Agonising over which touring bike to buy for 1k solo tour

[SteveThomas]

Hey, any advice in regards to which touring bikes to be looking at for <£1,200 would be greatly appreciated - long story short, I bought a new Surly LHT last year and couldn't get on with it, fantastic looking bike, I just didn't like the 'long wheel base' geometry and handling. Anyway, I sold it and lost a stupid amount of money, I now want to find myself another bike. I've done my research and have shortlisted it down to 3 bikes: Kona Sutra, Specialised AWOL, Cinelli Hobootleg. I'm leaning towards the Kona Sutra as I believe the frame is shorter than the Surly, it also comes with a Brooks Saddle and f+r steel racks (which cost me an extra £300 on the Surly). So far I am finding the ability to test ride these bikes a little tricky as retailers don't seem to have touring bikes in stock, they all seem to be special order, which is very annoying! So any opinion on these specific bikes, or suggestions for other bikes to look at would be very helpful. Thanks in advance!

 

[mjr]

Of those, I'd be leaning towards the Kona too, but I know notheeeng. I would look and see if Thorn or Spa do anything suitable, too - Thorn at SJS is probably most likely, but it's a bit of a drag from Essex for a test ride (although Somerset is a lovely part of the country and it's within cycling range of Cheddar Gorge if you've never ridden that...)

 

[biggs682]

@SteveThomas have a look at the Stanforth range of bikes

http://www.stanforthbikes.co.uk/

 

[SteveThomas]

Of those, I'd be leaning towards the Kona too, but I know notheeeng. I would look and see if Thorn or Spa do anything suitable, too - Thorn at SJS is probably most likely, but it's a bit of a drag from Essex for a test ride (although Somerset is a lovely part of the country and it's within cycling range of Cheddar Gorge if you've never ridden that...)

Thanks Mjray, the Thorn and Spa look very interesting and they're 'on budget' so not a bad shout. The Thorn Sherpa sounds like it means business, so I will definitely look in to that. Cheddar Gorge looks awesome for the many elevations, I think I would be knackered tackling that!

 

[SteveThomas]

@SteveThomas have a look at the Stanforth range of bikes

http://www.stanforthbikes.co.uk/

Thanks for that Biggs682, I just took a look at the Stanforth site, these look like pro touring and expedition bikes, well worth a look...my shortlist is expanding! Cheers.

 

[samsbike]

Hi I would consider seeing what Evans can get it for you for a test ride as they are the most likely to get something in. As mentioned above, I would also not rule out Spa Cycles and they do some pretty good test rides up in Harrowgate. A long way to go, but worth it and I think they both have disc and rim braked bikes now.

 

[T4tomo]

Harrogate! It has nowt to do with a poncy private school

 

[vickster]

Harrogate! It has nowt to do with a poncy private school

Quite posh though for the North

 

[outlash]

I think a problem you may find is touring bikes tend to have a longer wheelbase for things like heel clearance for panniers and stability. Genesis do a version of the Croix de Fer called a Tour de Fer which has racks already fitted.

 

[ufkacbln]

As a general rule it tends to be inadvisable to make major changes to a bike, or buy a new one just before a long tour.

This is not the best time to tweak and settle a machine.

 

[ufkacbln]

Thorn (St John Street) have the most comprehensive test I have ever been offered

We visited, were fitted with bikes and told to go away!

There were a range of suggested routes that covered all types of terrain and no real limit on the time you were allowed

It gives a fantastic option to really see if the bike suits you

 

[Crackle]

I don't know if you test rode the LHT before you bought it but whichever one you choose, try and test ride it. The jury is normally split on this and I think it's fine to buy unseen if you know what fits and suits but in your case buying sight unseen might be a recipe for another brief relationship. For instance that Surly mentions toe overlap, for many this is not an issue but it might be for you or it might not, you won't know until you try it. So if you can't test ride it, bearing in mind you need to get on for a 1000 miles very soon, don't consider it, is my tuppence worth.

 

[raleighnut]

I'll chuck this one into the mix too, although I prefer flat bars on my long distance Ridgeback.

https://www.evanscycles.com/ridgeback-panorama-2016-touring-bike-EV258090

 

[Hill Wimp]

I'll chuck this one into the mix too, although I prefer flat bars on my long distance Ridgeback.

https://www.evanscycles.com/ridgeback-panorama-2016-touring-bike-EV258090

Yep another one for Ridgeback. Very happy with my Voyage on tour last year.

 

[Rohloff_Brompton_Rider]

A serious question, does bike fit really matter that much? Isn't it just a case of adapting?
Fair enough if you've particular needs or need to squeeze out racing times. But for most of us typical riders don't our bodies just, you know, get used to a position, if we build up our mileage sensibly.
And if you read the crazy guy site, bike types don't really seem to matter that much either, as long as they're robust enough for the job at hand.