Recent content by taken4aride

I'm now thinking along the lines of a new / modern gravel bike with tubeless tyres as my go-to road / rough track all-rounder. I could just get something on the cycle scheme. We are going to the Lake District in Feb - and I am looking for a very competent and comfortable all-rounder by that...

This is not a thread drift - it's spot on - I am comparing vintage bikes with newer bikes when it comes to touring road comfort and other efficiencies. As versatile at the BLB bike is - it's a tad expensive for my pocket - no more than £500 used is preferable. The BLB does look like a great all...

Why are the 1x gearing setups fragile? When you say that do you mean the 1 cog on the front and 7 or more on the rear?

Soooo much knowledge from you chaps here. Another 'modern' alternative bike I was recommended (by a local bike shop) is a gravel bike. Gravel bikes can tour well on the British country roads without much effort - yet if you want to spin across a dirt track you can do that too. Sounds quite...

Thanks - that does help. I've just bagged the good lady a Raleigh Clubman (ladies bike) with 531 tubing in excellent condition - will perhaps need info on that one later if I get stuck.

I won't rush to buy - I have an average bike already - but the easy formula for me is, well, two numbers right now.... 531 and 105.

So is this Dawes Horizon a good configuration (despite not being 531) for a long comfortable road trip (Britich roads mind you)? I won't be putting heavy panniers on it - just my own heavy weight of 15 stone.

OK some pics - it's an XL frame:

Thanks - I also have a possible hand-me-down bike in the family - it's a Dawes Horizon - Dawes it may be but it only has a Reynolds 500 Cr-Mo Tube sticker on it (and at the bottom footer it reads T1 Reynolds 531 Limited England). I guess the 500 sticker isn't as good as the 531 despite being a...

OK useful stuff thanks. No welded 531s - noted! Just while you are here: this bike is local to me and does not have 531 tubing - so to be safe I thought I would ask you if it's any good or not: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/203625413485

As a place to start when looking for a bike - I assume the Frame quality is number one consideration because that is the foundation of the bike - so when on the lookout, do I simply search for Reynolds 531 framed bikes? It could be any make of bike, but it's the 531 that counts, or is it not as...

Oh dear - you may have upset the apple cart here :). But I appreciate your alternative way of thinking thank you!

I'm just having a bit of a wow moment over this bike . . https://www.raleigh.co.uk/gb/en/ti-raleigh-anniversary-edition-bicycle/?attrFrameSize=50cm&attrMarketingColor=Red&gclid=CjwKCAjw-sqKBhBjEiwAVaQ9a2cVvSLZ3DiTtaBccqzoErYsz89BH0MS6AnqFalFBChIdFDCQFzPbxoCMpoQAvD_BwE If only that was in budget :)

OK thanks - I'm not really handy with bike builds I'm afraid - so a complete bike would be preferable. I'm sure even I could upgrade wheels though :) I live in North Norfolk so the closer the bike is the better and I would need a large frame for a 6ft 1" chappy.

Another thing - can I keep the budget down to no more than £500 and still get a good used bike measuring up to my expectations?