advice on this bike
 

https://www.donedeal.ie/bicycles-for...--%5BviewAd%5D

Folks advice please im seriously thinking of buying this bike mainly for touring.
i would only be using rear panniers and barbag,
any thoughts greatly appreciated.

anto

From the photos I can't tell if there are rack mounts.

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Ant, it's most likely mid quality components, 8 speed, that's OK. I've used a similar mtn bike for all around use and some touring for over a decade and it works well. This doesn't appear to have rack mounts below the seat, but P clamps would work fine.
Putting on trekking bars or at least bad ends gives more positions, but really the issue is still out fit you well. Bar changes and stem can help with that at little expense.
One thing to consider is how the fork feels. The simple one on my bike was very good quality nearly 20 years ago and rides fine still, but some cheap forks can be really loosey goosey and too soft all the time which is very annoying. Don't know if you have suspension fork experience, so be a aware of that aspect. Alivio range shifters can be OK, but you'll have to ride it to see how it shifts and the general condition.
My rockhopper handles well with a rear load, but of course I can't speak for this bike, it won't feel like your thorn that's for sure but at a hundred quid it still may be a competent bike.
Mtn bike cranks work well for touring, on road sometimes I wish the mid ring was larger a bit, but all in all they work well for touring with a load.

Thanks lads,i asked had it braze ons for rear rack he said yes.
as long as the frame and wheels are ok i could probably change every thing else over time.

Lads i'll keep hunting on dondeal. What other mountain bike should i be looking for im no expert on mountain bikes .there's any amount of mountain bike for sale on donedeal but what's best.

Sorry, no expert but eyelets and reasonable components, not low end, I imagine are the main factors. I don't know enough about frames and whatnot but I imagine as a general rule avoid bikes that were fairly cheap when new as the frames and headsets and wheels are going to be low end.
As per usual, look at dimensions you know that worked for you, top tube especially, more so for a wee leprechaun ;-)

:roflmao2:yeah im that small i'de near enough pass for one lol.why the hell did i ever sell my sherpa i must be in line for geek of the year ,ah well live and learn.
i have all the gear foe touring quality stuff just ain't got a feckin bike.

early Mountain bike before they had to redesign for suspension forks are good ..

though Rigid suspension corrected forks work as a replacement because they dont drop the head tube angle.

Which is essentially what the Thorn Bike forks are why not just get another Thorn? a Raven This time.

Are you serious Bob i haven't the cross of Christ.

anto, As long as it has provisions for mounting a rear rack, your're good to go. My mountain bike has a light duty rear rack from Blackburn and is good for 20 lb. (9 kg) and has supported more a couple of times. I used a top bag rather than a handle bar bag, just a minor difference from your plans.

Brad

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=511249

Brad thanks for that i seen a trek much like your but it was to big pity i liked it.
Brad take a look at this one please i think it might be better
https://www.donedeal.ie/adview/view/11873738

Pictures are a poor way for me to judge which is better, sorry. May come down to which fits you best.

Brad

Koga Signature .. Or Tout Terrain .

ah guy sounds a bit dodgy im gonna give it a miss i'll keep looking thanks Brad

Bob i could not afford either one to be totally honest .

Let's start with what the bike isn't...which applies to all mountain bikes. The bike isn't a good bike for someone who is 5' tall. Mountain bikes are sized so that the frame is 2" to 3" shorter than what you would ride as a road frame. If you ride a 49cm road bike and are around 5'4" tall, this would be an okay bike for you as a mountain bike. If you are 5' tall, the bike wouldn't be the proper mountain bike nor would it be the proper "road" bike. The top tube is proportioned for someone who has a reach of a 5'4" person. You might be able to straddle the bike...although the bottom bracket is taller on a mountain bike as well...but the handlebars are going to feel like they are about a mile away. It might even be worse since mountain bikes tend to have longer top tubes than many road bikes. This is due to the need to center the rider differently over the bike for optimal off-road performance.

A modern mountain bike isn't a great platform for making a touring bike, either. Early (mid to late 1980s) mountain bikes were very long with very slack angles which made them okay for touring as long as the bike was properly sized. But around 1990, the mountain bike started to undergo a necessary evolution so that they would perform better off-road. The slack angles worked very well for stability while going downhill but the bikes experienced horrible wheel flop during climbs. It required a lot of skill to climb anything steep at a slow speed on a early mountain bike as the bike tended to wander a lot on climbs. Around 1990, the manufacturers steepened the head angle significantly which resulted in less wheel flop...and almost too much responsiveness on downhills:eek:. They also shortened the chainstays so that the wheel was further up under the rider to give them more traction on climbs and a more centered rider position. But while short chainstays are great for off-road performance, they made the rear of the bike less pannier friendly.

As a mountain bike, this bike would be on the low end of a "good" modern mountain bike. It's a better mountain bike then anything I owned in the 1980's...and for which I paid a premium. If it were the right size, it might even be a good mountain bike for off-road touring...with some changes like replacing the lousy pogo stick fork a better air/oil shock. But if you are looking for a bike to covert to road touring, keep looking. There are much better bikes out there.

Cheers Stuart your advice is always appreciated you know your bikes for sure. i'll keep hunting.seems it's easy enough to pick up a fair good mountain bike but no so a touring bike which in the end is what i'm really after.

Ant, if you have frame dimensions that you know work for you, note them down and compare them yourself with a measuring tape to any potential used bikes. Stem changes can adjust a certain amount but at least go with what you know works for you comfortably on the road. Good luck

in that case, enter different search terms on that website.
try touring bicycle, trekking bicycle, hybrid bicycle

https://www.donedeal.ie/bicycles-for...cycle/11629143

https://www.donedeal.ie/bicycles-for...-bike/11777346

Cheers lads:thumb: