Ridgeback Voyage

About the Ridgeback Voyage

The Ridgeback Voyage is a proper tourer in the classic mould - Reynolds 520 chromoly tubing, a triple chainset that'll haul you and your gear up Alpine passes, and mudguards already bolted on so you can ride straight out of the shop into a week of drizzle. It's the sort of bike that doesn't shout about itself but quietly gets on with covering distance, whether that's a loaded tour across Scotland or the daily grind through town traffic.

Steel's the star here. That Reynolds 520 frame filters out the sting of patched tarmac and cobbled climbs, turning what might be a jarring slog on aluminium into something you can sustain for eight hours without your fillings rattling loose. The ride's upright enough to let you scan junctions and enjoy the view, yet purposeful enough that you're not fighting a shopping bike when the road tilts up. Pair that with 32mm rubber and you've got a platform that forgives rough surfaces while still rolling cleanly on smooth stuff.

Out of the crate you get full-length mudguards - proper ones, not clip-on afterthoughts - and a rear rack rated for panniers. That's the Voyage's pitch in a nutshell: practicality baked in, no need to hunt down compatible fittings or wonder if your heel will clip the bag. It's ready for a fortnight's kit or a week's shopping, and the geometry's been drawn to keep things stable when the weight goes on.

Ridgeback Voyage geometry

Ridgeback haven't published every angle and millimetre for the current frame, but the design language is clear: long wheelbase, relaxed head angle, generous chainstays. Translation? You sit in the bike rather than perched on top of it, and the front end tracks predictably through corners even when the panniers are full. There's no twitchiness here - steer it where you want to go and it obliges without drama.

The upright cockpit puts less weight on your wrists, which matters when you're six hours into a ride and your hands are still speaking to you. Reach is moderate across the size run, so you're not stretched out like a time-triallist but you're not bolt upright either. It's a posture that works for commuting (good sightlines, easy breathing) and for touring (sustainable power, room to shift around when your sit bones start complaining).

Clearance maxes out at 35mm, which gives you options: stick with the stock 32s for mixed surfaces, or fit something chunkier if you're planning bridleways and canal paths. The frame's heel clearance around the rear triangle is generous enough that standard panniers won't foul your pedal stroke, a detail that sounds trivial until you've spent a day kicking your luggage.

Component choices & upgrades

The stock build is honest and fit for purpose. Shimano Sora levers give you integrated shifting and braking, the Acera rear mech handles the wide-range cassette without fuss, and that 48-36-26T triple paired with an 11-34 cassette delivers a bottom gear low enough to winch you up 20% gradients with a fortnight's camping kit strapped on. It's not exotic, but it works - and when you're three days into a tour, reliability trumps grams every time.

Tektro's RX6 Mini-V brakes are a step up from old-school cantilevers: more power, less finger effort, easier to set up. They'll scrub speed on descents and lock the wheel if you need to, though they won't match the all-weather bite or modulation of hydraulic discs. If you're planning long Alpine descents or riding year-round in the wet, that's the one area where an upgrade - swapping to a disc-equipped frame - would transform the experience. For most touring and commuting, though, they're adequate.

The Kenda Kwest tyres roll well and last, but if you want more cushion or puncture protection, a set of Schwalbe Marathons or Continental Contact Plus rubber will add compliance and peace of mind without much weight penalty. The saddle's a personal thing - some riders find the stock perch comfortable, others swap it after the first long ride. Budget for a Brooks or a modern gel saddle if you're sensitive.

Pedals come with toe clips, which is fine for touring (you want secure foot placement when grinding uphill) but you might prefer flats with proper pins for commuting, or SPDs if you're used to clipless. The Jalco rims are sturdy enough for loaded use; if you're planning truly rough tracks or expedition mileage, hand-built wheels with brass nipples and 36 spokes would be bombproof, but that's overkill for most riders.

Where the Ridgeback Voyage excels

This bike's built for one thing above all: covering distance with luggage. Load it with panniers, a bar bag, and a tent, point it at the horizon, and it'll churn through the miles without complaint. The steel frame keeps you comfortable over broken tarmac and gravel tracks, the gearing means you'll never walk a hill, and the stable handling inspires confidence when the bike's laden and the road's narrow.

It's equally at home as a commuter. Mudguards keep your trousers clean, the rack swallows a week's groceries or a laptop bag, and the upright position makes filtering through traffic straightforward. You're not racing, but you're not dawdling either - it's brisk enough for a 10-mile each-way commute without feeling like hard work.

Audax and long leisure rides suit it well. The comfort and gearing let you tackle 200km days on varied terrain, and the practicality means you can carry spares, layers, and lunch without resorting to a rucksack. It's not a race bike - the weight and relaxed geometry see to that - so if your weekends are about chasing club-run averages or smashing Strava segments, you'll want something lighter and stiffer. Likewise, if you're planning singletrack or technical off-road, this isn't the tool; it's a road tourer with light gravel capability, not a mountain bike.

The rim brakes are the limiting factor on long, steep descents. They work, but your hands will tire before discs would, and wet rims mean longer stopping distances. If your routes involve serious mountain passes or you ride through winter, that's worth weighing up.

Ridgeback Voyage FAQs

What is the best touring bike for long distances?
There's no single answer - it depends on your budget, terrain, and how much you're carrying - but a good long-distance tourer needs a comfortable frame (steel's ideal), wide-range gearing, and mounts for racks and bottles. The Voyage ticks those boxes and adds practicality with included mudguards and rack, making it a strong contender if you want something ready to ride without a long shopping list. For expedition-level durability or custom geometry, bikes like the Thorn Sherpa or a Surly Long Haul Trucker step up, but they cost more.

Is a steel frame better for touring bikes?
Steel's the traditional choice for good reason: it absorbs vibration better than aluminium, it's repairable almost anywhere if you crack a tube, and it's strong enough to carry heavy loads without feeling harsh. Reynolds 520 chromoly - what the Voyage uses - offers a sweet spot of comfort, durability, and weight. Carbon and titanium can be lighter or more exotic, but for loaded touring where comfort and practicality matter more than grams, steel's hard to beat.

What are the advantages of 32mm tyres for touring?
Thirty-two millimetres gives you enough air volume to smooth out rough tarmac and light gravel without the rolling resistance penalty of full-on knobbly rubber. You get better puncture protection than narrower road tyres, more grip on loose or wet surfaces, and the ability to drop pressure a bit for comfort on long days. They're a practical middle ground: fast enough on tarmac, capable enough on tracks, and wide enough to keep you comfortable when the road's seen better days.

How does the Ridgeback Voyage compare to other touring bikes?
The Voyage sits in the accessible end of the touring market - steel frame, reliable components, practical features included. It's less expensive than expedition-focused machines like the Thorn Sherpa (which offers tougher wheels and custom builds) and more traditional than modern gravel-tourers. Compared to peers like the Genesis Tour de Fer or Kona Sutra, it's similarly specced but often better value, though those bikes may offer disc brake options. If you want a no-fuss tourer that works out of the box, the Voyage delivers without asking you to remortgage.

Can the Ridgeback Voyage be used for commuting?
Absolutely. The mudguards and rack are already fitted, the upright position gives you good visibility in traffic, and the gearing handles urban hills without drama. It's heavier than a dedicated city bike, but that weight brings stability and durability - this'll shrug off potholes and kerb hops that would rattle a lightweight commuter. If your commute's hilly, wet, or involves carrying stuff, the Voyage is a solid choice that'll do double duty at weekends.

What is the maximum tyre clearance on the Ridgeback Voyage?
The frame and fork will take up to 700×35mm tyres, which gives you room to fit something chunkier than the stock 32s if you're planning rougher tracks or want maximum comfort. That's enough for light gravel and bridleways but not full knobbly mountain bike rubber - this is still a road-oriented tourer at heart.

Are Tektro Mini-V brakes good for touring?
They're a decent middle ground: more power and easier setup than traditional cantilevers, and they work well for general touring and commuting. You'll get reliable stopping in the dry and adequate performance in the wet, though they don't match the all-weather bite or low-effort modulation of hydraulic discs. If your tours involve long Alpine descents or you ride through winter, discs would be better, but for most UK touring and day rides, Mini-Vs do the job without fuss.

What kind of gearing is suitable for loaded touring?
You want a low gear that lets you spin up steep climbs without grinding to a halt when the bike's heavy. The Voyage's 26×34T bottom gear is low enough to tackle 20% gradients with panniers, tent, and supplies - most riders will never run out of gears. The triple chainset gives you plenty of range for flat cruising and descents too, so you're covered whether you're spinning along a canal path or hauling up a mountain pass.