Touring - first time buyer/starting out

I am relatively young, 18, and over the past year I have developed an interest for cycling, particularly over long distances. So far these have only been day long expeditions, now how ever, as the summer beckons I would like to cycle over numerous days with camping equipment, etc.

Until now I have been cycling on an old, mountain bike. While this was sufficient for my past journeys, I now feel it is inadequate.

I am planning on purchasing a touring bicycle and would like some help. I am looking for a touring bike suited to someone who is starting out. My budget is about £500 (around $900). I have found it difficult to locate websites that have a comprehensive list of these bicycles, many seem to have just one or two manufacturers listed.

If anyone has any advice for me, or dealer websites i may find useful (especially United Kingdom dealers) or manufacturer/model suggestions I would be extremely grateful.

SoLi.

After further research, the bicycles that appear to suit my need are the Dawes Horizon or Saracen Skyline.

If anyone has any experience with these bikes, or has any comments/advice, or even the details of a good UK dealer for them, I would be extremely grateful.

Thx.

I don't know anything about those brands of bikes but I like the Skyline better because of the Reynolds frame. I don't like Alloy frames especially for tour bikes.
I find it neat that Euro bikes come with fenders and a chainguard. Are the racks included too?

Greetings SoLi, welcome to the forums. There are many knowledgable members from the UK who can direct you to reputable bike shops in your area, and they frequent this forum, so check back from time to time.

You might try these folks too: http://www.cyclingplus.co.uk/forum/default.asp

The Dawes tourers are generally better than Saracens, but both need too have their assembly and wheel-build checked by a good mechanic to make them tour-worthy. Check out Thorn at sjscycles.com. Also the back pages of the cyclists touring club magazine are good for quality used bikes.
There are plenty of specialist touring bike shops in the uk. Where are you.

Thank you all for your advice.

crawdaddy: yes i believe the racks are included. Doesn't the Dawes have a Reynolds frame also?

michaelw: heh yeah a lot of ppl have been telling me magazines are my best bet, i'll have to grab one. I'm in Chelmsford, Essex :) I'll take a look at that website. Thank you.

http://www.awcycles.co.uk/products.php?plid=m1b47s21p3576
http://www.awcycles.co.uk/products.php?plid=m1b47s21p1889

It seems the 2003 is Chromoly and the2004 is Alloy

And dont forget Orbit

thx for your help everyone.

does anyone have any comments on the Dawes Galaxy, it seems a lot better than the Horizon and i have found a dealer with it for about £540.

thx for your help everyone.

does anyone have any comments on the Dawes Galaxy, it seems a lot better than the Horizon and i have found a dealer with it for about £540.

Sounds like a great deal! Plus it has LUGS!!!! :love:

a few more things :)

1) the website im going to order it from, bikesheduk.com, is a mailorder sort of thing. is it likely to come made? the website doesnt give any indication either way.

2) also what size frame should i be looking to get? the available sizes are 51cm, 54cm, 57cm, 60cm, 63cm (i think) and i'm rather short at 5 foot 4 inches.

thx :)

Welcome to the Forums!

If you plan to do longer tours on the bike, fitting it in a "real" store might be a good idea. Your height alone is not sufficient to determine what frame size will fit you. I would also like to be able to test ride it for a couple of kms. And, of course, fitting / testing a bike in a real store, then ordering it from a web site is CHEATING :D.

Seriously, that kind of service will help you find a good bike, so you should be prepared to pay a bit more for it.

--J

Dawes Galaxy is the benchmark (UK) touring bike, by which all others are judged. It is popular with serious tourers and good value, but its not particularly good for smaller sizes.
Be warned. It can be difficult getting a small bike to fit. Most small size bikes are on the long size, and you can find yourself too stretched out.
You not only need a small frame with a small horizontal reach, you also need proportionately small components, such as handlebars, cranks
For typical touring, your back should be roughly at 45 degrees, with plenty of relaxed flex in your elbows.
Orbit are generally better proportioned in smaller sizes, and have a sound reputation. Their wheel-build is much stronger than Dawes.
If you don't know what size to get, then you really should go to a bike shop.
Do check out Orbit cycles, they are a top company, small, but perfectly formed.
http://www.orbit-cycles.co.uk/index.shtml

Dawes Galaxy is the benchmark (UK) touring bike, by which all others are judged.[/url]
Maybe in the UK. But Bruce Gordon Bicycles is how all touring bikes should be judged :D


http://www.bgcycles.com/