Gear Talk

If you are brand new to the world of touring and wondering on what gear to get, here is a compiled list of our favourite items.

Advice #1: Break your bike and gear down by systems that work together—kitchen system, bike tool system, rain gear system, clothing system. For example, Keen biking sandals. Combine these sandals with socks or booties for wet, cold weather riding. Along with a lightweight camp-shoe, these two pieces of footwear are all you need.

Advice #2: Long before your trip begins, take all your bike gear on 1 or 2 night trips. Make a list of what works for you, what doesn't, what food you like to eat, adequate clothing, sleeping arrangements, bike tools, practise changing flats, etc.

Suggested Kit
Item Suggested Kit Img Link
Bicycle

Surly Long-Haul Trucker

Strong, reliable, simple. The CroMoly frame won't bend under loads. The braze-ons (frame attachment holes) are all in proper places to add front/rear racks, three cages for water bottles and a front light. Drop-handlebars - the three difference positions for your hands is nice on long rides to avoid stiffness. 		Surly
Saddle

Brooks Saddle

These are the top saddles for long-distance touring. Brooks is an all-leather saddle that forms to your sit-bones over time. The break-in period is important - we took about 4 months with ours before touring on it everyday. There is a lot of info online about these saddles. Here is a good article on different saddle options. I suggest a cheap/lightweight plastic grocery bag to protect it from thieves and rain when parked. Makes the bike look less expensive and thus less desirable for thieves.		 Brooks England
Pedals

Shimano A530 SPD Pedals

Flip-pedals. Clip-in on one side, or, use the flat side with street shoes. Very handy when jumping on the bike to make a run down the street to a store/restaurant/pub and only wearing non-clip shoes. After a bit of practise and learning the feel of the pedal, it became easy to flip back-and-forth. Only have to be careful not to strip the bearings when removing the pedal or installing them - if you are flying/training/bussing and using a bike box, usually you have to take off the pedals for the bike to fit. I suggest planning a stop at a bike shop who might even put the pedals back on for free. Or carry a pedal wrench (sucks having to carry one though) - or post it back home.		 Schwalbe Marathon Plus
Panniers

Ortlieb Panniers

Indestructible. Good in rain, snow, sleet, dust, mud. Simple top roll entry. Easy release handle for quickly removing gear from bike. 		Ortlieb
Rack (front)

Tubus Tara Front Lowrider Rack

Simple design. Strong to hold over-loaded front panniers.		 Touring Store
Rack (rear)

Tubus Cargo Evo Rear Bicycle Rack

So many different styles. We went with this rack and it performed well. Still going strong.		 Touring Store
Charger

Anker 20100mAh

Gave my phone x2 extra chargers. Can re-charge front/rear usb lights or a usb headlamp. Replaced the need to carry multiple batteries.		 Amazon
Multi-Tool

Crankbrothers M17 Multi-Tool

Has everything you need for a field repair. MEC or a local bike shop will sometimes hold free bike-tune-up clinics. Bring this tool along to learn how to use its many functions.		 MEC
Pedal Wrench

Pedal Wrench

If you are flying to your starting destination, your bike will have to be broken down - pedals removed - to fit in a box for travel. The problem is putting the pedals back on and then carrying a tool you only used once. The best solution is take your bike to a local bike shop and ask them to put the pedals back on. But if not possible, here is a cheap wrench. Make sure it fits your pedals.		 Amazon
Helmet

MET Idolo Helmet - Unisex

 Here is my current helmet. I prefer one that has lots of vents and a dial adjuster to easily fit it snug on my head. Yellow for visibility. MEC
Pump

Filzer Mini-Roadie

Mine is still going strong after 20k km of touring. Inline pressure gauge is a great feature.		 MEC
Shoes

Keen Commuter Cycling Shoe

Perfect for touring. Has embedded SPD clips for the pedals. The cleats are recessed don't stick out too much so it is possible to walk normally - good for pit-stops during the day. For cold mornings, wear socks underneath. For rain, wear booties overtop. I've had the same pair for 20,000 km of touring and still going strong.		 Keen
Camp-shoes

Unshoe Pah Tempe 2.0

After wearing cycling shoes all day, it is nice to change into something else in the evening around camp. These shoe-sandals take up little space as they lie flat together. They are lightweight but still sturdy enough to go hiking in. I have the Pah Tempe no toe-strap for the socks/booties combo if it is raining or there is snow on the ground. Easy sandals to throw on for a middle-of-the-night pee break.		 Unshoe
Booties

MEC Cloudburst Shoe Covers

For cold mornings and rainy rides. Fits over the bike shoe and socks.		 MEC
Socks

Swiftwick Aspire

If going with the Keen bike sandals, then only one pair of socks is needed. They are nice to have on for cold morning riding or around camp when the sun sets. These swiftwicks are liner-socks. Super small pack-size, tight-fit, mid-calve or knee-height options available.		 Swiftwick
Pants

MEC Hydrofoil Pants

Pants?! Because... it might snow; might rain; might have a frosty morning; might be setting up camp long after the sun has gone down; might want pants on for that one fancy dinner; or maybe you don't wish to do grocery shopping in a skimpy pair of spandex. A pair of slip on/off rain pants are worth it. These particular pants from MEC can fit over the biking shoes - easily removable after the morning chill has worn off. They are a loose-fit, so biking shorts and/or thermals can be worn under as well.		 MEC
Thermal Underwear

Merino Wool Base Layer

Another option for if/when the weather turns cold. If it was a clear, cold morning start, I'd wear my base layer over my bike shorts until the sun came up, then peel off layers. If it was raining/snowing, wear them under the rain pants. In the evenings, after removing bike shorts and shirt and after a river or lake shower, the thermals would go on. Merino wool is a type of wool that won't smell like wet-dog after getting wet. Amazing stuff. Expensive, but a good investment. The 200 Lightweight type packs small and is good enough for Canadian summers (winter is a different story).		 Icebreaker

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