Opinions needed please

[steveindenmark]

I have been using a Trek Lexa Sl for touring for quite a while now and not withstanding the skinny tyres, it has served it's purpose very well.

I have now decided to buy something more suitable for country tracks, gravel roads and on road touring. I am moving away from the road bike type frame but think a MTB is a bit over the top for what I need. Because of previous injuries I would like a more sit up position. I will need to fit pannier racks to the front and rear.

We will only be riding in Europe.

After some research I have come across this:

http://www.evanscycles.com/products...elite-disc-2014-hybrid-bike-ec042524#features

I would appreciate your opinions and any other suggestions.

Steve

 

[ufkacbln]

First thought would be that the forks would make fitting a rack very difficult unless you go for a suspension specific front rack

 

[steveindenmark]

I would fit an Old Man Mountain front pannier rack and so that is not a problem.

Steve

 

[willem]

How about a drop bar tourer with 26 inch wheels? I have one, and I find it is ideal for the modern mix of smooth tarmac, bad tarmac, forest trails and gravel.
Willem

 

[Peteaud]

Not sure if it helps but i will be selling a Trek 7500 Hybrid 2012 model in the next few weeks

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/trek/7500-2011-hybrid-bike-ec023958

 

[videoman]

I have a Dawes Sardar touring bike with 26" wheels and drop handlebars and also an old Giant steel framed mountain bike with no front suspension and straight bars with bar ends and find the Giant more comfortable to ride as I have had a problem with my neck/shoulder for the last year or so and recently I have not found any advantage riding my Dawes over the Giant which I basically built from bits.

The bike you are looking at I would have thought would be ideal for the use you are intending and I have been away for the last two weekends up in North Wales and seen a number of cycling tourists and none of them were on dropped bars touring bikes and all were riding bikes likes the one you are looking at or converted mountain bikes.

I must admit and never thought I would say this but I am finding it more and more difficult to justify using a bike with dropped handlebars for pleasure riding and touring but there again I am getting old after riding bikes for many years.