Prime directive
There is no such thing as a touring bike (in a way). Sure there are things that make some bikes better at it, but you do not need all or even some of these things. This is less true for bikepacking where you do need to have some things to be able to handle non-pavement riding.
Longer wheel base
The longer the distance between the hubs of your two tires, the better your bike will be at handling loads.
More important for “fully loaded” touring
Less important for bikepacking
Frame
I’m a steel is real kind of guy.
It’s strong
It has some flex to handle road vibration and the occasional jarring bumps
Does that mean aluminum and carbon are out? Not necessarily, but most of the time we roll with steel.
Wheels
The more spokes, the better particularly in the back
I have had unusually great luck with stock tires
Most don’t
If you have a great wheel builder at your LBS, it might be worth the bucks to get a 36 spoke wheel set if you ride heavy
32 spokes is often enough
Wheel Size
I’m agnostic on this. I have 700c, 26″ and Brompton clown bike sized tires
Some say 26″ is better for global expedition touring because the tires are easier to find
There are more exotic sizes particularly for gravel bikes… check out Path Less Pedaled for more on those
Tires
I’m all in on Schwalbe Marathon Plus guy for puncture resistance
Be sure to examine said tires before every tour, because when they wear they are not bulletproof anymore!
I’m a tube guy, but I’m not opposed to tubeless… study up on those if you’re interested.
Gearing
Check out episodes
015 and
049gear inch calculators are your friend
More climby, less speed… truuuust me.
I like:
44/32/22 crank set
11-34 cassette
BUT tech changes all the time and I would probably not get a triple next time
Brakes
Agnostic… most bikes do disc over rims.
I’ve never had issues with rims but likely will get discs on the next bike
Pedals
I’m a flats guy but clip-ins and strap folks, you do you
Handlebars
I strongly prefer multiple hand positions or very ergonomic grips
Upright vs. drops
Saddle
I’m a stock saddle guy, but many people need something special
Talk to your LBS and if they are enlightened like Gladys Bikes in PDX, check out the saddle library!
Fittings here are a decent idea
Accoutrements
Lots of brazons to attach things
Fenders I think are really really helpful if not musts
Racks or bags? If I were starting now I might be doing a bikepacking setup… but don’t dismiss traditional pannier and rack touring.
