What touring frame to buy for about £500?

[muffinski]

Hi this may have been already answered but I am new to this forum and also touring bicycles so please bear with me.



I would like to get a touring bicycle. I have looked at off the peg bikes and been advised that perhaps this is not the best way to spend money on my budget (about £1000).



I was thinking about the Ridgeback Panorama but have been advised that the components are not that great, however the frame is good? Is this also the case with Dawes Galaxy Plus?

Are there any off the peg touring bicycles worth getting or should I buy frame set and get the rest of components separately?

I have also been looking at the Condor Heritage. But generally I am confused regarding what tubing is best. From what I can gather steel is best but what sort? Which Reynolds is more suitable for a touring frame. I am told the higher the number the better the steel but is that in relation to strength or lightness etc.
I want a frame that will last me for 20 years if not more and can be repaired. Components I will upgrade with time and mileage but do not want to start at the very bottom end. I guess if you start right at the top you will never appreciate them unless you have had good experience with lesser quality components. I am I asking for too much for £1000?
Anyway some advice and signposting will be gratefully received

 

[Gerry Attrick]

Wow......where to start?

For a budget of £1000, you would probably get better value by buying ready built unless you are prepared to spend most of it on the frame and kit it out with second-hand or cheaper new components until such time as you can upgrade it. You have said you want the frame to last, so it makes sense to get the best you can.

The various steels, 631, 725 etc have a bearing on the overall ride characteristics of the frame as well as weight and strength. 725 is marginally stronger than 631 so the tube walls can be thinner thus giving a little weight advantage for instance, but in overall tourer terms, weight is not a huge issue.

More important is the ride quality. You need to decide on the type of touring you are intending to do and the weight to be carried as this may well dictate or at least influence the choice of material.

It may be worth contacting the likes of Dave Yates, Hewitts or Roberts as they will offer sage advice or may even have a reconditioned frame or bike for sale.

 

[muffinski]

Cheers for that Gerry Attrick some food for thought. I guess I should mention that this bike will also be used for daily commuting and casual rides re type of touring. I think your your right strenght over weight will be far more important

 

[Gerry Attrick]

If you think about it, a few ounces saved on a touring bike is nothing in relation to the load you expect to carry.

 

[muffinski]

Being in London Condor Heritage is looking a real contender. Next stage which set up Sora Tiagra, 105 Deore, deore xt etc.....

 

[Gerry Attrick]

If you are intending serious touring, then disregard road bike gearing as it will be too high. Go for Deore minimum, but possibly XT hubs. STI or bar end shifters are your choice, but some argue that bar ends give more room for a bar bag as the cables are out of the way. Personally, I favour bar ends as they are simpler and are repairable.

 

[muffinski]

So does that mean deore have a different gearing to sora and is deore a mtb groupset? sorry real novice

 

[Gerry Attrick]

I believe Sora has 30/39/50 teeth whilst Deore has 26/36/46 which on a loaded bike could make a difference depending on casstette. Deore however is a higher quality component, likely to live much longer. Deore is mtb based.

 

[muffinski]

cheers for that appriciate the help