What's the best tourer for under a grand?

[Muddyfox]

If i had the money i would be looking for a Kona Sutra

Simon

 

[mikeitup]

Claud Butler's Dalesman Tourers are available on line for under a grand (just)
Reynolds 631 frame and 520 fork and Shimano Kit.

http://www.jejamescycles.co.uk/claud-butler-dalesman-item137640.html

 

[irc]

Another vote for the Surly LHT. With the caveat that IMO there are better bikes for lightweight credit card style touring.

My last bike was a Galaxy and in comparison the Surly has a stiff ride when unloaded, verging on jarring. And I'm 200 pounds so I'm no lightweight. It felt a bit more sluggish accelerating than the Galaxy. It did have a heavier rear wheel than my Galaxy which would count for a little bit of the slow feel.

On the other hand even when commuting on my Galaxy there was a bit too much flex when sprinting for a traffic light.

For fully loaded touring the LHT is hard to beat though. I used mine for a USA coast to coast. 4500 miles with front and rear panniers. Always totally stable. Flawless handling. Much easier to ride no hands than my Galaxy. After using it for that length of time I wouldn't change anything.

It wasn't the complete bike but a frame/fork built up with bar end shifters, v-brakes, Tubus racks, and 22/32/42 and 11-34 gearing.

 

[BalkanExpress]

If i had the money i would be looking for a Kona Sutra

Simon

Yes, that's the one. The 2010 is brown though but at least it comes with mudguards

 

[elduderino]

I've got a real urge to go out and get a Surly LHT, particularly with the positive press it's getting in this thread, but I just can't justify it at the mo.

I bought a Dawes Horizon back in 2005 for about £400 and after about 25,000km of everyday use for commuting, shopping, weekend rides and a few fully-loaded transcontinental cycle-camping tours since then, the damn thing is still going strong and comfy. And I treat it like crap, leaving it parked outside work in all weathers all year round. I'm too lazy to clean it like I should too...

Unfortunately there's still nothing at all wrong with it, so I can't justify the expense of an "upgrade".

It's ridiculous that I'm almost hoping things go wrong with it, because I feel oh-so-slightly embarrassed by the fact that I have an "entry-level" tourer despite considering myself a tad beyond entry-level in terms of my experience!

I'm in the same boat as you too. Those damn Horizon's just wont let up. I have a 2007 model that has done 15,000kms of faultless riding and I too treat mine like crap. But she just keeps on going.

I do like the Kona Sutra though. One day maybe...

 

[upsidedown]

I ordered a Trek Portland before the LHT but they were out of stock, lovely looking bike.

 

[jamesxyz]

thanks for the advice.

Looking more closely into the scheme my employer runs I'm limited to 4 LBS none of which stock Dawes / Claude Butler. I've also read how much the price of these has gone up lately!!

The Ridgeback Panorama looks a possibility although a little over budget or the slightly cheaper Voyager -

Any comments on these two in particular?

 

[jamesxyz]

thanks for the advice.

Looking more closely into the scheme my employer runs I'm limited to 4 LBS none of which stock Dawes / Claude Butler. I've also read how much the price of these has gone up lately!!

The Ridgeback Panorama looks a possibility although a little over budget or the slightly cheaper Voyager -

Any comments on these two in particular?

 

[vernon]

thanks for the advice.

Looking more closely into the scheme my employer runs I'm limited to 4 LBS none of which stock Dawes / Claude Butler. I've also read how much the price of these has gone up lately!!

The Ridgeback Panorama looks a possibility although a little over budget or the slightly cheaper Voyager -

Any comments on these two in particular?

Most bikes have had large price increases - it's the cost of components that have gone through the roof. I built up a couple of bikes separated by about six months. The money that would buy me Shimano 105 components was no longer enough to buy Shimano Sora components which are two ranges down the spectrum.

The price rises were flagged up over a year ago but it doesn't lessen the pain at purchase time.

 

[vernon]

thanks for the advice.

Looking more closely into the scheme my employer runs I'm limited to 4 LBS none of which stock Dawes / Claude Butler. I've also read how much the price of these has gone up lately!!

The Ridgeback Panorama looks a possibility although a little over budget or the slightly cheaper Voyager -

Any comments on these two in particular?

Most bikes have had large price increases - it's the cost of components that have gone through the roof. I built up a couple of bikes separated by about six months. The money that would buy me Shimano 105 components was no longer enough to buy Shimano Sora components which are two ranges down the spectrum.

The price rises were flagged up over a year ago but it doesn't lessen the pain at purchase time.

 

[Ricd11]

I spent a long time looking for my first touring bike ( i am completely new to the sport), but came to the Ridgeback Voyage. I haven't toured on it as yet, but it seems a quality bike, it's taken the weight of 56L panniers stuffed to the brim no hastle, and it looks a beaut as well! Comes with rack and mudguards and everything else you'd expect, but it had a second set of brake levers on the flat of the drop bars which i've found very useful.

Also british made, can it be better?

I have to admit it wasn't one of the ones i had heard of, accidently stumbled upon it. I too was looking at the galaxy, found it at £864 brand new, but decided that was still a little too much despite the discount. However, the british racing green was rather outstanding, it did steal my heart a little. I am very happy with my choice though, at £600 (50 quid discount) it meant i could buy more accessories.

Rich

 

[mikeitup]

I spent a long time looking for my first touring bike ( i am completely new to the sport), but came to the Ridgeback Voyage. I haven't toured on it as yet, but it seems a quality bike, it's taken the weight of 56L panniers stuffed to the brim no hastle, and it looks a beaut as well! Comes with rack and mudguards and everything else you'd expect, but it had a second set of brake levers on the flat of the drop bars which i've found very useful.

Also british made, can it be better?

I have to admit it wasn't one of the ones i had heard of, accidently stumbled upon it. I too was looking at the galaxy, found it at £864 brand new, but decided that was still a little too much despite the discount. However, the british racing green was rather outstanding, it did steal my heart a little. I am very happy with my choice though, at £600 (50 quid discount) it meant i could buy more accessories.

Rich

Ridgeback bikes have a good rep. I looked at the Panorama (lovely colour!) but over the £1000 cyclescheme limit. I opted for a 2008 Claud Butler Dalesman for £699 .
Can't wait to give it a good run.

 

[Ricd11]

Mike- Yeah the panoroma does look abit of a beaut, i did have a look at the dalesman aswell. The best part of the Voyage was that a local bike shop had one in stock so got to see it and have a sit on it, i like the prices of the internet but it is nice to get it from a reliable shop and i get free service and whatnot. I also see you're from walsall? I'm in wolves myself but my dad lives closer that way!

 

[mikeitup]

Mike- Yeah the panoroma does look abit of a beaut, i did have a look at the dalesman aswell. The best part of the Voyage was that a local bike shop had one in stock so got to see it and have a sit on it, i like the prices of the internet but it is nice to get it from a reliable shop and i get free service and whatnot. I also see you're from walsall? I'm in wolves myself but my dad lives closer that way!

If the Panorama was £100 cheaper I would have definitely have gone for that one. The CB Dalesman has a really good spec for the money (nearly £300 cheaper than the 2009 Dalesman with the only difference (as far as i can tell) being the colour. I also looked at the voyage too but after trying out a mates dalesman I was sold on the CB.
Yep I am in walsall but the blokko side of the borough.

 

[atb]

Does it have to be brand new? You'd get an excellent secondhand/vintage hand built lightweight for that kind of price.