OP
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chrismisterx
Senior Member
- Location
- North Shields
wow your really good at finding the best deals online, thanks again for helping, going to check some reviews out on this one, thats a massive saving.
Planning our first small Tour ( North shields to Moray )
- Thread starter chrismisterx
- Start date
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wow your really good at finding the best deals online, thanks again for helping, going to check some reviews out on this one, thats a massive saving.
Spiderweb
Not So Special One
- Location
- North Yorkshire
It’s good to know your height now, the advice you’ve received re. Size is good. It’s always best to sit and try before you buy but you cannot always find touring bikes in store, you may have to take a chance online. I’m 5’ 8” too and ride both 52cm & 54cm frames, I cannot say which I find most comfortable, after fine adjustment they all feel good.
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chrismisterx
Senior Member
- Location
- North Shields
Just had another lovely day out, 18 miles approx. 9 miles there 9 miles back.
Met a cracking bloke in another LBS, he was fantastic, so helpful, we spent a good 3-4 hours talking about options and the best way forward, wife had a good chat about things.
everything from peddles and saddles to panniers and locks, spot on customer service.
I think for now on this will be my new go to bike shop, a nice simple 8 mile ride away, with a cracking little coffee shop about 10-15 mins away, so perfect.
So my budget sunk like the titanic, but we have a list of items to get, some will take a good few months to save up for, but he is happy doing that, the end cost for both bikes all kitted out to our specs comes to £3200 the bikes came in at £1100 each (£100 over my wifes budget for a bike and £400 over my budget, thanks to 12 months interest free, could push the boat out abit )
The extras, include locks, lights, peddles, pump, panniers, mud guards, helmets ( new euro rated 25 km ones, look quite smart too ) cycle shoes, fitting of new parts etc.
I would just like to say thank you for all your advice and help on this thread, it meant when I went into the shop I knew much better what I needed and wanted and could understand much better what he was saying on some subjects ( for example no front suspension being one)
Sorry again for the scatter brain approach, but it did help loads and am super excited for the bikes to arrive.
ohh just encase your wondering what bikes we ordered, it was the trek 520.
https://www.trekbikes.com/gb/en_GB/bikes/adventure-touring-bikes/520/520/p/24000/
Met a cracking bloke in another LBS, he was fantastic, so helpful, we spent a good 3-4 hours talking about options and the best way forward, wife had a good chat about things.
everything from peddles and saddles to panniers and locks, spot on customer service.
I think for now on this will be my new go to bike shop, a nice simple 8 mile ride away, with a cracking little coffee shop about 10-15 mins away, so perfect.
So my budget sunk like the titanic, but we have a list of items to get, some will take a good few months to save up for, but he is happy doing that, the end cost for both bikes all kitted out to our specs comes to £3200 the bikes came in at £1100 each (£100 over my wifes budget for a bike and £400 over my budget, thanks to 12 months interest free, could push the boat out abit )
The extras, include locks, lights, peddles, pump, panniers, mud guards, helmets ( new euro rated 25 km ones, look quite smart too ) cycle shoes, fitting of new parts etc.
I would just like to say thank you for all your advice and help on this thread, it meant when I went into the shop I knew much better what I needed and wanted and could understand much better what he was saying on some subjects ( for example no front suspension being one)
Sorry again for the scatter brain approach, but it did help loads and am super excited for the bikes to arrive.
ohh just encase your wondering what bikes we ordered, it was the trek 520.
https://www.trekbikes.com/gb/en_GB/bikes/adventure-touring-bikes/520/520/p/24000/
Spiderweb
Not So Special One
- Location
- North Yorkshire
Well done on the riding and a great choice of bikes, the Trek’s will be perfect.
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OP
chrismisterx
Senior Member
- Location
- North Shields
thank you for the help with posting different bikes, it made a ton of difference, it give me a place to start from and meant I could google stuff much better.
Heltor Chasca
Out-riding the Black Dog
Yes. Well done to you too. I think you’ve created a nice little resource here for people looking for decent tourers. I particularly liked the Cube you put up for discussion.
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chrismisterx
Senior Member
- Location
- North Shields
Thank you, we got there the hard way, but at least got there in the end
I think we really will enjoy them, when you see bikes in real life you can tell the difference between the budget and the slightly better ones, i think paying a little more is better in the long run.
The wife fell in love with the trek 920, but that was just too much for us even with interest free at £1600 a bike, but boy it looked smart!
Looks very nice and have fun on them.
Boring but ... advice, make sure they're covered on the house (or other) insurance and check the lock specification matches what is required for the insurance. Also, joining British Cycling or Cycling UK provides 3rd party insurance on the road as well as legal support.
Gravity Aided
Legendary Member
- Location
- Land of Lincoln
A fine choice, Trek 520 is a great bicycle and the gold standard over in the States for touring. I am in the process of changing my 26" tourer over to a 950, an old MTB frame following much the same geometry as the older 520, a little posher in some places, but I think the 520 is a fine choice. What will you choose for panniers?
