Touring - What modern bike is "equivalent" to my old Dawes Galaxy?

Hi there. I've not owned many bikes and don't know a great deal about them. But I like riding them. My favourite was an old Dawes Galaxy that I got second hand. It only lasted two years before a fatal frame failure, but it was great to use until then.

Finding another good second-hand older bike is proving impossible and I've spent far too long waiting. I am very reluctant to purchase a new bike considering how many old ones are out there going unused, but I'm wondering what sort of new or newer bike would be equivalent to my old Galaxy, in terms of "performance". Like, how easy it is to ride, I suppose, and how durable and so forth.

Has there been much/any progress, really, or, as I suspect, are 20-30 year old bikes basically just as good and one doesn't notice anything very impressive about a modern ride?

I want something for intercity touring and some cycle camping. I can afford anything, pretty much, but am frugal and take care what I spend my money on. My Dawes was only £70, such a bargain. What kind of things could I be looking at which would serve me just as well?

I know this is a broad question - thanks for any suggestions.

rtciv, A very broad answer... Your Galaxy would possibly be considered a rando/sport touring bike these days. In the last 20 years touring bikes have evolved into loaded tourers capable of expedition level weight carrying capability. Perhaps the most benefit has been in the choice of drive trains, a 3X7, 3X8 or 3X9 with ~20-~100 gear inches seems to suit most riders.

Brad

the new TI bike made by Spa cycles in he uk is supposed to be based on the galaxy, but it cost more than 70 quid. im not being a smart ass here but if your hoping to pick up a fairly modern bike that preforms as good as an old galaxy for little or nothing your living in dreamland.mind you i wish you luck and if you find one please let me know about it.

Are you looking in the UK or USA?

Keep looking for a vintage Galaxy or perhaps purchase a new one (http://www.dawescycles.com/p-20-galaxy.aspx)? Bob Jackson (http://www.bobjacksoncycles.co.uk/product_info.php?cPath=28&products_id=43), Mercian (http://www.merciancycles.co.uk/complete-bikes/47/king-of-mercia-complete-bikes) and several other companies are still building very similar bikes, but they won't be in the £70 range...

Aaron :)

It looks a lot like a Raleigh Port Townsend, or a Jamis Aurora.

http://www.raleighusa.com/bikes/steel-road/port-townsend-12/ ( Double crank )
http://jamisbikes.com/usa/thebikes/road/aurora/12_aurora.html ( Triple crank )

If you want a slightly more aggressive bike the Raleigh Clubman might be worth a look. I have one of those and I really like it. ( Double crank )
http://www.raleighusa.com/bikes/steel-road/clubman-12/

Good luck in you search,
--Phil

Thanks for the replies so far.

Ultimately, am I looking at roughly £1000 whatever happens? I'm not used to spending that kind of money on bikes :/

My last purchase was a fantastic old racer for £50, perfect condition, haven't had to do a thing to it in two years.

take a look at the thorn forum bikes for sale you might be lucky and pick up a gem or the ctc site again not a bad place to hunt for a quality bike. what size are you after.donedael.ie also good for bikes..

You can still buy a Dawes Galaxy. Just google for it, loads of retailers available. Still excellent bikes, too. But yes, they are upwards of £1000.

Since you are talking sterling, I guess you are in the UK? If so, picking up used touring bikes of that quality for £200 - £300 isn't unusual, keep looking at eBay. And places like the Edinburgh Bike Co-op sell a decent new tourer for about £500, though it isn't quite in the Galaxy class. Finally, you could try somewhere like Recyke Y Bike in Newcastle, or the Bike Station in Edinburgh. Both have websites. They do up unwanted bikes and sell them cheap. Some good stuff.

Ditto... Bob Jackson if you want more of a classic-looking frameset or Thorn for one of their modern expedition, go-anywhere bikes.

Thanks for the suggestions. Yes, I'm in the UK - and I'm looking for a 23-24" frame, I think. My Dawes was 24", as is my current road bike. I'm only 6ft but have slightly longer legs as a proportion of my total height, and I guess I'm used to large frames now.

I found a PERFECT Galaxy for sale on the CTC forums, only £200, close to where I live - ideal. But it had sold a few days ago :D
I'll keep my eyes open.