advice on new frame set please.

[jags]

having been around for a few months no tours planned but planning on buying a new frameset, a choice of 2
1 Spa steel tourer 48cm frameset i'll used the new stronglight impact triple on her also medium cage shimano 105 10 speed 11 to 32 .no idea what wheels 26in advice greatly appreciated,anyone riding the 26in spa love to hear your thoughts on it.
choice 2 is the Velo orange campeur ,lovely looking frame but by the time i pay postage from the states to Ireland and tax it's going to be way out of my price range ,but I'm still drooling on it .

the Thorn clubtour is a crackin looking bike but again to expensive my my pockets
had a look at Condor heritage touring bike wow beautiful .
is there any other frames i could look at quality frames i'll build it up over the winter.
thanks for looking,

jags.
.

 

[jags]

Ahh here lads i can't believe none of u ride a spa touring bike.
whats the buzz are you's all depressed.

 

[davidphilips]

why a touring bike? if you are not into touring a lot then why not just use a non suspension mtb if and when needed, i have a sjsc touring bike and all it does is hang up in my garage.

 

[Cycleops]

I suspect an adapted MTB is not rich enough for our friends taste but that doesn't stop it being a bad alternative, especially if you don't do much touring. If he's still stuck on a Spa here's an interesting review: http://cyclingworldmag.co.uk/spa-cycles-steel-tourer-editors-review-and-interview

 

[jags]

cheers lads , im not interested in a mountain bike to be honest, i don't do rough stuff im a roadie ,
i've been looking at this Spa tourer a few years now and finally i can afford it well the frameset that is,the rest of the gear i'll buy over time i'm going nowhere just yet.
i would not trust my new carbon bike even for light touring just could not afford to replace it if things went belly up like frame breaking.
so it's a good touring bike i want ,if i get the frame and wheels right im on the pigs back.

 

[Nigeyy]

What about a Surly LHT? They are a popular choice to buy as a complete bike or as a frame over here (and I think they are available in the UK too) though I suspect the frames you are looking at are better or at least equal quality of the mass produced Taiwanese LHT. I'm not a huge fan of the LHT, but they do work and many people who have them really like them.

Or you could go the route I did: I completely completely lucked out and got a super cheap Dawes Sarder frame off ebay. More of a random thing if you happen to see a frame you like though and of course there are no guarantees.

 

[Big T]

I'm also looking at a Spa Touring frame, as a replacement for my Ridgeback Panorama, which has terminal rust (it's had a hard life, commuting in all weathers with little maintenance). I don't think you can beat the Spa for value for money. The Spa sells for £315 for frame only, the LHT is about £340. I've considered a LHT but I don't really like the geometry.

Though I'm looking at 700c and not 26" wheels - swapping all the bits from my Panorama.

Condor - you are looking at about £650 for a frame only. There are others - Mercian, Bob Jackson, Ellis Briggs, but none as cheap as the Spa.

 

[jags]

the condor is a dream machine but to be honest once i get this spa ,kinda set on it now I'll have it looking every bit as good as the condor.
i did hunt on ebay and done deal but no luck, still not complaining i like to buy new when ever possible.
thanks guys.

 

[User169]

Rawland Nordavinden. 500 squids for the frameset from hubjub.

http://hubjub.co.uk/rawlands-nordavinden-177-p.asp

 

[jags]

cheers DP but mind made up going for the SPA.

never heard of those bikes before.

 

[User169]

cheers DP but mind made up going for the SPA.

never heard of those bikes before.

A good choice jags.

 

[jags]

A good choice jags.

Thank god for that DP ..
the lads at SPA recommend the 48mm size as im only a midget sorry person of small statue .5ft5ins
my Terry Dolan letape is a 48cm frame and fits me spot on.i need to get the tourer set up exactly the same as i have back problems ,got a probike fit done about 3 months ago best money i ever spent.so fingers crossed it's works out for me.i have great plans on the build i want but no money at the moment so will have to wait a while before i get her up and running.

 

[T4tomo]

48mm frame? You are small

 

[jags]

48mm frame? You are small

yip sure am but i used to be 6ft but hard work and old age wore me down.

 

[Fab Foodie]

One thought ... Get a dynohub built into the front wheel. dynamos are useful things on distance bikes for lighting but also charging stuff. Talk with Spa about it.