I’m planning my first long biketouring adventure (to the North Cape) and I’d love to use the bike I already have, a Gazelle Torrente, instead of spending big bucks on a gravel bike or such. It’s a trekking bike but not sure how suitable it is for a big trip like this?
Are there any modifications you would suggest to make it more suitable for bikepacking/-touring/whateveryoucallit? As a newbie, I’d be happy to hear from more experienced riders.
Since I know nothing about bikes, please explain to me like I’m 5 (thanks).
by wherewonderwaits
5 Comments
those frames flex a lot. i recommend you triangle shaped frames. other than that it looks good. i would not spend any money to buy a new bike .
How many water cage mounts does it have? You might need to attach stem bags to carry extra water/ food. Also a front basket/rack will help in with carrying capacity. If you’re comfortable with this bike then it should serve as a starting point for touring to see what aspects of it work and don’t work for your needs as they come up. I’d also suggest upgrading to puncture resistant tires if it doesn’t have them, like schwalbe marathons.
It ha perfect brakes, nice option to attach panniers lower, easy to get onto when loaded and enough gears for mountains – thats the kind of bike me and my mates look for for our tour lmao
Well, it’s not the bike I would choose, but it will probably do. What I would look at:
Gear ratio: What’s your biggest cog in back, and your smallest in front? You definitely do not want the one in front to be bigger, and preferably it would only be like 2/3 the size of the one in back (like, my smallest in front is 22, the biggest in back 32). There are different ways to change this, depends on details about the bike.
Would be handy if you could get a water bottle cage mounted. There are a number of ways to active that.
Looks like the pannier is connected to the mudguard? Looks sleek, but is likely to break, you might discuss with a bike mechanic what to do in that case.
If you’re camping you might want racks for front panniers, can’t tell if it would be easy to fix those, but, again, there are ways…
Yes fit Schwalbe Marathon Greenguard ( not Marathon Plus). You can use some hose clamps to install extra water bottles.
A pair of rear waterproof Ortlieb panniers; front basket, spare tube/s ( u need to be able fix a flat), good quality pump, chain lube. The bike looks like its got the right gearing 4 touring. Just get it serviced before you head off on ur adventure. Maybe if it needs a new cassette & chain u could get a large cassette ( std 11-34t & got to 11-40 or 11-42t)).