What is the best lightweight tourer bike that can carry a full camping load?

[Bigtallfatbloke]

I am starting to look at swapping my galaxy for a 60cm smaller lighter galaxy tourer some how...what else might work though?

 

[jags]

i can safely say there's no such thing as a light weight tourer,im not been smart but no matter what bike you have once you start loading it up it's going to weigh some .super hand built wheels would be the way to go on your own frame,lighter racks maby lighter camping gear.that my 2 cent worth.

 

[Deafie]

What about a unicycle and BOB trailer?

 

[Bigtallfatbloke]

..ok..so swapping my 64 galaxy for 60 galaxy isnt such a dumb idea then...its a better fit and will still carry the loads. It's just that I see so many other touring bikes out there (no galaxies though) so I was thinking maybe they all knew better than me?

 

[vernon]

What about a unicycle and BOB trailer?

Ditch the unicycle and just pull the BOB trailer

 

[Andy in Sig]

As has been said, few tourers will be very light. However the German firm Patria does do good touring bikes. It might be worth finding out what their tourer weighs and comparing it to your Galaxy. There's also an American firm which does a titanium tourer which may be significantly lighter.

 

[John Ponting]

Visit Mercian and get a proper tourer built to the proper dimensions for you. They know about these things. They will answer all your questions and set the bike up correctly

note: Other frame builders may apply. The money in your pocket will go down but not up.

http://www.cyclinglinks.co.uk/index...eTitle=Touring+Bike+Manufacturers&SearchCat=1

 

[just jim]

Yup..maybe it's time for something more bespoke BTFG!

As long as you have a bit of spending cash that is...

 

[Crackle]

I can't believe you're doing this to us again. We'd just all relaxed after the Bianchi buy. Been out on it yet?

 

[John Ponting]

I can't believe you're doing this to us again. We'd just all relaxed after the Bianchi buy. Been out on it yet?

Are you up to date on the Rourke ?

 

[northernwalker]

Looks like we have a smilar steed...

I have done a bit of research on this and if I do buy another tourer, it will be bespoke.

Probably a Mercian as my neighbour still rides his after 30-odd years.

 

[Landslide]

Think about how much full camping kit weighs, then think about how negligible a difference it'll make if you shave a couple of hundred grams off the bike.

 

[Crackle]

Are you up to date on the Rourke ?

Yes. I stayed out of that one though

 

[PpPete]

Think about how much full camping kit weighs, then think about how negligible a difference it'll make if you shave a couple of hundred grams off the bike.

Couple of kilos more like .... Have you seen his list of camping kit...? it's on another thread here somewhere....

Two camping mats - forsooth, what's wrong with the bracken you find at the side of the road?

 

[Nigeyy]

I agree with what has been posted -pretty much a lightweight tourer isn't going to save you that much once you're fully loaded. And Galaxy's are decent bikes to start with. But, if you really want to lighten it, consider upgrading to some lightweight components -namely a lighter crank, derailleurs, wheelset, saddle, seatpost, tyres, etc, etc. With a lot of money, you can usually lighten a bike by a kilo. The problem here will be twofold: one, the strength and durability of some lightweight parts is suspect (can't recommend you tour on lightweight radial 24 spokecount wheels for example) and two, the cost involved. Lightweight chi-chi components don't come cheaply.

Personally, unless your bike is really heavy, I'd say just ride it and enjoy it.