Conundrum, can't decide what to do.

[Dushan Ivekich]

I'll try not to waffle on too long

Basically I only have room (and funds) for two bikes. Seeing as I'm sans auto, one of said bikes needs to fulfil the following roles:

Commuter
Shopper
Cycle Camping
All weather riding
Day rides/Occasional Audax

At present this is done by a rigid CroMo Trek MTB of mid '90s vintage, whilst heavy (kick stand, racks, hub dynamo, mudguards etc etc) it wears 1.25" Paselas and I've done a 200k Audax in about 10 hours which isn't too shabby for someone of my non-fitness and said bike.

Other bike is this -> -Clickingtons - Which I've owned since I started that thread and have put on it the grand sum of 50 miles

What I would like is to replace both, I think, with something much lighter for the main bike, and something a bit more racier than the Peugeot for when it's nice weather (yeah right!)

But I can't decide what to do, I was thinking maybe a Galaxy, Raleigh Randonneur or Dalesman to replace the MTB? but I would probably need to buy one needing work or just a framset as they fetch good money used.

Likewise I can't decide what to do with the Peugeot, is it worth keeping? I've got loads more bits to go on it when the weather finally clears up, but I'm not sure I want to do it, maybe cut my losses and sell it?

Help!

 

[Tel]

Yes some sort of Randonneur frame would be a good replacement for your Trek. Get a frame and transfer most of the parts from the Trek, you'll just need a different set of wheels.

The Pug is a nice bike whether you keep it depends upon if you're going to ride it....You will probably not get your money back on it though, if you sell it then it may be worth splitting if you can be bothered with the hassle.

 

[David B]

But I can't decide what to do, I was thinking maybe a Galaxy, Raleigh Randonneur or Dalesman to replace the MTB? but I would probably need to buy one needing work or just a framset as they fetch good money used.

As an alternative to the Galaxy, your other possible (not strictly retro?) Dawes option is the Audax Giro, which has a Reynolds 531c frame and is designed to be a bit nippier than a full-on tourer. I think they started making them in the late 90s so the oldest used examples won't come dirt cheap.

David

 

[hamster]

True, but the Audax Giro will be a bit more hair-raising when fully loaded with the shopping. Perhaps a cargo trailer allows you to have a nippier bike and still haul loads when necessary.

I would also consider a Hewitt, they make some really nice frames for audax and touring, including 26" wheelers.

 

[David B]

True, but the Audax Giro will be a bit more hair-raising when fully loaded with the shopping.

Fair point. My Raleigh Quadra is really a winter/training machine and not dissimilar in design to the Audax Giro, and has a rear rack/panniers fitted - rode it up to the Midlands fully loaded to visit my parents last summer, and the descent off the Ridgeway on the main A-road into Wantage was a little bit scary. :shock:

David

 

[Dushan Ivekich]

Thanks for the advice so far chaps.

Whatever replaces the Trek must have the facility to carry front panniers, so a typical Audax bike is probably out of the question.

It would be nice to have three bikes - one full on touring machine, one light Audax bike and a full on retro roadie - but I simply can't afford it nor do I have any more space, two is a squeeze at the minute.

I wish I was starting again from scratch, then I wouldn't have ploughed so much money and effort into the Trek :roll:

I think the reality is that I may have to keep it and maybe sell the Peugeot to be replaced by a lighter touring bike, it would mean having two very similar bikes and no fast(ish) road machine but I can't see any realistic way of doing it :?

The other niggle in the back of my mind is that the Pug is maybe a bit on the small side for longer distance stuff.