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Going to be doing a few tours this year including LEJOG.
I'm building myself a Surly LHT but my two companions are in the market for their own touring bikes.
I think they want to buy complete rather than build up and they're looking around the £500 mark.
Any good deals out there? Or any suggestions from experience?
cheers
They may struggle to buy new for £500 tbh.
I'd be looking second hand or a Dawes Vantage? http://www.winstanleysbikes.co.uk/product/29471/Dawes_Vantage_Bike_2010
Mate has a dawes horizon which for the money is superb. I have a hewitt cheviot se.
Go retro,
I bought the tourer of the "My Dads Claude Buttler" thread for £110
New conti GP4Seasons (700x32) - £35 off here
SKS chromoplastics (in white) ~£40
Swaped wheels as I had some other stronger wheels and wanted the screw on hub for an SS project - free
Charge Bar tape (white) - £5
New cables inner and outer - £15
New brake pads - £8
Fresh grease in all bearings and moving parts - pittance
Topeak alloy pannier rack - free from my shed
Ortlieb panniers x 4 (s/h used for one LEJOG by another STW'er) - £110
Even if it had turned out to be a complete Dog needing a respray etc I'd still be quids in over something comparable and new!
Worth a look at the Ribble Winter/Audax bikes. With something like Tiagra they are about £630. Just depends on how much gear you want to load. If they are only planning on rack with panniers and rack pack then this bike should be ideal.
I'd be willing to sell my kona sutra 2005 for that sort of money if you're interested
Plum
Dont forget to busdget for panniers, Good ones are wotth theri weight in gold IME, they survive crashes, things don't fall out, theyre waterproof, they go on and off easily etc etc.
I've used an uncle John and a kaffenback for light touring (b&b's not camping) both good bikes.
Dont forget to busdget for panniers, Good ones are wotth theri weight in gold IME, they survive crashes, things don't fall out, theyre waterproof, they go on and off easily etc etc.
+1 and I would recommend ortlieb
Unless you're in a hurry 26" is fine for touring.
I fitted some semi slicks together with rack and panniers to a steel Kona. With P2's and riser bars it's seen me through a few multi day tours and I still have the option of detouring along any off road that I fancy.
Don't tell the fashion police but stubbie bar ends on low risers make for a comfortable all day ride too.
I'm with RUSHER4. Just use a nice comfy MTB and stick some decent hard wearing slicks on it. I've spent a year touring on an old Lava Dome and it was perfect in every way. It also meant when things got a bit tricky (we were in South America) you could stick on some nobblies and you were laughing
oh and spares for 26inch wheels seem to be easier to find
Another roadified MTB tourer here.
I've got a Raleigh Royal and I'm happy with it. I think its available for about £400 or so (I got mine second hand for less). It does have some cheap components on it, but they can be replaced when they wear out. And it is fairly heavy, but that doesn't really matter if its loaded up with luggage anyway.
Or the Edinburgh Bikes Revolution Country tourer? It doesn't seem to be listed on their I website right now, but I think it's about £500.
Or have a look at Spa Cycles, they currently have Dawes tourers with big discounts: http://www.spacycles.co.uk/products.php?plid=m1b0s21p0
Thanks very much for all the replies folks. I'll direct the lads to this page.
I converted an old steel Marin into a tourer but that's what I'm breaking up for the LHT. Was comfy as hell.
http://www.on-one.co.uk/i/q/FTOO26INMIX/on-one-bred-mixer-inbred-frameset-bundle £200,
Reckon you could do brakes, Drive and wheels for £300.
i rode around the indian himilayas on an on one 456 with pannier racks and some scwalbe marathons on it. (i also used low riser and stubby bar ends and was very comfortable)
would recommend this set up.