Cycling UK Forum

I've never done a tour before but am thinking of doing a week in the summer in the UK to see if I enjoy it. I would be camping and taking all of my own equipment. I don't have much money to spend so was looking at the Raleigh Royal or the Revolution County Traveller. What do people think of these two bikes and are there any alternatives? I have considered buying secondhand but touring bikes on eBay seem to go for silly money (IMO).

I am also a bit confused about sizing. My road bike is a 58cm (ctc) and I have a 34" inside leg (to the ground). The Raleigh comes in a 50cm, 55cm and 60cm whereas the Revolution comes in a 46cm and 52cm.

Thanks for your help.

Why not use your existing road bike? The key thing is not size per se but weather its comfortable.

Barrenfluffit wrote:Why not use your existing road bike?

Because he can't fit 4 panniers full of camping gear on his road bike?

I recently has to make a similar decision, and chose to go up to 60cm rather than down.

You might also look at the Dawes Vantage. This does come in a 58cm size.
The Revolution has a sloping top tube, so the frame sizes aren't really comparable.

Using your road bike would be a perfectly practical , temporary solution. As long as it isn't made of carbon fibre or a super compact aluminium frame, with 16 spoke wheels!

I use an eight year old alumnium, full framed road bike for town use, carrying up to 10-15kg every other day. And when I head off to the lakes for a weekend, I'll routinely use it in preference to a touring bike, simply because in the autumn/winter it's the bike I've set up with racks/lights and is ready to go. Distances are short, rarely more than 100 miles from Penrith train station to the lakes over the weekend, but it's perfectly ok to use (And it will have done several thousand miles whilst heavily loaded).

Given you're trialling whether you want to tour or not, while on a budget, it's a perfectly practical solution. Cost wise, if you have got 16-24 spoke wheels on the back,it'd be worthwhile paying at least £30 for a temporary 32/36 wheel (Edinburgh Bicycle Co Op do a cheap wheel). Though getting a half decent wheel might be preferable, given it can always be sold/reused later on. Likewise, if your road bikes high geared,it might be worth £5-10 on a couple of cheap lower geared chain rings.

If the problem is not enough carrying capacity it might be possible to borrow \ buy a trailer.

I've got a Dawes KaraKum amongst other things whgich is comfy out of the box for around £500 (but if you shop around you an find cheaper)It comes complete with rack and low riders at the front.I'm 6ft 4 and the larger size fits me fine and I have done a lot of miles on mine.
Now I have some steel framed bikes I appreciate their greater comfort , but the Karakum was an excellent first tourer and proved very hardy and reliable.

depending on what kinda style you where after( drops, 700c or flats, etc). When i done my first couple tours i used a racked mountainbike bought for twenty quid of a friend. Built the bike up ready with second hand bits from ebay couldent of spent more than a £100 pound for everything id need.

I can recommend the Royal which i have done a few tours on. It isn't perfect - it is a bit heavy but as a budget tourer it is excellent. All the bits are good - gears, brakes, wheels and the frame is good quality chromoly steel. The Revolution has an alloy frame which is lighter but perhaps not so durable or comfy. The choice is yours. By the way touring on a road bike would be a big ask if carrying a tent etc.I wouldn't fancy it at all. As for size I have a 31" inside leg and the 55 is good so I reckon the 60 would suit you well? Good luck.

Whilst this is an EBC Revolution Explorer rather than a Traveller if it represents a typical EBC own brand bike then the Traveller would be bloomin' marvellous. Didn't one get a great write up in CyclingPlus last year.

Long legged, all day comfy, handles well, goes off road / roughstuff big time so is literally a go-anywhere tourer, handles a load, ploughs through pot holes like they aren't there and I can outrun my mate on his Condor road bike over distances of 100+km on it. So slow it is not.

I hate to say this, but I think £300 is too cheap for a new tourer.

Ask in your local club and check the adverts here, you'll get something that's a much, much better deal than Ebay.