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This year we’ve seen many new additions to the off-road adventure touring category such as a pair of Salsas, a Bombtrack and a Marin – prompting my new list with all of the options. Now the 2016 Giant ToughRoad wants to play!
These aluminium-framed flat bar touring bikes are spec’d in two different options, both at highly competitive price points. The ToughRoad is essentially a mountain bike with a rigid carbon fork, a high handlebar and provision for front and rear racks. The 29×2.0 tyres and wide gear range should be able to conquer most dirt roads, heck, the bike would probably dominate a smooth road with some slick tyres too.
The 2016 Giant Toughroad Offroad Touring Bikes
The top model, the 2016 Giant Toughroad SLR1 comes with front and rear racks installed, a SRAM 20 speed drivetrain with a wide-range cassette (11-36), a composite fork, carbon seatpost and a 29er mountain bike wheelset. The retail price is US $1299.
The 2016 Giant Toughroad SLR2 shares the same frame, fork and wheelset as the top model, but comes with a lower quality Shimano 27 speed drivetrain (with an even wider range of gears, however!) and an aluminium seatpost. US $870 will get you rolling dirt roads on one of these.
If you love your dirt road adventures and you’re on a budget, check out the Giant website for more information. If you like this style of bike but are after more options, check out my list of off-road adventure touring bikes.
Want To Compare These Touring Bikes With Dozens of Others?
Check out The Touring Bicycle Buyer’s Guide which compares touring bike steering, sizing, gear ratios, specification, pricing and more. The Bikepacking Bike Buyer’s Guide does the same thing, however, with a focus on lighter bikes and models with more off-road capability. Both of these guides are updated annually with the latest models at no extra cost!
Helpful Resources
All About Touring Bike Brakes
Frame Materials for Bicycle Touring
How to Select Touring Bike Gearing
Understand Bicycle Frame Geometry
What’s the Difference between Cyclocross and Touring Bikes?
Touring & Bikepacking Bike Overview
2016 Advocate Lorax
2018 All City Gorilla Monsoon
2016 Basso Ulisse
2016 Bianchi Volpe and Lupo 2016
2016 Bombtrack Beyond
2017 Bombtrack Beyond
2018 Bombtrack Beyond
2018 Bombtrack Arise Tour
2019 Bombtrack Beyond
2016 Brodie Elan Vital
2016 Cannondale Touring
2019 Cannondale Topstone
2020 Cannondale Topstone
2016 Cinelli Hobootleg Geo
2018 Co-Op ADV 4.2
2017 Curve Grovel V2
2017 Diamondback Haanjo EXP Carbon
2016 Fuji Touring
2017 Fuji Touring
2018 Fuji Touring
2018 Fuji Touring Disc
2016 Genesis Tour de Fer
2016 Giant ToughRoad
2017 Giant ToughRoad
2018 Giant ToughRoad and ToughRoad GX
2016 Jamis Aurora and Aurora Elite
2019 Jones Plus SWB
2020 KOGA WorldTraveller-S
2016 Kona Big Rove
2016 Kona Roadhouse and Sutra LTD
2016 Kona Sutra
2017 Kona Sutra
2018 Kona Sutra
2018 Kona Sutra LTD
2019 Kona Sutra and Sutra LTD
2020 Kona Sutra and Sutra LTD
2020 Kona Unit X
2016 Marin Four Corners
2017 Marin Four Corners
2018 Marin Four Corners
2016 Masi Giramondo
2018 Masi Giramondo
2016 Niner RLT9
2016 Rawland Ulv and Ravn
2016 Salsa Deadwood
2017 Salsa Fargo
2018 Salsa Fargo Ti Frameset
2018 Salsa Journeyman
2016 Salsa Marrakesh
2017 Salsa Marrakesh
2018 Salsa Marrakesh
2020 Salsa Marrakesh
2017 Salsa Vaya
2019 Salsa Warbird
2016 Specialized AWOL
2017 Specialized AWOL
2017 Specialized Diverge
2018 Specialized Diverge
2019 Specialized Diverge
2017 Specialized Sequoia
2018 Specialized Sequoia
2019 Specialized Sequoia
2018 Surly Bridge Club
2017 Surly Troll
2016 Traitor Wander
2019 Trek 520
2016 Trek 920, 720, 520 & CrossRip
2017 Trek CrossRip
2018 Trek 920
2018 Trek 1120
Re: the Giant Tough Road SLR.
I just spent a few days riding forever up and then a wee bit down or so it seemed 🙂 the hills of Northern Laos – Nong Khiaw to Udom Xai to Luang Namtha to Huay Xai. Whilst the bike I bought as a light 29 er tourer overall performed well to my expectations on the mostly smooth asphalt roads with reasonably good climbing gear ratios, extremely light/agile to handle, and braked well down some serious sharply curved descents there is a problem with cracking around the area where the front racks screw into the composite front fork. Luckily I was able to unload the front panniers and pick them up back in Huay Xai. The weights were well below the recommended 7.5 kg each side. I have it back at the bike shop in Australia now and will see what Giant have to say – its only a few months old. Would be a shame if it’s not just a one off thing as the bike is a great fit and choice for me as a 68 year old credit card tourer 🙂 The all up weight 12 kg with racks is also a plus at airports as well.
Thanks for the review, Rick! Keep us up to date with what Giant do with your fork. 🙂
I have a new fork 🙂 replaced free of charge by Giant – a wee bit slow although the bike shop maybe was a bit at fault also. I’ve been away 2 months on my MTB in Vanuatu anyway so no bother.
bought it last year , like the bike in general , totally dislike the seat post locking mechanism
I agree. A real pain to access. But the D-Fuse seatpost system works really well!