Thoughts on this bike

I was wanting to do some serious touring.
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Then spend some more money.

That bike will be heavy. You'll presumably be loading it up with panniers/bags, so you need stronger wheels for a start.

As for where cheap bikes fail - it's not necessarily failing but bits that need constant adjustment - on that bike the hubs will probably need rebuilding quickly if used for touring, same with the bottom bracket - possibly the headset as well. The brakes will need constant adjustment. The freewheel wont do many miles either.

You haven't told us your maximum budget, but this makes a great tourer:-

http://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/CBPXKAFF2TIA/planet-x-kaffenback-2-shimano-tiagra-road-bike

I'd definitely recommend a good steel bike for touring.
 
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No. Just no. You need to spend at least double to get anything even close to capable. I'd even recommend the Carrera TDF from Halfords over that, as it has rack and mudguard mounts.
 
You are all correct, it would just be too many hassles and regrets buying a cheap bike, would be pretty nervous about a more expensive bike getting stolen though.

Beerbaron said:
12.2 Kilogram, thats pretty heavy for a road bike.
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The bike that amigafan2003 linked is 11.2kg, it does look a nice bike however.

Any other suggestions?
 
The Kaff is still a very nice bike - I wouldn't let the fact that it's a bit heavy worry you too much, especially as you want it for touring rather than racing around.

If you're worried about theft all you can do is get a decent lock and insurance.
 
FrenchTart said:
The one in the OP, yeah. The Kaffenback is pretty nice though.
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The Kaffenback is very nice indeed, but if the opening bid is £140, I think £800 might be several bridges too far.

The Carrera TdF is £330 at the moment, on the Halfords wheel of prices, and that's a much better bet than the OP's bike, and has mounts for a rack and mudguards.

Second hand might be an option.

Either way, £140 is not enough to spend.
 
Vonhelmet said:
The Kaffenback is very nice indeed, but if the opening bid is £140, I think £800 might be several bridges too far.
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It is a big jump but it depends what he means when he says "serious touring".

If you're doing 8+ hours a day, you are going to get fed up of a cheap bike very quickly.
I wouldnt want an alu bike for touring either: steel or carbon is the way to go.
 
IMO, ali is fine for touring and will give you a lot more options at this price.

As above, I suppose it depends on how far you're planning to go but I did a 350 mile tour on my aluminium bike (with carbon forks) and it felt fine.

Maybe drop by your LBS? Mine made my bike for me, ali frame, carbon fork, bbs(?) bottom bracket and sora gears and brakes for £450, still going strong two years and a few thousand miles later!
 
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