REVIEW: Dawes Vantage: cheap tourer? Or just cheap (at £599)
SOMEWHERE on the web I read 'no one ever lost out by buying a Dawes tourer,' or similar type sentiment. Seemed a reasonable maxim but what I really want was a Dawes Galaxy, or a Kona Sutra... or maybe even a Surley LHT. But my new life as a freelance prohibits spending too much cash.
After I bought a hybrid (C Butler Explorer 500) on the Cycle to work scheme last year I had caught the cycling bug pretty bad.
After getting creamed by other riders on my 30 mile rides, I decided to look for a road bike. I like my ass below head level and planned a continental tour - well, tour is a bit strong, more of a long cycle path ride really - for the end of September so started looking for a budget tourer.
So, I bought this 2010 model from my LBS, 2nd hand.
I reckon it's covered a several hundred miles already and I paid half the new price.
I've changed the saddle for a Brooks B17 (already a convert) and the Vantage certainly covers ground more quickly than my Explorer 500, I average 13 to 14mph without any luggage, which for me is not at all bad. I fitted a replacement stem (Outland alloy, at right money) because the old one was seriously scratched up by some piece of aluminium inside the frame.
I'm 5'10" and on the 53 cm frame need about eight inches of seatpost, showing (see above). Standover is about right for my 31 inch legs and I've had no problem there. I've tried a couple of longer stems (the original is about 80mm) has changed the feel for the better, feels more stable, but I'm still 'testing'.
(continued after advert)
After I bought a hybrid (C Butler Explorer 500) on the Cycle to work scheme last year I had caught the cycling bug pretty bad.
After getting creamed by other riders on my 30 mile rides, I decided to look for a road bike. I like my ass below head level and planned a continental tour - well, tour is a bit strong, more of a long cycle path ride really - for the end of September so started looking for a budget tourer.
So, I bought this 2010 model from my LBS, 2nd hand.
I reckon it's covered a several hundred miles already and I paid half the new price.
I've changed the saddle for a Brooks B17 (already a convert) and the Vantage certainly covers ground more quickly than my Explorer 500, I average 13 to 14mph without any luggage, which for me is not at all bad. I fitted a replacement stem (Outland alloy, at right money) because the old one was seriously scratched up by some piece of aluminium inside the frame.
I'm 5'10" and on the 53 cm frame need about eight inches of seatpost, showing (see above). Standover is about right for my 31 inch legs and I've had no problem there. I've tried a couple of longer stems (the original is about 80mm) has changed the feel for the better, feels more stable, but I'm still 'testing'.
(continued after advert)
Build quality is good.. ish, but it's interesting (and a little irritating) to see how a bike that obviously wasn't meticulously cleaned turned out.
Bolt heads on the brakes show signs of rust as does the front QD chrome hub.
The Truvativ cranks have scuffed up and the alloy shows through and I've stripped a thread in the bar clamp (replacement in post now).
But it works perfectly and rides as new as far as I'm concerned. No loose spokes, no rattles and she polishes up a treat.
Overall this really is all the all-round bike anyone could really need... but you're always left with that nagging doubt about the quality of the Acera deuralliur because of those bike mag journmos criticising its plastic content), though gear changing is very sweet through the brake levers.
But that's what the industry relies on, eh? Upgrades and fashion.
I may learn to love this bike, we'll see after my London-Paris ride in a month...hopefully.
Another REVIEW from www.terncycling reviews.co.uk
Bolt heads on the brakes show signs of rust as does the front QD chrome hub.
The Truvativ cranks have scuffed up and the alloy shows through and I've stripped a thread in the bar clamp (replacement in post now).
But it works perfectly and rides as new as far as I'm concerned. No loose spokes, no rattles and she polishes up a treat.
Overall this really is all the all-round bike anyone could really need... but you're always left with that nagging doubt about the quality of the Acera deuralliur because of those bike mag journmos criticising its plastic content), though gear changing is very sweet through the brake levers.
But that's what the industry relies on, eh? Upgrades and fashion.
I may learn to love this bike, we'll see after my London-Paris ride in a month...hopefully.
Another REVIEW from www.terncycling reviews.co.uk