Ridgeback Tourers - any good?

[jamesxyz]

Thinking of getting a tourer in the next couple of months - has to be through cycle to work but my company only uses 4 LBS none of which do the obvious Dawes Galaxy or Dalesman.
One does stock ridgback so I was thinking of either the Panorama or Voyage.

Anyone got any experience of either of these - my heart says get the panorama but my waller syas the voyage but I would be prepared to spend the extra if worth it. Probably be looking at 2-3 day tours initially, perhaps moving to longer ones with camping etc later so would the voyage be a bit too lightweight for that?

CHeers

[Mattie]

I have a Panorama which I think is a lovely looking bike. Couldn't help but admire one at the recent Cycle show in London even though I had one at home myself ! - no regrets about buying mine. Rode it down to Spain in the summer of '09 and will be taking it somewhere European again this year, can't wait !

A few pics on http://www.xt660travels.com

[jamesxyz]

nice pics - given me itchy feet now!

[kwackers]

I've one too. I commute most days (but not this week) on mine, 27 miles round trip. Can't say what it's like loaded up, but it's a great bike, had absolutely no problems with it (other than a few cable adjustments). Still looks like new when cleaned too.

[keyboardmonkey]

There are two chaps trying to cycle 11,000 miles as close as possible to the Tropic of Cancer for a number of charities. One is on a Ridgeback Panorama, the other a Voyager. Why not send them a message via their blog and ask them for comments on the bikes (which they've nicknamed Reggie and Ronnie)?

http://www.tccchallenge.co.uk/

[Big T]

I've got a Panorama which I used on our JOGLE ride last year. I also use it for commuting to work and day rides at the weekend. It's a lovely, comfortable bike and I've hardly ridden any of my other bikes since I got it. Mine was the 2008 model in gunmetal grey, though I bought it in March 2009. I paid £880 for it, but they're much more expensive now (about £1100, I think).

It comes with Blackburn racks front and rear, and is a mixture of Shimano Tiagra and LX/Deore. I has some nice touches including bar top, interruptor brake levers an a Blackburn pump, tucked away on the rear seat stay. Mine also has an adjustable stem. I rides well whether laden or unladen. It's similar to the Dawes Super Galaxy in terms of quality.

I've seen the Voayge in the local Evans store, and it looks pretty similar, if slightly heavier and with Sora rather than Tiagra.

[keyboardmonkey]

The spec on the Panorama has changed a little, and the list price now is £1200. The tech spec at ridgeback.co.uk (and on most dealer web sites) states that the chainset on the 2010 model is Shimano Deore. However, the photograph is different from the 2009 model and so I asked Ridgeback about this. You may be interested in the response:

"Amazingly Shimano still don't produce a specific transmission for touring & there are always minor issues with chain line & front derailleur function.

Contrary to the bike in the brochure & online, the 2010 Panorama will come with a Shimano chainset ref FC-443 this is below Deore but comes with a regular square taper axle which allow us to specify the optimum length for best function. In terms of benefit, this nominal downgrade far out weighs the a slightly better quality chainset with an inferior chain line."