Vernon Barker 26" touring cycle.

[Windy Miller]

I popped into see Mr Barker the other day to get my old audax type frame resprayed and he showed be an example of the 26" wheel touring frame. It looked like it might be just what I'm looking for now that the local roads are what you expect in the Himalaya rather than Lincolnshire. It will accomodate at least a 42mm tyre with guards and certainly looked fairly robust with oversize 725 tubing.

I wondered if anyone had any experience of these frames? I know Mr Barker doesn't make them but the example he had certainly seemed to be well made and finished. Given the price, I'm sure a good cycle could be built up for a reasonable sum.

I'm tempted to buy one of these frames and spend the summer building it up ready for next winter - longish (40 mile round trip) commutes and weekend rides. Has anyone got any views on this particular frame?

Cheers, Windy

[horizon]

I wondered if anyone had any experience of these frames? Has anyone got any views on this particular frame?

Cheers, Windy

windy: are these a particular make/style or are you just referring to 26" wheel touring frames in general?

[brumster]

I'm a big fan of 26" wheels - I ride a Thorn. Nuff said. ( www.thorncycles.com )

[freebooter]

I hope their frames are better than their website

[Windy Miller]

I have looked at a number of different sites (agree the VB site could do with an upgrade!) including the Thorn site. The frame offered by Vernon Barker appears similar in design to the Thorn Sherpa but with slightly less clearance - I'm not sure it would take a 2" tyre with guards. There are some advantages to the VB frame from what I could see - extra brazings which would not be used such as the cantilever bridge and the pump fittings could be removed prior to spraying making a 'cleaner' frame and the frame can be sprayed in virtually any colour - I don't think the Sherpa is available in lilac just yet! I think the tubing is probably a slightly lighter - 631 vs Thorn 4130. I suspect the Thorn maybe a little tougher but I'm not ready for a long adventure tour just yet - Mrs Miller and work have put paid to that idea.

Whilst the Thorn is an option, it is a fair way to get to Somerset and for the cost of travelling could be put to something like a Dave Yates Wayfarer (Mr Yates being located not too far down the road in Lincolnshire) if I was to increase the spending ceiling.

I have ridden a number of different bikes - both 700c and 26" wheels but not a touring bike with 26" wheels. I was hoping to get views on the frame offered by Vernon Barker - which I understand is the same as that offered by Byercycles and Hewitt (from other posts).

Cheers, Windy

[reohn2]

This no way a comparison but I've built up a cheap 7005 Claud Butler hybrid frame and steel fork with 700C touring wheels,shallow drops and low gearing for winter and a bit of rough stuff.
The plus is that the frame takes upto 40mm tyres with mudguards,I'm presently riding it with 35mm lightish for their size(440gms each) supple walled Schwalbe slick tyres which I ride at 60psi front 65psi rear.
Its a great ride,the frame is as stiff as a crutch and the cheap steel fork is complient enough,the tyres make the bike what it is which is very comfy,its not light at 13.5kgs with a rack and a bag on so if I'm pushing on a bit and over say 65miles I feel the weight but the point I'm making is the big section lightweight tyres are a boon on bad tarmac and not as a slow as some folk think they are, in fact they're quite quick really.
So why bother with 26in wheels? if you're going to have a custom built frame why not specify 700C with big clearances

Edit:- Just seen that the frames are off the peg.

[wicki]

Resurrecting this thread as I am interested in the 26" Vernon Barker touring frame, but cant find very much info out there did any one buy one and have experience of it?

[Valbrona]

26" is easily the better standard for touring and utility cycling, and especially for smaller people. But some people will never get this. Sometimes it is just better to just shut up. You can't convince them.

[reohn2]

26" is easily the better standard for touring and utility cycling, and especially for smaller people. But some people will never get this. Sometimes it is just better to just shut up. You can't convince them.

I'm willing to listen (though I'm 6ft tall) why would 26inch wheels be better for anyone other than people too small to get a 700c wheeled bike to fit? and the debatable claim that a 26in wheel is stronger.

[PW]

I haven't seen the frame but I can vouch for the man selling it. If Vernon's happy to have it in his shop it'll be worth looking at.

[HPFlashman]

Dooh- 26" tires, not a proper 26" frame, said the tall Norwegian...