Thoughts/impressions on Dawes Discovery 201

[Punkawallah]

Friesyon: Suntour indeed - ar from an ‘86 Lady Galaxy along with the freewheel.

Jameshow: I have a pair of pannier bags, not Carradice. I think they would be more than the bike is worth :-)

 

[simongt]

This applies only to earlier 1990s Dawes bikes though.

The Super Galaxy I bought last year is a '91 model which apparently is one of the last to roll off the UK 'production line'.
Well pleased with that wee factoid when I found out - !

 

[Chief Broom]

Hi folks thought i would do an update on the 'good old 201' I still highly recommend it for a newbie rider as its cheap as chips [about£400 new] especially good for older riders who might need a more upright riding position [dodgy back] with the quill stem being easy to adjust. The drivetrain is simple but adequate and can be upgraded to a 1 x 10 when the components wear out. Im still on the original bottom bracket which has done about 20k. Maintenance is straight forward and is great for a beginner or for a rider to become reacquainted with the basics. Highly adaptable to whatever role it needs to be- commuter to tourer

 

[markharry66]

Stick with tyres and the pressures your happy with. Having watched Gcn recently we should all take out a second mortagate for an expesnive entry level aero bike if we wish to continue cycling, shuv their aero socks where the sun doesnt shine. If you enjoy yourself who cares dont get caught up with bull

 

[Punkawallah]

Stick with tyres and the pressures your happy with. Having watched Gcn recently we should all take out a second mortagate for an expesnive entry level aero bike if we wish to continue cycling, shuv their aero socks where the sun doesnt shine. If you enjoy yourself who cares dont get caught up with bull

Do I detect a hint of disaffection there?

 

[Ianonabike]

It's a nice simple looking bike, and 8 gears are plenty (for me at least). Glad you're enjoying it.

 

[grldtnr]

Do I detect a hint of disaffection there?

Just a tad, methinks!

 

[grldtnr]

Hi folks thought i would do an update on the 'good old 201' I still highly recommend it for a newbie rider as its cheap as chips [about£400 new] especially good for older riders who might need a more upright riding position [dodgy back] with the quill stem being easy to adjust. The drivetrain is simple but adequate and can be upgraded to a 1 x 10 when the components wear out. Im still on the original bottom bracket which has done about 20k. Maintenance is straight forward and is great for a beginner or for a rider to become reacquainted with the basics. Highly adaptable to whatever role it needs to be- commuter to tourer
View attachment 779273

I bought a 201 ,then did a tour of Italy on it ,mind you that was a long time ago, and it was better specced then than now, abiding memory were the off road knobblie tyres,it sounded like Land Rover when trunderling up and down the Appenines.
The major reason I bought it was cos we travelled by air, and didn't want my decent tourer mangled up, it were that or the Pashley APB, the Dawes won out.
Nuffink wrong with a quality basic bike, yo can only use one gear at a time!

 

[Aston]

Hi folks thought i would do an update on the 'good old 201' I still highly recommend it for a newbie rider as its cheap as chips [about£400 new] especially good for older riders who might need a more upright riding position [dodgy back] with the quill stem being easy to adjust. The drivetrain is simple but adequate and can be upgraded to a 1 x 10 when the components wear out. Im still on the original bottom bracket which has done about 20k. Maintenance is straight forward and is great for a beginner or for a rider to become reacquainted with the basics. Highly adaptable to whatever role it needs to be- commuter to tourer
View attachment 779273

I've just picked up on this thread and as a 'returning bicycle rider' (I don't think I'm a cyclist as I want to wear normal clothes) I was really impressed with your mileage in the couple of years you've had the bike, that's appreciably more than I do on my motorbike, which includes lots of camping trips and a Europe trip once a year. I assume you must do some other gym type stuff and be quite fit? Or has this been from a standing start?

 

[Oldhippy]

@Aston if you ride a bicycle you're a cyclist. There is no uniform and don't have to dress up if you don't want to. I never have and never would. I use my bike as transport so wear 'normal whatever that is' clothes.

 

[Chief Broom]

I've just picked up on this thread and as a 'returning bicycle rider' (I don't think I'm a cyclist as I want to wear normal clothes) I was really impressed with your mileage in the couple of years you've had the bike, that's appreciably more than I do on my motorbike, which includes lots of camping trips and a Europe trip once a year. I assume you must do some other gym type stuff and be quite fit? Or has this been from a standing start?

Hi Aston, I started in a very modest way and could barely ride a couple of miles before my legs turned to jelly but im a tenacious ****er and kept at it. My persistence was key and my mileage slowly but surely increased. Hills were my nemesis and theres a lot of them in my neck of the woods [Brora, Highlands] i just kept at it--and am still keeping at it! Now my rides are typically 35- 48 miles on alternate days which gives the old legs a rest. At my age i didnt imagine i could get 'sportingly' fit again.. but i guess i have though it is cycling specific. Occasionally i can surprise younger riders especially on the hills.
I dont go to the gym as this doesnt interest me, my only ambition is to be a reasonably competent touring cyclist- that'll do me

 

[Aston]

Hi Aston, I started in a very modest way and could barely ride a couple of miles before my legs turned to jelly but im a tenacious ****er and kept at it. My persistence was key and my mileage slowly but surely increased. Hills were my nemesis and theres a lot of them in my neck of the woods [Brora, Highlands] i just kept at it--and am still keeping at it! Now my rides are typically 35- 48 miles on alternate days which gives the old legs a rest. At my age i didnt imagine i could get 'sportingly' fit again.. but i guess i have though it is cycling specific. Occasionally i can surprise younger riders especially on the hills.
I dont go to the gym as this doesnt interest me, my only ambition is to be a reasonably competent touring cyclist- that'll do me

Thanks for the reply, there’s hope for me yet then, just need to try and keep at it

 

[biggs682]

@Aston you are using a bike so YES you are a cyclist.

Please don't think only lycra wearing people are cyclists we all ride bikes but don't all want to wear lycra

 

[Oldhippy]

If it is any inspiration read 'One man and his bike' Mike Carter. He cycled to work daily and decided to cycle the entire coast of the UK. No training, no touring experience just a dream that there is more out there than the daily grind. Excellent read I think for the 'Can I do this moment'. You can.