Touring advice please

[Katie]

Hi, I've been doing short touring trips on my bike for a while now but next year I'm heading to NZ for a month. I'll be carrying all my stuff with me and I think I really need to invest in a new bike as my road bike just isn't up to it. Can anyone offer me some advice on a good tourer. Thanks

Katie

 

[Tim Bennet.]

You can't go far wrong with a Cheviot from Paul Hewitt.

http://www.hewittbikefitting.co.uk/index.php?page=hewitt

 

[bad boy]

Koga Miyate

 

[Gerry Attrick]

Could you give us some idea of your budget Katie? Oh and welcome to the forum.

 

[oxford_guy]

You can't go far wrong with a Cheviot from Paul Hewitt.

http://www.hewittbikefitting.co.uk/index.php?page=hewitt

Seconded (I have a Cheviot SE...)

 

[Crankarm]

Katie.

NZ is a great country to tour just be careful of the drivers. Many are not so kind to cyclists.

Bike - you need a woman's specific frame whatever make and model you choose. Not sure if all manufacturers do WSD frames. Check out a few.

Dawes Galaxy or Horizon,
Roberts (Josie Dew's bike)
Condor (Ann Mustoe)
Thorn
Orbit
Or hardtail MTB with stronger 26" wheels mudguards and racks (might be better if you plan going off road or off the bitumen). Plus the lower gearing may be better for you than road bike gearing climbing the long hills loaded up especially if you get onto some of the forest tracks. I think an MTB 26" wheel based tourer would be best and strongest.

I'm sure there are more manufacturers, perhaps some one else such as Rich P can suggest a few more.

As has been stated above a budget would be most helpful.

Some of the bikes mentioned above such as the Koga Miyate are top touring bikes and mega expensive. I would suggest a 2nd hand tourer might be a better option if you are new to touring and only going for a month. Also budget for decent racks if the touring bike you are buying strangely doesn't have racks. The best racks are Tubus. The best panniers are Vaude, then Ortlieb, then the rest. Try and keep weight to a minimum as I 'm sure you will realise.

How about buying a bike new or second hand or hiring one in New Zealand? This would save you having to pack one up to fly with and the extra cost as well. Just suggestions.

 

[Crankarm]

Also Trek, Giant, Kona ........ do WSD specific frames.

 

[Spinney]

Bike - you need a woman's specific frame whatever make and model you choose. Not sure if all manufacturers do WSD frames. Check out a few.

Why?

I'm female. I recently bought a Hewitt Cheviot (love it - tho haven't used it for touring yet), with lower than usual gears. The frame is a large (I think), with standard drop handlebars. As far as I know there is nothing woman-specific about it apart from the saddle, and you choose the saddle you want anyway - could even fit your old saddle if it is comfy.

What would be different about a woman-specific frame? Surely it depends on the individual's build?

If carrying a lot, it might be worth getting one with lower than standard gears, for hauling stuff up hills!

I'd recommend getting measured properly, though, which Hewitt's did. This bike was my first with drops, and if I was just trying one in the shop I would have bought one with a much more 'sit-up' riding position, just because the one I've got felt ridiculously tipped-forward when I first got on it. However that was what the experts had recommended after measuring me, and sure enough, after 100 miles or so, the riding position is very comfy.

 

[ufkacbln]

Woman specific ..... depends on the woman!

My wife finds that men's bikes are far more comfortable than women's designs - but that is a personal choice. Her favourite though is her Thorn Raven which is a lot smaller than she used to ride, but has been the one she has found the easiest to ride and better for longer distances.

 

[Dayvo]

Four years ago I did a 4,000 km trip on a Scott P3 Sportster with no problems whatsoever.

I'm taking the same bike with me to cycle in Australia for two months in November.

Unless you're going to be doing a lot of specialised (i.e. in extreme locations) rides, you'll be fine with a bike in the £500 - £700 category.

Obviously a lot depends on if you're taking four panniers or two (with regard to front suspension), otherwise pack sensibly and practically.

 

[Katie]

Hi guys, thank you so much for the responses.
My budget runs to around £1000 since I plan on using whatever I get. I use a man's road bike just with a woman's saddle and get on with it really well but I'm more that happy to take advice! Definitely think the lower gears will come in handy. I was hoping to do it with just back panniers, I've already learned the value of efficient packing!

 

[Gerry Attrick]

Your budget of £1000 is a bit tight for a really good tourer new. I would certainly consider the makes already mentioned, but second hand. Galaxies in particular are excellent value used. One other model which I don't think has been mentioned is the Ridgeback Panorama which is a tad over budget, but hey, we are talking bikes!

There is a picture and specs here.