Can I get a decent touring bicycle for £200?

Question

Or will I have to pay more? I want it for commutes and log rides (with luggage) to the countryside.

Answer 1

Check out alternative selling places.

I got a really nice Raleigh for £1.50 from a local auction but I had to fix a puncture. I simply converted it to a triple chain ring

to turn it into a great tourer. It was originally built in the 1970s.

Be careful though. I bought my first tourer in 1999 (an old Raleigh of course) and I realise that I have spent so much on updating the thing that I could have bought two new bikes by now. That's the problem when you've no capital and too much enthusiasm.

Answer 2

I paid about £200 for a Raleigh tourer a few years ago. I did quite a few tours before trading up to something better. It was ok I suppose , very heavy, but I wouldn't describe it as a decent touring bike and i would never go back to a cheapo now.

Answer 3

Sarah's right. Why not get a good second hand  mountain bike then fit road tyres onto it?

Something like a Dawes Galaxy will set you back £700.

Answer 4

You could pick up a good second hand one for around £200 that should do what you want it to.  However, you might be better with a hybrid - strong frame but thin (not pencil-thin) tyres.  Giant do some that are quite good.  I have a Giant hybrid and also a mountain bike with smooth tyres - both are about the same frame strength, although the Giant does move a bit faster.

Also, do make sure that your luggage is in panniers - it makes things much easier.

Answer 5

You probably could get one, but it would either have to be used or very low end.  The cheapest one at my LBS was 450 USD, or about 230 GBP (i think).  Now, that bike was very low quality (trying to remember the company, if you really want to know email me) but it was still a touring bike.