The second-hand touring bike is the discipline that lets you set off on an adventure with your bike, over several days, several weeks or even several months. It is a bike designed to ride loaded and self-sufficient over long distances. A touring bike can take the road as well as tracks or trails, while carrying the weight of the panniers.
What is a second-hand touring bike?
It looks like a road bike or a hybrid bike, but the difference lies in the frame and the equipment. You will find a reinforced frame, often steel for its robustness and comfort, as well as numerous mounting points: front and rear racks, mudguards, extra bottle cages. The touring bike is designed for endurance and self-sufficiency, allowing you to ride loaded over several thousand kilometres.
The notable advantages of the touring bike :
- A robust frame, often steel, able to support a heavy load
- Numerous mounting points for racks, mudguards and panniers
- A comfortable riding position to go the distance day after day
- A wide range of gearing to climb even when loaded
- Strong wheels (reinforced spoking) and tough tyres suited to all terrains
Why choose a second-hand touring bike?
The second-hand touring bike is a bike designed for self-sufficiency. You can quite happily use it to set off for several weeks on the roads of Europe, cross a continent, or simply go bikepacking for a weekend. **One bike to live the adventure**. You will have a bike made for riding loaded, on road and trail alike. Travelling by bike is also a state of mind: it is a very community-driven practice with a strong identity, focused on freedom and encounters. Often loaded with panniers, **the touring bike is not performance-oriented**, but aims above all at reliability and comfort over time.
How to choose your second-hand touring bike?
The first criterion for choosing your touring bike well is the distance and type of terrain you will cover.
A wide choice of touring bikes is available on Alltricks and Troc Vélo.
Second-hand touring bike for beginners
Go for an aluminium or steel touring bike with a simple, robust drivetrain (such as Shimano Deore). That will be more than enough for your first loaded rides, such as bikepacking or a touring weekend, while staying within your budget.
Second-hand touring bike for experienced riders
You are starting to feel comfortable loaded and want to set off for several weeks? You need a chromoly steel touring bike with a more complete drivetrain (such as Shimano Deore XT) and reinforced wheels. Chromoly steel is a material renowned for its strength and repairability, a real asset on a long-haul journey.
Second-hand touring bike for experts
You are a seasoned touring cyclist? You need a bike made for expeditions, able to take tens of thousands of kilometres. A riding companion that can be equipped with an internal gear hub (Rohloff, Shimano Alfine), a dynamo for lighting and charging electronic devices, and puncture-proof tyres so you can set off fully self-sufficient, wherever you are in the world.
See all second-hand KONA touring bikes on Troc Vélo
See all second-hand GENESIS touring bikes on Troc Vélo
See all second-hand SURLY touring bikes on Troc Vélo