Dawes Horizon. Worth buying?
Paul Healy
I commute into Central London by bike doing a 30 mile round trip 5 days a
week. I am looking for a new bike and the Dawes Horizon touring bike seems
to fit the bill.
Bike spec: Frame: Reynold 520 butted steel compact design, Hubs: Shimano
C201 36, Tyres: Schwalbe speed power, Stem: Forged aluminium, Levers:
Shimano Sora STi 8 speed, Brakes: Tektro forged cantilever for touring, Rear
Mech: NEW Shimano Acera 8 speed, Crankset: Suntour Forged, Saddle: Selle
italia FLX, Mudguards: Plastic full length and Rack: Dawes 4 point alloy
rear.
My budget is £500. Is this bike any good? Any other bike for £500 worth
looking at?
Paul
Guy Chapman
<paul...@ntlworld.com> wrote:
> Is this bike any good?
I think you need to ride one and check the fit. It's particularly
important with a long commute like that - fit is more important than
weight or equipment, IMO. In general I think you can't go far wrong
with a Dawes - they tend to be well-built and designed to ride well
rather than appeal to the gimmick-conscious. Always assuming you can
get one - they've been edging into rocking horse manure country lately
sionce they moved to a new factory.
You should also check Edinburgh Bicycle at
http://www.edinburgh-bicycle.co.uk - I'm told they have some pretty
competitive deals and some very highly regarded own-brand bikes.
http://www.edinburgh-bicycle.co.uk/catalogue/detail.cfm?ID=12254 looks
very good indeed for the money.
And finally, seriously consider a second-hand Galaxy, if you can find
one (and it fits). There are plenty around (see the back of any copy
of CTC magazine), and they are a great bike.
Guy
Riding every day on a road near you (provided you live near Reading, England).
http://www.chapmancentral.com (BT ADSL and dynamic DNS permitting)
Above email is a spam-sink. Remove maker of Spam from bikeHO...@chapmanFOODScentral.com to reply by mail
Roger Cortis
by another name and is listed at a cheaper price -- and Edinburgh do it at
a further discount if you can catch their sale.
As a recent returnee to cycling I am very happy with my Edinburgh tourer.
Roger
"Peter Simons" <peter_...@ntlworld.com> wrote in message
news:3D2F3A6E...@ntlworld.com...
> x-no-archive: yes
>
> Paul Healy wrote:
> >
> > Hello there
> >
> > I commute into Central London by bike doing a 30 mile round trip 5 days
a
> > week. I am looking for a new bike and the Dawes Horizon touring bike
seems
> > to fit the bill.
> > Bike spec: Frame: Reynold 520 butted steel compact design, Hubs: Shimano
> > C201 36, Tyres: Schwalbe speed power, Stem: Forged aluminium, Levers:
> > Shimano Sora STi 8 speed, Brakes: Tektro forged cantilever for touring,
Rear
>
> http://www.discount-bikes.co.uk/
>
> they purchased a SARACEN Skyline the spec is
> http://www.saracen.co.uk/comforttouring/skyline.html looks very similar
> to the dawes.
>
> I own a Dawes Giro and am very happy with it.
Sam Salt
and was told that all the available models for this year were sold and that
was it.The LBS concerned had ordered a Galaxy before Christmas and had yet
to see it ( this was in May).
"Paul Healy" <paul...@ntlworld.com> wrote in message
news:RqFX8.4393$qm4.1...@news8-gui.server.ntli.net...
Richard Pullan
my new Dawes Audax and that was ordered only two weeks ago. My local Dawes
dealer told me that delivery depends on where they are in their production
cycle for frames and they only make to order. That must keep their overhead
costs down in regards to storage space and unsold stock, so they can offer
their handbuilt bikes at a very reasonable price.
I can certainly recommend Dawes as a manufacturer.
"Sam Salt" <nocrapi_...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:agoh90$gdg$1...@venus.btinternet.com...
Mark M
news:RDeY8.14086$rU2.1...@news11-gui.server.ntli.net...
> I think that Dawes have now recovered from their relocation. I have just
got
> my new Dawes Audax and that was ordered only two weeks ago. My local Dawes
> dealer told me that delivery depends on where they are in their production
> cycle for frames and they only make to order. That must keep their
overhead
> costs down in regards to storage space and unsold stock, so they can offer
> their handbuilt bikes at a very reasonable price.
> I can certainly recommend Dawes as a manufacturer.
Tell us, did your bike have any Reynolds stickers on the frame?
I ask, because I have seen several Dawes Audaxes with no frame stickers, and
have wondered what they were made of. Of course, the sales droids assured
me that they could not be anything but 531, ....
Mark M
Richard Pullan
10 speed (Wow! How could anyone possibly use all those ratios even if the
14T sprocket is too worn) Super Galaxy. However, the sticker is not
lacquered over so could be peeled off if desired. The sales droid is in fact
quite right!
"Mark M" <m...@sink.drain> wrote in message
news:P%jY8.1426$_Q3.1...@news8-gui.server.ntli.net...
Trealaw Boy
review a few months ago - something along the lines of a little heavy but great value for money.
Regards
TB
Elliot Worth
I've had a Dawes Horizon for 4 years - sounds like the spec. has improved
considerably since I got mine! I'm very happy with it and never had a problem
during 4 touring holidays. I've only recently started a 22 mile round trip commute
into Central London for which it does the job. I can't vouch for other bikes that may be
of similar build but cheaper price but I'm happy with my Horizon.
elliot.
stephen pridgeon
Paul,
I've run an Horizon for about a year now, 7 mile commute per day.
I've posted lots on it - bored the group silly over the past 12
months.
Basically
a) change the tyres to 28mm slicks (28mm are the narrowest it will
take)
b) I didn't like the saddle - too soft
c) I thought the back brake wasn't good enough - but this may have
been a function of my inexperience.
d) I trashed the forks and had to replace them. They are special
forks with a long steerer - so I had to buy standard cheapo "hybrid"
forks, and am still waiting for a replacement set of Horizon forks
from Dawes. Galaxy forks won't fit.
OTOH,
It's great. It can go fast when it is stripped down. I feel dead
confident on it. It's steel, so a bash won't trash the entire bike,
and I'm not worried about trashing it. It's strong enough to take
London potholes, and Chiltern potholes. If I had to buy a decent
commuting bike from new again I would probably buy this one. Sora 8sp
is great for commuting - cheap to replace if you bend it, and works
well from hoods so you can keep your head up looking for traffic.
Little touches, like a chain peg and dynamo bracket make all the
difference. Compact frame looks good. Well worth having if you like
it.
HTH
SteveP
John Halliwell
<paul...@ntlworld.com> writes
>Hello there
>
>I commute into Central London by bike doing a 30 mile round trip 5 days a
>week. I am looking for a new bike and the Dawes Horizon touring bike seems
>to fit the bill.
I'm just getting back into cycling and recently had a look round my LBS
for a tourer. The Horizon looked like a decent bike and I was quite
taken by it. I'm a bit puzzled by the 'compact' description of the frame
and the limited frame sizes available (all in CM), can anybody give me a
guide to frame size (in CM), assuming I'd be looking for a 23 inch frame
in old money (not exactly sure this would be an appropriate size for a
tourer but that's where I'd probably start).
With the top tube slopes, how much clearance should there ideally be? No
doubt the LBS has only one in stock and because of the compact frame, it
would probably fit me perfectly!
Also there appeared to be very little clearance (1-2mm) between the tyre
and mudguard, is this usual?
Alternatively they have a second hand Raliegh Randoneer (SP?), anybody
any comments on this? A previous post mentioned a second hand Galaxy,
something else to think about, but I'd prefer to buy new if I could.
At the moment I've resurrected my old (late '80s?) Dawes Windsor (in
favour of the 4 year old MTB because it's faster on the road). I managed
to get myself caught in torrential rain for 15 minutes today, good job
it has mudguards or I'd have got totally soaked. It was always a good
ride, 100+ miles one fateful day, and has persuaded me that a Dawes
would not be a bad choice.
Any help gratefully received.
--
John Halliwell
Pete Biggs
"John Halliwell" <jo...@photopia.demon.co.uk> wrote in message
news:GohRSDAK...@photopia.demon.co.uk...
> I'm just getting back into cycling and recently had a look round my LBS
> for a tourer. The Horizon looked like a decent bike and I was quite
> taken by it. I'm a bit puzzled by the 'compact' description of the frame
> and the limited frame sizes available (all in CM), can anybody give me a
> guide to frame size (in CM), assuming I'd be looking for a 23 inch frame
> in old money (not exactly sure this would be an appropriate size for a
> tourer but that's where I'd probably start).
How many sizes are there? With compact frames, it's usually just three
(sometimes four, very occasionally more). The idea is that these are made to
fit everyone simply by rasing the seat post and rasing/changing the
handlebar stem. A 23" conventional bike equates to about a medium size (but
check out the others as well, especially the largest, just in case).
> With the top tube slopes, how much clearance should there ideally be?
As long as there's *enough*, it doesn't matter. Don't be alarmed if the
frame *looks* far too low and there's loads of seatpost sticking up. Much
more important than that, is to make sure the forwards reach to the bars is
ok - which depends firstly on the top tube length. It is important to make
sure the bars are/could go up high enough, but don't forget that a different
stem could help there.
> No
> doubt the LBS has only one in stock and because of the compact frame, it
> would probably fit me perfectly!
It might really! Are you near any other Dawes dealers? As you're in doubt,
it really would help to try before you buy.
> Also there appeared to be very little clearance (1-2mm) between the tyre
> and mudguard, is this usual?
The amount of clearance will depend on the tyres, but 2mm will be pushing
your luck, I think. Mudguards *always* play up at some point in the bike's
life and rub against the tyre (due to stays getting bent, etc). Perhaps the
guards weren't fitted properly - the stays are usually adjustable.
By the way, although I think Dawes bikes are basically good and decent vfm,
the wheels aren't always built very well and they don't always adjust the
headsets properly (I personally know of two Dawes sold - from official
dealers - with loose lockrings). So before buying, spin wheels (to see if
they're round!) and rock bike back and forth hard with the front brake on
hard (should be no play). And if conventional headset (which I think the
Horizon still has), try to undo lockring with fingers - which you should not
be able to do, of course.
~PB
John Halliwell
<pLime{remove_fruit}@biggs.tc> writes
>
>How many sizes are there? With compact frames, it's usually just three
>(sometimes four, very occasionally more). The idea is that these are made to
>fit everyone simply by rasing the seat post and rasing/changing the
>handlebar stem. A 23" conventional bike equates to about a medium size (but
>check out the others as well, especially the largest, just in case).
The 2002 catalogue gives: G (presumably Gents?) 43, 46, 49, 52, 55
>> With the top tube slopes, how much clearance should there ideally be?
>
>As long as there's *enough*, it doesn't matter. Don't be alarmed if the
>frame *looks* far too low and there's loads of seatpost sticking up. Much
>more important than that, is to make sure the forwards reach to the bars is
>ok - which depends firstly on the top tube length. It is important to make
>sure the bars are/could go up high enough, but don't forget that a different
>stem could help there.
Thanks, I'll have to check these areas.
>> No
>> doubt the LBS has only one in stock and because of the compact frame, it
>> would probably fit me perfectly!
>
>It might really! Are you near any other Dawes dealers? As you're in doubt,
>it really would help to try before you buy.
I don't think so (Preston, Lancs). I was going to try the one in the
shop and see how it goes, then look to ordering another size if
unsuitable.
>> Also there appeared to be very little clearance (1-2mm) between the tyre
>> and mudguard, is this usual?
>
>The amount of clearance will depend on the tyres, but 2mm will be pushing
>your luck, I think. Mudguards *always* play up at some point in the bike's
>life and rub against the tyre (due to stays getting bent, etc). Perhaps the
>guards weren't fitted properly - the stays are usually adjustable.
My old Windsor has about 1/2 inch clearance, I'll check if there's the
possibility of adjusting the stays.
>By the way, although I think Dawes bikes are basically good and decent vfm,
>the wheels aren't always built very well and they don't always adjust the
>headsets properly (I personally know of two Dawes sold - from official
>dealers - with loose lockrings). So before buying, spin wheels (to see if
>they're round!) and rock bike back and forth hard with the front brake on
>hard (should be no play). And if conventional headset (which I think the
>Horizon still has), try to undo lockring with fingers - which you should not
>be able to do, of course.
Thanks for all the help, I'll bear these points in mind when looking.
--
John Halliwell
Toby Barrett
news:aika5n$14fh87$1...@ID-144931.news.dfncis.de:
>> Also there appeared to be very little clearance (1-2mm) between the
>> tyre and mudguard, is this usual?
>
> The amount of clearance will depend on the tyres, but 2mm will be
> pushing your luck, I think. Mudguards *always* play up at some point
> in the bike's life and rub against the tyre (due to stays getting
> bent, etc). Perhaps the guards weren't fitted properly - the stays are
> usually adjustable.
I have an older Dawes Horizon, and there was very little clearance between
tyre and mudgurad when I got it. This was (I think) it came with rather fat
tyres (37 if I recall). I've since moved to 28mm tyres and there's plenty
of room.
Toby
stephen pridgeon
I can't remember what the clearance was between the tyres and
mudguard, because I took off the 38mm tyres almost straight away and
put 28mm slicks on. I do remember that the "front guard fork crown
tab" (if that makes sense) had been bent a little so that the guard
could go as high as possible. I suppose that if Dawes or your shop
had not done this then the guard would be about 6mm lower down.
Sizing: I'm 5'11", with a 32 inseam, and, having measured my virtual
seat tube length it seems to be about a 56cm (c-c). The virtual
top-tube measurement is about 56cm as well. All very approximate
measurements with a tape measure in a dark garage. The stem is 10cm.
The bike fits very well for general riding and commuting. I haven't
got a clue what the official size is, but in my youth I used to ride a
23.5 inch frame, in the large frame style that was the fashion in the
70s. I've got about six inches of seatpost showing - black against
the blue of the bike, to match the black stem - very nice looking
indeed.
HTH
SteveP
Sam Salt
LBS contacted Dawes to be told that all this years models were gone and that
was it.
"
stephen pridgeon" <stephen....@virgin.net> wrote in message
news:d7bf0979.02080...@posting.google.com...
Pete Biggs
> The 2002 catalogue gives: G (presumably Gents?) 43, 46, 49, 52, 55
Probably not a true compact then, just a frame with a sloping top tube.
...Don't ask me what the difference is, though! :-)
~PB
John B Wilkinson
<nocrapi_...@hotmail.com> writes
>Would you be able to get a new Dawes Horizon?Friend of mine wanted one and
>LBS contacted Dawes to be told that all this years models were gone and that
>was it.
Allens Cycles at Wombwell, Barnsley, Tel 01226 751782 are advertising
them in the current CTC comic (which arrived Sat) at £419.
No connection, etc, etc.
>
--
John B Wilkinson
John Halliwell
Barrett <toby_b...@littlefoot.com> writes
>I have an older Dawes Horizon, and there was very little clearance between
>tyre and mudgurad when I got it. This was (I think) it came with rather fat
>tyres (37 if I recall). I've since moved to 28mm tyres and there's plenty
>of room.
That might be it, the one I saw had very fat looking tyres, not sure
exactly what size, but looked much fatter than my old 27x1.25.
--
John Halliwell
John Halliwell
pridgeon <stephen....@virgin.net> writes
>Sizing: I'm 5'11", with a 32 inseam, and, having measured my virtual
>seat tube length it seems to be about a 56cm (c-c). The virtual
>top-tube measurement is about 56cm as well. All very approximate
>measurements with a tape measure in a dark garage. The stem is 10cm.
>The bike fits very well for general riding and commuting. I haven't
>got a clue what the official size is, but in my youth I used to ride a
>23.5 inch frame, in the large frame style that was the fashion in the
>70s. I've got about six inches of seatpost showing - black against
>the blue of the bike, to match the black stem - very nice looking
>indeed.
Thanks for info, I'm probably a similar size. The reason it caught my
eye was because it just looked 'right', which is a good start.
--
John Halliwell