Is touring becoming a thing of the past?

Cycle-touring, Expeditions, Adventures, Major cycle routes NOT LeJoG (see other special board)
ChrisF
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Is touring becoming a thing of the past?

Post by ChrisF »

This question has a fair amount of connection to several other threads in other sections here, partly those about the direction CTC seems to be going (e.g. http://forum.ctc.org.uk/viewtopic.php?f=45&t=92645 or http://forum.ctc.org.uk/viewtopic.php?f=15&t=94115, but has been prompted by my recent experiences and the thread about the future of the LBS (http://forum.ctc.org.uk/viewtopic.php?f=45&t=33250). I hope I'm not repeating anything directly.
I have been touring on and off for many years and recently decided to change my tired old Galaxy. First visit to my most local LBS surprised me a bit because in their showroom, amongst probably over 100 new bikes, there wasn't a single machine that could be classed as suitable for touring. The nearest was a single (rather cheap) hybrid. A few years ago the same shop definitely had 2 or 3 tourers (e.g. Galaxys) in stock.
Now, rather than buying new bike, I have decided to renovate my old machine. This is well under way now but I needed a few more replacement parts and today I went on a ride (on my 'road' bike) to have a look at two other LBS's. I went mainly for the ride; I wouldn't be too bothered if couldn't get my parts because I could always order them on line afterwards.
My first stop was at the newest shop in the area; it opened only 6 months ago. About 50 bikes on show; all road or MTB. There were a couple of titanium models that had mudguards but I would class them as Audax machines.
The second shop has been around longer and had 70-80 bikes on show; again nothing that could be considered a tourer. Neither of these shops had the parts I needed in stock; indeed neither of them even had any tyres wider than 25mm unless they were MTB tyres. So it's not just cycle tourists who aren't being catered for, it's the everyday commuting cyclist too.
The third shop (my nearest, and the longest-established) did have the parts I wanted and, by comparison with the others, have a good range of tyres. But still, as I mentioned above, they don't stock any complete touring bikes.
Now I assume that market forces dictate what these shops stock, so hence my question - any thoughts?
Chris F, Cornwall
ipswichcycler
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Re: Is touring becoming a thing of the past?

Post by ipswichcycler »

No it's just a bit niche.
Psamathe
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Re: Is touring becoming a thing of the past?

Post by Psamathe »

No idea as the the real reason but might it be that people looking for touring bikes search the internet, read reviews, check specs and only when they have pretty well decided do they actually go look at bikes.

And when they have purchased their ideal bike they pretty well keep it forever. Whereas your carbon/alu frame has a limited life; either as materials wear or get damaged and cannot be repaired or as next years model that is 20g lighter comes out to rave reviews and those into those types of bike have to get the latest ... so it is a more regular sale.

I wonder if it is also a somewhat different market in not only bikes but accessories. Unsure about components, I doubt many carbon frames have quite the same range of accessories fitted as your tourer and those into touring want solid reliable parts that "last forever" (so again sell one to somebody and that's it for them for ever).

Ian
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pjclinch
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Re: Is touring becoming a thing of the past?

Post by pjclinch »

The fact is that most tours are day tours and they don't need touring bikes. Any half-decent hybrid of today is easily better for a tour than my first "proper" touring bike (EBC Country, 1989). Given multi-day touring is a niche it's something probably worth visiting a specialist dealer.

I don't think touring is dying out, but I think it's quite possible the general availability of "normal" bikes has gone up a lot while the demand for tourers will have been reasonably static.

Pete.
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fluffybunnyuk
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Re: Is touring becoming a thing of the past?

Post by fluffybunnyuk »

I also think once you've bought a touring bike which is very reliable, you dont tend to need another... This doesnt pander to economics, and the buy more culture.
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al_yrpal
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Re: Is touring becoming a thing of the past?

Post by al_yrpal »

Full on multiple day touring (carrying your own stuff) is a niche leisure pursuit. Its never been mainstream and will remain so I believe. You have to have the time, an understanding partner, an independent spirit and the will to ride into the unknown.
Most virgin cyclists want a 'Racer' or a Mountain Bike so thats what shops stock. I always go in new bike shops to see what they have got and there are very few tourers on display. For day touring you dont need a tourer, anything will do. Thats why proper tourers are scarce.
I just wish I had been able to cycle tour earlier in my life when I was working and bringing up my family.
As for the question - I think its actually growing presently as a function of the increased number of people cycling, although many choose softer options like a vehicle carrying your stuff and organised lead parties, and, its become easier in some ways with trains and airlines seemingly more willing to carry your bike and kit to faraway places.

Al
Last edited by al_yrpal on 15 Feb 2015, 10:32am, edited 1 time in total.
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simonhill
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Re: Is touring becoming a thing of the past?

Post by simonhill »

To answer the title question, I would say definitely not.

The fact that most shops don't stock tourers is presumably down to the fact that they wouldn't sell many. If someone came in every day and asked to buy one, I imagine they would stock some.

My LBS used to be a Dawes stockist and I imagine they usually had a number of Galaxys (it was a bit before my touring days). In those days the Galaxy was I imagine as much a general purpose road bike as a bespoke tourer so sales were probably good.

They don't do Dawes now but carry a stock of MTBs but much less than a few years ago, roadbikes, hybrids, folders, etc. They are 'stockists' for Surly, but rarely have any in stock. Those who want order, usually frames which are built to owners spec. This has made the touring bike side of the business very specialised.

It seems that other niche bikes are similar, ie he may have one Brompton, but you would expect to order the exact one you want.

I am currently in Thailand and have met quite a few first time tourers and also a few Thai tourers (all Surly shod), so I definitely would not say it is a thing of the past.

What me a dinosaur????
pwa
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Re: Is touring becoming a thing of the past?

Post by pwa »

For a proper camping gear carrying tourer you do certainly have to deal with one of the small number of niche shops, probably on-line unless you are lucky enough to live close to one. Audax / winter trainer / light tourer bikes are excellent for day tours but not, of course, full=on cycle camping. The modern versions of traditional tourers are great all-round bikes, more so than hybrids, so it is a pity that you don't see them used more for commuting and so forth. But there are more trendy bikes (Genesis Croix de Fer) that pretend to be "cyclo-cross" but are in fact very close to traditional tourer.

I don't really remember a time when lots of people did long cycle tours (except for LEJOG). I did before we had the kids, and will again in a couple of years when they have moved on. I think the golden age was before my time. But it is an activity that could take off in the future. It really needs a marketing boost, a change of image.
fluffybunnyuk
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Re: Is touring becoming a thing of the past?

Post by fluffybunnyuk »

It really needs a marketing boost, a change of image.


I'd rather it didnt. Its nice on the road meeting the occasional cycle-tourist. What i avoid like the plague is traditional tourist places (i live in one) or organised tours on organised routes. If there were loads more cycle tourism I wouldnt get near passes from swaying caravans anymore :lol:
ANTONISH
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Re: Is touring becoming a thing of the past?

Post by ANTONISH »

It's possible to tour on pretty well anything - a lot of people in the 50's and 60's had one decent bike which was used for racing and with a saddle bag pressed into service as a tourer - most road bikes came with mudguard eyes.
When I returned to cycling after many years the first bike I bought was a tourer which I also used for Audax.
Several bikes later I still have the tourer which does it's job admirably but only gets use for a multi day tour - which means not every year.
So I'd guess - as others have suggested its a niche product. And as others suggest there are other types of machine which will suit the purpose with minor modifications.
Most audax bikes will take a rack so I think they are quite suitable as a light tourer.
jaydeepee
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Re: Is touring becoming a thing of the past?

Post by jaydeepee »

I bought my dream tourer from Condor Cycles in London and they told me that the "made to measure" route was the way most touring bikes were sold. Getting fitted and adding the spec's you want is the way forward if you've got a bob or two. I got mine on the 'cycle to work scheme' and paid the excess price: I wasn't the only one doing that. So, in response to the OP, I think that there's still a demand for tourers but it's becoming a 'specialist' market, possibly.
phil parker
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Re: Is touring becoming a thing of the past?

Post by phil parker »

pwa wrote: But there are more trendy bikes (Genesis Croix de Fer) that pretend to be "cyclo-cross" but are in fact very close to traditional tourer.


Yep, I bought a Genesis Croix de Fer frameset and built it up to my spec, specifically as a cycle-camping-tourer with disk brakes. I can't imagine why anyone would want to cyclo-cross on it? :lol:
beardy
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Re: Is touring becoming a thing of the past?

Post by beardy »

I think that there has been a drop in people cycle touring over the past eighty years but also there are a lot of us who dont much like "traditional tourers" like the Galaxy and tour on something else instead.

A nice lightly loaded Audax bike for fast touring or a 1980s MTB for loaded touring.
simonhill
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Re: Is touring becoming a thing of the past?

Post by simonhill »

I also think that the traditional image sometimes painted here that touring equals camping probably puts some people off. The sight of the 4 paniered bike and short wearing gent huddled over his camping stove in the rain is not everybody's idea of a holiday.

A lightly loaded bike, cheap hotels and good food in some warm exotic land might be more appealing. Come and join me!
pwa
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Re: Is touring becoming a thing of the past?

Post by pwa »

Ah, Simon, now you're widening it out into what climate we prefer. I don't much like warm climates, and I don't mind a bit of rain, so UK / France suit me very well. The Yorkshire Dales are about as good as it gets, for me.
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