Dawes

jam_on_toast · 19-06-2009 12:18PM #1

Anybody here have any advice about Dawes bikes, specifically the Galaxy model?

Has anybody got one or know if there any good?

Am looking to get a good all round bike, that will stand the test of time.

http://www.dawescycles.com/c-10-touring-bikes.aspx

Cheers

blorg · 19-06-2009 12:38PM

Good, solid, heavy, slow, overpriced. In my opinion.

It will certainly last.

What do you want to use the bike for? If it is long-distance heavily loaded touring in remote locations the Galaxy could be a good choice. Otherwise maybe not.

jam_on_toast · 19-06-2009 01:50PM

am looking for a quickish bike with dropped bars which can take panniers.

Will be used mainly for commute/fitness. Maybe some long cycling trips.

Something along the lines of an audax frame.

I understand the dawes are heavy, i've been looking at a few makers online, a lot of them are made in titanium which can be very costly but brings the weight down.

Any suggestions/alternatives?

Lumen · 19-06-2009 01:52PM

jam_on_toast wrote: »

Any suggestions/alternatives?

Budget?

edit: maybe something like the Ribble Winter Training Audax, reviewed here and available somewhere here. The review says it will take panniers. The Ribble site only works in IE, not Firefox.

jam_on_toast · 19-06-2009 02:02PM

Lumen wrote: »

Budget?

I'd rather not go above 1500. But if there is a bike really worth it, I may go a bit higher.

Part of the purpose is I want one bike that does the lot rather than getting a hybrid and a racer.

blorg · 19-06-2009 02:31PM

Audax is a good bet. If you just want to be able to carry light amounts though an entry level racer will generally take panniers... How long is your commute?

You might be better off just getting a cheap hybrid and a racer as one bike will not quite do it all, it will always feel compromised. In addition I would not be happy leaving my good bikes in town, outside shops, etc. so getting two can make sense.

Maybe break down your intended use in terms of length/frequency etc.

If you really need something that will do it all something like the Van Nicholas Yukon would be a very good bet (but a bit more than your budget.) I have a Van Nicholas Amazon myself and very happy with it. The Yukon is lighter and nippier at the expense of not having the same sort of tyre clearance as the Amazon. To be honest I mainly went for the Amazon over the Yukon only because I already had a road bike.

Húrin · 19-06-2009 04:21PM

I cycle a Dawes Kalahari as a commuter and I like it a lot. As blorg says it is heavy but it does the job well. I don't use it to go out on spins though. Mainly to carry loads and on tour.

jam_on_toast · 19-06-2009 07:21PM

Blorg, my commute is roughly 9 miles each way. I'm not sure i'll have space for 2 bikes at home. I will not be leaving the bike outside either. Those van nicholas bikes look good, they are expensive though. I found some other similar makes as below, but they are similarly priced. I dont know much about them but i assume they are half decent.

http://www.enigmabikes.com/

http://www.burls.co.uk/index.php

http://www.condorcycles.com/

Lumen, I like the look of that ribble audax, i'll have a look into that.

Not sure what to think now, the yukon seems perfect but I may have to break the bank to get it.

Lumen · 19-06-2009 07:48PM

Enigmas are gorgeous. Condor are a well respected brand. Don't know much about the burls, but I have heard of them.

SerialComplaint · 20-06-2009 08:59AM

jam_on_toast wrote: »

Anybody here have any advice about Dawes bikes, specifically the Galaxy model?

Has anybody got one or know if there any good?

Am looking to get a good all round bike, that will stand the test of time.

http://www.dawescycles.com/c-10-touring-bikes.aspx

I had a Super Galaxy for 25+ years, and it certainly passed the test of time - very solid and reliable.

I miss her.....

Dawes

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