Best Bike Set Up: Tour of France, Belgium, Netherlands.

[Dan Downing]

After an unfortunate accident last year, my planned trip around France, Belgium and Netherlands never happened. I have all my routes "planned" as such. Maps, places to stay, farms etc. I sold my bike after my accident and am now looking to set up a new one on a relatively limited budget. £300/400 or so. Any tips or thoughts from anyone would be greatly appreciated.

Dan

 

[vernon]

With such a limited budget. Second hand is your best option.

 

[jjb]

Dan, are you taking camping gear? Are you average height/weight? On roads or tracks or offroad in places? What handlebar shape do you prefer, drops (racer bars) or other shape? What did you like / not like about old bike? How little bike fixing knowledge do you have? Do you live near a bike shop or very rural? Rough departure date?

There are dozens if not hundreds of fine options at your price point, new or second hand, but we need more detail (imho)!

 

[snorri]

The Netherlands and Belgium should be fine, but the area you intend visiting in France could influence your choice of bike as some bits are unpleasantly hilly.

 

[andrew_s]

Whilst second hand can get you a better bike for your money, if you don't know what you are doing you can end up with one that needs money spending on it soon after purchase.

I'd suggest a basic commuter type hybrid such as a Mongoose Crossway.
Generally you get considerably better value for a hybrid than for a touring bike.

 

[Andrew Brown]

See my post of a serious hybrid deal if you could stretch to 440 with current sale and voucher...

http://www.cyclechat.net/threads/bargain-hybrid-on-sale-at-rutland-cycling.126753/#post-2375113

I may convert mine to moustache or drops, but prob not for a while

 

[MarkF]

After an unfortunate accident last year, my planned trip around France, Belgium and Netherlands never happened. I have all my routes "planned" as such. Maps, places to stay, farms etc. I sold my bike after my accident and am now looking to set up a new one on a relatively limited budget. £300/400 or so. Any tips or thoughts from anyone would be greatly appreciated.
Dan

I had my bike stolen just before I crossed Spain, I bought a £200 used Specialized Sirrus, pretty much as new. Stuck on a rack, new tyres and set off. Hardly used hybrids are easy to buy cheap, for £300 I'd expect a mint Dawes Discovery 501 which is very robust bike and suited to touring.