Fandango
Well-Known Member
Having been off the saddle for 25 years, last year I invested £300 in a Schwinn Voyager GS which has been great, it's a lovely bike to ride on roads or trails, and it's very comfy. In my younger days I did a bit of touring, so I decided to do a tour of the coast of the UK, in sections depending on work - I am self employed which means semi-retired in the recession. My Schwinn has got me from Southampton to Lowestoft so far, with no breakdowns, but I can't help feeling a specialist touring bike might be better for me, and as I am 50 this year, Wifey is looking for that special birthday present :-)
I have searched through the site here, and come up with a choice of two bikes, not that I wouldn't consider more, but these seem the sort of thing I am looking for. The Dawes Super Galaxy http://www.evanscycles.com/products...ouring-bike-ec018628?query=dawes super galaxy
mainly because I don't like the idea of bar end shifters, or I would have a normal Galaxy, or the Ridgeback Panorama http://www.evanscycles.com/products/ridgeback/panorama-2010-hybrid-bike-ec021129?query=panorama
Which has had good feedback here, but is hard to find any reviews of online. My LBS has very kindly agreed to get a Panorama in for me to try, and I have found a Super Galaxy at a LBS 20 miles away, so I should be able to try both out. I value your expert opinions though, so would appreciate any comments you might have on these bikes, as well as a few specific questions, bearing in mind I am (almost) 50 years old, 18 stone, and tend to load up the bike with camping gear, including essentials like my toaster. I am a fat man on a bicycle, I don't need the fastest tourer on wheels, just something that makes the pain easier, and is nice to ride.
1. For this much money I presume either bike will make it slightly easier to go up hills - apparently the frame material and gears are designed for it but they are just numbers to me. Can anyone explain the difference between the components? Who is Cro Moly? Will she pedal for me?
2. Suspension. My Schwinn has seat and front suspension which makes it super comfy. Touring bikes have neither, which seems odd. How would you rate the seats on these bikes or would you change them, maybe with a suspension seat post?
3. Wheels. It sort of makes sense to me that the bigger the wheels are, the easier it will be to pedal. 700c better than 26"? I won't be touring in the Outer Limpopo so availability of 700c wheels isn't really an issue.
4. If someone offered you either of these bikes for free, which one would you have, and why?
Thanks in advance for your opinions. Hopefully they will help me make the right choice.
I have searched through the site here, and come up with a choice of two bikes, not that I wouldn't consider more, but these seem the sort of thing I am looking for. The Dawes Super Galaxy http://www.evanscycles.com/products...ouring-bike-ec018628?query=dawes super galaxy
mainly because I don't like the idea of bar end shifters, or I would have a normal Galaxy, or the Ridgeback Panorama http://www.evanscycles.com/products/ridgeback/panorama-2010-hybrid-bike-ec021129?query=panorama
Which has had good feedback here, but is hard to find any reviews of online. My LBS has very kindly agreed to get a Panorama in for me to try, and I have found a Super Galaxy at a LBS 20 miles away, so I should be able to try both out. I value your expert opinions though, so would appreciate any comments you might have on these bikes, as well as a few specific questions, bearing in mind I am (almost) 50 years old, 18 stone, and tend to load up the bike with camping gear, including essentials like my toaster. I am a fat man on a bicycle, I don't need the fastest tourer on wheels, just something that makes the pain easier, and is nice to ride.
1. For this much money I presume either bike will make it slightly easier to go up hills - apparently the frame material and gears are designed for it but they are just numbers to me. Can anyone explain the difference between the components? Who is Cro Moly? Will she pedal for me?
2. Suspension. My Schwinn has seat and front suspension which makes it super comfy. Touring bikes have neither, which seems odd. How would you rate the seats on these bikes or would you change them, maybe with a suspension seat post?
3. Wheels. It sort of makes sense to me that the bigger the wheels are, the easier it will be to pedal. 700c better than 26"? I won't be touring in the Outer Limpopo so availability of 700c wheels isn't really an issue.
4. If someone offered you either of these bikes for free, which one would you have, and why?
Thanks in advance for your opinions. Hopefully they will help me make the right choice.