Touring - Buying a new touring bike !

Next month I should be comming in to some money and I want to get a high quality bike that will last me years and years.
Ive been riding around my country of residence in an old converted mountain bike but would like to get something a bit better for bigger challenges.

My budget is around £1000 ($2000), can anyone give me suggestions as to manufacturers or models to look out for? UK based would be a bonus so I would be able to check out the bike before purchase.

Thanks very much for any help,

Matt

Here you go ... http://www.thorncycles.co.uk/index.html

hallo matt check out the thorn bikes i have the sherpa it's a great bike cant fault it. but have a look at thorn's website talk to people on the forum lot's of good advice there best of luck

King of Mercia

http://www.merciancycles.com/frame_images/IMG_2083_large.jpg

I personally would get a surly LHT in olive green with brooks bar tape and a honey b17 and spend the rest of the money on nice paniers and camping gear.

I personally would get a surly LHT in olive green with brooks bar tape and a honey b17 and spend the rest of the money on nice paniers and camping gear.

I second that, although I am biased as an lht owner. I would get a schmidt generator hub built for the front with an iq fly led light. Getting stuck in the middle of nowhere in the dark is not fun. With the rest of that budget you could pick up some tubus racks and ortlieb panniers, and handlebar bag and some other stuff. That would be a pretty awesome touring set up.

Assuming you are in the UK, you might want to consider buying your bike from the States given the great exchange rate..... get a new bike and a nice holiday. Might be worth a gamble.

Other than that, I like the King of Mercia, but what about a Roberts? Or a Dawes Galaxy and be able to get all the gear as well with the money left over. I know Thorn bikes are supposed to be good as well, but I personally can't get over the headset stack needed.

I too will be coming into a little extra cash next month by way of a bonus at work. A green Surly LHT 52cm will be on order the day the deposit hits. I will probably just jump on it and ride it a while before deciding on racks, panniers, etc.

Enjoy your new bike.

If I were in the UK, I'd definitely go for a Mercian for road use -- either KOM for touring, or their Audax bike for light tours. Thorn if you do offroad or really, really need 26" wheels.