Is a Hybrid Suitable for Touring?

[skicat]

I have a Claud Butler Urban 400, unmodified apart from the addition of a Topeak tubular rack and an MTX Trunkbag DXP (with side panniers). I have ridden it up to 50 miles in a day albeit with very little baggage. I'm now considering doing some "proper" touring, initially starting with just an overnight then upping the rides to 3 or 4 days then ultimately perhaps a couple of weeks. I'm seeking views as to the suitability of the Urban, being a so-called hybrid bike. At the time I bought the bike (2007) I had never considered anything more than a day trip and I'm wondering if I made the right choice. Personally, I like the Urban and what I can do with it - reasonable on-road speed and comfort, and it copes with forest tracks and bridleways when necessary. As someone who has never toured before, would touring be taking the bike into a zone which it would struggle with?

[Millhouse]

Personally, I like the Urban and what I can do with it - reasonable on-road speed and comfort, and it copes with forest tracks and bridleways when necessary. As someone who has never toured before, would touring be taking the bike into a zone which it would struggle with?

Bikes don't struggle, riders do!!
By bulding up your tours from one day to several days you will soon know if the bike suits you. Get out there and enjoy it, touring by bicycle is a fantastic way to see the countryside.
The more you do the more you will build up your experience, knowledge and confidence.

[simonhill]

Touring is only a series of day rides. You have done plenty of day rides and are happy with your bike, so off you go!!

There will probably be lost of people here that will tell you that you need a specialist touring bike, but in reality you can tour on anything. Make sure your rack is sturdy and you may need better panniers to take your gear, but apart from that I see no problem.

Starting off with an overnighter will show you if any of your gear is unsuitable. As time goes on you may want a different bike; you may want to change your tyres; you may want to have your wheels rebuilt; etc, etc, but at the moment ignorance is bliss so don't worry.

[hubgearfreak]

Is a Hybrid Suitable for Touring?

reasonable on-road speed and comfort, and it copes with forest tracks and bridleways

sounds perfect. off you go, and i hope the weather's good

[gentlegreen]

I hope it is because I'm building up to touring on the modified mountain bike I commute and do day rides on.
I did my first camping over-nighter last weekend and have started to invest in the sort of luggage people go round the world with.

Maybe when I've lost my excess 4 stones I'll feel it necessary to get a different bike.

[al_yrpal]

Gearing looks good. Frame looks good. Everthing looks good. Not unlike my touring bike. Go for it, after your first few jaunts you will know what you would like to improve. Just do it....

Al

[skicat]

Bikes don't struggle, riders do!!

Agreed, poor choice of words on my part.

I was thinking along the lines of gearing perhaps not being suitable for the job, but I've been doing some calculations and if I'm correct, the lowest gear is 22" and the highest 118". From what little I know of these things that seems like a reasonable range to me.

The theme of the replies seems to be "try it and see", so I'll do exactly that. I think I'm probably going to stick with B&Bs initially, so without the camping paraphernalia it should be even less of a jump.

[al_yrpal]

A Dawes Galaxy is 22" to 120" QED

AL

[tramponabike]

I like to think of the "touring" in touring bike as an adjective, not a noun.

Your bike will be fine. By definition, a Hybrid is an excellent choice for a general purpose tourer. Both it's parents being better suited to more specialised (sporty ?) touring styles. If you find you want to go further, faster or more off road, you can specialise later. Even then, a Hybrid with relatively minor changes can go a long way in either direction.

[simonhill]

Hoooooooorah!!

What an encouraging set of replies. In previous years there would have been a clutch of naysayers telling you that without a custom built 'tourer' or a £1500 Thorn you would never complete even the shortest tour. Maybe the economic downturn has brought about a more realistic appproach to what you can tour on.

Go for it!

Gentlegreen - over the last winter I rode for 2 months in China and 2 in Tassie on a converted MTB - nothing to worry about with your choice.

[skicat]

Hoooooooorah!!

What an encouraging set of replies.

I totally agree. I'm inspired. Thanks guys (and gals where appropriate)

[chesterpete]

Good bike for the job. A friend of mine completed Hadrians cycleway in 2009 and a 190 mile tour of Northumberland last year on that very model unless I'm mistaken.

Its not about the bodywork, its about the engine.

[MarkF]

Easy peasy, I have hybrid but bought a Dawes Horizon to tour, found I preferred the hybrid for long distances....................all the way to Barcelona in fact.

.

[skicat]

Its not about the bodywork, its about the engine.

Oh, ok. So what are the prospects for "Too many miles on the clock, out of tune and a couple of nuts loose" ?

[chesterpete]

Its not about the bodywork, its about the engine.

Oh, ok. So what are the prospects for "Too many miles on the clock, out of tune and a couple of nuts loose" ?

Thrash it till it dies.