Bargain touring bikes to be had

[vernon]

I've received a flyer which is advertising the Revolution Country Traveller 2010 model for the jaw dropping price of £349.99.

I have no connections with the company other than as a dis-satisfied customer but hey, it's Christmas and this bargain deserves to be flagged up.

 

[HelenD123]

A bargain indeed. There are a few happy EBC Country Traveller riders on the forum.

 

[vernon]

I forgot to mention that said bikes are in the sale commencing 28th Dec.

I'm fighting the temptation to buy a Specialized Secteur as my n+1

 

[yello]

That is a good price.... £150 off normal retail, and a decent bike too. Wonder how much they charge for postage to France!

 

[sheddy]

where from ?

 

[yello]

Edinburgh Bicycle Cooperative

http://www.edinburgh...=c003155c018343

 

[phantasmagoriana]

I'm seriously tempted by this, as the old Galaxy I currently have is just that bit too big for me, and even a super-short stem hasn't totally worked. Plus I quite fancy something modern, without downtube shifters!

Slightly confused about the sizing though - I realise they're compact frames, but does anyone happen to know the reach/top tube lengths for the 46cm and 49 cm sizes? I'm not near a shop to try one out, unfortunately.

 

[vernon]

I'm seriously tempted by this, as the old Galaxy I currently have is just that bit too big for me, and even a super-short stem hasn't totally worked. Plus I quite fancy something modern, without downtube shifters!

Slightly confused about the sizing though - I realise they're compact frames, but does anyone happen to know the reach/top tube lengths for the 46cm and 49 cm sizes? I'm not near a shop to try one out, unfortunately.

Surel Leeds is close enough to York for it not to be a problem?

 

[phantasmagoriana]

Surel Leeds is close enough to York for it not to be a problem?

In theory - but I'm not in York at the moment, and a bit concerned that if I wait until day 2 or 3 of the sale, they'll be sold out! Might give them a call on the 28th for advice, though.

 

[yello]

I suspect they've a limited selection of sizes. That is to say that when I looked they didn't have said bike in a size suitable for me. Which kind of made my decision easier!

 

[dav1d]

I've had nothing but trouble with this bike (2010 model), they gave me the wrong size to what I had ordered (too small, (49cm instead of the larger one) and the rack was really poor quality (I've got a better quality one on an Halford's Apollo bike!), so I bought the part it needed from EBC to higher it and they highered it, but it was still too small, unfortunately I didn't check the receipt and EBC insisted it was the I had ordered (I found the receipt months later hidden in a book and it turned out it was NOT the size I ordered).
It was also not set up how I had asked it to be. I have had better service at Halfords!

I'm sorry, I know people love this bike, but there is no way it should be classed as a touring bike, it's no more than a BSTO (Bike Shaped Touring Object"), I've never had as many problems with other bikes, in fact, many BSO I have had have been better quality.

 

[yello]

Yours is the first negative opinion I've read of the bike (though I have read another -ve for the rack).

That said, all reviews do remark on the fact it is not an expensive bike and that some allowances are to be made because of that. Perhaps those 'allowances' are considered limitations or even negatives by other people. From what I can gather though, the cost savings come primarily from using an alu frame. And it's certainly not excusing it not being up to it as a tourer.

Tbh, I do in all seriousness have some doubts as to whether I'd trust such a cheaply priced bike (compromised if you like) as a tourer. Back and forwards to work maybe but you really don't want to be making too many compromises on loaded 2 week tour.

 

[andym]

Yours is the first negative opinion I've read of the bike (though I have read another -ve for the rack).

That said, all reviews do remark on the fact it is not an expensive bike and that some allowances are to be made because of that. Perhaps those 'allowances' are considered limitations or even negatives by other people. From what I can gather though, the cost savings come primarily from using an alu frame. And it's certainly not excusing it not being up to it as a tourer.

Tbh, I do in all seriousness have some doubts as to whether I'd trust such a cheaply priced bike (compromised if you like) as a tourer. Back and forwards to work maybe but you really don't want to be making too many compromises on loaded 2 week tour.

Hmm. Sounds to me that Dav1ds comments are more about his experience with EBC (I'm not going to make any judgement about the rights and wrongs) than about the bike itself.

 

[yello]

Hmm. Sounds to me that Dav1ds comments are more about his experience with EBC (I'm not going to make any judgement about the rights and wrongs) than about the bike itself.

Hmm. Really?

I'm sorry, I know people love this bike, but there is no way it should be classed as a touring bike, it's no more than a BSTO (Bike Shaped Touring Object"), I've never had as many problems with other bikes, in fact, many BSO I have had have been better quality.

 

[andym]

Yep. The Ancient Rime of the Disgruntled Punter.

The only specific complaints seem to be about the fact that EBC sent the wrong size and then seem to have been unable or unwilling to find a way to resolve the complaint. That and some incomprehensible problem with the rack.

Golden rule of the Interweb: no matter how could the product there'll always be someone with something to moan about.