Advice for Touring bicycle?

[apophis2036]

Hello,

Four months ago I bought Dawes Karakum as we planed with my girlfriend to cycle in Spain (she got the same bike but the Ladies version). However, 10 days ago my bicycle was stolen and now I am wondering what bicycle to buy. When I used the Karakum I had no problems with it. However, I didn't feel the geometry of the frame very comfortable, especially when riding not on the seat, but in a standing upright position.

I am looking for a bicycle up to £800. The most important thing for me is the bicycle to be strong and reliable, with good gears and brakes, and also with the option of mounting front and rear panniers. There are a lot of questions occurring to me:
1. Whether to choose aluminium or chrome-moly or stainless steel frame?
2. What type of fork to choose? (it needs to be strong enough to have front panniers)
3. Disk brakes or V-brakes, or any other type? So far, I have used only V-brakes and I've noticed that most touring bikes are with V-brakes. But on the other hand, disk brakes are known for their stop power which may be helpful on the Spanish hilly roads.
4. Last but not least - the handlebar. So far I've used only flat or butterfly type handlebars. Most touring bikes, though, come with round handlebars, but I've never tried them and they seem a bit odd to me.

Here are some models that I am considering. I will be very grateful if someone can give me some advise on the models and on the above points. Which of them will best suit my requirements?

http://www.raleigh.co.uk/ProductType/ProductRange/Product/Default.aspx?pc=1&pt=14&pg=9049

http://www.ridgeback.co.uk/bike/voyage#details

http://www.myjamis.com/SSP Applicat....html?year=2012&model=Bosanova&cat_grp=road_9

or may be buy again the same as my stolen bike http://www.dawescycles.com/p-601-karakum-gents.aspx

Thank you very much!

 

[Pale Rider]

The classic tourer which everyone seems to rate highly is the Dawes Galaxy.

Spa Cycles in Harrogate have a 2012 on offer for £890 which looks a good price - the bike is nearer £1,200 at Evans.

You might like to have a word with Spa anyway, they can be a bit eccentric but are genuine touring specialists.

http://www.spacycles.co.uk/products.php?plid=m1b0s21p2418

 

[Hitchington]

The classic tourer which everyone seems to rate highly is the Dawes Galaxy.

Spa Cycles in Harrogate have a 2012 on offer for £890 which looks a good price - the bike is nearer £1,200 at Evans.

You might like to have a word with Spa anyway, they can be a bit eccentric but are genuine touring specialists.

http://www.spacycles.co.uk/products.php?plid=m1b0s21p2418

Eccentric alright, but good guys.

In answer to the OPs questions:

1). Steel frame. More comfortable and flexible with heavy loads (panniers, not you!)
2). My front fork is the one that came with my bike (Surly Long Haul Trucker) and is study enough for fully loaded front panniers
3). I have cantilever brakes which are good but reduce in very wet conditions. With disk brakes you may be restricted with what you can carry on your bike pannier wise, but I understand there are special racks (back, not sure about front low riders) to accommodate disks.
4). I have drop handlebars, which I prefer but have no experience of butterfly handlebars.

Pale Rider is right about the Galaxy, classic tourer and a great price on that link!

 

[Crankarm]

If it was insured your insurer may well only replace like for like.

 

[Hitchington]

If it was insured your insurer may well only replace like for like.

The OP could always ask for the money to go direct to the bike dealer if he wanted a different model

 

[Pale Rider]

The OP could always ask for the money to go direct to the bike dealer if he wanted a different model

My understanding is that most companies now just pay the money, but those that don't will be satisfied if their money can be shown to have been spent on a new bike.

Some claimants can reasonably say they no longer wish to have a bike because they fear a repeat theft.

 

[BSRU]

The Ridgeback Panorama is nice steel tourer.

 

[snorri]

When I used the Karakum I had no problems with it. However, I didn't feel the geometry of the frame very comfortable, especially when riding not on the seat, but in a standing upright position.

I would suggest getting another Karakum and just not standing on the pedals. Drop a gear and
pedal along seated and a little slower. A tour to Spain is not going to be a race anyway!
Regarding the 'bars, straight or butterfly bars are more popular with laden tourists on mainland Europe, the drop bars tend to be used more by lighter laden people in a hurry.

 

[apophis2036]

Hello,
Thank you all for your replies and advice. Unfortunately my bike was not insured...but will definitely get my new bike insured as soon as I buy it. In regard to the Galaxy - it looks great and I've read many good reviews but I guess I need to try it before deciding whether it's a good option for me, as I have no experience with drop handlebars and with their kind of gear shifters - I don't know whether the gear shifters are easy and comfortable to use. The Ridgeback Panorama also looks great but is over my budget.

Today I came across the new Dawes catalog for 2013 http://www.dawesonline.co.uk/2013/#/14/ and the Galaxy Cross got my attention as it is with straight handlebar, chromoly frame and fork and is with disk brakes which may be is a plus. However, I am not sure whether front carrier can be mounted on this bike (as usually disk brakes don't allow front carriers or am I wrong?). It is very important for me the bike to be able to have front and rear carriers as I will be touring with my girlfriend and will have most of the baggage on my bike. I will be very grateful if you can advise me about the disk brakes-front panniers issue and give me any other tips.

Thanks again!

 

[Sara_H]

Might be worth emailing Dawes for the definitive answer, but it looks to me like it has eyelets for a front rack.

 

[mcshroom]

Just to throw another bike into the list, have a look at the Revolution Country Explorer from EBC. A steel framed touring bike with disk brakes for £675.

If you prefer the butterfly bars then they also do the Premier for £800.

 

[Hitchington]

Just to throw another bike into the list, have a look at the Revolution Country Explorer from EBC. A steel framed touring bike with disk brakes for £675.

If you prefer the butterfly bars then they also do the Premier for £800.

Looks good!

 

[Cush]

Liked my Karakum made the mistake of trading up to a Dawes Nomad, do not advice anybody to do the same.

 

[stephenjubb]

The new Dawes Super Galaxy is not worth it if you want to change things. For me the saddle would go, I like brooks, I'd need a front pannier rack, I'd replace the back wheel with a spa handbuilt wheel (I know you can get the existing wheels retrued), I'd add handlebar brakes, a bottom bracket water carrier, pedals would go as I do not like clipless, not sure about 10 speed due to quicker chain wear. The front chain ring would go down to a 22, the rear to a 34 (got dodgy knees so kneed a low gear).

About the only thing I like are the disk brakes.

All is personal preference but the point is if you are going to buy and change quite a few things, is in order get a bike that matches what you want first time or as near as possible (including price) or better to get a cheaper bike with the basics already handled (i.e. a decent frame) and spend the extra on upgrading the bits you want to change.

 

[Iainj837]

I would suggest getting another Karakum and just not standing on the pedals. Drop a gear and
pedal along seated and a little slower. A tour to Spain is not going to be a race anyway!
Regarding the 'bars, straight or butterfly bars are more popular with laden tourists on mainland Europe, the drop bars tend to be used more by lighter laden people in a hurry.

I tend to agree with Snorri go and get another Karakum
I have had my KaraKum since 2009 and done over 9'300 km in that time.
I won't getting rid of it even though I am be getting a Dawes Galaxy soon.
The KaraKum is a great all round bike.
Why would you want to stand on the pedals anyway?
A You would be on tour and in no rush
B it's uncomfortable to ride on the peddals