In Need of a Touring Bike

[moralcrusader]

My better half and I have been talking about a touring holiday in Germany/Switzerland later in the year - I quite like the idea, but all I have at the moment is my commuting bike (Charge Plug), which just wouldn't be suitable!

As such, I need to find a suitable touring bike. I bought the Plug through Ride2Work and I think I'll end up doing the same again, so I'll be restricted to buying from Evans - also I don't have a massive budget for this - say £600 including racks/panniers/mudguards etc etc.

Some suggestions would be appreciated as I have no idea what's best at that price. Pure touring bikes are out of my price range so I guess I'm looking at some sort of hybrid - Specialized Sirrus or a Scott Sub perhaps?

 

[the snail]

For proper tourers the edinburgh country traveller would be in budget

http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/com...ry-traveller/revolution-country-traveller.htm

also Raleigh and Claud Butler do budget tourers

http://www.bikes-by-mail-order.co.uk/products.php?plid=m5b4s344p2406&rs=gb
http://www.ashcycles.com/site/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=1440&language=en

 

[HelenD123]

There's also the Dawes Vantage RRP £549.99. Evans Cycles should be able to get you one of those. I think Dawes are bringing some new bikes out for 2011 but I can't get their website to work.

 

[TheBoyBilly]

Or this, for a non full-on tourer:

http://www.cambridgecyclecompany.co.uk/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=300

Bill

 

[marcw]

how about getting an alfine rear wheel made up and putting it and some shifters on the plug.
and a carradice saddle bag, http://www.carradice.co.uk/index.php?page_id=product&under=range&product_id=35
probably would make more sense to get the edinburgh or dawes. frame geometry designed for all day riding.

 

[Staffordshire Mamil]

Hi,
I bought one of these, great quality bike, very quick, very comfortable, very good price !!
http://ukbikesdepot.com/products.php?plid=m18b0s163p2328

Good luck with your search

 

[moralcrusader]

Thanks for the suggestions - the Dawes looks particularly attractive if Evans can get hold of one. It's British (built in Taiwan, I know), and a sensible price so that I can get the panniers and other touring stuff to go with it.

 

[HLaB]

On the OP list is the sirrus, a great fast bike and it takes guards and a rack the lbs at the time said it would be up to light touring if I ever wanted to but I don't think I'd like to do any heavy touring on it. I'm only going with what the lbs said, not experience so I could be wrong. Also if the OP goes the hybrid route get bar ends, you're hands will thank you for it.

 

[Howard]

how about getting an alfine rear wheel made up and putting it and some shifters on the plug.
and a carradice saddle bag, http://www.carradice...e&product_id=35

Because it won't fit, and even if it did, the finished bike will weigh a tonne!

Could try a nexus 8 - it will fit with some bodging - but it still leaves you wondering how to attach a pannier rack and mudguards...agreed definately better to consider something designed more for touring!

 

[Banjo]

Whatever you get for touring germany/Switzerland something with a really low hill climbing gear is going to help.

The ridgeback horizon for example is a lovely looking bike but for me it would be hard work loaded up with a smallest gear 30/ 25.

All depends on the strength in your legs but I would want a gear no bigger than 28/28 which I have on my Trek Hybrid which i only carry about 25 lbs of gear on. To carry a heavier load i think i would want 28/32 or equivalent.

Personally I wouldnt bother with cycle to work. Evans will want full price to get you a bike in ,possibly you could get a discounted one then take out a low/no interest credit card offer to spread the cost.