Galaxy vs CB Dalesman

[SantaHul]

Hi guys I'm after a bike for commuting and touring. This bikes hopefully going to be a keeper so I want to make sure it's the right choice.

I used to have a 1982 Claud Butler Majestic which I loved and really regretted selling but desperately needed the cash at the time. It was 23" but I suspect ever so slightly too big for me as I had the saddle pretty much right down and I when I was doing long distances on the tops I wanted them to be ever so slightly further back.
There's a 1984 CB Dalesman for sale that is 21", am I correct in thinking this would be too small for me? It's quite a journey for me to go and see it so I'm not going unless theres a good chance it will fit.

There's also a Dawes Super Galaxy for sale but I suspect it will fetch considerably more, even though it is in need of some work before going back on the road. It's about a 1996 I think, but has a 22.5" frame so I'm guessing will be a better fit. It also has 700c wheels which will give me more choice with tyres.

The CB is doing it for me more since it has that 'underdog' factor but why are they worth so much less? Both are Reynolds 531ST throughout but Galaxy's seem to be so much more popular.

Any help very very much appreciated.

P.S. Suggestions of other bikes welcome but it needs to be reasonably tough and useable and must be able to take a fork rack.

 

[daccordimark]

Hi,
If you had the saddle right down on a 23" then a 21" sounds like a much better bet. The old "fist full of seatpost showing" measure is a good starting point on proper frames with horizontal top tubes. Of course everyone's fist is different.

Mark.

 

[SantaHul]

 

[SantaHul]

You know I'm not actually convinced this is a Dalesman.

http://www.gumtree.com/p/for-sale/vintage-1984-claud-butler-dalesman-bike/94290443

I can't find any Dalesman it looks like. The stickers and components don't seem to match up. Also, according to the catalogue, 1984 Dalesmans were made of Reynolds 531ST throughout, but the sticker on that bike just says the frame tubes are bog standard 531 and doesn't mention the stays at all.

Here's a 1984 model
http://oldtenspeedgallery.com/owner-submitted/andy-es-1984-claud-butler-dalesman/#.TwxfjIE1KZQ

Here's a 1982 model
http://www.flickr.com/photos/37347002@N05/4811081212/

1986
http://www.nkilgariff.com/CBcats/Cat_86/Dalesman86.jpg

I've seen the 1985 model too. They all have the same crank and small lettered "Dalesman" written on the top tube.

 

[Agency_Scum]

" Worth " may have been the wrong choice of word. Dalesmen cost less but are worth about the same. As for your long journey I'd say take it. Even failiure will leave you with the certain knowledge of what size Dalesman you need and you never know; it might just fit!

 

[Agency_Scum]

Save yourself the journey; I've just seen the ad.

 

[Midlife]

Typical Gumtree really.......do people actually buy off Gumtree ??

Shaun

 

[daccordimark]

Like it.

 

[Rich34]

The Galaxy sounds like the right fit (v.important) and they're a known quantity too (important). I'd be inclined to go for the Galaxy over the Claud Butler anyway, just because I like them them and when I was younger they always seemed like the quintessential British touring bike.

 

[SantaHul]

Just seen the Galaxy and I don't think I will be getting it, it was way too mint for the kind of treatment I'll be giving it.

The guy listed it as needing work. Got there and he was on about the cables needing replacing, not sure about the brakes, tyres etc. All I was thinking was "this thing's barely been used". He said I could take it out on the street if there was air in the tyres, there was so I did. Brakes worked perfectly, gears shifted perfectly, it was silky smooth. Only complaints; didn't like the colour/decals and I would have liked deeper drops, but the whole thing was so original so I would have felt bad changing anything.