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An extraordinary trip calls for an extraordinary bike...
Dear Traveler,
Back in the summer of 1979 I set off on a bike ride around the western U.S. I returned home after 5,000 miles of riding with a healthy appreciation for my bike, a trusty 10-speed touring machine that I always relied on to go the distance, no matter what. Out of my experience, the inspiration for Backroads—and our legendary bike fleet—was born.
As we head into our 33rd year, I'm excited to offer you even more options for an unparalleled experience on two wheels. Joining our custom titanium bikes are the top-of-the-line Specialized S-Works Roubaix and women's Ruby Pro, as well as the Co-Motion Torpedo tandem.
The key to a stellar day's ride is a bike that's perfectly in tune with your cycling style...and we have you covered with the best bike fleet in the world.
Happy travels,
Tom Hale
Founder and President
P.S. Our trip consultants are here 7 days a week from 7 am to 5 pm Pacific time to answer any questions about bikes and to help you select the perfect trip. Just give us a call at 800-462-2848. | |
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| The Right Bike For You
We've gone the extra mile to ensure the right frame and materials are best for each rider and condition. For tandems we believe that two people on one bike calls for the flex and strength that only a hand-built cro-moly steel frame can provide. For our main fleet we match a carbon fiber fork with a lightweight titanium frame to give our guests a smooth and solid ride without feeling every "nuance" of the road. For our more performance, race-oriented guests, we go for all carbon fiber on the Specialized bikes to allow them to accelerate in a quick sprint to the village sign or really put it in the corner while on a descent. |
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Backroads Titanium Road Bike - Included in your trip price
There's a reason our core bike fleet is titanium. We believe—and our guests concur—that our customized titanium bike is ideal for most of our riders and most of the conditions they encounter while traveling on our trips. Though we have tried, we have never found an off-the shelf bike that has met our criteria for what the majority of our guests want, a comfortable and a care-free ride on their vacation. Unlike other companies where customization is limited to a decal, every inch of our custom titanium road bike—from fork to frame, seat to spoke—has been meticulously spec'd for Backroads trip conditions. Our road bike features a titanium frame, a triple chainring, a road-dampening carbon fiber fork, an ergonomic saddle, the right tires for the terrain and an adjustable handlebar stem to fine-tune your ride position. An extraordinary bike trip calls for an extraordinary bike; and our guests love our bikes for the overall comfort and stable handling, and many wish they could buy one to ride at home. So saddle up and get set to experience the ride of your life.
This bike is available with dropped handlebars (below) or with upright handlebars. Opt for flat pedals, toe clips or bring your own. View full bike sizes/geometry and bike specifications. See the titanium mountain bike.
"I never had the pleasure to ride a titanium bike before this trip and it was wonderful. It was so lightweight and the carbon fork had great suspension. I was in heaven."
~ Lori Malinak, La Mesa CA
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Specialized S-Works Roubaix
For our guests who ride a high-end, race-ready bike at home and prefer the nimble handling of an $8,000+ pro-level bike, we now have the perfect solution for you: the absolute top-of-the-line 2012 S-Works Roubaix, three-time winner of Paris-Roubaix. While other companies may tout their top-of-the-line bike, ours actually is—and the best wheel set is already included. This feather-light carbon bike features the legendary Shimano Dura-Ace drive train and brakes, as well as the top of line DT Swiss Tricon wheel set. As you'd expect, we provide a range of saddle sizes and stems to accommodate you. View full bike sizes/geometry, bike specifications and custom fit information. ($400 rental fee)
Please note: The Roubaix is available upon request beginning in 2012 on bike trips in Europe, North America and Hawaii that are on fully paved roads. Book early! Limited availability in some cases. Bikes reserved within 45 days of departure may incur an additional shipping charge.
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Specialized Ruby Pro
The Women's 2012 Specialized Ruby Pro is far from being a watered-down version of the Roubaix bike. It's a top-of-the-line, light, agile speed machine that's precisely designed for women who want the most performance a bike can deliver. From the customized tubing and geometry to the upgraded DT Swiss Tricon wheel set and the vibration-dampening carbon fork with Zertz inserts, every detail on this bike is engineered to improve fit, efficiency, and confidence. Women-specific components include short-reach brake levers, anatomically contoured Body Geometry saddles, and all-new handlebars designed with a short reach and shallow drop. View full bike sizes/geometry, bike specifications and custom fit information. ($400 rental fee)
Please note: The Ruby is available upon request beginning in 2012 on bike trips in Europe, North America and Hawaii that are on fully paved roads. Book early! Limited availability in some cases. Bikes reserved within 45 days of departure may incur an additional shipping charge.
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Co-Motion Torpedo Tandem
Do you prefer to spin in tandem with your partner or with your kids? You'll love the 2012 Co-Motion Periscope Torpedo tandem on your next Backroads trip. This hand-built frame features Co-Motion's custom designed cro-moly steel tubeset, powerful Avid disc brakes, Shimano Ultegra drive train, and custom, upgraded wheel set. The Periscope stoker seatpost accommodates a wide range of heights. Suggested for riders with some tandem experience and on trips with flatter terrain. Due to the tandem size, frequent racking is not realistic, so there may be fewer opportunities to hop in the van. View full bike sizes/geometry and bike specifications. ($500 rental fee)
Please note: The Tandem is available upon request beginning in 2012 on bike trips in Europe, North America and Hawaii that are on fully paved roads. Book early! Limited availability in some cases. Bikes reserved within 45 days of departure may incur an additional shipping charge.
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GUEST QUOTE
"Over the last 30+ years, I've taken 96 biking trips all over the world. Anyone can print a brochure or put up a website promising a great active
travel experience. Only Backroads delivers
exceptional performance—not just promises—every time."
Richard Seltzer
Wynnewood, PA
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CALL 800-462-2848 or your travel agent to reserve your trip. Open daily from 7 am to 5 pm, PT.
All contents and photography © 2011 Backroads | 801 Cedar Street, Berkeley, CA, 94710 | 800-462-2848
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