Touring - Dawes Galaxy - can you tell me how old it is?

Hi Everyone,

This is me unashamedly joining the forum to seek some advice. Eternal gratitude will be forthcoming.

A couple of years ago I bought a second hand Dawes Galaxy, Reynolds 531, 21 speed. It was beautiful and I fell in love with cycling as a consquence. I then moved on to lighter/newer bikes and I'm now thinking about selling this one (although it will break my heart, I am planning a 6 month CA travelling trip in a couple months time and need all the funds I can get).

So, how do I go about telling how old it is ? I don't have any of the details from when I bought it, I can't even remember how much I paid. Would a picture be any good?

Thanks so much for help.

Pictures are good, but 21 speeds would put into the mid to late 1980's unless someone upgraded an earlier frame.

I have a Galaxy, mine is from around 1976.

Aaron :)

http://inlinethumb40.webshots.com/14119/2846235950066886751S600x600Q85.jpg

As a reference point, the road bike I bought in 1988 had a 7 speed freewheel. The mountain bike I bought in 1989 had a 7 speed cassette, and by 1990 or '91 8 speed cassettes were the norm.

Further reference points: straight drop derailleurs and friction shifting were the norm until about 1986, in 1987 or so index shifting was starting to become the norm.

My advice: keep the Dawes and take it with you on your trip.

is there a serial number stamped in the bottom of the BB?
If yes, ask Dawes when they made the bike.

is there a serial number stamped in the bottom of the BB?
If yes, ask Dawes when they made the bike.

Dawes no longer has that information. There was a plant fire years ago and the records were lost. There are a few of us that have Dawes of varying ages, but no real serial number pattern has been established.

Aaron :)

Thanks guys. I'll try and get a photo up tonight.
I wish I could take it with me! But I'm flying to Central America (from the UK) and don't think I'll be able to take it with me. Even if I don't sell it it'd be good to know a little more about it. I think it could certainly do a service at least.

Okay guys, finally got some photos sorted.Any clues? Thanks in advance

190064

190065

190066

190067

190068

The graphics "look like 1980s to me. The concealed brake cables started to show up in the mid/late '80s, although this could be an upgrade to an earlier bike. Is the rear hub cassette (1986/87 and later) or freewheel (pre-1988 or so)?

Some serial numbers start with the year of manufacture.

My money is still on 1985-89.

Thanks for the help. I'll check out the hub tonight.

What kind of price should I try and sell it for?