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swee'pea99

Legendary Member
Unless I'm reading it wrong, that's this, in which case the reviews aren't exactly encouraging. If you're prepared to go the ebay route - and it seems you are - I think you could do a lot better, given a bit of homework and patience. Personally I'd be looking for something a bit older with a Reynolds 531 frame...but that's probably just me. Oh, and yes - a good racer/tourer should give a massive boost to your riding comfort and performance over the MTB.
 
OP
OP
roundisland
Location
Worcestershire
Thanks swee'pea thought as much but wanted to hear it from more experienced riders. I've had my dawes now for about 4 months and its given me lots of enjoyable rides but I cant seem to get anything more out of it best so far without panniers on is average speed 14.30 over 25 miles when I'm doing a traning run.

I'm really looking for bike i can tour on but squeeze a bit more speed out of, budget is a big factor for me so ebay might be my only route. Brought my dawes on ebay for £40 worth every penny!
 

nuovo_record

Well-Known Member
there's nowt wrong with a good bit of 531 between your legs. no seriously old steel frames are surprisingly popular still.....have a look at "my humble offering" in the gallery
 

PpPete

Legendary Member
Location
Chandler's Ford
I found this review....

if you're planning to spend £700 on a new one, I'd say NO! Go for a Dawes Audax. Or maybe a Ribble Winter/Audax frame with the best componentry you can afford.

On the other and if you can pick up a second hand Raleigh for £250 tops (in vgc) I'd say it's worth a shot.

Personally, like many on here, I prefer older 531 frames... (them's PROPER bikes !) you can usually pick up an old 531ST framed Galaxy on Ebay for not much money... spend the difference on some decent wheels (that suit your planned riding), maybe update the drivetrain as you can afford it (or even "borrow" some parts off the hybrid) - and you will have a nice quick comfortable & robust machine that will cope with any tour.
 

swee'pea99

Legendary Member
Yes, I found that review too, but unless the ebay seller's got it wrong, the ali frame suggests that it's not the one you link to, which says: 'At the heart of the Venture is a Reynolds 725 steel frame'. The US one does have an ali frame, looks more similar, and has the right price tag - c£300, as against that one's £700.
 
OP
OP
roundisland
Location
Worcestershire
scook94 said:
Are you running with MTB knobbly tyres? You'd see a speed increase if you changed those for road tyres.


Recently changed the knobbly tryes for some semi road/off road tyres also changed the pedals for toe clips type pedals and noticed about 2mph increase in my average speed.

I've been watching this bike too, but has no front bosses only back for panniers?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=160340477369&ssPageName=ADME:X:RTQ:GB:1123

Any thoughts ;)
 

col

Legendary Member
This is what I got myself some time ago, and Im very happy with it, great comfort too. I cant fault it.
http://www.mailorderbikes.com/products.php?plid=m1b0s20p1576
 
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