British Eagle Touristique - 531ST

[Malvern Rider]

Have been looking sideways at classic tourers for a good while and I just pressed the button on one of these, anyone have any experience with them? Full 531st - looks more like Audax geometry, and no braze ons on front forks - so am thinking lightish touring . What have I done!

 

[sisyphus]

You won't regret it but even if you do,worst case scenario, you'll have to get another one....not so bad really!!

 

[Marshall55]

Re:

The British Eagle Touristique 531st is in my opinion the best machine British Eagle ever produced before their decline. The front forks should already be drilled on the outers in order to accept a pannier rack....I have two here !
One bike has had the inner forks drilled (by Mercian) also in order to accept Blackburn low rider racks, the other bike will remain as original with just the outer fork pannier mounting points.
A very comfortable bike, both models here have Shimano Exage 500 and Biopace SG 7 speed drivetrain, the wheels are getting tired so I'm thinking of upgrading to decent quality touring rims.

 

[Malvern Rider]

Thanks folks, and, as predicted, I didn't regret it! Just a spin around the block so far, it fits like a dream (remember this is someone who hasn't had a drop bar road bike since the same decade this was made) and does feel suprisingly agile and comfortable. Haven't even had a chance to clean it but it's in surprisingly good condition for 30+ yrs. few paint chips but nothing major. Tempted to repair those few chips and ride as is (after replacing cables, saddle and front hub (RX100) bearings as they feel a light tad gritty)

Unbelievable really, I forgot the joy of big thin wheels, chrome gleaming in the sun and the smooth Simplex shifters, shifting quietly, accurately - 'snik, snik'. Feeling lucky today. Pics on the way, haven't dated it yet - it has 2x7 setup with SVX front and rear. Modolo Rocky cantis, Modolo levers (hoods are shot) and GB bars. Not convinced about the Vetta VSA Gel, which, although minty, feels a bit weird for these bones.

I don't know what I was planning really - impulse purchase, maybe to partly restore this and move it on just because I like tinkering and trying old things out maybe I was missing touring- but, (should've known it) this thing has activated some long-dormant synapses and am already dreaming of some proper long rides like old times - a bike that feels like it wants to be out from dawn til dusk, down leafy lanes, up and down long swooping hills, off the beaten track, slipping briskly through cities and out into the boondocks again - one long detour everywhere - or is that me? Oh dear. I hereby unofficially classify the Touristique as a Classic British Detourer

 

[Malvern Rider]

 

[Ellis_Eagle]

Re:

Hi there,
i am David from germany..,. time to improve my english skills..
I've bought a great british touring frame.

I asked Ellis Briggs to get some information about the year of manfacture and the used components. They responsed me that this isn't a Ellis Briggs handbuilt frame.
Possibly this is a British Eagle Touristique Frame. The decal on the chain stay is exactly the same which was used on British Eagle Touristique

Does anyone have some catalogue with information about the British Eagle Touristique. This frame is really exiting for me.. I really like to know the history of this frame.

Thank you in advance,
David