Thoughts on this bike

jsmoke · 27 Jan 2013 at 08:40

Dawes Discovery Trail 2012 http://www.winstanleysbikes.co.uk/product/50223/Dawes_Discovery_Trail_2012_Mens_Bike

Can i use this for touring, i.e add paniers, and whatever else it needs, bit out of touch with bikes. I need slicks for touring right?

Vonhelmet · 27 Jan 2013 at 13:11

What's the main use of the bike going to be? If you want it mainly for mountain biking, then sure, but for touring I'd be looking at a proper road bike.

jsmoke · 27 Jan 2013 at 13:17

Vonhelmet said:
What's the main use of the bike going to be? If you want it mainly for mountain biking, then sure, but for touring I'd be looking at a proper road bike.

Just for touring, i.e roads. So this just wouldn't do?

Saytan · 27 Jan 2013 at 13:56

Vonhelmet said:
What's the main use of the bike going to be? If you want it mainly for mountain biking, then sure, but for touring I'd be looking at a proper road bike.

Er, the bike in the link is a hybrid. Not a mountain bike.

It'd be decent for light touring, certainly a better choice than any road bike at that price point

Vonhelmet · 27 Jan 2013 at 14:13

Oops, reading fail. I did notice the price and think that you'd struggle to find anything road bike wise at that price.

Supercow · 27 Jan 2013 at 15:15

Vonhelmet said:
If you want it mainly for mountain biking, then sure

Vonhelmet said:
Oops, reading fail. I did notice the price

No, just plain blind - price has got nothing to do with it.

grudas · 27 Jan 2013 at 15:18

the main problem i think would be that the parts simply won't last

and if you do get into it you'll soon be spending stupid money on it or buying a new bike.

imo you should buy a better bike in the first place.

Vonhelmet · 27 Jan 2013 at 15:26

Supercow said:
No, just plain blind - price has got nothing to do with it.

jak731 · 27 Jan 2013 at 15:28

At that price most of the parts will be made of cheese. Maybe good for 1-200 miles. Also it has no mounts for panniers or mudguards. If you have a limited budget you might consider looking for 531 (or other reynolds) steel frames on ebay, you may be able to get something solid and reliable for the price of that dawes, 1000+ miles per year for many years with reasonable maintenance.

Saytan · 27 Jan 2013 at 16:02

grudas said:
the main problem i think would be that the parts simply won't last and if you do get into it you'll soon be spending stupid money on it or buying a new bike.

imo you should buy a better bike in the first place.

It's all shimano stuff, not the rubbish you get on a £69.99 tesco special.

There's no bigger bike snob than me, but I do know that this kit will be reliable, if rather heavy.

Edit: and it appears to be drilled to take a rear rack.

grudas · 27 Jan 2013 at 17:37

Saytan said:
It's all shimano stuff, not the rubbish you get on a £69.99 tesco special.

There's no bigger bike snob than me, but I do know that this kit will be reliable, if rather heavy.

Edit: and it appears to be drilled to take a rear rack.

shimano doesn't mean pop these days..

they are low end parts that will not last and fall apart soon!

Saytan · 27 Jan 2013 at 19:11

grudas said:
shimano doesn't mean pop these days.. they are low end parts that will not last and fall apart soon!

I spend at least 4-5 hours a week wrenching on bikes at all price levels, but mainly really cheap ones . Even at the lowest end, the shimano stuff is a class above the tat. A tourney rear derailleur is nigh-on indestructible, and can be made to shift well if you know what's up.

The "2300" parts on your triban are only one group up from these tourney parts.