Light weight tourer.

[Lisat]

I have a giant avail that I have been using for rides up to 200k. I am thinking of getting a tourer for next year to go further afield. Probably for 1
week at a time. Not sure where to start.

 

[biggs682]

I have a giant avail that I have been using for rides up to 200k. I am thinking of getting a tourer for next year to go further afield. Probably for 1
week at a time. Not sure where to start.

make a short list of wants and needs from the intended bike then try and match to available bikes

 

[Lisat]

I would really like a mixte frame but there don't seem many about. Or they are project ones which I don't have the knowledge to renovate.

 

[Smurfy]

biggs682 is right

Get a list drawn up.

How much do you want to carry? No racks, one rack, two racks?
Type of brakes required? Powerful for heavily loaded and steep hills. Regular for lightly loaded and less hilly.
Gearing options? Shifter options?
Tyre size? 700 for tall people, smaller for very short people

When you have your list, find a bike that ticks nearly everything.

Edit: And price is a major consideration for most people, although that might change if you can't get what you really want at your target price

 

[totallyfixed]

A mixte frame isn't going to be as rigid as a classic triangular one, which means if you are carrying rear panniers you will get a fair amount of flex if you are carrying much weight in said panniers. We both have light touring / audax bikes which have been brilliant for 2 week tours with panniers but light enough even for club rides when required. One is a Spa steel tourer and one a Condor Fratello, pictures of them loaded can be found on my ongoing travelogue on here, Touring the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany.

 

[biggs682]

I would really like a mixte frame but there don't seem many about. Or they are project ones which I don't have the knowledge to renovate.

a mixte frame is more traditional , so if you want tradition why not a nice retro gents bike made with good olde Reynolds tubing @Lisat ,

as @totallyfixed said mixte frames are not as strong as a gents frame , but all depends on your list

 

[Drago]

Light tourer? Some kind of Sportive or Audax bike with guards and carrier. Not quite as sharp as a full on road bike, but not quite the barge that can sometimes be the touring bike.

 

[vickster]

http://www.spacycles.co.uk/products.php?plid=m1b0s21p0

Spa seem a good place to start

Or Pearson http://www.pearsoncycles.co.uk/bikes/road-bikes/r/pearson

Or Condor if your budget is quite generous

The Avail will take a rack and mudguards otherwise, it is essentially a 'Sportive' bike