Need advice on new bike: probably second hand tourer 350-450

[Savio]

Hey so I was about to buy a cube hyde when someone told me hold on - on long distance journeys you might want a touring bike. My local shop, Hargroves, doesn't seem to recognize the subsection in their store, yet some of the staff seemed to. Some didn't even recommend tourers (disappointing!)

The only thing close they have is some Stevens cyclocross bikes. These are over a thousand or 999 rrp, but are on sale at 799. It does seem a decent price, but way out of my budget. The bikes are something like 9 kilos, for carrying some gear I'm not sure if that's a good or bad thing, though ... out of range anyway..

I will be...

• Going on long distance rides. From here in West Sussex up to London...and beyond.
• Sometimes camping or going long distance carrying some instruments / recording gear
  
• Long term plans to tour around europe at some stage
• General commuting & short / medium distances of 5-10 miles (would a road bike be far superior to a tourer here?)
  
• It'd be nice if I could take it a little offroad, if not, if I save enough, I'll look into a hybrid or something. But it'd be nice to be able to switch the tires and go on some trails / paths. Basically I'd prefer not to end up buying another bike

So I've looked at...

• Dawes Galaxy AL here (with 'toolkit'?) and here - the latter is cheapest I found it.
  
• Revolution Country Explorer (Was one on ebay that sold for 295 before I could do my research. Gutted as it was my size and seemed good. 675 retail I think...)
• Raleigh Royal (One on ebay here...) and new here

I don't need anything too fancy. There's a possibility it will get stolen in the environments I will be in. Not that they will be horrid environments, but the bike will be often locked up out in the open, it's unavoidable when travelling or camping, or as I sometimes do, visit the odd protest site - yes - specifically - fracking. I think the British public have not been informed of the true nature of fracking, and it's ability to both pollute and decimate the environment....! Sorry for that plug, but I can't help it..

So what do you think? I need panniers too and need to keep everything under 500 if possible. It'd be nice if I could get a bike that will last and not require constant maintenance however too pricey and I may be unable to replace it.

I would also like to know what would go against me trying to fit panniers to a road or hybrid bike?

 

[Spinney]

Fitting panniers to a hybrid, no probs.
Road bikes do not usually have the lugs/holes/whatever to fix a pannier to. If you want a road bike for commuting you will have to carry your clean clothes/whatever else you take in a rucksac.

A tourer will easily cope with things like canal towpaths, doesn't have to stick to tarmac. If you want muddy tracks, even a hybrid may not be all that good - I tried my hybrid out on some muddy bridleways recently and gave up the 3rd time I had to stop to scrape mud out from between the tyres and the wheels because it was stopping the wheels going round! You could take the mudguards off a hybrid I suppose, but that seemed a bit too much faff!

(When you have made a few more posts you will have access to the Current Affairs and Debates forum, where you can post about fracking to your heart's content!)

And

 

[Savio]

Alright, thanks, will I also get access to a bike sale section? I heard there was one!

What are your thoughts on the models I listed?

And oohhh..I see... hehe.. yeh I'll keep it zipped till then ;-)

 

[Savio]

I'm still looking without much luck, anyone? may have to go retail at this rate :-(

 

[goody]

Type Dawes Galaxy or touring bike into Ebay. Should get something decent for 250-300 and spend the rest on a good service, tyres, panniers etc.
That Raleigh on ebay would do the job though.

 

[Savio]

aye I've been doing that for days, but when you research carefully the prices are often very high, there's a lot to watch out for as 'xx model' with one different letter is a 400 pound difference sometimes. What looks like a great deal turns out.. not to be.

The raleigh looks ok. I'm dubious as who I'm buying from there, and I was told to go for at least 'Reynolds steel' something or other frame, which that bike I don't believe has. (dawes does of course)

I've contemplated getting a road bike that can take some light panniers. Most often I will not be taking a tent as most places I go have spare tents available. It would be sleeping bag, clothes, some food, possibly some recording gear and my guitar when I really have to. (I'm open to getting a trailer if they're safe and my guitar won't arrive in pieces from the jolts)

 

[Savio]

Actually the main problem is it being my first good bike I've little idea how to spot a good deal, at least on models I don't recognize

 

[Savio]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Dawes-Gal...0977995493?pt=UK_Bikes_GL&hash=item4613afbee5

There's this, and I like disc breaks, but I've no idea what this means (cross?) is it trying to be a hybrid?

 

[HorTs]

I brought a Revolution Country Explorer new and have been very pleased with it.

Done LEJOG with 100m days with no problem - not even a puncture.

 

[Cuchilo]

The Giant Defy 5 takes panniers so I assume the whole Defy range does . Cracking road bikes but im not sure if it would be a good tourer ?

 

[Savio]

I'd be doing less touring and more like day rides for a while. Touring is something for the future I think.

 

[Savio]

I got a choice between a Dawes Clubman (could be 2012, or 2013, not sure, but I reckon 2012) for 430-450 (negotiating)

or a Ridgeback Voyager for 360-365, but I'd have to travel to Glasgow to get it, which would cost at least 40 pounds on train / megabus (I'm south england) so the Ridgeback still ends up cheaper, is it the better bike? I have no clue really. The clubman didn't seem to score highly for value for money from the review I read though.

Been looking into specialized tricross too as I won't do that much 'touring' at first.. more day long rides and commutes. I don't really want a full on tourer I guess, a light one will do (I hear the clubman fits that bill?)

Any ideas?

The clubman is 499 new here... http://www.winstanleysbikes.co.uk/product/50294/Dawes_Clubman_2012_Bike

Which makes me wonder what the difference is between the 2012 and 2013, if this second hand one is 2012, 430 seems too much?

 

[Rickshaw Phil]

The spec for the 2013 version is here and at a glance looks pretty much the same, except I prefer the colour of the 2013 model.

Personally, given the choice of a used version at £430 or a new, old-stock one for £499 I think I'd rather spend the little bit extra.

Something to consider is that the new one will come with a full warranty as it applies from point of original purchase, not from when the bike was made.

 

[Savio]

And the option of getting a better fit. I think I'll have to discuss this with the guy selling. Thanks.

Also on the cards recently is a Specialized Tricross 2009 .. for 300 pounds (second hand of course)

Edit: Also the clubman for 430, he says it's practically brand new. 70 pound is a fair amount for me and will get me some accessories, shorts, helmet, etc.

 

[Savio]

I went for the Clubman, got him down to 400, which is just about reasonable for me. Problem is the fit, as he was in an apartment, it was late, and I was tired of searching for a bike, I didn't get to ride it before I took it home. I just sat on it, it felt OK.

Now I've ridden it round my back hurts. It seems clear the reach is too far (I believe this is the top tube length and stem?) I understand my only option is to reduce the stem length? Is that correct?

I'm also unsure of how I feel about the drop bars and shifters. It's all alien to me and I have small hands which seems to make getting my hands both around the breaks, bars and positioned to change gear a little of a stretch.

I do believe I might have made an error with this bike unless I can get it adjusted to fit. Local shop (hargroves) wants 40 pounds to do a set up and check over, which seems extortionate given that I don't need it checked over as its pretty much brand new.

Also the pedals... damn... When stopping and starting I just can't get my feet in and out....

Oh dear... when newbies buy bikes............the guy seemed nice, if worst comes to worst, perhaps he'll take it back, but I feel like that'd be giving up to soon, surely there's adjustments I can make?