Technology and Bicycle Touring

Jim Belair recently submitted this article about technology and bicycle touring. Jim used to bicycle tour more then 25 years ago and for various reasons stopped for a little while. Now that he's returned he's written this article to describe the differences he's seen in bicycle touring technology.

No, inspite of the title, this isn't about using laptops with satellite uplinks on a tour or about PDA's. Neither is it about GPS aids to navigation, or even about cell phones or digital cameras. Sorry to disappoint if that's what you're looking for! Rather these are some personal observations about how bikes and touring gear have changed thanks to technology, and what a bargain that technology has made the modern touring bike. As I gear up for my first multi-day tour in over 25 years, it sure has surprised me!

My major self-supported tour back in the late 70's was a twelve week trip through western Europe, followed by some one or two week trips closer to home a couple of years later. My bike was a mid-priced "10-speed" purchased from my local bike shop, and generally described by those who knew to be a "good" bike. I was satisfied. After all, I'd paid $169 (Cdn) for it! One upgrade, a generic leather saddle, added $7. ($20 for a Brooks seemed way too extravagant)

Consider what that $169 bought me vs. a "good" bike today. With inflation, an equivalent might be in the $1500 range (say a Trek 520, as favoured by many). The old frame was lugged, but only Hi-Tensile steel and the wheels were steeled rimmed and spoked. Numerous other parts were steel, including the seat post, rat trap pedals, shift levers, etc. The 520 is all chrome moly, with alloy box rims, stainless spokes, alloy post, clipless pedals and so on. And this isn't meant to be a plug for Trek. In the same price range, Mikado, Devinci, Cannondale, etc. all offer the same superior strength to weight advantage technology has provided.

In the area of accessories, it's a similar story, although in most cases back then, it was that gear simply wasn't readily available. Now, thanks to the Internet, sources seem almost endless. That old bike had a single strut rack loaded with a $15 Canadian Tire pup tent that sagged to about half its height when wet. Floppy panniers swung off the sides on steel hooks and unless one wanted to carry an air mattress, you slept on the ground.

Today of course there's a variety of heliarc welded aluminum or stainless steel tubing racks to fit all budgets and loads. Seam sealed, polyester fly tents with vestibules and self inflating mattresses provide refuge after a long day on the road.

Folding tires are available with puncture resistant belts and long life rubber compound. We've got Kevlar emergency spokes, indexed shifting, LED lighting, sealed bearings, breathable raingear,.... You get the idea.

Bicycle touring is a wonderful way to connect with the outdoors, and technology adds greatly to the comfort and enjoyment. At such a bargain!

Submitted by Jim Belair

It's always interesting to discover just how much the materials have changed over the years while the basic concepts behind bicycling are still very similar more then 100 years after the bicycle was invented.

I am keeping my fingers crossed that Jim will give us another update following his next bicycle touring adventure about any differences he noticies about bicycle touring now versus twenty-five years ago.

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