First touring bike recommendations?

[Euan Fox]

Hey everyone, I know people probably ask all the time, but I need help choosing my first touring bike. A friend and I want to go on a pretty large tour next year from May onwards, not sure of the destination yet, either Madrid or maybe somewhere in Italy, I don't know if the roads will have any say on the bike I need to get? I'm about 6'1" so I don't know what size that means I'll need (I'm a real beginner). I have a GT that I can start doing rides around where I live to build up some fitness but it's way too heavy for any kind of long rides. I don't know how much money I'll have, probably no more than £500? I don't know if that is just way too little and I'll have to work some more, or if that's enough to buy a decent first time bike? Any advice would be super awesome because I really have no idea what I'm doing!

 

[the snail]

500 notes will buy you a budget alu framed tourer like the claude butler regent, I'd be inclined to look for a second-hand steel bike - lots of Dawes Galaxies around - or maybe save up more pennies for something like the EBC revolution country explorer.

 

[mip]

Not sure if this is the correct (compact) frame size for you http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/products/revolution-country-explorer-11

If not then http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/products/revolution-country-traveller-12

M.

 

[Muddyfox]

I will have a 60cm Ridgeback Panorama coming up for sale in the next week or so for around the £350 mark .. i bought it secondhand but i believe it to be around the 2005/2006 model and the current model retails for about £1200.00

Simon

 

[Euan Fox]

Thanks everyone! I would like to ask, does anyone know of any specific features that are important for a touring bike? Like material used for the frame, gears, panniers, any general specifications that really make a difference?

I will have a 60cm Ridgeback Panorama coming up for sale in the next week or so for around the £350 mark .. i bought it secondhand but i believe it to be around the 2005/2006 model and the current model retails for about £1200.00

Simon

That sounds really awesome, is it a men's bike? What height is 60cm suited for? Sounds pretty big :/

 

[Muddyfox]

Yes it is a mans touring bike and the frame is Reynolds 725 .. i'm 5'11 and its just a bit to big for me @ 6'1 you would'nt want to go less than a 58 cm and a 60cm would probably suit you quite well

If you Google the bike model there is alot of info on the web about them and if you click on my username and go to my profile page click on albums and then touring bike there is a few photos of it in there