Which of these bikes would be more suited for touring?

JediBiker

Hello everyone,

So I'm about to buy a new bicycle that I plan to use for long distance commute, fitness training and touring on vacations.
Looking for a fast well-balanced bike, I thought about a hybrid or a flat bar road bike.

Which of these you think is more suited for touring while being fast for my other activities?

Thanks for your the sage opinion.

http://www.scott-sports.com/us/en/products/234164009/bike-sub-speed-40-men-xl/ $670

http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-in/bikes/model/seek.3/11587/56065/#specifications $750

http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-in/bikes/model/escape.2/15207/67075/ $750

http://www.scott-sports.com/us/en/products/234129008/bike-metrix-30-l/ $830

http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-in/bikes/model/rapid.3.triple/15213/67069/ $1100

mattrixdesign2

I would start with your most demanding requirements (touring) work out what you need it to do (does it need to have a rack and panniers, does it need guards, does it need to be light weight or sturdy, does it need a wide range of gears for hills etc), then make sure what ever you are looking at ticks those boxes. The long commute will require comfort and visibility (likely similar requirements to touring) and fitness training can be gained on any bike.

I would be tempted by large 700c wheel, rather than 26in, just for speed/efficiency.

Is flat bar essential? Plenty of drop barred bikes that would tick all those boxes, maybe push the budget out? But versatile Cyclocross style bikes are a better choice than hybrids in my opinion.

The Rookie

JediBiker wrote:

I thought about a hybrid or a flat bar road bike.

To clarify, a flat barred road bike is a hybrid!

A Hybrid being anything between an MTB with slick tyres and a road bike with flat bars (and a suitable frame to give the right geometry with flat bars.

JediBiker

Yes I thought about a Cyclocross bike. But they are expensive.
I'm not familiar with the models I have listed if any forum user has one of this bikes their opinion would be highly appreciated. I want to know the quality and if they are durable 'cause this bike hast to last for looong time jaja

tonyf34

The Rookie wrote:

JediBiker wrote:

I thought about a hybrid or a flat bar road bike.

To clarify, a flat barred road bike is a hybrid!

A Hybrid being anything between an MTB with slick tyres and a road bike with flat bars (and a suitable frame to give the right geometry with flat bars.

Think you misread what the OP was saying, they were thinking about a hybrid and have listed such for their needs rather than an out and out 'racing' bike type. Maybe they could have worded it "I'm thinking hybrid or flat bar"


My advice is get the best you can afford that fits what you need it to do for you in 98% of its use, don't discount looking for used/nearly new high spec models for low spec money.

My own commute/tour steed (Hybrid ) was originally £900 and had 50 miles on it, got it for £240, ally triangle with carbon seat stays/forks/bars/seatpost and eyelets for racks & guards..