Entry level Tourer

[jules2017]

Hi, I am cycling along the Danube this summer, from the start in the Black Forest to Bratislava. I have been looking at buying a Ridgeback Tour or adapting my Ridgeback Meteor to suit. Any suggestions on an entry level tourer? I am no speed freak, my idea of cycling is to poodle along taking in the view

 

[vickster]

Budget?
Take a look at Spa cycles range

may be over budget and not be a full on tourer but they have had a Sabbath titanium on offer for a little over a grand

 

[User32269]

Never done massive tours, but have found old cro mo rigid mtbs make excellent tourers. It's possible to find them with all the braze ons you need, fit bar end grips for more hand position options.
26" wheels are sturdy but easy to find if you have a problem.

 

[jules2017]

thanks for the responses, I should have said my budget which is 800 euros!

 

[Jamieyorky]

This is my Ridgeback tour, had the bike about a month now and love it as much as my carbon road bike. Perfect tourer for what i need and has now got a front rack attached.

 

[jules2017]

Jamieyorky, I am still drawn to the Ridgeback Tour, so thanks for posting the pic of your bike. Price has been a factor and availability in Ireland. Most stores here seem to focus on road bikes (I live along the Sean Kelly cycle route) and see the occasional Dutch cyclist on a Koga, which makes me slightly jealous.

 

[Jamieyorky]

Jamieyorky, I am still drawn to the Ridgeback Tour, so thanks for posting the pic of your bike. Price has been a factor and availability in Ireland. Most stores here seem to focus on road bikes (I live along the Sean Kelly cycle route) and see the occasional Dutch cyclist on a Koga, which makes me slightly jealous.

I bought mine from Tweeks cycles have a look about delivery ?

 

[John the Monkey]

Never done massive tours, but have found old cro mo rigid mtbs make excellent tourers. It's possible to find them with all the braze ons you need, fit bar end grips for more hand position options.
26" wheels are sturdy but easy to find if you have a problem.

Al Humphreys went around the world on old Specialized Rockhoppers, iirc. Rigid MTBs, and the Hybrids that came after them, make great do it all bikes- I'm very fond of my old Raleigh Pioneer - new wheels, and an upgrade to v-brakes made it an excellent pottering about bike.

 

[jules2017]

glad I'm not the only "potterer"

 

[MarkF]

But your Meteor will pootle along the Danube, why buy another bike? I speak as someone who has twice bought dedicated tourers (700c & a 26 RTW) and found them no better than my hybrids, the latter I now use for all long tours.

 

[User32269]

Al Humphreys went around the world on old Specialized Rockhoppers, iirc. Rigid MTBs, and the Hybrids that came after them, make great do it all bikes- I'm very fond of my old Raleigh Pioneer - new wheels, and an upgrade to v-brakes made it an excellent pottering about bike.

I'm just starting cobbling together a bit of a rat bike using Pioneer Commuter frame. Was one of the first hybrids, basically mtb frame with 700 wheels. Would be confident touring on it once done.

 

[GrumpyGregry]

unless the n+1 itch is irresistible I'd take the Meteor. Looks like a perfect pootling bike. Leaves more money for beer.

(Long time ago, when I only had one bike, swoon, I toured on my rigid spesh rockhopper, with tarmac/towpath tyres, and had a lovely time pootling about)

 

[Dirk]

Bought my missus a Ridgeback Tour for her birthday last year, to replace the Giant Escape hybrid that she used for touring.
She loves it to bits (but not as much as her carbon Ridley Liz custom build)

 

[djb1971]

I'd use the meteor if you're comfy on it. That's unless you really want a new bike or a bike with drop bars. The tour is basically your bike with different bars.

Yours has got wide tyres, rack, triple, guards and V brakes etc..

Just ensure the cables and bearings are good all round and take that and maybe better tyres if you're going to be doing any rough tracks.

 

[jules2017]

thanks everyone for your replies and the links to spa and bristol bikes which I'd never come across before. I'm now convinced to give the trip a go on the meteor, just change the saddle and add bar ends to add some comfort!