Dawes Super Galaxy rejuvenation

[Edvardus]

Having spent around 30+ years touring on my Dawes Super Galaxy and more recently trying out less comfortable MTB's and hybrids, I'm wondering if it would be a worthwhile project to strip the Dawes back to it's (531) frame and rebuild using heftier wheels, hubs, tyres plus uprated drivetrain and brakes. Would it also be possible to have front/rear carrier and bottle cage lugs brazed on (with resultant repaint of course) and who could I get to do the brazing?. My aim would be a comfortable, long-distance, go-anywhere touring machine.

[gaz]

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[random37]

I'm sure it would be possible, and eminently practical if you like tinkering with bikes. A Galaxy is a quality bike, so personally I wouldn't upgrade; a new bike won't actually ride any better.
Eddison's in Clowne, Derbyshire will do all your alterations and repaint your bike at a good price; he doesn't advertise anywhere because he doesn't need to.
01246 812 878
(and before you ask, I have nothing to do with him professionally, I just appreciate his work)

[galoka]

Having additional braze-ons can easily be done, any frame builders should do it.

To give an idea of prices you can look at the Bob Jackson site, but the prices soon add up, Bottle cgae bosses = £20, carrrier eye (I pr) = 24. It's not to say it isn't worth it, if you have a bike you love and enjoy riding then this can be worth it.

But it's probably worth comparing what you might spend as to waht you copuld buy new.

I have a well used Calud Butler Dalesman of a simialr age, I want to get it repsrayed next winter. I've considered extra brazeons, changing the brakes to cantis etc. but if I want a better touring bike I think I'm better getting a newer bike, and keeping this a lighter day/audax-y type bike

[saudidave]

It's obviously all down to how much dosh you have isn't it?

If you are minted why not spend 2 or 3 grand on a custom built tourer? If you aren't (like I am at the minute), there is a lot of satisfaction to be had in buying a decent second hand bike and fettling it.

The reality is, will there be any real improvement in ride quality between the 2 if the old bike is rebuilt with care, upgraded to indexing,etc and all worn bearings replaced.

I doubt there will

[Edvardus]

Appreciate the info and opinion on this. Liked the machine Mark Beaumont took around the world but a) didn't want to fork out £2000 and b) wanted something which could cope with variable cycle route surfaces. I used to be a member of the Rough Stuff Fellowship but was less enthusiastic than my chums were about hammering down boulder-strewn forestry tracks on what was essentially a road bike. I would have been more confident on 700 x 38's perhaps. I recall meeting a cycle tourer years ago who had wheels built with tandem spokes as he was carrying all but the proverbial sink-unit.

[galoka]

Will this frame take such wide tyres - allowing for wider mudgurads as well?

[random37]

My Galaxy is a little newer than yours, and it takes 700x38 tyres.
I should imagine a version that has 27 x 1 1/4 tyres will be fine.

[Edvardus]

Thanks Chris. I did wonder about clearance! I've got Continental Top Touring 27 x 1.25 on just now and they have stood up to a lot of useage.

[willem jongman]

I also have a bike of that vintage. The biggest limitations to a conversion are the rear hub width (modern touring hubs are 135mm wide, instead of 120 or 126 mm), and tyre availability. There are virtually no wider 27 inch tyres than 32 mm, and that is pretty narrow for modern conditions. Compared to 30 years ago traffic is much denser, and so one tends to choose narrower roads, or even gravel roads. You really need a wider tyre for that, if you are also taking serious luggage. So I think the best use for a bike such as yours is probaly fast touring with little luggage (that is how I semi retired mine). Service it lovelingly, but do not spend a fortune on it - and keep it original. For loaded touring I would now suggest a 26 inch tourer (still with drop bars), wide tyres (50 mm), and a (wide) drop bar. You can get such bikes from about a 1000 pounds (Thorn Sherpa). If you want a nicer/better one, you can spend a lot more, on a custom frame, a Rohloff hub, hydraulic brakes, a hub generator etc. But you do not need to.
Willem

[galoka]

Well, if the bike is being renovated and new wheels are on the cards then I'd be moving to 700C (whihc is what mine runs now), so I can use whatever tyres there are for 700C that will fit.

If I was to be getting a new tourer I doubt I would want to be moving to fat 50 mm tyres hough, but that that's a diffeent debate

[Edvardus]

Thanks Willem and Galoka. I think FAST touring is a little beyond me now judging from the protests I hear from my knees! I agree about the Thorn Sherpa. I also like the look and spec of the Roberts Roughstuff and the Thorn eXp. I'd be loth to part with the Dawes but I think it would mean just that (plus my hybrid) if I were to go for one of the aforementioned instead of a rebuild.

[willem jongman]

If you have canti brakes (and I suppose you do), changing to slightly smaller etrto 622 tyres (i.e. 700) instead of etrto 630 (i.e. 27 inch), your brake shoes may well hit the tyre. Moving the studs is possible of course, but expensive.
Willem

[galoka]

If you have canti brakes (and I suppose you do), changing to slightly smaller etrto 622 tyres (i.e. 700) instead of etrto 630 (i.e. 27 inch), your brake shoes may well hit the tyre. Moving the studs is possible of course, but expensive.
Willem

Yep, that's true, but it does depend on the brakes\rim combo.

But old Claud Butler still has old Wienmann centre pulls on it, they coped fine

[glueman]

Keep the Dawes as a winter bike, you'll be able to find freewheels (5,6,7 speed?) and 27 x 1 1/4" tyres for many years yet, it'll involve no expensive restoration and be exactly as you remember it. Then treat yourself to a modern tourer, Raleigh and EBC good value at the cheaper end, maybe a new Galaxy or Surly in the middle, or something custom if you are feeling flush.