Best touring bikes brands

[growingvegetables]

Just a point that most bikes can manage a big trip.

+1

Hey - no advice from me, just a fwiw. I've done several 200-250 mile tours on a Dawes Discovery 201 Hybrid, and am happily planning on LeJog next year. Not ideal – aye, but I know it'll work. It's worked for years - never a let-down, even carrying tents, sleeping bags, and cooking stuff for 4 people (the joys of touring with young kids).

I'll need to change the pedals and will put bar-ends on - and it'll go. I considered (briefly, VERY briefly) changing to drops, but that'd be silly (pity ).

Flat bars again. I bought a Revolution Trailfinder – second-hand, £50, bloody good condition, supposed to be a 3-6 month cheap stop-gap for my daughter till we could afford a“better” new bike. Weeeeeell – it turned out to be one of those bikes that you kinda fall in love with; it's got looks,balance, handling, the lot ... just a bike that's “got it right”. I'd be even happier tackling LeJog on that.

 

[Crackle]

Virtually any rigid mtn bike can be converted to a tourer. For example this

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Marin-Mountain-Bike-/290604740560?pt=UK_Bikes_GL&hash=item43a9646fd0

It has the Braze ons for mudguards and rear rack, change the tyres, fit butterfly bars or similiar and the gearing will be more or less right. You can also pick them up pretty cheap, leaving room in your budget for all the changes I mentioned and any repairs.

 

[captainhastings]

Never done a tour but sure you could find some thing on ebay.
I saw this on the feed back of a guy I won a bike off.
Would have been ideal ?
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/220824292915#ht_500wt_1156

 

[Gongfarmer]

Hi, I think the advice here is good and food for thought.

Perhaps buy an old good quality mountain bike and have the wheels either rebuilt or purchase a new set?

Last week on ebay I saw a Carrera Quattro,Reynolds tubing/shimano parts.These frame in there day carried alife time warranty.its a shame its Halfords some would say but its still abike.It was going cheap and thats the sought of thing I would angle for.

Cheap frame you can get away with but wheels they have to be the best you can afford.

Quality wheels will breathe new life into most old bikes.

Best of luck with it and enjoy yourself

 

[oldfatfool]

Ridgeback make a couple of models, you might pick up a voyage 2nd hand if you are lucky, I certainley like my Panorama.