Best tour bike for around £1000

[GrumpyGregry]

OK just to confuse things, having tried a 57cm Jamis it was far too big. They now do have a 53 in stock. So ordered one but it may be too small. Certainly standover height will be a lot better.

Will pick up in two weeks when back from business trip

Serious question

What's a la mode for standover height on our fine islands these days? How many fingers?

I ask because around Vancouver everyone* rides a garden gate with a horizontal top tube and only a couple of inches of seatpost showing. (Which is my preference on a touring style bike, as it happens)

*those that I saw, during a two-week visit, in the depths of winter.

 

[Cycleops]

Serious question

What's a la mode for standover height on our fine islands these days? How many fingers?

I don’t think we’re talking fingers here but something rather more tender.

 

[Blue Hills]

I agree with you gregory that maybe a horizontal tube looks more aesthetically pleasing when you stand back to admire your mount, but for actually mounting the thing i much prefer sloping.

 

[GrumpyGregry]

I agree with you gregory that maybe a horizontal tube looks more aesthetically pleasing when you stand back to admire your mount, but for actually mounting the thing i much prefer sloping.

I swing a leg over the rear wheel and saddle myself. Never been able to vault a crossbar.

And once standing over, enough clearance for the unmentionables is, well, enough. And enough is a very small amount.

 

[GrumpyGregry]

I don’t think we’re talking fingers here but something rather more tender.

I was told four fingers is more than enough. Some people with small hands have room for four hands.

I make do with "four fingers or less, but at least one thank you very much.".

 

[Heltor Chasca]

Serious question

What's a la mode for standover height on our fine islands these days? How many fingers?

I ask because around Vancouver everyone* rides a garden gate with a horizontal top tube and only a couple of inches of seatpost showing. (Which is my preference on a touring style bike, as it happens)

*those that I saw, during a two-week visit, in the depths of winter.

My Surly DT sounds almost as you describe. If anything, the top tube is a tiny bit too long for me (others have said this about DTs too) Standover height is ‘just out of harm’s way’. I shortened the stem a bit and now I can sit on that bike all day long. And longer occasionally.

 

[Heltor Chasca]

I agree with you gregory that maybe a horizontal tube looks more aesthetically pleasing when you stand back to admire your mount, but for actually mounting the thing i much prefer sloping.

Ooh now you see, one man’s meat and all that: I prefer the aesthetics of a sloping top tube. My Surly DT has an almost horizontal TT. You would like it.

 

[cisamcgu]

http://www.oxfordbikeworks.co.uk/model-1e/

Maybe ... ?

 

[Bonefish Blues]

http://www.oxfordbikeworks.co.uk/model-1e/

Maybe ... ?

Good call, taste of bespoke for off the peg money.

 

[biggs682]

This would make an ideal economy touring bike and a worthwhile addition to any stable


https://www.gumtree.com/p/bicycles/mans-ridgeback-racing-touring-bike/1282299290

 

[snorri]

The first thing I would want to know before buying a new touring bike, is it Rohloff compatible?

 

[mjr]

Serious question

What's a la mode for standover height on our fine islands these days? How many fingers?

Ride it. Don't stand over it. If it's stopped and you want to stand over it, tilt it.

 

[John_S]

Depending on where you are if you're anywhere close to Stanforth Bikes, I think that they're in Brighton, perhaps speak to them because they sometimes have some ex-display / ex-demo bikes which might sometimes possibly just scrape into your budget.

https://www.stanforthbikes.co.uk/shop

Good luck finding the right tourer for your travels.

John

 

[Bonefish Blues]

Depending on where you are if you're anywhere close to Stanforth Bikes, I think that they're in Brighton, perhaps speak to them because they sometimes have some ex-display / ex-demo bikes which might sometimes possibly just scrape into your budget.

https://www.stanforthbikes.co.uk/shop

Good luck finding the right tourer for your travels.

John

I've watched Stanforth for a while and even their ex-dems scrape rather above the OP's budget, I think.

 

[vickster]

Cycle Republic have Cinelli bootleg for £900, down from £1400. It is rather beige tho!