First-time tourer?

[lanternerouge]

Alright Dudes. Thinking of doing a bit of touring in the summer. Currently have a Scott Sportster hybrid (like this but last year's version

, a bianchi road bike and a spesh MTB. Wondering about selling maybe the Scott and using the proceeds for a tourer. Any thoughts - would the scott do the job? It needs a bit of a clean up but really hasbn't had a lot of use.

What would be a good starter touring bike - cheap but good?

Many thanks

LR

 

[vernon]

If your front fork lockout and there's mounts for a rear rack then you have nowt to lose by fitting a rack and trying the Scott as a tourer. I have used a Decathlon hybrid/tourer with front suspension for the past two and a half years and it served me well. You will have to buy a rack that will accommodate disc brakes.

If you want to explore budget but sound tourers then look at the Edinburgh Bike Co-Operative's range.

Alternatively the Dawes Vantage from Spa Cycles comes in under £500

 

[SatNavSaysStraightOn]

I did my first tour on a Scott Scale 40. I needed a special rear rack because of no rack eyelets & no brake bosses, but that was not an issue. It was great and converted me totally. I have now sold that bike and purchased an expedition touring bike (think off road tourer), set off to cycle around the world and after 14,000km was attacked by a pack of dogs. 92 stitches & 3 months later, we are getting closer to be able to set off again - no regrets it is great. (OK, only 1 regret, should have had a big stick handy...)

my bike is the one in black with black luggage.

Personnally I would think about how much touring you are planning and what you currently use the bike for. Mine doubled off-road, (red route) mountain bike courses and commuting (including off-road sections).

Purchasing the rack is cheaper than replacing the bike until you know for definite that touring in British weather is what you really want to be doing...

 

[willem]

Either the Scott hybrid or the Specialized mtb should do fine in principle. As was said, you want a lockout on the fork, some way to fit a rear rack, wider slicker tyres such as Schwalbe Big Apples, and perhaps a taller stem for a more upright position. Old Man Mountain are the specialists in racks for bikes such as these, including ones with disc brakes. Avoid front panniers if you can, because suspension forks are not very stiff, and racks for them are few (again mostly OMM).
Willem

 

[Jimmy Doug]

I second what Vernon said. I have a Revolution Country Traveller and have cycled in the UK, France, Italy, Greece and am about to tackle Sweden and Norway with it. It's a great machine at a very reasonable price. However, don't go thinking you can get away with spending just the £500 it costs brand-new - the saddle is rubbish (at least it was in 2009) and should be replaced, a decent kickstand needs to be added, front panier racks are useful, brake blocks aren't the best ... but it's still excellent value.

 

[Holdsworth]

I'll vouch for the Country Traveller from EBC. I have done 2500 commuting and leisure miles since new last year with little or no issue. Most problems were my fault being cack-handed with tools and the like. I agree the supplied saddle was rubbish (in 2011) and the one I'm using now is not much better (San Marco Roll). I must get a Brooks saddle soon.