Touring bike / frame. What to look for?
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Got a British Eagle Touristique frame in 23" if any good, needs a good respray
Got a British Eagle Touristique frame in 23" if any good, needs a good respray
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No worries
NeilM":2hgvbug3 said:kermitgreenkona88":2hgvbug3 said:Got a British Eagle Touristique frame in 23" if any good, needs a good respray
Thanks for the offer, 23" is a touch too big.
No worries
I think the crunch question is what kind of touring you intend:
Long or short trips,
Credit card style travelling light staying in hotels / B&Bs or camping,
Europe or further afield?
A light road bike with saddlebag plus mudguards is fine for fast travel and staying in hotels...but will be horribly flexy and handle nastily with panniers.
It's an easy trap to buy too light a touring bike, when heavier alternatives' extra weight has gone unseen into stronger wheels and sturdier frame. The extra weight of touring gear outweighs any small saving on bike weight, and weight savings can be completely pointless if compensated by a stack of spares.
There isn't a single right answer, but you get closer by thinking about the kind of riding you like.
Long or short trips,
Credit card style travelling light staying in hotels / B&Bs or camping,
Europe or further afield?
A light road bike with saddlebag plus mudguards is fine for fast travel and staying in hotels...but will be horribly flexy and handle nastily with panniers.
It's an easy trap to buy too light a touring bike, when heavier alternatives' extra weight has gone unseen into stronger wheels and sturdier frame. The extra weight of touring gear outweighs any small saving on bike weight, and weight savings can be completely pointless if compensated by a stack of spares.
There isn't a single right answer, but you get closer by thinking about the kind of riding you like.
Re:
I have long trips in mind / planned, Scotland first to see how that goes and then possibly abroad later.
I was thinking mostly camping but with the occasional B&B / hotel just for a civilised change.... and a shave.
I'm watching a nice frame on ebay, but will be visiting a couple of frame builders in the next week or two to talk it through, as I am thinking Reynolds 525 for a comfy ride rather than something lighter but possibly more harsh / rigid.
I have long trips in mind / planned, Scotland first to see how that goes and then possibly abroad later.
I was thinking mostly camping but with the occasional B&B / hotel just for a civilised change.... and a shave.
I'm watching a nice frame on ebay, but will be visiting a couple of frame builders in the next week or two to talk it through, as I am thinking Reynolds 525 for a comfy ride rather than something lighter but possibly more harsh / rigid.
Sounds sense - 525 will make a sturdy frame.
I'd also suggest having a look at a Hewitt Cheviot - in CTC circles it's seemingly the default touring frame choice. Spa Cycles do some nice frames too.
Personally for Scotland I'd seriously consider a steel 26" MTB-based tourer for the unsurfaced stuff too. I used to live in Lanark and the historic drove roads of the Southern Uplands were good for an explore...
I'd also suggest having a look at a Hewitt Cheviot - in CTC circles it's seemingly the default touring frame choice. Spa Cycles do some nice frames too.
Personally for Scotland I'd seriously consider a steel 26" MTB-based tourer for the unsurfaced stuff too. I used to live in Lanark and the historic drove roads of the Southern Uplands were good for an explore...
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