Jugular
Well-Known Member
- Location
- Manchester
Ok I've toured once with my family when I was young, but they had luggage transported between 4* hotels, so I can't imagine most would consider that real touring.
Me and my gf are planning to go on a cyclecamping tour in the South West looking to go further afield in future if we like it, and I could do with all the advice I can get. I've spent a few evenings reading various forum posts and researching bikes and equipment. There's so much to learn and so much expense involved! I had hoped this would provide a cheap healthy holiday option once a year.
OK down to brass tacks...
- I don't currently own a bike (I sold my Terry Dolan custom build 3 years ago)
- My gf owns a fairly old steel frame Raleigh Commuter/MTB type thing (not much in the way of bosses).
- I can't gaurantee we'll both really enjoy the holiday so we're loathe to spend too much on new bikes.
- Paying for a preorganised tour seemed to ruin the whole idea of the freedom and costs more than a good spec brand new bike.
- I've heard really contradictory comments about buying 2nd hand touring bikes on Ebay. 1) "They're cheap and last a lifetime", 2) "All ebay bikes have hidden problems".
- By my estimation buying 2xThorn Rohloff's (I'm not the best mechanic) plus kit will set us back £3500, buying 2nd hand Dawes Galaxy's on Ebay plus kit will set us back £1000. Am I in the right ball park?
Am I mad?
Me and my gf are planning to go on a cyclecamping tour in the South West looking to go further afield in future if we like it, and I could do with all the advice I can get. I've spent a few evenings reading various forum posts and researching bikes and equipment. There's so much to learn and so much expense involved! I had hoped this would provide a cheap healthy holiday option once a year.
OK down to brass tacks...
- I don't currently own a bike (I sold my Terry Dolan custom build 3 years ago)
- My gf owns a fairly old steel frame Raleigh Commuter/MTB type thing (not much in the way of bosses).
- I can't gaurantee we'll both really enjoy the holiday so we're loathe to spend too much on new bikes.
- Paying for a preorganised tour seemed to ruin the whole idea of the freedom and costs more than a good spec brand new bike.
- I've heard really contradictory comments about buying 2nd hand touring bikes on Ebay. 1) "They're cheap and last a lifetime", 2) "All ebay bikes have hidden problems".
- By my estimation buying 2xThorn Rohloff's (I'm not the best mechanic) plus kit will set us back £3500, buying 2nd hand Dawes Galaxy's on Ebay plus kit will set us back £1000. Am I in the right ball park?
Am I mad?