Dawes Galaxy tourer

Been working on this for a while, figured I may as well post a pic so people know what I've been doing with all my parts from the classfields! The idea was to make a touring bike for some longer rides in the summer (london to cambridge etc). Nearly done, just some issues with cables and I need to buy some tape. Not sure about having a yellow seat on that, any thoughts? Also I was thinking just black or brown tape, but suggestions are welcome.

I reckon it's entirely up to you, if it's comfortable, then why not? unless you don't like the colour.

I don't think you need a touring bike for ride like London to Cambridge being only 60 miles, but will be useful in the future I'n sure.

before you wrap tape on, have you got your fit right?

i think the yellow and racing green go well... classic innit?

Ha. This is very similar to my never-ending Dawes cx build - same colour frame and saddle, and bar set up.

Looks much pretty than mine will tho :(

I think the saddle works, and as ed said if its comfy, use it. Yellow cloth tape would be quite cool (some might say its too much tho). Brown will look gash IMO.

The thing is, if you're going to do distance on possibly less than smooth roads I'd be tempted to go the sensible route and have something with some cushioning.

Mavic Guido tape is really good. Cheap, comfy, not too thick, good in the wet, reuseable - so if you don't like it you can switch.

Plus it's black so will work with everything.

Looks like the seat will stay then, I may switch it out for my san marco rolls at some point but we'll see. Yellow tape would probably be a bit much unless it was an identical shade, and I've got to say I prefer cork to cloth on the whole, but I see what you're saying about the brown tape. I got it resprayed but managed to scratch the paint a few times making it, gutted. I'll have to see about getting it touched up when it is done.

You may not be able to tell from the pic, but I haven't got the bar end shifters cabled up yet, I need to source some cable stops (sjs are out of doubles and other sellers I can find are in the usa). I wont be taping for a while. But in terms of fit are you talking about handlebar height? I hadn't actually thought about that too much so far, I was throwing the bits together first

no, about reach generally.

seatpost height doesn't really matter, but the top tube length is very important, before you carry on building the bike, it's worth taking it down to a decent LBS and ask their advice if the bike fit you fine.

Ok, I think the top tube is fairly long so I already have a teeny stem on there, but I'll make sure to ask. It works as a single speed for now, so I'll pop down to the LBS at the weekend.

if it turn out to be too big still, sometime it worth getting a frame that fit you.

Yeah, I have a frame that fits me a little better, but isn't quite as nice; worse paint, dent in top tube. I'll build that up with these parts if the frame isn't up to it, or maybe just sell it on. Fingers crossed it'll be nice though, it has taken a fair chunk out of my wallet

Took it for a 13 mile spin; goes beautifully! Need to redo a little bit of the cabling and buy some tape and it will be sorted. I've actually found some tape the same yellow as the seat; i'm getting mixed signals on whether it would be disgusting or nice, but I think I'll go for it for now? I'll post a pic with tape once it is done

it's a touring bike, they'r instantly digusting.

Better than my beater. Incidentally anybody know some decent racks/panniers?

http://img688.imageshack.us/img688/6858/img03491w.jpg

Seems a bit bright but it should dull down a little and it'll be good. Mudguards, rack and panniers and I'll be set!

Love the work, nice one, Galaxies are great bikes, got a 1995 one myself, one of my favourite rides, so smooth riding, got a Brooks B17 on mine and its like a bicyclised sofa, rides fast too, guessing yours may be a bit lighter than original looking at the kit you have on it

yeah, mine isn't much of a tourer at the moment really. It's pretty much all 105; wheels, mechs, cranks, brake levers... ultegra shifters and alhonga deep drop brakes. I'm switching to some SPD pedals and shoes some time next week (first time trying them out). My friend suggested a B20 over a B17, saying it's more comfy over a longer distance, but I have yet to splash out for a brooks saddle.

I was out searching for a racer this morning hoping to find something nice, came across a Dawes Galaxy Mixte ladies bike, early 1980s all original near mint. Although the wrong gender for me i just could not leave it at the price, cant believe the quality .[/QUOTE]

Higher end components are perfectly fine, I reckon you'd only need strong heavy duty components if you're going to do a full on heavy tour.

Don't change saddle unless you're sure your current saddle is not 100%, he may find the B20 comfortable doesn't necessary mean other will.

Yeah my bum has come to love the shape of the turbo... with some padded shorts it's bliss. I got hold of a super galaxy that is a bit smaller, so I think I may keep this one as a fairly light racer and build the sg as a proper tourer. My only issue is bottle cage mounts; do I buy some of these (http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/zefal-zefal-gizmo-bottle-cage-prod20567/) or do I get someone to drill some holes for M5 screws?

I'd get them brazed on, how many bottle mount it have?

None at all at the moment! I'll see about finding someone to braze it then... would that be different/better than drilling it? My mate at the LBS said he could drill it for me and put some rivnuts in

it need to be brazed to be strong, I'd rather have them to brazed them on than drill a hole, especially on a touring bicycle.