rtciv

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.