Touring - Quick bike purchase advice needed

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maximum01
11-26-05, 05:36 AM
Hi all,

I'm on the verge of purchasing a light touring bike/commuter and having lost an ebay auction on a Thorn bicycle I've since been offered the bike on a second change offer. This is the bike that I bid up to £420 for:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7197290623

Meantime I've been considering alternatives, like The Ridgback Horizon at £499:

http://www.comptoncycles.co.uk/products.php?plid=m1b0s21p299

In terms of quality and value for money, which bike should I go for? Will the Thorn represent good value for money even though it has some older components like bar end shifters?

Cheers in advance

chipcom
11-26-05, 07:29 AM
Hi all,

I'm on the verge of purchasing a light touring bike/commuter and having lost an ebay auction on a Thorn bicycle I've since been offered the bike on a second change offer. This is the bike that I bid up to £420 for:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7197290623

Meantime I've been considering alternatives, like The Ridgback Horizon at £499:

http://www.comptoncycles.co.uk/products.php?plid=m1b0s21p299

In terms of quality and value for money, which bike should I go for? Will the Thorn represent good value for money even though it has some older components like bar end shifters?

Cheers in advance


Personally, I think the Thorn is a much better value. Bar ends are not 'older', indeed to many they are preferred over indexed shifters for a touring bike. That particular Thorn doesn't have the ability for front low-riders and the cassette looks to be geared a bit high for a touring bike, but the same applies to the Ridgeback. Thorns are great bicycles and SJS has a very good reputation.
MichaelW
11-26-05, 08:33 AM
Ditto