Touring Bike Thoughts and Source

[Paulc]

Hello

Guy and gal looking to replace existing bikes that are two big. We want to try before buying. Specs to include ability to take panniers, disc brakes, steel frame, drops, low gears for alpine climbs. Looking at Ridgeback Panorama and Trek, any other thoughts? Live in Scotland.

Unable to find a retailer that stocks touring bikes to at least sit on, so far. Any ideas?

Mostly on road. 2 to 3 week tours sometimes with alpine passes. Have had Dawes Galaxys in the past, which were good when then fitted, but not getting on with the recent ones.

All thoughts gratefully received!

Paul

[rotavator]

Spa Cycles in Harrogate will let you test ride their bikes and there is no hard sell involved. There is an easy cycle track near their shop. You can see the specs on their website but I also assume that they will be happy to change things to your requirements, unlike a lot of shops.

There is Shand in Scotland but I am not sure that they will be as good at fitting low gears as the likes of Spa and SJS. Also they will be expensive but at least you can choose your own colour!

[LittleGreyCat]

Spa Cycles in Harrogate will let you test ride their bikes and there is no hard sell involved. There is an easy cycle track near their shop. You can see the specs on their website but I also assume that they will be happy to change things to your requirements, unlike a lot of shops.

There is Shand in Scotland but I am not sure that they will be as good at fitting low gears as the likes of Spa and SJS. Also they will be expensive but at least you can choose your own colour!

Having recently bought from Spa I can confirm that they agree a specification with you before they build the bike. Looks like you can change almost anything but the frame if you want. Although asking for parts they don't stock might get more complicated.

[rualexander]

Genesis Tour de Fer from Evans, probably not actually in any particular branch in your size but they will get them in for you to try out.
https://www.evanscycles.com/genesis-tou ... e-EV360683
Or their own brand Pinnacle touring bike https://www.evanscycles.com/pinnacle-da ... e-EV318241

[Thehairs1970]

Also on the lookout for a nephew tourer. I live in darkest Devon and I'm struggling to find retailers.

The Pinnacle is a great price but the wheels are only 32h. Not strong enough? Tour de fer 10 seems underspecced for the price. Panorama also. Kona Sutra looks Lucy and seems well kitted out. Also like the Trek and. Am waiting to try one.

[whoof]

Surly disc trucker. Spa cycles probably have some demos, there are four dealers in Scotland according to this.
https://surlybikes.com/where_to_buy

[whoof]

Also on the lookout for a nephew tourer. I live in darkest Devon and I'm struggling to find retailers.

The Pinnacle is a great price but the wheels are only 32h. Not strong enough? Tour de fer 10 seems underspecced for the price. Panorama also. Kona Sutra looks Lucy and seems well kitted out. Also like the Trek and. Am waiting to try one.

A Nephew tourer?
Looks Lucy?

[horizon]

I cannot find the thread, but I argued strongly (against some opposition! ) in favour of buying a bike unseen and unridden. You are very lucky if you can find a dealer nearby to test out a bike of your choice. The tourer market is so small that dealers hardly exist. Two brands stand out on this forum: Spa and Thorn and neither have local dealers (unless Pilgrim and Bristol are still dealing in Spa bikes). Some Dawes might just be available.

However, I reckon that by diligent research and lots of questions you will get very close to the bike of your choice. Sizing today is very flexible and shouldn't present a problem. It helps if you already have a bike of some sort to compare with. Few people end up with the perfect bike first time round even if they have been to a dealer. But it is your increasing knowledge and riding that will get you closer to what you want: it's your second bike that will be the right one. In the meantime you won't go too far wrong.

[Thehairs1970]

Also on the lookout for a nephew tourer. I live in darkest Devon and I'm struggling to find retailers.

The Pinnacle is a great price but the wheels are only 32h. Not strong enough? Tour de fer 10 seems underspecced for the price. Panorama also. Kona Sutra looks Lucy and seems well kitted out. Also like the Trek and. Am waiting to try one.

A Nephew tourer?
Looks Lucy?

It was late. I was tired. I hate autocorrect sometimes.

[honesty]

Also on the lookout for a nephew tourer. I live in darkest Devon and I'm struggling to find retailers.

The Pinnacle is a great price but the wheels are only 32h. Not strong enough? Tour de fer 10 seems underspecced for the price. Panorama also. Kona Sutra looks Lucy and seems well kitted out. Also like the Trek and. Am waiting to try one.

The bike shed in Exeter usually has a few models in, otherwise a trip up to SJS in Bridgwater for their Thorn bikes may be a good idea.

[bogmyrtle]

Hello

Guy and gal looking to replace existing bikes that are two big. We want to try before buying. Specs to include ability to take panniers, disc brakes, steel frame, drops, low gears for alpine climbs. Looking at Ridgeback Panorama and Trek, any other thoughts? Live in Scotland.

Unable to find a retailer that stocks touring bikes to at least sit on, so far. Any ideas?

Mostly on road. 2 to 3 week tours sometimes with alpine passes. Have had Dawes Galaxys in the past, which were good when then fitted, but not getting on with the recent ones.

All thoughts gratefully received!

Paul

Where in Scotland are you and where have you tried?

[whoof]

Also on the lookout for a nephew tourer. I live in darkest Devon and I'm struggling to find retailers.

The Pinnacle is a great price but the wheels are only 32h. Not strong enough? Tour de fer 10 seems underspecced for the price. Panorama also. Kona Sutra looks Lucy and seems well kitted out. Also like the Trek and. Am waiting to try one.

A Nephew tourer?
Looks Lucy?

It was late. I was tired. I hate autocorrect sometimes.

Autocorrect on my phone turned new kitchen into 'bewitched' clearly the programmer was from Salem.
I was mainly interested in what you meant instead of nephew.

[Navrig]

I cannot find the thread, but I argued strongly (against some opposition! ) in favour of buying a bike unseen and unridden. You are very lucky if you can find a dealer nearby to test out a bike of your choice. The tourer market is so small that dealers hardly exist. Two brands stand out on this forum: Spa and Thorn and neither have local dealers (unless Pilgrim and Bristol are still dealing in Spa bikes). Some Dawes might just be available.

However, I reckon that by diligent research and lots of questions you will get very close to the bike of your choice. Sizing today is very flexible and shouldn't present a problem. It helps if you already have a bike of some sort to compare with. Few people end up with the perfect bike first time round even if they have been to a dealer. But it is your increasing knowledge and riding that will get you closer to what you want: it's your second bike that will be the right one. In the meantime you won't go too far wrong.

This as long as you get the frame size right.

I recently tried to sell a very large Ridgeback World Panorama for a friend and noticed that there was a detail between the front brake and the stem which made me wonder how easy it would be to change the stem.

[Oldjohnw]

In Scotland?

https://www.edinburghbicycle.com/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI56Sv6eeJ4gIVz7ztCh0PggSfEAAYASAAEgLN6_D_BwE

[Thehairs1970]

A Nephew tourer?
Looks Lucy?

It was late. I was tired. I hate autocorrect sometimes.

Autocorrect on my phone turned new kitchen into 'bewitched' clearly the programmer was from Salem.
I was mainly interested in what you meant instead of nephew.

New = nephew
Lovely = Lucy