Dawes Bikes

[robertwiltsher]

What is the general opinion on Dawes bikes ? I am looking for a suitable bike for commuting and longer weekend rides in and around hilly Bristol and my fave shop is a Dawes specialist that I have been going to for years.I have an old handbuilt Dawes Durango I bought from there over 20 years ago and am now looking for something new (Dawes or otherwise). .All assistance gratefully received !

 

[summerdays]

Welcome also from Bristol! Would your bike shop be very small and closed on Wednesdays!! If so it also my LBS!

 

[Pale Rider]

Nothing wrong with Dawes, and they still make quality tourers with realistically low gearing.

If I was you, I'd wheel the Durango into the shop and see if anyone recognises it.

You have a little story to tell, so that should get you off on the right foot.

 

[vickster]

@phil_hg_uk speaks very highly of the discovery range, several to choose from depending on budget

Do you want drops or flat handlebars?

 

[Elswick Cotterpin]

Good bikes, I've had several. Just getting a thirty year old Dawes Discovery back into ride-able condition.

 

[robertwiltsher]

Welcome also from Bristol! Would your bike shop be very small and closed on Wednesdays!! If so it also my LBS!

Absolutely right, summerdays ! I have been going there for as long as I remember and used to supply them with all their cycle leaflets ! I always get a really warm welcome whenever I go in there. Lovely people, fantastic level of knowledge & advice and I wouldn't go anywhere else.

 

[robertwiltsher]

Nothing wrong with Dawes, and they still make quality tourers with realistically low gearing.

If I was you, I'd wheel the Durango into the shop and see if anyone recognises it.

You have a little story to tell, so that should get you off on the right foot.

Even after over 20 years, they still remember selling me the bike. I am hoping to purchase a new bike under an assisted purchase scheme (Bike to Work) & so unfortunately my old Dawes could not be part of the deal. This means I would probably have to sell it privately.

 

[robertwiltsher]

@phil_hg_uk speaks very highly of the discovery range, several to choose from depending on budget

Do you want drops or flat handlebars?

Good question, Vickster ! I have for the most part only ever had flat handlebars and so a change to drops would be a whole new experience (& I may not take to them). My LBS thus advised me to borrow someone's drops bike for an hour or so to see how I take to them. I may of course wimp out and stick to flats as this is what I am used to. (Dis)Advantages of either, Cyclechat peeps ?

 

[Supersuperleeds]

Our lass has a Dawes Mojave, must be nearly 20 years old. First major mechanical on it happened last week when the original rear wheel failed, apart from that it has had one new chain and cassette on it (also this year). She probably does 50 or so miles a week on it.

 

[CanucksTraveller]

I have for the most part only ever had flat handlebars and so a change to drops would be a whole new experience (& I may not take to them). My LBS thus advised me to borrow someone's drops bike for an hour or so to see how I take to them. I may of course wimp out and stick to flats as this is what I am used to. (Dis)Advantages of either, Cyclechat peeps ?

Most people on road racers and tourers with drops spend possibly something like 90% plus of the time either on the brake hoods (when cruising) or on the flat part of the bars (often when climbing) anyway, so don't be too put off by the "lowness" of the lower bars. You don't have to go down there, it's just nice to have as an option if you want it, and most of us only go on the lower bars on a descent. Think of a drop bar as simply as a flat bar with a few more positions, then it's probably not so unappealing. (Although clearly the brake and gear position is very different). I agree you should try some for a short ride, most people like riding on the hoods as it's quite a comfortable position.

 

[summerdays]

Absolutely right, summerdays ! I have been going there for as long as I remember and used to supply them with all their cycle leaflets ! I always get a really warm welcome whenever I go in there. Lovely people, fantastic level of knowledge & advice and I wouldn't go anywhere else.

They are lovely and I always have a chat when I'm in there, then they usually turn my bike round for me and hold the door open for me!

They also stock Giant bikes, and hence why I have a Dawes and a Giant bike!

 

[robertwiltsher]

They are lovely and I always have a chat when I'm in there, then they usually turn my bike round for me and hold the door open for me!

They also stock Giant bikes, and hence why I have a Dawes and a Giant bike!

That's really interesting, summerdays. Today, I also went to the Giant store in Sadly Broke to check out the Defy 3 which has been heavily praised in the current 'Bikes etc' magazine. Nice bike and a good price but not sure it would cope with rough Bristol road surfaces ? What Giant bike do you have ? I don't remember seeing Giant bikes in our LBS and they weren't referred to with my enquiry .....

 

[summerdays]

That's really interesting, summerdays. Today, I also went to the Giant store in Sadly Broke to check out the Defy 3 which has been heavily praised in the current 'Bikes etc' magazine. Nice bike and a good price but not sure it would cope with rough Bristol road surfaces ? What Giant bike do you have ? I don't remember seeing Giant bikes in our LBS and they weren't referred to with my enquiry .....

He definitely stocks Giant bikes, did you get a look in the room upstairs above the shop (I assume he still keeps some bikes up there too). My Giant is an old Escape model, and I want to buy a new bike but I'm often disappointed with the colours.... Quite grey! Just been looking at the Thrive ones inspired by this thread (I'm female and I'm contemplating having a female specific frame next time).

 

[steveindenmark]

Even after over 20 years, they still remember selling me the bike. I am hoping to purchase a new bike under an assisted purchase scheme (Bike to Work) & so unfortunately my old Dawes could not be part of the deal. This means I would probably have to sell it privately.

Why on earth would you sell a bike that has served you well for 20 years?

That's longer than 2 marriages.

Its family now. Keep it.

 

[CanucksTraveller]

Giant bikes cope with poor road surfaces as well as any other make, so don't worry they're not fragile. I've been hammering some nasty potholes for the last couple of weeks on mine and neither the bike nor I are any the worse for wear so far. I think lesser makes might have had bolts shaken loose already.