Touring - Purchasing my touring bike

Ok guys i've looking at bikes on the net now for a good few hours and i am no closer to deciding which one would be most suitable for me. So i thought why not seek advice from people who know what they are talking about. Thats u guys :)

Ok so this is the first touring bike but ive done quite a bit of cycling on my normal road bike. In the summer im cycling south into france with tents sleeping bags etc and plan to return about a month later. So i need a loaded touring bike, now from looking on the net there are a few bikes which stood out to me; trek 520, cannondale T2000, fuji touring and the Bruce Gordon BLT. Now money isnt too much of an issue as long as it isnt silly money (ie $2000+) but there are a few factors which concern me. The main one is availability, i live in Holland and so im a bit concered about whether i will be able to get the bike, ideally i need it ASAP but i plan to leave in about 2 months so havnig it by then is a bit neccessary. Also im quite a tall guy (6'3) so this might affect my decision.

Anyway any advice you could give me would be very much appreciated.

Thank

George

http://www.sjscycles.com/thornbrochure.asp

http://www.orbit-cycles.co.uk/

Originally posted by GeorgeYianni
...The main one is availability, i live in Holland ...

George

George,

Although the bikes you listed are decent touring bikes, I think they're mostly available in USA. Check your local bike shops (LBS) for what they have on the floor or what they can order from their regular suppliers.

Also consider that some of the features readily available on European touring bikes might be quite useful, such as fenders, bells, lights.

All German cycle tourists I've seen here in California seem to have very nice, waterproof panniers. Most of what is available here are water resistant but not waterproof.

Jim

try www.dawescycles.com, I'm thinking of getting one from them, they seem to do the cheapest ones available with good value, thety appear better than what Orbit have to offer.

My understanding is that Dawes have yet again gone bust.

No doubt someone will pick up the name and product, but 'new' orders are not possible, but a number of companies have old stock


If you want a touring bike look to Thorn/SJSC and Orbit both do world wide mail order.

It would appear Thorn have the better frames and orbit have the cheaper bikes, however both are very good

Haven't heard anything about Dawes going bust their MTB's are getting very good reviews at the moment, but it wouldn't surprise me. Their tourers have quite a following.

Richard

I concur with my fellow UK members re sjs cycles etc.

Also see Edinburgh bikes (http://www.edinburgh-bicycle.co.uk)

Netherlands are one hour and less than 50 euro's away from Edinburgh. Might be worth the trip.

Particularly this one, which one of my friends has and is very happy with. Country (http://www.edinburgh-bicycle.co.uk/catalogue/detail.cfm?ID=9943)

Or for your budget you could go the custom frame route