Hi.
I think the answer to my question is no. I just picked up a Dawes Fox yesterday from a local bike shop. When I say picked up I have not paid for it yet. I really want to ride across France in the summer and do some stealth camping so the bike will be quite laden with a pannier on the back (but not the front). Now I've read that you need a lot of gears for touring (for hills and such). I've read that the Dawes Galaxy would be one to go for.
The Dawes Fox rides very well and has been totally stripped and looks nice. It's £140 but I suppose a similar condition Galaxy would be £300.
Would you say the Dawes Fox is a non starter for what I want it for? The guy has said he could make it into a 10 gear but everything is all original and I don't like changing original stuff. I think I am going to go back into the shop to day and back out and keep on looking for a tourer for around £150.