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I liked the full on tourer geometry of the Long Haul Trucker and the (quick spin) Genesis Tour de Fer. My son's Boardman CX feels low at the end of a day in comparison.
I'm not sure I need the weight, caused by then being hugely over built for 'world touring'. I do want discs and wide 700c tyres, but don't want bar end shifters.
I'm planning some weekend tours, commuting, day rides, maybe a longer tour in uk or Europe in future. 95% rough back roads, 5% forest track.
I'm thinking for what I want a Kona Rove would be better than a Kona Sutra, a Croix de Fer over a Tour de Fer...?
Where to look for such a bike too.
No idea where to look, but Salsa Vaya might be another to put in the mix
Dedicated tourers tend to be purposely over built, frames are usually stiffer using thicker gauge tubing. Unloaded they feel un-compliant. I had a Surly LHT for a while and it was a great bike but overbuilt for my needs.
Worth adding Audax to your search terms and also looking at steel gravel bikes, most of which have rack and mudguard eyelets.
Genesis CDF would be on my list.
Depends what you mean by ‘lightweight’. My old 531ST feels pretty light even with a biopace triple, but get the old rack and on it’s changing fast into something else. At the point of carrying luggage I’m struggling to find any problems with a kg here or there on a f&f total (ie my Longitude). The nice thing I suppose is using the 531 tourer as an Audax/rando machine in downtime as it’s a pretty light/smooth-riding bike all told.
Have a look at aluminium tourers?
Gravel/adventure bikes would suit your requirements.
I'm with Scotroutes. Like a used Arkose frame the build 2x10 or 2x11 with small rings at the front. I did mine with a Spa cycles subcompact. Must be loads of similar frames on the used market
Bombtrack - 3 available now on ebay.
Dawes Super Galaxy but may be too heavy.
Must be loads of similar frames on the used market
There isn't as many as I expected. Patience is a virtue I'm told.
Bombtrack
That's rather spendy... I'm hoping for £5-800 .
I'm in the early phases of deciding whether to sell my Ti Tripster which I use for touring (and road and gravel duties). However, it's too early to make the decision. I have seen a couple of others for sale though. Search the classifieds.
eBay search filtered using gravel, touring, hydraulic discs, mechanical discs, £800 max
https://www.ebay.co.uk/b/Bikes/177831?LH_PrefLoc=1&_fsrp=0&_sop=3&_udhi=800&_sacat=177831&rt=nc&Bike%2520Type=Touring%2520Bike%7CGravel%2520Bike&Brake%2520Type=Disc%2520Brake%2520%252D%2520Hydraulic%7CDisc%2520Brake%2520%252D%2520Mechanical
Some of the recently minted bike riders may be offloading their recent acquisitions - if/when the novelty wears off; likely to be a few months away - if it happens.
Planet X Kaffenback? Possible stealth ad! Ticks the boxes though tyre width IIRC 32 max
Secondhand Specialized Awol or Marin Four Corners?
What about a 2nd hand Roadrat?
Unfortunately there isn't really a big 2nd hand market for touring bikes like there is for road, gravel or mtb's. Touring bikes aren't really replaced as often as other bikes, where riders often change every year or two to keep up with the latest trends. Owners tend to keep touring bikes for many years.
I'm biased and would recommend a Surly LHT, but that's as I have one and very happy with it.
Another recommendation would be to look for a 2nd hand Ridgeback, they had a nice couple of steel touring bikes in their range. They come with disc brakes and if you prefer they also did a flat bar version.
One of the Bombtracks on ebay is actually mine!
Take a look at the Genesis Sample Sale - there are only a few bikes left but I think one or two meet your needs and are not far off budget-wise -
https://www.freewheel.co.uk/clearance/bikes/samples
https://www.freewheel.co.uk/ridgeback-2020-tour-md-bike-sample-used-rb20500mdsp001
I use a planet x full monty as my general tourer/commuter/adventure bike.
Light, fast and cheap
The Surly LHT frame is not that heavy (I guess - I'm not taking mine apart to check).
My bike could be lightened considerably by:
1) Anything other than the Brooks B17 saddle
2) Carbon (non-steel) forks
3) Lighter seatpost
4) Non-dynamo front wheel
5) Dropping the triple
6) Lighter finishing kit (I bet the handlebars are way heavy).
Brand new Planet X London Road for £699 looks good for this.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/i/324256069135
Join me and MalvernRider in 531 ST club!
Or there's this one if you're a bit shorter. Good sight cheaper, so plenty spare for sprucing up and getting set up how you like.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/i/164346126241
Edit: except you want discs and wide tyres.
Try a search for a Singular Peregrine? Worth keeping an eye out for one of those if you're already prepared to spend a little while looking.
Also consider a 29er rigid mtb, perhaps with schwalbe big apples or similar tyres.
More than one way to achieve the desired result.
As hidden valley mentions above ^^^, stiffness is relevant to the intended load, 531c would probably be too light/flexy when loaded, but oversized 4130 will likely be a little stiff when unloaded.
It’s a tricky balancing act (no pun intended) between something stiff enough for your intended load and compliant enough for the other 80% of the time.
It seems after a few weeks of looking there are not many bikes around. A few good ones will not post, none locally...
So I am now looking new....
So I am now looking new….
Good luck with that!
Richards in Perth are still able to get some Orbea stock, so if there's anything in that range you fancy, give them a call.
Edit - 21" frame too small? https://www.gumtree.com/p/bicycles/men-s-claude-butler-touring-road-bike-/1384809105
Good luck with that!
I am poised over a gravel bike, 2x10 Tiagra in my size for £775, in stock....
I am poised over a gravel bike, 2×10 Tiagra in my size for £775, in stock….
Get it bought!