Touring - Claude Butler Dalesman

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Brooky
07-13-02, 05:46 AM
I've found the following advert for a touring bike.

Advert:

Mens Touring commuter,
Claud Butler Dalesman, 23.5in Reynolds 531 DB frame, cobalt blue, Campag hubs, Shimano index gears / guards & rack, recent service, new tyres, clean & tidy, £120 ono

What do you think and what should I look out for? Do you think it would travel 2000 Kilometers?

Brooky
07-14-02, 06:52 AM
This bike is from the mid 80's and is 12 speed. Would it be expensive to upgrade it to have 18 - 21 gears and would this be ok for a long tour?

Thanks
chewa
07-15-02, 06:51 AM
The Dalesman is a good bike. I had a friend who toured all over on his.

I think it was often the choice of this or a Galaxy and Claud Butler were often seen as more exclusive.

major thing is if it fits, is the frame straight, any fork damage (look for crinkled paint etc.)

Just because its a 12 speed doesn't mean it can't tour, I tour on a 10 speed, albeit I swap chainrings to lower the ratios.

if it's ok it's one you could keep forever. 531 gives a nice ride.

I don't think the Shimano indexed stuff will be original and the Campag hubs almost certainly aren't, so it looks like someone has spent some money/ expended some care on it.

chewa
07-15-02, 06:55 AM
You would have to change the crankset, BB and maybe front changer to go to triple. Likely to cost as much as the bike, unless you can get the bits 2nd hand.

You might get away with changing te block to bigger cogs (lower ratios) depending on your rear mech capacity, or swap chainrings for smaller again to lower the ratios.

The original Dalesman's had pretty wide ratio gears.