The problem with this sort of question is that very few people will have ridden either bike, and very very few ridden both.
In all honesty they look pretty much of a muchness. Two quality bikes from reputable brands at about the same price. The grades of steel used in the frames are different and you might want to check out the Reynolds website for an explanation of the differences. The component spec is pretty much the same - although you might argue that the Ridgeback has a marginally better spec.
I think from here on in it's a question of different rather than better - and this is where it comes down to personal preferences. The Pearson has bar end shifters rather than STIs - which do
you prefer?
It would also be worth comparing the frame geometry (although I suspect the differences will be marginal) and in particular:
- top tube length - do you prefer shorter or longer?
- chainstay length - longer gives you more scope for fitting larger tyres should you want to;
- wheelbase. Longer is arguably more stable but shorter, arguably, gives more responsive handling.
However ....
- from the spec and the review of the Country Explorer that I've seen it looks incredibly good value - while neither the Pearson or the Ridgeback makes me want to throw my hat in the air and say 'wow that's a bargain'. You could spend a lot of money and not really notice the difference (or alternatively you might make more difference investing in lightweight camping kit). Probably the more expensive bikes will be a bit lighter and
maybe you will notice a difference in the feel of the bike due to the more expensive steel tubes. Gear shifting might be a bit better and braking probably worse. Paying twice as much for a bike doesn't mean that it will be twice as good - 10 percent? 20 percent maybe? So I'd be cautious and consider whether you might be better off simply investing in some judicious upgrades - eg handbuilt wheels, or a new saddle, and using the money you save to fund your next tour or to buy camping kit, or panniers or whatever;
- following on from this it might well be worth considering simply buying a new frame and using bits from the Country Explorer to build it. Unfortunately you can't buy frames via the scheme but it might still be the most cost-effective option.
- if you really like disc brakes (and I do too) why not consider the
Kona Sutra when it first came out there were issues due to fitting a pannier rack alongside BB7 calipers, but these look like they've been fixed. Your C2W supplier should be able to order them;
- while the C2W scheme offers a great deal for a lot of people, bear in mind that you fund the purchase by giving up part of your salary, this bit is not pensionable so you lose any pension contributions your employer might have made. If you are a basic rate taxpayer in a good pension scheme the benefit from C2W might not be more than about 10 per cent - ie possibly less than you could get from shopping around.
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