Long Distance touring bicycle on a budget!? Help needed! :D

[crookedmouth]

Hello people, I am writing on here because I am after some advice on what bike I should get for a trip I have planned for next summer.
I need a touring bike for cycling across South America, I am a bit miffed as what to buy after hours of scanning the web.
I would need something that is fairly simple so getting parts (if needed) would be easy so preferably no disc brakes etc. I need something fairly light weight with a long wheel base to carry a load on the front and back.
I don't really have a big budget let's say £300-£500, I also don't believe you need to spend anymore than this as I have met many other tourers that cycle with £200 bicycles.
Any information would be greatly appreciated!!!
And any other advice wouldn't go a miss...Thank you all for reading!!!!!!! - Daniel.

 

[Fab Foodie]

Take a look at this.
http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/ebw...QRY=C440&f_SortOrderID=1&f_bct=c003155c018343

Otherwise a conversion of a good non-sus MTB or a hybrid with relevent rack and Guard mounting points.

 

[amaferanga]

Look on ebay for an old mtb - something like an old steel-framed Specialized Rockhopper. You're right in saying that you don't need to spend a lot to get a very good tourer, but these people that only spend £200 probably know a lot about bikes and so know what's good and what isn't. You sound like a bit of a novice (sorry if you're not) so the potential for you buying a lemon is much greater.

IMO though you need to spend a bit more to get good wheels and pannier racks. If you go for cheap they will break on the sort of roads you'll probably be on. I've had good experiences with Shimano Deore XT hubs and Mavic EX721 rims - Sun Rhyno rims are well regarded as well. For pannier racks the best I've used are Tubus and Old Man Mountain, but they're not cheap.

 

[surfdude]

Hello people, I am writing on here because I am after some advice on what bike I should get for a trip I have planned for next summer.
I need a touring bike for cycling across South America, I am a bit miffed as what to buy after hours of scanning the web.
I would need something that is fairly simple so getting parts (if needed) would be easy so preferably no disc brakes etc. I need something fairly light weight with a long wheel base to carry a load on the front and back.
I don't really have a big budget let's say £300-£500, I also don't believe you need to spend anymore than this as I have met many other tourers that cycle with £200 bicycles.
Any information would be greatly appreciated!!!
And any other advice wouldn't go a miss...Thank you all for reading!!!!!!! - Daniel.

 

[surfdude]

look on e.bay theres a Dawes Galaxy touring bike . it got 10 hours to go at the moment only only £370 well worth a look and perfect for what you are doing.

 

[MontyVeda]

Talking of touring on a budget... It's one thing getting hold a good bike at a reasonable price, but all the other bits and bobs are going to add up.

I've got my eye on the Ortlieb Front-Rollerpanniers for the front (thanks Willem) but not sure which front rack would be best. I have rigid front forks and no braze ons, looking at recommended front racks such as the Surly 'nice rack' or Tubus Nova lowriders I'm going to have to fork out around £100 just for the blummin rack!

Does anybody have any cheaper options for a set of lowriders or other front rack that will take the strain?

I like what this guy has done and may go the DIY route if I can't find anything within my tightfisted price window.

 

[crookedmouth]

Take a look at this.
http://www.edinburgh...=c003155c018343

Otherwise a conversion of a good non-sus MTB or a hybrid with relevent rack and Guard mounting points.

First of all Yes I am A complete novice when it comes to equipment so alot of the Jargon does not make much sense to me.
I had a look at the Revolution Country Traveller, although it is a bit pricey it does look good, but if I was to buy this what else would I need to get to make sure I have all the correct gear.. I don't really mind spending a bit of money aslong as I know I'm getting my moneys worth as I do plan on doing a VERY long trip and would hate to get there and realised I am not equipped.
Would buying parts for this bike be a problem abroad? maybe in small towns where the cycle shops don't stock the latest technology, One tourer I met used a really old Mountain bike for this reason alone.

Does anyone else have any suggestions for a bicycle like the revolution country travelller around the same price range?

I will keep browsing Ebay and post up what I find on here to get some advice!
Thanks so much for the replies already people, I hope you can help me later on so I don't end up buying a lemon as you put it so well!

Just bare in mind that I am a novice so I don't really know what SUS or anything means.

Again thanks for your help , it's much appreciated.

 

[crookedmouth]

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/DAWES-GALAXY-Bike-Touring-531-/120609575076?pt=UK_Bikes_GL#ht_606wt_1137

I just found this bike which looks pretty good to me, I'm not sure about frame sizes though, I am 6'2 so will need the largest frame I can get I think.

Any feedback about this bike would be great, it's a local pick up which is not too far from me, which means it probably wont get bidded on as much as teh others so perfect in that sense, and most importantly I will be able to try it out.

If I was to buy this bicycle would I need to replace anything to handle the trip I plan on doing?

My goal by the way is to cycle from Mexico to Chile, I have no time limit for this really, I know it's a big trip for my first long distance tour but I will just take it day by day.
It's about how you get there rather than getting there right

 

[crookedmouth]

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/DAWES-GALAXY-Bike-Touring-531-/120609575076?pt=UK_Bikes_GL#ht_606wt_1137

I just found this bike which looks pretty good to me, I'm not sure about frame sizes though, I am 6'2 so will need the largest frame I can get I think.

Any feedback about this bike would be great, it's a local pick up which is not too far from me, which means it probably wont get bidded on as much as teh others so perfect in that sense, and most importantly I will be able to try it out.

If I was to buy this bicycle would I need to replace anything to handle the trip I plan on doing?

My goal by the way is to cycle from Mexico to Chile, I have no time limit for this really, I know it's a big trip for my first long distance tour but I will just take it day by day.
It's about how you get there rather than getting there right

 

[Muddyfox]

Your on the right lines for the type of bike but i would say that the one you've linked to is to small for you and will be very uncomfortable for long hours in the saddle whilst touring

Simon

 

[amaferanga]

http://cgi.ebay.co.u...L#ht_606wt_1137

I just found this bike which looks pretty good to me, I'm not sure about frame sizes though, I am 6'2 so will need the largest frame I can get I think.

Any feedback about this bike would be great, it's a local pick up which is not too far from me, which means it probably wont get bidded on as much as teh others so perfect in that sense, and most importantly I will be able to try it out.

If I was to buy this bicycle would I need to replace anything to handle the trip I plan on doing?

My goal by the way is to cycle from Mexico to Chile, I have no time limit for this really, I know it's a big trip for my first long distance tour but I will just take it day by day.
It's about how you get there rather than getting there right

I would look at bikes with 26" wheels if I were you and for rough road touring (which I'm guessing is what you're doind - no point in going to SA and sticking to asphalt) an old mtb will be a better bet IMO. The Galaxy and the Edinburgh Bicycle tourer would be ideal for touring somewhere like Europe, but not for the off road or rough road stuff. Btw my opinions are based on my experience - 20,000km touring in Africa.

The argument for going for old bits so you can buy replacements in the back of beyond is a duff one IMO. You want durable parts that won't break. If you've got plenty of time you can buy online and get any replacements you need Fedexed out to any city or large town in the world. I only did this once and I used Chainreaction Cycles in the UK with no problems at all.


This is my bike that I used for most of my touring in Africa:

Its an On One Inbred. I also have rigid forks that I used for the longer trips. Racks are Tubus Logo rear and Old Man Mountain Sherpa on the front. Tyres are Schwalbe Marathon XR. If you went for a bike similar to this I think you'd be in a position to take just about any road you fancied, unlike with the Galaxy type bike where you'd probably find yourself sticking to the better roads.

 

[crookedmouth]

Your on the right lines for the type of bike but i would say that the one you've linked to is to small for you and will be very uncomfortable for long hours in the saddle whilst touring

Simon

Thanks for your input so what frame size should I be looking for?

 

[crookedmouth]

Take a look at this.
http://www.edinburgh...=c003155c018343

Otherwise a conversion of a good non-sus MTB or a hybrid with relevent rack and Guard mounting points.

I wonder if it would be possible to convert a GT avalanche 3.0?http://www.winstanleysbikes.co.uk/product/26049/GT_Avalanche_30_Disc_Mens_Bike_2010 That would be handy as I already own one of these.
It has got front suspension but could I not get new forks for it?


If not can anybody link me to a bike that would be good for off road and on road?.. or atleast tell me what I should be looking for.. I am getting REALLY confused now hehe
Thanks a bunch- Dan

 

[crookedmouth]

http://oxford.gumtree.com/oxford/31/64081531.html

I am 6'2 is a 21'' frame big enough? -

 

[amaferanga]

http://oxford.gumtre...1/64081531.html

I am 6'2 is a 21'' frame big enough? -

That's a crap bike - really low end components. The bike itself is probably worth no more than £150 so it's really not a good deal at £400 even with the panniers.