Looking for a budget tourer

[twesol]

My hybrid recently got nicked and I'm looking at replacing it with a tourer. I have a budget of about £250-£300. I will be using it for commuting and weekend trips mainly but perhaps some longer journeys as well, all on UK and European roads. I'll never be taking really heavy loads but I'm 6'2 and not exactly lightweight.
Ideally I want a steel frame so I will be looking to buy 2nd hand. Am I best of spending most or all of my budget on something more or less ready to ride or would I be better of getting a decent(ish) frame for not much and building it up. Also, any recommendations of make/model. Any help would be much appreciated.

 

[thistler]

I've seen plenty of newer Dawes Galaxys sell in that price range on ebay....that would be the first thing I looked at.

I'd think buying a Galaxy with a groupset in decent condition would be much cheaper than building something yourself, unless you are looking to buy something like an old steel mtn bike and build that up into a touring bike.

This looks nice too and has a big frame, though it may go for over your budget....


http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/raleigh-rando...0564256867?pt=UK_Bikes_GL&hash=item27b66c0463

 

[twesol]

Thanks for that thistler. I was thinking of a Galaxy. My dad has one and it seems a nice bike. I'll keep an eye on that Raleigh too.

 

[Gerry Attrick]

In that budget, I agree with Thistler. You would be far better going second hand. Many on this forum consider the older Galaxies better than the newer models so you shoud find something fairly easily.

If you are not loading up with the kitchen sink and will use the bike for, say weekends, an audax bike could also be worth looking at. The thing to bear in mind there is that it would likely have road gearing which could make for hard hillwork.