The 12 BEST Touring Bikes For 2020! 

1. Cube Travel 3:46 2. Fuji Touring 4:19 3. Diamant 135 5:00 4. Vivente Anatolia 5:55 5. Kona Sutra 6:40 6. Diamondback Haanjo EXP 7:30 7. Salsa Journeyman Sora 8:19 8. Surly Bridge Club 8:53 9. Masi Giramando 9:37 10. Salsa Fargo Apex 10:00 11. Canyon Pathlite AL4 10:41 12. Koga World Traveller 11:11

there is not one biker dude on youtube thats more detailed and incredibley useful to help anyone no matter their level of understanding bikes. your amazing and thank you.

My wife and I have toured the world (from Japan to Cuba, Norway, Portugal, ...) using two KOGA WorldTravellers. I think the key for touring is NOT weight: the bike must be strong and stiff to carry the full load safely. Our bikes are 17 kg. I agree one must be ready to spend some money: cheaper is not better. I agree that very short gears are necessary, as we will carry load, climb, and get tired at the end of the day, when the stop is still 20 km away. Mudguards may not sound sexy but are very useful. We had a 2 weeks holiday in Norway with a couple of sunny spells only.....those mudguards helped keep the bike and us cleaner, and the chain and gears thanked me! Schwalbe Marathon 37 mm are perfect in my opinion. Hydraulic brakes are overrated. We came down in the rain from Norwegian passes with mechanically operated V brakes: we had a lot of braking power! Besides, hydraulics are more susceptible to failure/ malfunctions. The side stands is undoubtedly useful, but comes at a price: weight. Ortlieb bags are the way to go.Of course one must learn the art of taking only what one REALLY needs. Happy cycling to all!

You can really tell when a designer loves the types of rides they're designing a bike for. Great choices and excellent video.

‘For cheaper, buy older’ solid advice 👍

Flex of the year: “Bike designers often don’t tour themselves”

Hey! So what other touring bikes do you think are crushing it for 2020, and why? 💪🏼 (And for those who haven't found the book link in the description: bit.ly/touringbuyersguide)

I love 3x drivetrains. Their a life saver to my R. bad knee when climbing hills. And i hate it when other You Tubers talk badly about them.

Thank you for this video! I hope to start touring next spring!

Awesome breakdown! Thank you.

Nice to hear a clear, succinct rundown on these great bikes. The market is so saturated and the lines are really getting blurry with addition of “gravel” bikes. Great video and presentation.

It's really useful to get to know some bikes I haven't heard of before. Great video, thanks.

thanks for the gear inches!!! Great video.

I am in awe of the amount of information and knowledge this content creator is dishing out. Thank you

So good this video! Really really interesting and informative ! I have a Kona Splice and I intend to start touring with it this year as soon as the lockdown ends

As an east German, growing up with Diamant bikes, I am giddy to see one featured, here. The funky handlebar is a tribute to the old handlebars, and yes, it's awful 😅

Bloody brilliant review and just what I needed, many thanks 😁 👍

Thank you for all that great information.Ian just starting out in touring.

Thanks for this 👍

Awesome video! I appreciate the time and effort you put into your research.

Great list Alee, some really interesting brands I hadn't heard of. I can attest to the DB Haanjo being a great bike; it's served me well on a couple of extended tours. Doesn't stop me from lusting after some of these other bikes though :)

This is great. Somebody talking sense about bikes. Fantastic!

You know your bikes and specs 🤓 I am absolutely in love with my Santos 2.9 (and their other models too) Everything is highly customizable. They are a Dutch brand as well as Koga and in my opinion they both make superb touring bicycles. But the prices are well.... just as steep as climbing that hill in your video 🤪 Have a great day! ❤️

late to the party and 1st view of amazing, detailed, and simple no-nonsense human reviews.

Love my Giramondo 27.5. I ditched the aggressive tires for some Panaracer Gravel King slicks as I ride mostly paved roads. Just a fun and capable bike that is very comfortable. Very impressed by the mix of components, they are very well chosen and work as a coherent whole.

thanks great info from your experience 🤙

Nice video with a great pace of the commentary ... I would request you to kindly share your views about the Bergamont RD 7 please.

Great clear video. Thanks.

It doesn't really matter what bike you ride. It's important why you ride. My wife and I rode from Europe to Australia on budget non-touring bikes, which cost 350 euros each .. And we were happy!

Hi, thanks for the video. My personnel choice was the Fahrradmanufaktur tx400. Perfect for crossing Europe from west to east. Equiped with Shimano XT transmission, and Magura hydraulic brakes.

IMO, the Santos Travelmaster is a very well-engineered and thought-out tourer.

A lot of hard work thank you

I tour on a Thorn Nomad with a Rohloff drivetrain (chain, not belt); Schmidt SON dynamo lighting and USB charging and XT rim brakes on CSS hardened rims. Apart from the absence of a kickstand, it's a lovely setup. Thanks for your video. Lots to enjoy. Safe travels.

I’ve had my eyes on the Kona Sutra for awhile but the idea of a kickstand is enticing. Thanks for giving me food for thought. Currently riding a cheap entry-level Motobecane Turino. I’ve already had to replace the disc brakes in first 3yrs.

I just wanted to say, and hope you see this, that based on this video I ended up buying a Vivente Deccan (the drop bar model). So far I've put about 1700km on it and it has been great. :)

Excellent presentation, sir! Not a word wasted.

The Simplon Inissimo shown on the right at 1:59 is a beauty!!! I'd love to have it!

Awesome review! Thank you! Any thoughts on the Trek Checkpoint? Ryan Van Duzer rode across the US last year. No major modifications that I am aware of.

Almost half a million view fir this video in less than a year ! Congrats mate ! I really like your videos.

I love my Cannondale Topstone 105 alloy. I realize the drive train might not be beefy enough for crossing a continent, but given that half my riding is on pavement, I love the efficiency.

Nicely done. Ty

Well done, mate!

Awesome content man, are those prices Aud ?

Best touring bike is .... the one u got and have memories with :)

If you really want to build a custom bike, the Soma Wolverine frame can run anything from a single speed up to a Rohloff hub with a belt drive (my preference). It also handles 700c tires up to 47cm with fenders.

Another great vid!! Ive done a few local trips local "Scotland" on my Trek 920 2019 like it so far and love getting the racks off and buzz around my local woods. Sadly 2weeks today would be the start of our 10 day trip to Georgia "Russia" on my Ritchey Commando with its 29+ tyres and Jones bars.

Great job

REI Co-Op ADV 1.1 (AKA Novara Randone). Fit is very important, so being able to try a bike before purchasing should be a key criteria. But in the US, few shops carry touring bikes. REI seems to be the exception. So that's what I picked, and have ridden cross country 2 1/2 times. Comfortable, stable and strong.

Thanks for the great video. Very helpful for a touring beginner. I'm in the uk. Any thoughts on the new mk3 Thorn nomad?? Thank you 🖒

I love your videos... watching you two across different nations has just been some of the most enjoyable videos I've ever watched especially the one with Iran totally shot me with how misunderstood the Iranian people and Landscape are yes the government's crazy but we now know there's some of the most hospitable people in the world thumbs up keep traveling and your tutorial videos are amongst the best I just upgraded my old man trike it's a sun trike actually with a pinion gearbox. I had to weld in my own Bridge but I love it

Time after time I'm astonished by the quality of your content, and knowing that you do most of it all by yourself is truly magnificent. Keep it up, and hope to see you on the road someday!

I love my fuji touring, very good touring bike at great price

Excellent review and video. You have only forgotten to mention SANTOS, another Dutch brand building you from the ground another best bike called the Worldtraveller 3.

Nice review. Love my Trek 520. Thanks for the video. Take care and stay safe, Al

That diamondback haanjo exp looks amazing!

I bought a 2018 Kona Sutra last year. Pleased to see it on your list. 40mm Schwalbe Marathon Mondials, a nice wide flared bar, and bottle mounts on the fork tick enough gravel bike boxes to make it just the right thing for me. More than I expected and for a mere $1500 Canadian. Thanks again, really enjoying your videos.

Love your comprehensive videos. What is your view on Thorn bikes? Seen a nice Raven with a Rohloff hub. Be interested in your views.

I have a Fuji Touring series iv from the 80’s; buying older definitely works well!

Gears... you're right on the button. Wide slicks, yes. They must be super durable with "flat protection". I never buy new. Just grab excellent bikes that were new, "latest and greatest" say around 2000 days ago or so. Thanks!

I went with a Salsa Journeyman Apex 1. Origin 8 Batbars, Bontrager mudguards and lights, Racktime rack, Ergon saddle and grips. Panaracer tubeless setup and it's a dream to ride all day long.

Love this video, but where is the Tout Terrain Silkroad? Could you perhaps talk about that sometime? You are awesome!

Wish I had more money, would pick myself a nice dynamo hub cube or koga, also have to be able to afford it getting stolen aswell! Looks a great review list

My Finna Landscape steel rigid fork flexes too much when braking downhill, even with no luggage. It is scary. An interesting topic for a video, imo. Thank you for the channel!!

Stoked to see my bike on the list, even though it is the 2. cheapest option out there....:-)

Hi, What about Marin Four Corners. It seems like great value for money and it looks like a solid bike. Would you recommend it? Cheers.

Have had a Thorn Raven Tour for 10y. It's a great bike. Lowest gear I have 18 inches. Rohloff brilliant. Rear wheel very strong. Bike is heavy but tank-like. V brakes with tungsten impregnated rims. So far have done 30,000 miles. 26in wheels.

Thank for your videos, they just give me a lot ideas and wanting to travel again. Me and my partner just come back from doing the Carretera Austral and travelling Bolivia and Perù it’s was amazing. Unfortunately due to the coronavirus pandemic we had to live our bicycle behind... I found your video very interesting as we are looking to get ourselves new touring bikes. Is there any printed copy of your guide on touring bikes? Especially we are interested in the companies easy to get in the U.K. Thanks again for you video and help Inspiring

Surly Bridge Club with 2.4" Super Moto? Jepp, that's what is standing in my garage. Drop in SKS 75U fenders, a Rohloff Speedhub and a good rack and you'll have a good allrounder. I drive every day to work with it and some touring in between. Once you get used to the Speedhub you'll never want to go back to "normal" shifting...😉😎👍

great video

Awesome!!

I was going to Cycle Beijing to Hong Kong in 2020. Covid came and spoiled that. I'm watching for next year.

Alas, no love for Soma. Bought my Saga on the cheap and after the mods it has proven itself to me. Thanks for all the hard work; it's easy to salivate over some of those models!

I just bought a Disk Trucker to replace my Fargo. I enjoyed the Fargo but being 6"6' needed a larger frame. Got the Trucker in a 64cm. Wasn't on his list, hopeful I won't be disappointed.

This is perfect - it's the clearest, to the point and best bike guide I have every watched!

the trek 520 can’t get it now for a year mine was stolen and now i have to wait a year!! i appreciate your input so i can look for something else

First and foremost, as a novice to touring, I really appreciate your thorough insights. I ended up with a Fuji Touring with rim brakes and would like to get a kickstand for it. I actually went for the pletscher multi as recommended in the video, but it doesn't look like it fits largely because of the lower mounting of the rear rack that comes with the Fuji Touring. Do you have other recommendations for a 25kg+ capacity kickstand?

Video Top. What do you think about the Cube Travel sl like first Touring Bike? Thanks!!

That was a nice round up. I still think lower gears are needed. I got mine down to 16.5 inches using a combo of ultegra at the front and Deorre XT at the back. Any one of those bikes can have their gears extended with a wolf tooth and a stupidly large dinner plate on the back. I wouldn’t worry about gears as all of those would still need a mod. Comfort and wheels would be top of my list. Great round up.

Fat Recumbent Trike touring... Personally, I believe it's the ultimate touring cycle. Mine now has 11.8 to 93.5 gear inches so I can climb about ANYTHING. The amount of room I have for carrying camping gear is waaaay more room than I need. I just fell in love and 2 wheels are in the past for me now. I've started making videos with it, but only have 100 followers so far. Hopefully I can encourage others to give recumbent trikes a try.

I find the handlebars on the Diamant rather cool.

astonished the thorn sherpa wasn't mentioned!

I think the best bike is one with a personal made frame which fits on you perfectly. The parts like Schmidt Dynamo Rohloff Hub and other parts like Tubus and you got the best bike

it's very impressive how you're able to tour, make videos and answer question on all different platforms! And your content is really good as well! It would be interesting if you could get your hands on the Alfine 11 speed since they have upgraded it 2019 for e-bikes, supposedly it's stronger.

Stellar job on making this list, Alee! Would’ve loved to see the Specialized Sequoia be a part of it ;)

Thank you.

Much cheapness, 2019 kona dew, pizza rack on front cube rear rack, 40mm rise fatbar cut to 760 and tioga power studs, wtb resolute tyres is what I ride

I love Butterfly handle bars for all kinds of touring...

I picked up a Diamant 135 and love it. Those 29er tires are redic.. awesome roll over. I just monster truck right over everything.

Great information, What is your opinion of the 2021 Surly dic LHT, thinking of getting frame and doing a 1x 52 drive train if possible. Thanks Craig

Great review. Keep up the good job

awesome music!

Dear, all of the bike touring information that was conveyed was very special, and beautiful and certainly high performance, certainly nice to drive on tour, great for these bikes will be as needed and satisfying, if we have, pray that I can have the best one in the future, This information is interesting and perfect, thank you

nothing will replace my Surly LHT

Cube travel seem to be best value for money. And it's nice looking too.

I am living in Melbourne and was considering the vivente. Great to see an Australian bike has made your shortlist. So hard to find a bike that comes standard with Rack, Hub Gear, Dynamo, Fenders and Belt Drive.

thanx for the vid! was the Giant TOUGHROAD SLR GX 1 not good enough to make your list? I don't know much about these bikes, but I'm trying to learn as much as I can before I buy one. thanx! Clay D

I just got my road bike now im looking for a touring bike ✌️

Question from a newbie: when u multiply w front chainr. /divide by the rear cog what is the ring/cog that you use? The smallest / biggest? Thank u so much!

dunno much about bikes but the salsa marrakesh has me dreaming about riding in far away lands..

For those who want to convert gear inches to the more commonly used 'progression meters' in Europe: Multiply gear inches by 0.08 or divide by 12.5