Cycle touring is becoming increasingly popular with backpackers, gravel explorers, and long-distance adventurers. It’s one of the best ways to get across a country and not be bogged down by walking solely on foot. But what things are cycle tourers becoming obsessed with in 2026? Let’s take a look.
All Road and Gravel Bikes
Top of the list has to be all road and gravel bikes. Riders are becoming more obsessed with frames that have more tyre clearance and dropper posts compatibility, even when riding in relatively flat areas. Many new models are catering to this interest, including the Focus Atlas and the Kona Rove. These are blending off-road and on-road speed and comfort while offering a trekker style visual aesthetic and package.
E-bikes for Assisted Touring
At the same time, e-bikes are becoming the go-to method for assisted touring. These are offering riders more range and bigger adventures, allowing them to go to places that would be exhausting to get to otherwise. Electric bikes replace the need for gondolas or transport buses to get up to difficult-to-reach high locations. It makes longer and hillier trips more feasible, with many campsites now offering specific charging stations for people with electric bikes looking to refill batteries.
Interestingly, due to the design of e-bikes, they still provide many people with a reasonable amount of exercise. E-bikes require pedaling to activate the onboard electric motor, as long as they are following the regulations. Because of this, many people using e-bikes report that they get just as much of a workout or even more because they’re having so much fun.
Vertical Bike Racks
Most bike racks that fit on the back of vehicles place the bikes horizontally, but the vertical bike rack is a big upgrade. It allows for more bikes to be placed neatly next to each other on the back of a van or a regular car.
Taking bikes off a conventional horizontal bike rack is difficult and requires a lot of strength. But on a vertical bike rack, they can be balanced on their rear wheel while being removed via the handlebars. This makes them easier to steer and reduces the energy required to start the ride.
You can also place more bikes on a vertical bike rack. Many allow placement of at least four, which is ideal if you’re going on a tour with other people.
Ultra Light Upgrades
Cyclists, or so-called “weight weenies,” have been obsessed with ultra-light upgrades for their bikes and equipment for decades. But new technology is making this even more compelling. In 2026, many cyclists are upgrading to better electronics and using things like solar or USB charging. They’re also lightening up their clothing layers while maintaining warmth and breathability. For some, action cams are becoming miniaturized, making the overhead of filming even less, allowing them to make new memories every time they go on a tour.
Wider Tires and Tubeless Setups
Currently, tire setup is one of the most controversial topics regarding cycle tours. Cyclists are still trying to work out which type of tire is the best for their particular adventure. Wider tires, for example, can be run at lower pressure and offer more comfort. They also reduce the risk of flats, especially pinch flats, because PSI can be lower. On the downside, though, is that wider tires create more rolling resistance and this is particularly problematic when the tire deforms under load. Touring cyclists have to expend more energy to go the same distance.
The alternative is to run thinner, higher pressure tires, but these also come with a downside – a bigger risk of flats and pinch flats. Many riders running thinner tires while touring find that they have to stop every maybe a couple of times a day to fix flats that they have experienced on the way.
The alleged solution to this is tubeless setups. This is where there is no inner tube at all, and instead punctures and tire damage gets fixed by a plasticated compound which is pre-sprayed inside the tire via the valve port. The downside of tubeless setups is that they tend to weigh more, but they can be more reliable, allowing riders to get the best of both worlds – the ability to cycle faster without having to worry about tire damage or flats.
Sustainable and Personalized Routes
Another interesting development in bike touring holidays is the advent of more sustainable and personalized routing using AI and climate awareness. The idea is to use artificial intelligence to create custom itineraries that allow riders to find off-the-beaten-track path discoveries while also respecting nature and the environment. These tools mean that it’s possible now to connect more routes together and there’s no need to download them online or try to build them organically from the map. Riders plan around changing climates and they can do things like avoid heatwaves or extreme changes in temperature. The goal is to have more meaningful and respectful adventures.
Community Riding
Cycle tourers are also obsessed with community riding right now. Going out with other people is becoming a real social outlet and has been lacking significantly in recent years.
Some of these meet-ups are informal and happen on online forums or as part of cycle clubs, while others are formal and are often based around racing events. The purpose of community riding though isn’t just to be competitive; it’s also about sharing routes and building skills. Becoming a successful bike packer is something that takes most people many years and it requires a lot of refinements and understanding of how it actually works.
Lightweight and Durable Gear Innovations
Finally, riders are becoming more obsessed with lightweight and durable gear innovations. Many of them are now using modular packs and cargo cages to keep their equipment dry and safe while riding around. This is particularly important since the advent of filming electronics and bringing cameras on tours.
So, are you a cycle tourer? And are you obsessed with any of these items for your next tour?