Lightweight tourer?

[MyNameIsEarl]

Hi all, I'm thinking of replacing my 2016 Genesis Equilibrium (25mm tyres, 50/34 front + 11/28 rear, rim brake, 9.5kg) and 1987 Raleigh Royal (14.5kg) with a lightweight tourer.

Can you recommend anything new (something from Spa, maybe), or would it be worth me converting the Genesis - with a stronger 32 spoke rear wheel and larger 11-40 cassette + Wolftooth & med cage derailleur? The chainstays are a bit short too and think I'd get heelstrike when loaded with panniers, but I think you can get extenders for rear racks.

I only tour one or twice a year, so I'm keen on using it the rest of the time as my main winter/all round bike. I also have a nice fast steel road bike for summer, and a fixed gear for all year riding.

Budget is around £2k, if buying new.

Thanks in advance!

 

[All uphill]

Spa would certainly provide you with a bike to meet your needs. I happily do light tours on my Spa Aubisque. The last few are now available at £975.

Would you consider touring with your Genesis using bike packing bags and the biggest tyres that will fit? An option would be to fit a 46/30 crankset to reduce the overall gearing.

 

[MichaelW2]

The Equillibrium is an Audax style day tourer of the kind that many tourists use for a week or 2 of Euro touring.
Are you planning to camp or cook?
Heel strike depends on how much heel cutout your panniers have and how high they are, as well as crank length/show size.
Carradice saddlebags are a good option.

The modern doitall cx/ tourer/ fast commuter is a modern equiv to the Audax style but more versatile.

 

[MyNameIsEarl]

I'm happy to keep and upgrade the Equilibrium, as it's a great bike - so that's reassuring @MichaelW2 I've not camped, but will be doing so in the future (unlikely to need cooking stuff though), as it'll be just 1 or 2 weeks in France next year, with plenty of stops.

I've got 40litre Ortlieb panniers, which are really good, and so would be using those. The Raleigh has a chainstay lengh of 440mm and the Genesis is 420mm - hence my worry about heel strike. Current cranks are 172.5mm.

 

[Rusty Nails]

I'm happy to keep and upgrade the Equilibrium, as it's a great bike - so that's reassuring @MichaelW2 I've not camped, but will be doing so in the future (unlikely to need cooking stuff though), as it'll be just 1 or 2 weeks in France next year, with plenty of stops.

I've got 40litre Ortlieb panniers, which are really good, and so would be using those. The Raleigh has a chainstay lengh of 440mm and the Genesis is 420mm - hence my worry about heel strike. Current cranks are 172.5mm.

I have 28mm tyres on my Equilibrium and it makes longer rides easier.

 

[MyNameIsEarl]

Well, the Raleigh Royal's up for sale now, if anyone's interested -> https://www.cyclechat.net/threads/1988-raleigh-royal-amazing-condition.299568/

Thanks

 

[MichaelW2]

With the large ortleib panniers and camping load, a day tourer with shorter chainstays may get a bit rear heavy and " tippy".
You need to test the load and put as much weight within the wheelbase or up front.

 

[vickster]

Take a trip to Spa and try some bikes out

 

[geocycle]

I’d recommend a Spa elan for winter rides and light touring, especially if you’ve got a light summer bike already. The elan is ultra smooth and will comfortably take 38 mm tyres. Prices are £1500 to £3000 depending on spec. I have one set up for winter rides with wide tyres, mudguards, disk brakes, dynamo lights and capacity for light touring and light off-road. I find the Spa audax more fun for dry day riding in summer on tarmac.

 

[Gunk]

Hi all, I'm thinking of replacing my 2016 Genesis Equilibrium (25mm tyres, 50/34 front + 11/28 rear, rim brake, 9.5kg) and 1987 Raleigh Royal (14.5kg) with a lightweight tourer.

Can you recommend anything new (something from Spa, maybe), or would it be worth me converting the Genesis - with a stronger 32 spoke rear wheel and larger 11-40 cassette + Wolftooth & med cage derailleur? The chainstays are a bit short too and think I'd get heelstrike when loaded with panniers, but I think you can get extenders for rear racks.

I only tour one or twice a year, so I'm keen on using it the rest of the time as my main winter/all round bike. I also have a nice fast steel road bike for summer, and a fixed gear for all year riding.

Budget is around £2k, if buying new.

Thanks in advance!

Have a look at Oxford Bike Works in Steventon

 

[Jameshow]

Try Ellis Briggs or Bob Jackson for something bespoke?

 

[Juliansou]

Have a look at Temple cycles - you’ll get plenty of change from £2K. I’ve got one of the ‘classic tourers’ nice retro vibe!
here’s mine. I’d go for the Brooks saddle & upgrade the tyres too!