new bike needed - what shall I get?

[Kalidurga]

If you haven't already, check out Cycling Plus UK magazine (here's their affiliated website). I subscribed to it last year and it's a great magazine with lots of beautiful riding routes and informative bike/gear reviews. According to them, touring's actually pretty big in the British Isles.

I'm sure you'll get lots of votes for the Cross Check. I love my Specialized 'cross bike, but I've been considering a Cross Check as a new bike for the same reason that you're considering it. And there are several folks here who ride them and love 'em. It does seem to be a great choice for an all 'round, be-whatever-you-want-it-to-be bike.

Though I wish it came in more colors than black and pale grey...

[ms pepperpot]

According to them, touring's actually pretty big in the British Isles. .

I think there may be lots of people who do tour (including this http://www.pedallingaround.com/start/ for an ultimate example - there was a really good 4 part documentary on the BBC a couple of weeks ago, worth seeing if you can find it), but it's quite a niche interest and a lot of people who tour are still riding the same Dawes they've had for 10+ years. Certainly in london bike shops are mainly focused on commuters, so mostly hybrids with some road and mountain bikes. The UK is a pretty bike-unfriendly place.

[ilima]

Sounds like what you want is an Audax bike. Not quite the slug that a tourer is. Plus, I think you'd be more likely to find an actual Audax bike in the UK than the states.

[luvmypwds]

Have you looked at Thorn?? They're made in the UK and look like amazing bikes!

[ms pepperpot]

I don't really know much about thorns other than they seem quite expensive. I haven't found any bike shops locally that stock them.

I'm not sure about audaxes. Are they ok when loaded? As that's one of my priorities. Also, are there any particular audax bikes anyone can recommend which come in a small enough size?

[ms pepperpot]

well the very nice bike shop have said they'll build up a LHT for me to try first - so fingers crossed that i love it or else find something else that's perfect.

[ms pepperpot]

well, i'm not going to get to try out an LHT. Is it a daft idea to just go for it? Everything I read about them sound good, and the miracle is they're small enough. In theory I love it and my instinct says it's probably whwat I want. It would be custom built, so I should have quite a lot of flexibility to make sure that it is set up to fit me (or as much as possible) but it's quite a lot of money when it may not be perfect.

As a comparison I tried out a Dawes horizon. It was a touch too big - no stand over room on the smallest frame. The top tube didn't feel too long, but is about 45mm longer than the LHT. It did feel a bit too juddery and twitchy, but I'm not sure if that was just because I wasn't familiar with it and haven't ridden with drops for a very long time. On the plus side it's half the price of the LHT.

So is it daft to choose a bike I haven't had a chance to ride, or would there be enough flexibility in how it's built up to make sure it becomes the bike for me?

[ginny]

I just got a Surly Long Haul Trucker and I was amazed at how 'small' a frame I required! I bought a 46. My road bike is a 50cm women's specific design. I had to get over the 26" wheel thing, but I really like the bike. It's geared for carrying a load (more like a mtn bike than a road bike). I climbed some serious hills on it this weekend, and only went into the smallest chain ring (front) two times. Other than that, I stayed in the middle chain ring and it was fine. It rides well loaded down and looks cute with fenders Obviously, I'm biased since I bought the thing and feel compelled to like it, but I really do like it and it is equally good for commuting as for touring... JMHO