Cycling UK Forum

How??

I've tried the usual bike buying methods (go to bike shops, find one you like, try it, buy it, ride it home) and they're not working! I must have tried ten bike shops, more if you count online ones too, and I STILL haven't seen a touring bike in real life!
I've narrowed it down to two, (Dawes Horizon and Claud Butler Regent) but if I don't like those (and so far, I'm not too taken with either), I'll put some more money towards it and get something better - either an Ultra Galaxy, or really save hard and get something custom - but I don't feel like I shoud be riding either of those - I'm not hardcore enough!

Problem is, without trying them, I really don't know which one to get. Evans don't have either in stock in my size, and I'd rather buy from one of my favourite local bike shops than Evans. I don't want to order from my fave bike shops and not buy it - that doesn't seem fair - especially if it's the ultra galaxy. (and if it's a custom then it's impossible!!)

So, How does one end up owning a touring bike if they don't stock them in the shops?? Is there some kind of secret cycle-tourers initiation ceremony - after your seventh, week long tour, does someone come and put a sack over your head and cart you off in a van to the magical kingdom of touring bikes?

Hi
Don,t know where your based at but spa cycles in harrogate do some great tourers and are probably the cheapest around.
I picked up my super galaxy two weeks ago £800 great deal

frank wrote:Hi
Don,t know where your based at but spa cycles in harrogate do some great tourers and are probably the cheapest around.
I picked up my super galaxy two weeks ago £800 great deal

I might have to have a day out in Harrogate soon! Are they likely to have many bikes in stock and available to try?

Just up the road from you in Layland is Paul Hewitt, the supplier of probably the most highly rated off the peg tourer available. Prices start around £900 so closer to the Ultra Galaxy price than the others, a search of this forum or anywhere else should convince you he's worth a visit. Instead of a test ride you'll get a thorough fitting session on his building jig and a discussion on what you want it for. Although they're off the peg frames, the bikes are built up to order. IMO it's a better way to get the right bike than any test ride.
http://www.hewittbikefitting.co.uk/inde ... age=hewitt

http://www.spacycles.co.uk/
Try this link

If you can decide what you want it and how much you wish to spend you can narrow it down quite a bit. Do you want to take camping gear, or just a bag to go from one hotel/hostel to another. An overloaded light tourer is no fun, but neither is an unloaded heavy and super stiff heavy duty tourer. Do you really only want to ride on tarmac, then 28 inch are the thing. The more off road/bad road capability you want, the more 26 inch wheels will be your thing. Do you want drop bars? I would, but not on a bike that is really primarily an off road tourer. Do you want a steel frame? I would, but others wouldn't. Do you need good lights? Go for a hub generator (SON are the best, but the better Shimano's are ok). If you have the budget and it is for a loaded tourer (not a fast audax bike), go for a Rohloff hub.
Once you have narrowed this down, it will be much easier to approach a shop. You may not be able to shop very locally, however. Touring bikes are a niche market.
I am afraid I knew exactly what I wanted, so I did not have this problem. So if you are curious: a 26 inch steel loaded tourer with wide drop bars. With 50 mm Schwalbe Marathons it will tackle almost anything, and with 26x1.75 Panaracer Pasela's it is very fast. I choose a Rohloff hub for reliability and ease (with the Mittelmayer drop bar shifter) and had it custom made. However, a Thorn Sherpa would have suited me fine as well, at a much lower price. Their Club Tour is comparable in the 28 inch wheel format. I have bought from them in the past, and have been a very happy customer.
I think the essence of the exercise is that you decide what kind of riding you want to do. After that, you can go to Thorn, Hewitt, or a few others, and they wil help you get what you need. It is then up to them to ensure and guarantee that your bike will fit. Your local corner shop cannot do that, I fear.
good riding,
Willem

A trip to Paul Hewitt is worth it for a fitting session. You don't have to buy one of his bikes but it will ensure you know what the right sizing is for you. I would have ended up with a bike too small if I'd not seen Paul first. It may save you a lot of money in the long run.

Totally. For a first time buyer, there's nothing to compare with fitting by an expert. If I was buying a new tourer, it'd be a Hewitt.
But if it's out of your price range, have you contacted your local CTC group? They might have something secondhand in the magazine, and if you don't like it you could sell it and get all your money back. Good luck doing THAT with a new Galaxy.

Second-hand was my first choice, actually, but I need the smallest frame available, and there don't seem to be any around. I'd discounted my local CTC group, because from the website, they seem to be all about audax - which is not what I want a bike to do. Maybe I'll have another look.
(One shop I visited said he might know of a small tourer coming up second had - I'm just waiting for a reply)

I'd like a bike that can quite happily tour between hostels and b&bs, carry some camping gear if I need to AND taking me to work and back, - a tall order, I guess!

For Sizing, I'm relying on the fact that the bike I have is perfect apart from the fact that I'd like to have drops - I figured 'if it ain't broke'

If you need the smallest size, a bike with 26 inch wheels may fit the bill best. Small frames are awkward with 28 inch wheels, and often give impaired handling and comfort (you are stretched out etc). It really is much easier to design a small bike with smaller wheels. If you need a small frame, you probably also need small cranks (my wife uses 160 mm cranks). Fit Schwalbe Big Apples tyres and you are both fast and comfortable.
For a commuter, a hub generator would be nice. However, a B&M dymotec 6 sidewall generator with a Lumotec round halogen headlight with 3 watt bulb and a basic B&M battery taillight/reflector will also get you home safely, if budget is a major concern.
I hope this helps a bit. Now that we know that size matters, we have already excluded many bikes.
Willem

Depending on your buget, you could try Dave Yates. Well known frame builder ex of M Steel Cycles in Newcastle, now down in Conningsby Lincs.

He has a range of tourers including 26" wheel versions.

Just Google Dave Yates.

There are also George Longstaff. Chas Roberts. Condor, Mercian, Bob Jackson all of whom build touring frames.
You don't need to 'hard core' to ride a good well made bike.

If applicable check out and see if your employer does the bike to work scheme. You pay direct through your employer and save on tax. You can save up to 40% off the cost of your bike I understand. Thus you can afford a better bike for the money.

I forgot to mention St John St Cycles in Somerset. They sell Thorn bikes which are well recommended. They make 26" tourers.
I think there is a Thorn thread on the forum.