Best tour bike for around £1000

[Danny1502]

Hi,
I am planning on doing the Southern Europe part of the Eurovelo 1. I’m planning on doing it in around 8-10 weeks and need to get a decent bike. Not sure what is best for the money I have, any suggestions would be welcomed

 

[steveindenmark]

You have set a very difficult question because you can tour on anything from a beaten up steel bike from the 50s to a modern touring bike. Drop bars, flat bars? Going fast or pootling. Tent and all the gear or hostels, hotels and B&Bs. It all makes a difference on what bike you choose.

I have a Koga World Traveller 29 for sale. It is in excellent condition with a Brooks B17 saddle and a set of Ortleib back rollers. I am not using and it is just sitting under a cover in the workshop. If it is something you may be interested in drop me a line. Your price will cover the cost of the bike and shipping.

 

[biggs682]

as @steveindenmark said , not long ago i sold a late 90 Giant road bike to a student who used it to cycle down to his parents villa in Italy and back all his luggage and gear went in a decent size saddle bag the bike had no fittings for a rack or guards but he toured more miles on that bike than it had done since new .

So yes you can tour on anything you decide your choice

 

[Heltor Chasca]

Surly Disc Trucker perhaps? Maybe closer to £1200 by the time you kit it out. They go for around the £700 second hand.

Saying that I did a lot of my earlier touring on a wreck of a Mongoose MTB that was too big. Later a hybrid.

 

[vickster]

I guess the best one is one that is most comfortable and practical for you

Perhaps have a chat with Spa

https://spacycles.co.uk/m1b0s21p0/Bikes/Touring-Audax-and-Sportive

 

[Crankarm]

Hi,
I am planning on doing the Southern Europe part of the Eurovelo 1. I’m planning on doing it in around 8-10 weeks and need to get a decent bike. Not sure what is best for the money I have, any suggestions would be welcomed

By decent I guess you mean not indecent?

The best bike is one that fits you. Do you know what frame size you typically require for a road bike and a MTB respectively? This is a start.

 

[raleighnut]

If you go a bit over a grand you could get one of these,

Ridgeback 'Panorama'

 

[Dirk]

If you go a bit over a grand you could get one of these,

View attachment 390807

Ridgeback 'Panorama'

Or buy the Ridgeback Voyage for £750.
I've done loads of miles on mine since I bought it 2 years ago.
https://www.spacycles.co.uk/m1b0s21p3200/RIDGEBACK-Voyage

 

[raleighnut]

Or buy the Ridgeback Voyage for £750.
I've done loads of miles on mine since I bought it 2 years ago.
https://www.spacycles.co.uk/m1b0s21p3200/RIDGEBACK-Voyage

Nice, I think they've gone aluminium on the newer ones but if that is still available then it's a bargain (plus it ain't got fugly discs )

 

[Cycleops]

Unfortunately Danny there is no ‘best bike for the money’ simply because there now such a bewildering choice of options. Much of it comes down to personal preference and price. I would go for a quality steel frame and forks, combined brake/gear shifters, drop bars and disc brakes. Most will now have discs.

The Panorama suggested by raleighnut is a good one but they have some cheaper options if you feel that is too pricey: https://www.ridgeback.co.uk/bikes/touring

Something else to consider, you don’t necessarily need rack and panniers, there is now a trend for ‘bikepacking’ meaning everything is carried in packs attached to the frame/bars/seat tube. It means you travel lighter with better weight distribution but forces you to take just the essentials and it also opens up the choice of bikes. Loads of videos on YouTube.

Good luck with whatever you decide.

 

[vickster]

Genesis tour de fer? Might be able to find a bargain online

 

[Rooster1]

Boardman have just released their ASR range (All Seasons) in Alu and Steel

https://www.boardmanbikes.com/gb_en/bikes/performance-series/performance-road/asr/

I think the Alu model is about £1000 and the steel about £1200

 

[mjr]

By decent I guess you mean not indecent?

And now I've a mental image of the Copenhagen sperm bank bike! TYVM(!)

 

[Spiderweb]

I think this Tiagra specc'd steel framed Holdsworth from Planet X looks great value for money at £699. Mudguard & pannier mounts included and if you require extra gears for hills I'm sure they would supply with a 34 or 36t cassette.
Plenty of money left over for racks and some Ortlieb panniers.
https://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/CBHOL...io-shimano-tiagra-4700-touring-adventure-bike

 

[Dirk]

Nice, I think they've gone aluminium on the newer ones but if that is still available then it's a bargain (plus it ain't got fugly discs )

The Voyage is steel, it's the model below - the Tour - which is alloy. My missus has one of them and it's a nice bike, well up to the job.