing frame no suspension and shimano LX group set
    over the next 10 years I rode it 20 miles a day to work and back did around 12 polaris challenges toures the south west of England the midlands and lots of the north ok so I bought s few bits as they broke eventualy my son rode it for around another 6 years till it was stolen
    I know I did at least 50k miles on it
    so whatever you buy trust it and love it
    oh and I still remove the brookes saddle from every bike I get rid of
    the old adage is true
    a brookes worn in fits yer bum
    you cant alter your bum to fit a plastic saddle 

    ride on and think circles when it gets hilly

  45. I’m shocked at no mention of the Surly Pugsley. The bike can run either 26 or 29 inch wheelset. Depending on the rim size you can run tires from 2.25 to 4.0. No other bike on the list can run with two drivetrains, so if the rear hub or derailleur craters you can swap front to rear and keep going. It has a full complement of brazeons and has the stopping power of disc brakes. The Pug has been proven time and again in the toughest conditions found on earth.

    1. It’s certainly a brilliant bike, but it is nevertheless primarly a fatbike, and they’re really not best suited for the type of journey this article is about – long-term worldwide expeditions incorporating at least as much asphalt as dirt roads. All the bikes in this list are very much long-haul touring generalists for that reason. Fear not – I’ll feature it in another article more specifically about the kind of trip the Pugsley would really excel at…

  46. Kevin avatar

    Hardo Wagner Trekking — a world tour biest! After touring 30.000 km in all conditions the frame is still good as new.
    http://www.rad-spannerei.de/en/hardo-wagner-bicycles.php

    1. Thanks – added!

  47. I wonder why you have featured the Intec T07 — it’s perhaps not a bad bike, but for expedition style touring I would rather use the M‑series M01 — derailleur setup, M02 — Rohloff-specific frame. Look under MTB/ATB

    1. Good call, thank you.

  48. Idworx is German made (not Netherlands ;0 ) Tom

  49. Tom MacDiarmid avatar
    Tom MacDiarmid

    Nice to see my favourite and future ride to be; the Condor Heritage on the list.

  50. Hi Tom,

    Matt and I used a pair of Van Nicholas Pioneer titanium framed, belt driven, Rohloff hubbed bank account breakers. But they were practically maintenance free and ideal for the lazy cycle tourist.

  51. Brenda avatar

    I love my Koga Randonneur and its is similar to a World Traveller but it s steel framed which I prefer

    1. Well spotted – thank you.

  52. Marcel avatar

    I would also suggest you add the touring bikes offered by the Canadian company Brodie, specifically the Elan and Elan Vital. I have a V‑brake version Brodie Elan from a few years back and have taken it well of the beaten path on touring expeditions.

  53. Nathan Savelli avatar
    Nathan Savelli

    Might consider adding the Canadian made Marinoni Touring bikes — Turismo and Turismo Xtreme.

  54. Check out meissner raeder in Dresden, Germany.

    1. Thanks – I’ll check them out when I can get to their website – seems to be down at the moment.

  55. Jesse E Martin avatar
    Jesse E Martin

    Did the Sury Troll not qualify? It is increasingly being used for rougher routes spanning the Americas & Central Asia. They have room for up to 2.75″ tires (3″ unofficially) without using non-standard parts. Runs v‑brakes or disc (Surly states it can only run 160 mm disc rotors on the rear, but I am happily running 200 mm to slow my 95 kg of body & 30–50 kg of kit), derailleur or rohloff, can handle heavy loads & has more attachment points than you can swing a dead cat at 😉

    The main drawback is that the stock wheelset is not very strong or tentioned correctly. So as an off the shelf build it may not qualify for this list, but as a frame you build up yourself, it is my first choice.

    1. Jesse E Martin avatar
      Jesse E Martin

      I forgot to mention the Surly Long Haul Trucker uses the same wheelset as the Troll. Replacing my wife’s LHT wheelset later this year before we embark on a 12 month cycle tour in South America.

      1. Sounds like a very sensible upgrade!

    2. That’s interesting – I’ll put it on the list as a frameset option. Thanks!

      1. Matthew avatar

        HI Tom , great list , I’m from Oz and had a beautiful touring bike from SEVEN titanium , ss coupler system , rolhoff , cut in the chain stays for gates drive. Sadly had to sell but a beautiful ride.

        1. Matthew avatar

          Forgot to tick the notify box.

  56. Looks good, Tom. All my touring bikes are in that list — except the Tern Verge S27h (http://www.cyclepeter.com/verge-s27h-folding-touring-bicycle-review/)

    1. Yes – niche types of bike (tandems, fatbikes, 29ers, recumbents, folders) are best covered separately. Thanks for the link!

Something to add?