galaxylord

Hej hej,

I've just started planning a 3 month ride through Eastern Europe, and am really struggling to find a decent touring bike here in Southern Sweden. No one seems to stock the models I am looking for (Fuji Touring, Trek 520), ideally I would want to Fuji as it suits my budget a lot more. Many desperate emails to a range of dealers in Sweden, Denmark, and Germany have yielded little results.

Does anyone else have any experience with purchasing bikes in Europe? I was originally going to purchase back in Australia, and ship it over - but I didn't because I had high hopes that they're would be plenty of tourers over here!

Any advice would be greatly (super-greatly) appreciated,

Cheers,
Dan

bailout

Instead of looking for specific models have you asked local dealers what touring bikes they sell? I have never seen or heard of Fuji bikes here in the UK and I haven't heard anyone on the UK boards talk about the Trek 520 so I don't think that is widely available or popular. Most people in the UK who wanted an traditional 700 wheeled racing style tourer would go for Dawes, Mercian etc and I suspect that in Sweden people probably prefer 26" wheeled MTB style tourers which I think are the most popular type in Europe. I am sure you will be able to find a good touring bike there but you will probably have to go for a different make and possibly style than you are expecting.

If you have a budget and describe what features you want people might be able to suggest European brands that you could look for.

ShacklerViking

Its very difficult to find the bike you are looking for in this area, especially in Scandinavia. Its a visa versa thing..If i go to for-example America i will not find 26" touring bikes.

I do not know where you are in Sweden, but Cyclecomponents.com is Sweden`s biggest cycling web store and they have a office north of the big lake Vanern, where they store their bikes i dont know. I do know they are the only Surly dealer in Sweden and Norway. So they might can have a Surly-long haul trucker for you.

Cyclecomponents AB,
Dagvindsgatan 10,
652 21 KARLSTAD,
Telefon: 054-688 690,
www.cyclecomponents.com

The other option is to do it the Scandinavian way/European way. Buy a offroad with 26" wheels. But you also have to find racks to put on it. And racks for touring is not exactly what all shops have in this area.

Other than that most serious stores should have some kind of hybrid option, but this models are often poor equipped. As well you have to find racks for that one.

Complete touring bikes is hard to find up here..

Black Shuck

The only touring bike to be had for a reasnoable price, that i've found in Sweden, is the Surly LHT from cyclecomponents.com. Might seem expensive compared to the US price.

ShacklerViking

By the way

I am sure you find something, you just have to spend a little time asking around where you are..

galaxylord

First, thanks for all the help. Really appreciated.

Unfortunately the Surly is slightly out of my price range (though it could be streeeeetched, it does seem well equipped!). That said, I've found a Nishiki Continental CC which seems a possibility, or am I dreaming I can tour Europe on something like that? I'm planning on a 3 month adventure, with a mix of camping/hostelling…

I'm still fairly new to touring, (and 'serious' biking in general), but would like your advice on the bike in question (translation courtesy of google):

Crank-gear Shimano 48/38/28
Crank 175mm.
Suntour gears
Bakväxel with three pulleys.
6 blades bak 30-13.
Dia comp cantileverbromsar
Mavica MA3 edge wire rims, 36 spokes
Tires 622/28mm
Randonneurstyre.

Thanks!

*Actually the more I look at Mr.Surly the more I like the look of his chop. And the comfort of knowing it'll last the distance (yes?) is comforting...

crawdaddio

Surly LHT all the way, if you can afford it. Yes, it will last the distance.
Otherwise, you can buy online, ship to you, and have a local mechanic (bike shop) assemble it for you. (Recommended, unless you are a good mechanic).

Black Shuck

Yhe Nishiki sounds like a late 80's to mid 90's bike, would probably need a full service but would probably manage the tour nicely after that and a set of new tires, is it your size and very affordable? Also, check out Warm Showers, a network by and for cycle tourers, offering at least a warm shower and often accomodations and help for free/cheap :-)

galaxylord

Thought on this:
https://www.blocket.se/vi/20462717.htm?ca=23_11_s

or this?
https://www.blocket.se/vi/20482528.htm?ca=14_s

I understand the size issue, but there seems to be a few of these bikes around Sweden. Shame the LHT from cycle-components doesn't come with any guards - seems totally insane…

Black Shuck

The first one is newer and had better racks, both look to be in good condition. Do you know how to work on bikes, or do you know a good mechanic? I'd go for the first one if it is your size or near enough and you can change chain and cassette and have the hubs and spokes adjusted properly. Nishikis are tough bikes, but can be heavy(so is the LHT).

The RSX shifters on the newer bike are known to be reliable, flush them out with some WD40 and give them some light lube if they feel mushy. Replace with bar-end shifters(cheapest) for reliability if/when they give up. The largest cog on the rear cassette is only 28t and I'd change up to a 30 at least, if the derailleur will accomodate it.

Cave

Can't speak about Scandinavia, but Germany is full of touring bikes. They tend to be more the hybrid style than road style or MTB style.

Alternatively, if you are looking at bikes priced in Euros, have a look at some UK bikes like Orbit, Edinburgh cycles, Thorn, Orange, Dawes, Roberts. The £ is cactus at the moment, you deduct 17.5% VAT, and you might find something more your style if you want a roadie-style touring bike.

galaxylord

Thanks for all the help thus far! You guys are great.

The Nishiki (95ish model) with RSX gear is around 650US? Is that a reasonable price? I really don't have any idea as there doesn't seem to be much info online - and was hoping someone more knowledgeable could help out a enthusiastic newbie…

https://www.blocket.se/vi/20462717.htm?ca=23_11_s

Cheers,
Dan

hernick

Both Nishikis seem like very nice touring bikes. The newer Nishiki seems like a good prize in part because of those wonderful-looking racks. Older brifters can be unreliable and break suddenly, so it might be a good idea to carry a spare shifter when touring; either a bar-end shifter or (cheaper and easier to find) a cheap MTB friction shifter which you can install on the stem in case of brifter failure. A good question is, which of these two bikes fit you best? On a touring bike, comfort is very important...

becnal

My advice would be to take advantage of the exchange rate (weak Aussie dollar) at the moment and buy your bike in Australia. I was in Oz for January and couldn't believe how cheap everything was compared to the prices in Europe.

jurjan

I would find some LBS's and talk to them.
Over here in the Netherlands (like in Germany see post a bit higher up) there are a LOT of touring bikes for sale, new and used.
I can't imagine why Sweden would be much different.
Please remember you are on an US based forum, hence the hardware side tends to go towards US made stuff.
Please don't think only Surly whatevers and Fuji's and Treks are the only bikes for sale.
I've never even seen a Surly and while Trek's and I think Fuji's are being sold over here, there are a lot more options here than in the States (but remember, I live in a country seen by many as a cycling Valhalla).

joninkrakow

Another option would be to find a Kona dealer who could get you the Kona Sutra. It sells for about $1200 in the US, and I can get it in Poland for a tad more--but I could get it, which is the important part, of course. I bet you can get that in Sweden.

-Jon