Just got a 'new' second hand Dawes Horizon. Want some opinions
- Thread starter Savio
- Start date
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SS Retro
Well-Known Member
- Location
- South Lakes
Just seen pics its 531 ST its so worth keeping!
SS Retro
Well-Known Member
- Location
- South Lakes
I would keep the period down tube shifters and put the cash to new wheels
SS Retro
Well-Known Member
- Location
- South Lakes
Its late 80's early 90's looking at pics
Davidc
Guru
- Location
- Somerset UK
Very nice. One of Dawes' frames from before they went compact. I used to like downtube shifters, preferably not indexed, but that's probably because I grew up with them. I know lots of people didn't (and don't) like them. If you do replace them keep them in a box as they could help in selling later.
The frame should be repainted by a specialist. Search on this forum and you'll find several mentioned in old threads.
Agree with you.
The frame should be repainted by a specialist. Search on this forum and you'll find several mentioned in old threads.
Agree with you.
SS Retro
Well-Known Member
- Location
- South Lakes
Looks like RX 100 front mech and down tube shifters can't see rear mech.
Nigeyy
Legendary Member
- Location
- Massachusetts, USA
I know some people like down tube or bar end shifters, but personally I like my shifters close to my natural hand position. You could consider Pauls Thumbies -thye are expensive, but then again you wouldn't need new shifters and could use the ones you already have (you'd just need new cables and possibly downtube barrel adjusters). By far my personal favourites are Kelly TakeOffs, but I don't think they are available now.
Alternatively, you could go with a flat bar, but that would mean you'd probably end up with the need for a stem, levers and shifters -though assuming you can buy some bargains (Gripshift for shifters), it could still end up being cheaper anyway.
Nice bike btw!
Alternatively, you could go with a flat bar, but that would mean you'd probably end up with the need for a stem, levers and shifters -though assuming you can buy some bargains (Gripshift for shifters), it could still end up being cheaper anyway.
Nice bike btw!
mcshroom
Bionic Subsonic
- Location
- Egremont, Cumbria
For gearing I'd be tempted to leave them as they are. You'll get used to down-tube shifters and they won't feel as awkward. Otherwise, if you want to keep it 7sp then you could either get bar-end shifters, or a set of 'Tourney' level STI shifters - http://sports.jwethans.co.uk/Product_i156382
I have a 2012 Horizon (with lower spec Reynolds 520 steel tubing) as a tourer and I really like it.
I have a 2012 Horizon (with lower spec Reynolds 520 steel tubing) as a tourer and I really like it.
OP
OP
Savio
Active Member
I think I might let the bike go actually after riding around on it. The breaks are a little stiff, the shifters are taking time to get used to, they'll do, for now, but I can't imagine enjoying using them especially not for commuting which involves more stops and starts. I often find a lot of ups and downs here in Belfast too. If I want to upgrade the shifters, and get it powder coated, it's going to cost £100-130+... that brings it to potentially £250+
For what I bought it for, it's great, and decent value. But to really bring it back to life I don't think is currently worth it for me, there's other things I need more.
The romantic in me wants to properly restore it, especially as its a frame made in England not China (just feels more genuine!) and it's something I've wanted to do for a while but I'm trying to buy my first home and I need to scrape every possible penny together, and I can't justify having 3 bikes at this time, though, perhaps I should anticipate one getting stolen...then I might regret letting it go. What's your opinion - only a matter of time? or can I keep hold of it with my chunky Abus lock? :P
Considering that I can get a much newer bike though, with modern shifters etc for £250-300 on ebay, (specialized Tri-cross looks quite good, as I wouldn't mind something for exploring trails / going camping or across Europe, and I'm not sure an Audax would be good for that? But I suppose you guys could enlighten me?
I mean are modern or aluminium frames really bad for long distances? Given that I already have the Clubman audax, which is fine as a commuter and long distance slogger, wouldn't a nice hybrid be the next logical buy? Or is this 531 steel frame really that valuable?
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/291114279809?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT
This auction is about to end... not sure if that's all I'd need to convert it to STI? They mentioned something else may be required... anyway...am I limited to 7 speed because of the drive chain (is that correct term?) they put on the bike? or is the bike itself somehow limited to 7x3?
Yeh, I'm a bike tard. School me :P
For what I bought it for, it's great, and decent value. But to really bring it back to life I don't think is currently worth it for me, there's other things I need more.
The romantic in me wants to properly restore it, especially as its a frame made in England not China (just feels more genuine!) and it's something I've wanted to do for a while but I'm trying to buy my first home and I need to scrape every possible penny together, and I can't justify having 3 bikes at this time, though, perhaps I should anticipate one getting stolen...then I might regret letting it go. What's your opinion - only a matter of time? or can I keep hold of it with my chunky Abus lock? :P
Considering that I can get a much newer bike though, with modern shifters etc for £250-300 on ebay, (specialized Tri-cross looks quite good, as I wouldn't mind something for exploring trails / going camping or across Europe, and I'm not sure an Audax would be good for that? But I suppose you guys could enlighten me?
I mean are modern or aluminium frames really bad for long distances? Given that I already have the Clubman audax, which is fine as a commuter and long distance slogger, wouldn't a nice hybrid be the next logical buy? Or is this 531 steel frame really that valuable?
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/291114279809?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT
This auction is about to end... not sure if that's all I'd need to convert it to STI? They mentioned something else may be required... anyway...am I limited to 7 speed because of the drive chain (is that correct term?) they put on the bike? or is the bike itself somehow limited to 7x3?
Yeh, I'm a bike tard. School me :P
chriswoody
Legendary Member
- Location
- Northern Germany
Well I for one think you have a sweet bike there with a lot of potential. The Horizon was one model down from Dawes famous and sought after Galaxy and a really nice bike in it's own right. Your Horizon probably dates from mid to late nineties going by the head badge. My very personal opinion is that Steel is definitely the way forward I have nothing but distrust in Aluminium after seeing numerous frame failures from fatigue. One of which was whilst on tour with a friend of mine, we were in Southern France and had just stopped at the bottom of a magnificent descent where we had been touching on 40mph, as he pulled away again the rear of the frame snapped. Looking at the break, half of it was old and had obliviously be growing over the proceeding weeks to the point where there wasn't enough frame left to hold the weight of the bike. That said though I would have a close look at the rust on your bike and check that it is not too serious and eating into the frame itself.
With the old technology there is good news and bad news. The spacing between the rear dropouts is large enough that you can pop a modern nine speed wheel in there if you so wish, and modern compact chainsets and external bottom brackets will also fit straight on. So drivetrain wise you can update and customise it to your exact needs with little trouble. Again with gear shifters the world is your clamshell, you can have the really old school downtube shifters, Bar end shifters or modern STI's. The only downside to all this modernising is the brakes, now this is only and opinion and you will need to check my facts, in the early to mid nineties Dawes bikes had narrow forks so you may well be stuck with the old cantilevers that it came with, I am on mine and it took a couple of expensive purchases before the penny dropped as to why nothing would fit! Tuned up by a good bike mechanic they are fine and will happily stop you fully laden, but they are no match for the responsiveness of modern brakes.
A lot of the above is based on my own experiences with my 1994 Dawes Super Galaxy. After years of long distance touring and day to day commuting she has covered thousands upon thousands of miles and has spent time rusting outdoors as well as other times being pampered. Original spec was very close to yours with a seven speed rear hub, but now it runs a nine speed rear hub with a full Deore LX drivetrain and external bottom bracket. The drivetrain is sweet and modern and as smooth as any brand new bike. The saddle has changed from this pic, otherwise this is pretty much how she looks today, not every ones cup of Horlicks I'll admit but I love it and it's good for many thousands more miles. So do yourself a favour and have a good ponder before you give up on the Horizon. It's is a good base bike with the same frame as mine (Basically the Reynolds 531ST is the dogs proverbial dangly bits in steel technology, however the top tube is a little on the small side and can vibrate fully loaded at speed, which is why Dawes made them fatter on later bikes.) and will stand you for many thousands of miles if you want.
With the old technology there is good news and bad news. The spacing between the rear dropouts is large enough that you can pop a modern nine speed wheel in there if you so wish, and modern compact chainsets and external bottom brackets will also fit straight on. So drivetrain wise you can update and customise it to your exact needs with little trouble. Again with gear shifters the world is your clamshell, you can have the really old school downtube shifters, Bar end shifters or modern STI's. The only downside to all this modernising is the brakes, now this is only and opinion and you will need to check my facts, in the early to mid nineties Dawes bikes had narrow forks so you may well be stuck with the old cantilevers that it came with, I am on mine and it took a couple of expensive purchases before the penny dropped as to why nothing would fit! Tuned up by a good bike mechanic they are fine and will happily stop you fully laden, but they are no match for the responsiveness of modern brakes.
A lot of the above is based on my own experiences with my 1994 Dawes Super Galaxy. After years of long distance touring and day to day commuting she has covered thousands upon thousands of miles and has spent time rusting outdoors as well as other times being pampered. Original spec was very close to yours with a seven speed rear hub, but now it runs a nine speed rear hub with a full Deore LX drivetrain and external bottom bracket. The drivetrain is sweet and modern and as smooth as any brand new bike. The saddle has changed from this pic, otherwise this is pretty much how she looks today, not every ones cup of Horlicks I'll admit but I love it and it's good for many thousands more miles. So do yourself a favour and have a good ponder before you give up on the Horizon. It's is a good base bike with the same frame as mine (Basically the Reynolds 531ST is the dogs proverbial dangly bits in steel technology, however the top tube is a little on the small side and can vibrate fully loaded at speed, which is why Dawes made them fatter on later bikes.) and will stand you for many thousands of miles if you want.
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frank9755
Cyclist
- Location
- West London
Sell it!
It won't do much that your Clubman won't do, but the Clubman is always going to be nicer to ride.
You could spend loads of money doing it up and you'd have something that was fine for running around but nothing special. Let someone who can do most of the work themselves do it up.
FWIW, I ride to work on a c.1986 Super Galaxy that I did up myself. I did most of the work and it took far longer than I thought it would. I'm happy with it; I leave it locked up on the street and it is still there when I come back, but it's not great to ride.
It won't do much that your Clubman won't do, but the Clubman is always going to be nicer to ride.
You could spend loads of money doing it up and you'd have something that was fine for running around but nothing special. Let someone who can do most of the work themselves do it up.
FWIW, I ride to work on a c.1986 Super Galaxy that I did up myself. I did most of the work and it took far longer than I thought it would. I'm happy with it; I leave it locked up on the street and it is still there when I come back, but it's not great to ride.
vernon
Harder than Ronnie Pickering
- Location
- Meanwood, Leeds
It really isn't worth investing a lot of cash in upgrading and respraying because at the end of it you will have an expensive twenty plus year old bike that has cost you a lot more than a second hand more modern bike.
As for the steel vs aluminium frame argument, I have had two different Dawes Galaxy frames fracture at the rear drop out on the drive side. The first one I managed to get brazed up and was back on the road within two hours - not bad for a breakage that happened at 19:00 on a Friday night, The second one happened just outside of Orleans and, having mentally costed up the repair, respray and drive train replacement - it was at the end of its life, a £350 brand new Decathlon aluminium framed hybrid tourer was a more cost effective solution to the problem.
I know of at least five, including my two, drop out fractures on Dawes Galaxies. I don't know of anyone who has had an aluminium frame break on them. Though clearly it does happen.
As for ride quality, steel vs aluminium, I didn't detect any difference between the steel and aluminium framed bikes. I suspect that the difference is more advertising hype and review driven than tangible.
As for the steel vs aluminium frame argument, I have had two different Dawes Galaxy frames fracture at the rear drop out on the drive side. The first one I managed to get brazed up and was back on the road within two hours - not bad for a breakage that happened at 19:00 on a Friday night, The second one happened just outside of Orleans and, having mentally costed up the repair, respray and drive train replacement - it was at the end of its life, a £350 brand new Decathlon aluminium framed hybrid tourer was a more cost effective solution to the problem.
I know of at least five, including my two, drop out fractures on Dawes Galaxies. I don't know of anyone who has had an aluminium frame break on them. Though clearly it does happen.
As for ride quality, steel vs aluminium, I didn't detect any difference between the steel and aluminium framed bikes. I suspect that the difference is more advertising hype and review driven than tangible.
