Cheap & Quick Tourer

[rrrachel]

Brief introduction to my plan - going to do Lands End to Margate along the south coast in April. Haven't done a huge amount of cycling of late, although obviously just getting back into it. Not unfit as a professional rider by trade and also ran in quite a few 10K races Autumn last year. Used to take myself off on adventures on the bike quite regularly, but haven't for a few years and therefore missing it.

Now the problem is, that as a leftover from being a london cycle commuter, I have a singlespeed as my own bike. I did use it for a 100k hilly essex sportive a while ago, and also did london -> fakenham and back on it with no problems. I live in east anglia, so it is actually fine for cycling around here as we don't have anything significant in the way of hills. I think I *could* fit a rack to it, but given how hilly my route is going to be, don't think its a viable option! More than happy to do my initial training on it around here, but now contemplating what to do about the bike for the actual trip...

1 option is to borrow my dads old (1998) Dawes Galaxy.. steel framed etc. but an out an out touring bike.

However I am concerned that I am going to find the bike too heavy? I am tall (5ft 10) but only light (under 9st) and therefore not sure if I am going to find a big heavy bike like that too much to cope with uphill.

My other option is to sell my motorbike (don't really use it) and then spend the money on a new bike. Some of the cyclocross bikes have caught my eye but not sure what I'm looking for.... Budget would be under £550 and would be more than happy to go second hand if I knew what I was looking for.

Will be averaging 100 miles a day if going to plan, so needs to be up to the task!

 

[a_nic_an]

I'm sure I've read on here that some people convert their bikes from a single speed to more gears and vice verse, is that an option?

 

[rrrachel]

I have all the technical ability of a 5 year old child, so something that complicated definitely a no-go. I had a singlespeed for the simplicity of it not needing any fixing or extras!!

 

[Fab Foodie]

Cheap option ... fit lighter tyres to the Dawes, (or even better beg/steal/borrow lighter wheels as well) remove all the touring guff like rack, mudguards etc. and use the Galaxy if it fits.
The Dawes will be rigged with good gearing for hills and the weight won't be a big deal. It will be very comfortable and stable for 100 mile days in the saddle. It's what it's designed for.

 

[Herbie]

Cheap option ... fit lighter tyres to the Dawes, (or even better beg/steal/borrow lighter wheels as well) remove all the touring guff like rack, mudguards etc. and use the Galaxy if it fits.
The Dawes will be rigged with good gearing for hills and the weight won't be a big deal. It will be very comfortable and stable for 100 mile days in the saddle. It's what it's designed for.

the poor galaxy will look rather naked with all the "guff" removed

 

[Fab Foodie]

the poor galaxy will look rather naked with all the "guff" removed

Oh no it won't! It'll look liberated
Underneath all that guff is a fine bicycle.

 

[Herbie]

Oh no it won't! It'll look liberated
Underneath all that guff is a fine bicycle.

yes I agree....but no matter how stripped down its still a tourer

 

[Fab Foodie]

yes I agree....but no matter how stripped down its still a tourer

Correct, and that's nothing to be ashamed about, it's a fine mile-munching bike.

 

[biggs682]

@rrrachel if you fit the galaxy then i would say Galaxy all the way

 

[rrrachel]

galaxy is a large frame, current bike is a medium frame but is probably too small. I'm 5'10 with 35" inside leg, would large be ok? unfortunately wouldn't be able to use the bike for training, would just pick it up on my way to lands end, so time to make adjustments to it, but not use it.

 

[Cycleops]

You would probably need a 24" frame or thereabouts, maybe even a 25" would suit. That is if it has a straight top tube. I think 25 is the largest Galaxy go.

 

[raleighnut]

The Dawes would be amongst the list of perfect bikes for this and if it already has a rack so much the better as I assume you will need a change of clothes and basic tools, puncture kit, spare tube, pump etc. and carrying this in a rucksack is a pain. One basic thing to check is do you have standover clearance on the frame, if so and the bike has been oiled and looked after go for it.
A few basic tips:
Try to stay relaxed on the bike, cycling steadily and not worrying about speed is the way to eat up the miles, tension just causes tiredness.
Set off as early as possible but avoid rush hour traffic if possible (they only wind you up)
Eat and drink regularly but try to avoid taking long breaks as you may start to stiffen up or worse cramp.
Use a saddle you are comfy with even if it means taking your own bikes seat with you.
Get some miles in, doing a 25 or 30 mile ride once or twice a week should do but if you already do this or more you should be fine,

Also note a 98 Dawes is not an old bike, well looked after one of these should last a lifetime with simple maintenance and the odd new tyre, brake block cables etc. However they can be very hard on the rear wheel if used laden a lot with spokes taking a hammering on our potholed roads and braking the extra weight causing more rim wear (there are countless pages on this with horror stories galore although you'd think that a touring cyclist would be able to look at a wheel and say "that's knackered" and replace it) My own tourer of choice is an old Ridgeback hybrid that I was given as a frame ( found abandoned in a garage when a relative bought a house) that is built of Tange CrMo tubing and I assembled using midrange Shimano bits and some handlaced wheels by a wheelbuilder of note (John at Bob Warner Cycles Leicester)
Above all enjoy this ride and good luck