Touring for me means staying in pubs/hotels/B&Bs/Chambres d'hote. I.e. it does not mean carrying camping gear. I do need panniers, though. On road, track and towpath -- i.e. not off road, but some of those towpaths get a bit rough. England, Wales, France and that's about it.
I want a new tourer. I've got enough to spend that money's not an issue, I want something that feels great and looks good and I do rather feel like indulging the obnoxious flash git who is never far below the surface. It all says custom build.
"The Big Baguette" <[email hidden]> wrote in message "]news:[email hidden]...
Quoted message said:
Touring for me means staying in pubs/hotels/B&Bs/Chambres d'hote. I.e. it does not mean carrying camping gear. I do need panniers, though. On road, track and towpath -- i.e. not off road, but some of those towpaths get a bit rough. England, Wales, France and that's about it.
I want a new tourer. I've got enough to spend that money's not an issue, I want something that feels great and looks good and I do rather feel like indulging the obnoxious flash git who is never far below the surface. It all says custom build.
OK. So who by? Who do I go to?
Yes -- panniers are MUCH the best solution -- even credit card touring you will have a few kg of kit (at a guess somewhere around 10 kg) and its much better in a pannier than on your back.
For the bike -- its up to you. A Galaxy is nice and will handle most of what you suggest. A hybrid would do it nicely too. In fact, pretty much anything that you can fit a rack to can be used for touring.
In article <[email hidden]>, Tony W <[email hidden]> writes
Quoted message said:
"The Big Baguette" <[email hidden]> wrote in message "]news:[email hidden]...
Quoted message said:
Touring for me means staying in pubs/hotels/B&Bs/Chambres d'hote. I.e. it does not mean carrying camping gear. I do need panniers, though. On road, track and towpath -- i.e. not off road, but some of those towpaths get a bit rough. England, Wales, France and that's about it.
I want a new tourer. I've got enough to spend that money's not an issue, I want something that feels great and looks good and I do rather feel like indulging the obnoxious flash git who is never far below the surface. It all says custom build.
OK. So who by? Who do I go to?
Yes -- panniers are MUCH the best solution -- even credit card touring you will have a few kg of kit (at a guess somewhere around 10 kg) and its much better in a pannier than on your back.
For the bike -- its up to you. A Galaxy is nice and will handle most of what you suggest. A hybrid would do it nicely too. In fact, pretty much anything that you can fit a rack to can be used for touring.
Get what is going to be comfortable to ride.
I'm going to be appallingly vulgar here (never difficult for me). I don't want a Galaxy, because other people have them. I want something where the maker's final act will be to paint 'Baggy' where 'Dawes' would otherwise go. I want something custom built for me alone. That's the question: who makes really good custom-built bikes that are absolute one-offs? -- The Big Baguette
I want a new tourer. I've got enough to spend that money's not an issue, I want something that feels great and looks good and I do rather feel like indulging the obnoxious flash git who is never far below the surface. It all says custom build.
In article <[email hidden]>, Call me Bob <[email hidden]> writes
Quoted message said:
The Big Baguette said:
I want a new tourer. I've got enough to spend that money's not an issue, I want something that feels great and looks good and I do rather feel like indulging the obnoxious flash git who is never far below the surface. It all says custom build.
In article <[email hidden]>, Call me Bob <[email hidden]> writes
Quoted message said:
The Big Baguette said:
I want a new tourer. I've got enough to spend that money's not an issue, I want something that feels great and looks good and I do rather feel like indulging the obnoxious flash git who is never far below the surface. It all says custom build.
Thank you. I shall contact Roberts. Anyone here ride one of these?
Yep - and so does SWMBO (it was how I managed to get mine - sell the idea to her first). Mine is an audax style machine - custom built to measurements taken at their workshop. It gives a superb ride. Finish and attention to detail cannot be faulted. I did the E2E on mine last year and not one mechanical and hardly an ache anywhere.
However, one drawback is that it took a long time for me to move it from the sitting room to the garage, and several months before I took it out in the rain.
IMO Roberts, both for service during the ordering, and in quality of build, cannot be beaten.
In message <[email hidden]>, Tony W <[email hidden]> writes
Quoted message said:
"The Big Baguette" <[email hidden]> wrote in message "]news:[email hidden]...
Quoted message said:
Touring for me means staying in pubs/hotels/B&Bs/Chambres d'hote. I.e. it does not mean carrying camping gear. I do need panniers, though. On road, track and towpath -- i.e. not off road, but some of those towpaths get a bit rough. England, Wales, France and that's about it.
I want a new tourer. I've got enough to spend that money's not an issue, I want something that feels great and looks good and I do rather feel like indulging the obnoxious flash git who is never far below the surface. It all says custom build.
OK. So who by? Who do I go to?
Yes -- panniers are MUCH the best solution -- even credit card touring you will have a few kg of kit (at a guess somewhere around 10 kg) and its much better in a pannier than on your back.
Well, if it's just a bit of kit, then I would try and fit it in a saddle bag (a Camper longflap can hold a goodly amount).
Fit the saddlebag with an SQR fitting and then no need for a rack most of the time.
Not had a frame made by them, but Bob Jackson in Leeds seem to do a good job and have been helpful when I've used them:
I want a new tourer. I've got enough to spend that money's not an issue, I want something that feels great and looks good and I do rather feel like indulging the obnoxious flash git who is never far below the surface. It all says ....
In article <[email hidden]>, Call me Bob <[email hidden]> writes
Quoted message said:
The Big Baguette said:
I want a new tourer. I've got enough to spend that money's not an issue, I want something that feels great and looks good and I do rather feel like indulging the obnoxious flash git who is never far below the surface. It all says custom build.
The Big Baguette <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...
Quoted message said:
I want a new tourer. I've got enough to spend that money's not an issue, I want something that feels great and looks good and I do rather feel like indulging the obnoxious flash git who is never far below the surface. It all says custom build.
OK. So who by? Who do I go to?
King of Mercia? or just the frame and build it yourself?
"The Big Baguette" <[email hidden]> wrote in message "]news:[email hidden]...
Quoted message said:
I'm going to be appallingly vulgar here (never difficult for me). I don't want a Galaxy, because other people have them. I want something where the maker's final act will be to paint 'Baggy' where 'Dawes' would otherwise go. I want something custom built for me alone. That's the question: who makes really good custom-built bikes that are absolute one-offs?
Well stuff you then. I like my Galaxy -- but then, I'm common.
The guys at Thorn will tell you what you want (rather than listen to you). People like Roberts will be OK.
Yates may be willing to do a nice frame.
Of course there is always the Dark Side --- AHHHHHHHHHHHHGGGGG
Thus spake "Gearóid Ó Laoi, Garry Lee" <[email hidden]>
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Quoted message said:
You might also consider St John Street Cycles.
No.
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Three of my touring friend have them. The tubes are too light and dentable and they're bad value.
Your friends seem less lucky than mine. My friend has had a Thorn Audax for 6 years and has had little trouble. He has done a lot of Audax rides on it.
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What this Grande Baguette should do is buy a Galaxy and get someone to paint something on it, but a fool and his money are easily parted.....
A while ago, I did a 'downhill' type race. The bicycles that fared the worst were all Dawes...
In article <[email hidden]>, John B <[email hidden]> writes
Quoted message said:
The Big Baguette said:
In article <[email hidden]>, Call me Bob <[email hidden]> writes
Quoted message said:
On Fri, 14 Mar 2003 20:00:24 +0000, The Big Baguette <[email hidden]> wrote:
>I want a new tourer. I've got enough to spend that money's not an issue, I want something that >feels great and looks good and I do rather feel like indulging the obnoxious flash git who is >never far below the surface. It all says custom build. > >OK. So who by? Who do I go to?
Thank you. I shall contact Roberts. Anyone here ride one of these?
Yep - and so does SWMBO (it was how I managed to get mine - sell the idea to her first). Mine is an audax style machine - custom built to measurements taken at their workshop. It gives a superb ride. Finish and attention to detail cannot be faulted. I did the E2E on mine last year and not one mechanical and hardly an ache anywhere.
However, one drawback is that it took a long time for me to move it from the sitting room to the garage, and several months before I took it out in the rain.
This sounds like my machine. I suspect I must have one. -- The Big Baguette
Hmmm, don't you think that Roberts is a bit to common?
I mean they have big coloured ads in the mags.
Surely want something just a bit select.... :-)
No, no. As long as I can get my name painted on the frame, I'll be happy. I mean, the truly select way would be to go for someone who's never made a frame before -- and that wouldn't be sensible, now would it? -- The Big Baguette
In article <[email hidden]>, Bloke on a bike <[email hidden]> writes
Quoted message said:
The Big Baguette <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:<q7NcaLAYTjc+Ew2 [email hidden]>...
Quoted message said:
I want a new tourer. I've got enough to spend that money's not an issue, I want something that feels great and looks good and I do rather feel like indulging the obnoxious flash git who is never far below the surface. It all says custom build.
OK. So who by? Who do I go to?
King of Mercia? or just the frame and build it yourself?
Build it myself? Are you out of your tree? I want to be riding it this year, not next. I could think about buying the frame and getting my LBS to build the bike, I suppose. Anyone in a position to compare the King of Mercia tourer with a Roberts?
If you want "exclusive" George Longstaff has been building for 21 years this year and he`s making 21 anniversary frames (whatever you want ie tourer, audax , racer etc) for the select few with the necessary folding!....
Who am I to question the opinion of an Irishman when it comes to the ways of fools? -- The Big Baguette
Oh,
so we're adopting the condescending Englisman tone here, that which has you the most beloved race in the world, not least in the northern part of the island you inhabit? It is of course only a minority who thus behave, but it is they who besmirch the whole race in the eyes of others.
is ag casadh ar an mórchúis atáimíd anois, nós Sasanach gur chúis leis an dímheas atá ag cách oraibh, agus ní lú ná mar atá thar teorainn ó thuaidh id thír féin. Mionlach a tharraingíonn síos an móramh i súilibh an domhain.
This you large breastick is Irish, the first written language in the West of Europe, which was being written when your ancestors were sharing wives and painting themselves blue, while mine were attempting to educate them, an attempt the results of which were obviously not lasting.
