questions about Dawes bikes, downtube shifters, and steel types
 

Hi all,

I'm looking at getting a tourer. Was very satisfied with my old Dawes Galaxy (before some rat-bastard junkie stole it). I'd love to get the dream bike (one of the Dawes Galaxy series), but am not sure if it's sensible to plunk out that much money on a new toy. I hope that over the next few months I'll find my dream bike 2nd hand like my last one.


1. Quality of Dawes?2. Different types of steel?3. Downtube shifter conversion.4. Is this bike worth it? (edit: considering the ad's a month old I think it's already gone, will find out in a bit)
Many thanks for your thoughts,
-Nicodemus

The Dawes Galaxy now uses 631 for its frame and 531 for the forks. Absolutely nothing wrong with that in my opinion and you are perfectly safe opting for this model. I've owned a Super Galaxy and have worked on many different Dawes machines and the current Galaxy maintains the usual standard of a benchmark tourer.

It would be wrong to assume that 853 is "better". It's different in that it is a lighter grade than 531 and 63, but all good custom frame builders will use a mixture of grades when they build a frame to suit the particular purpose of the frame.

As for down-tube shifters and the possibility for conversion, this is possible but it costs as it means new flat bars, new brakes for flat bars and bar-ends. I've just converted a Dawes Galaxy this way for a friend and he's well pleased with it as he could never be comfy with drops. I've given a link to show how this looks.http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b3...e/PICT0384.jpg

Cost: Try Spa Cycles at http://www.spacycles.co.uk/. They are a great touring shop and sell discounted Galaxies. Well recommended.

The Horizon represents good value for money. The frame is not 631 but is aluminum. Solid enough though and the components are of slightly lower quality, but the bike has earned plaudits. I've worked on a few and for the price they're fine.

I did reply to this in earlier thread Nic but I think you must have missed it. Good luck in your search and I hope you find something suitable.

My bike has barend shifters routed from drop bars through downtube bosses, so I assume a) I could revert to d/t's just by shortening the cable and heck duct-taping the b-e levers to the d/t, worst case, or, more sanely, using new d/t levers, and conversely that b) going from d/t back out to the bar end would just require longer cables. Changing bars along w/ shifters would be more complicated, definitely.

Ah, you can get the bar-end plugs and mount the down tube shifters on the bars...it's totally easy.

I really like this bike.

http://www.dawescycles.com/dawes/galaxy.htm

Now, I'm not against buying a used bike, but I'd shop around for a new one first. Depending on how much you spend to upgrade/fix an older bike, a shiney new one is sometimes the cheaper way to go.

Can you tell me how you would do this?

The bike in your link is the standard Dawes Galaxy.

Yeah, I know this! I like the standard Galaxy a lot... it already had bar end shifters on it....and a new headset, bottom bracket, deraliers, cables and housing ect....It's a great bike.

If Nicodemus buys a used bike, with D/T shifters, he could get the bar plugs, new cables and housing and convert to bar end shifting. Here's a link to the hardware needed to do the job.

http://www.rivbike.com/webalog/shifters_derailleurs/

In the end, I'd look closely at just buying a new Galaxy because it's a darn nice bike and may be cheaper an upgrading/fixing a used one.

Wow, that setup you done there is sexy suweeet! Funnily though, I wasn't considering going flats, not for a tourer. Was just considering converting the shifters to bar-ends on drops. I've had a browse, and it seems this is not a big issue.

The Horizon I found was an older one - steel. I'm sure it's gone anyway, but now I'm miffed that I didn't look a month ago considering it's gone for under 100 Eur.

Sorry about that (was it even one I started? :o)


You all seem to be echoing my instincts soundly already. A good old Galaxy is the deal for me. I'll upgrade a few bits and bobs and that model comes with barend shifters already which is the ticket for me. I also plan to take the plunge into the Brooks life. This is gonna be my new baby :D

Evans as well seems quite big and they have sales on 2006 and even 2005 models apparently. My plan is to check them out when I finish work in July. As with Spa cycles. Is it me or are all the best big touring cycle shops in the North?

I'll be trolling 2nd hand shops and sites for a few months and probably end up plunking for a good deal new Galaxy this summer. I can't wait!!

Cheers all, looking forward to giving the touring life another good hack :beer:

The 853 Galaxy was reviewed by Cycling plus magazine in November 2004:
http://www.cyclingplus.co.uk/Biketestdetails.asp?id=701

Evans does not win much approval with cyclists for their service despite their having the franchise for the CTC shop at the moment. Spa, on the other hand, are regarded as the tops by tourers and have good deals and service. If you have any problems with your Brooks, PM me.

Cheers for the heads up. I admit I was a tad skeptical of the slightly "bucket shop" style of the site. When I get to buying a new one, I'll take my time and make sure I get the best service. It's a shame I won't be able to make much use of any free servicing (due to my mobile nature), but at least I want good service when I buy.

Thanks for the review, clayface. That's a pretty good one.

__

Holy carp! That 2nd hand Horizon is still available! For that cheap, I'll be happy to get that and use as a "training" tourer this summer. I'll be off this weekend to check it out, hopefully it won't be too small for me. It's a 53cm frame, I think those models a 55cm frame would be better for me - I hope it works out, not shabby for 75 Euros, eh?

I think that at one time the Horizon was built with Reynolds 520. If this has such a frame amd components are sound, you have a lot of bike there for €75.

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