Oldjohnw wrote:markjohnobrien wrote:Oldjohnw wrote:I have very limited technical knowledge but here is an observation:
Despite the huge buying power of Decathlon etc, I can get a Genesis or Dawes or Oxford Bike Works or many other well established tourers from many outlets (or from the manufacturer) for less than the price of the bike mentioned at the start of this thread.
Yes, but you are comparing apples and pears. The bike at the start of the thread has SRAM Rival which is more expensive. Rival, while good, wouldn’t be my choice on a touring bike but it’s not something you’d find on Oxford Bike Works or Dawes, etc.
I am sure you are right. As I said, I am no expert. But then, I would have thought it was me that the Decathlons and Halfords were marketings too, not the people who know about these things.
Similar bikes from Genesis are much more expensive
E.g.
https://www.genesisbikes.co.uk/genesis- ... vargn21300
That is £1600 with SRAM Apex, the next level down, and mechanical discs.
The steel frame is £2300 with Apex hydraulic
https://www.genesisbikes.co.uk/genesis- ... vargn21310
It's also missing the Brooks saddle, dynamo hub and charger.
This is more of a MTB with drop bars and less of a touring bike
https://www.cyclesolutions.co.uk/36786/ ... black.aspx
but it's £2100 and adds dropper post but lacks the touring features such as dynamo and charger