So I have a late 80's Dawes galaxy(forks are early 90s super galaxy) the paint work is terrible. So needs redone, powder coat whilst functional looks a bit rubbish. Is this frame worth the 200 to redo? Or should I put that cash towards something I like a used frame from Mercian/bj etc? How does the Dawes compare as a touring frame to these?
Dawes galaxy - worth a respray at Bob Jackson?
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Re:
Hello,
Not an expert on Dawes but I think the main difference from companies like Mercian, Jackson and so on was that Dawes only made off the peg frames whereas the more expensive builders made individual bespoke frames.
In a way, it could be a problem to buy a used Mercian or similar since it might have been made for a specific person's fit. So you would probably need to check the geometry would suit you (maybe you might get lucky and find one that fits you perfectly). Many of these builders also did (or still do) off the peg frames. I would guess the build quality of these is higher than Dawes, but so are the prices...
Dawes, I suppose, would be more 'one size fits all', so as long as it fits you you're ok.
There are cheaper enamel frame sprayers, Mario Vaz near London is very very cheap (60-odd quid, I think, for a frame respray). He does have a bit of a dodgy reputation for quality, but some people say as long as you keep it simple his work is OK.
A good powdercoat can be very good these. Check out Armourtex - cheaper than an enamel spray but they do quite fancy stuff like metallics. And of course powdercoat is nice and tough to put on a touring frame.
Hope that helps a bit,
Johnny
Hello,
Not an expert on Dawes but I think the main difference from companies like Mercian, Jackson and so on was that Dawes only made off the peg frames whereas the more expensive builders made individual bespoke frames.
In a way, it could be a problem to buy a used Mercian or similar since it might have been made for a specific person's fit. So you would probably need to check the geometry would suit you (maybe you might get lucky and find one that fits you perfectly). Many of these builders also did (or still do) off the peg frames. I would guess the build quality of these is higher than Dawes, but so are the prices...
Dawes, I suppose, would be more 'one size fits all', so as long as it fits you you're ok.
There are cheaper enamel frame sprayers, Mario Vaz near London is very very cheap (60-odd quid, I think, for a frame respray). He does have a bit of a dodgy reputation for quality, but some people say as long as you keep it simple his work is OK.
A good powdercoat can be very good these. Check out Armourtex - cheaper than an enamel spray but they do quite fancy stuff like metallics. And of course powdercoat is nice and tough to put on a touring frame.
Hope that helps a bit,
Johnny
Bob Jackson and Mercian do really good bikes but just because the Dawes isn't a bespoke manufacturer don't be put off. If it fits you well I'd keep it.
Dawes make really good bikes and great tourers ( have one myself ). The only difference from a bespoke frame to your bike is really the craftsmanship and customizing, it will probably be made from Reynolds 531 which is what every other builder used at that time due to its great ride and strength. If its really a late 80's early 90's it will have been a model still made in the UK.
Get it enamelled up and nice and clean and you will have a good quality and very capable tourer.
Dawes make really good bikes and great tourers ( have one myself ). The only difference from a bespoke frame to your bike is really the craftsmanship and customizing, it will probably be made from Reynolds 531 which is what every other builder used at that time due to its great ride and strength. If its really a late 80's early 90's it will have been a model still made in the UK.
Get it enamelled up and nice and clean and you will have a good quality and very capable tourer.
Re:
My problem is being outside that london, I've to post the frame to get it done if enamelling, so thats vaz out :s
Our local powdercoater, doesent do metallics and can be a pain about getting powdercoat in threads, hes more used to doing industrial stuff, so limited colours and cleaning threads out, is about 85 once you buy a can of nitromorse to clean out threads and what have you.
Bob jackson with return carriage and sticking another bottle mount and metallic is £175ish.
hmmm. It's nice to hear though the galaxy is a respected frame and there isn't a huge amount in it.
My problem is being outside that london, I've to post the frame to get it done if enamelling, so thats vaz out :s
Our local powdercoater, doesent do metallics and can be a pain about getting powdercoat in threads, hes more used to doing industrial stuff, so limited colours and cleaning threads out, is about 85 once you buy a can of nitromorse to clean out threads and what have you.
Bob jackson with return carriage and sticking another bottle mount and metallic is £175ish.
hmmm. It's nice to hear though the galaxy is a respected frame and there isn't a huge amount in it.
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Have you ridden the galaxy?
It sounds like you haven't, but apologies if I have the wrong end of the stick.
If you know and love the bike, then of course it is worth spending £200 on a paintjob. If not, then maybe not. You certainly would not get your money back if you sold it. So I would suggest treating the frame to the oily rag, building it up and riding it. If you like it then get it painted.
It sounds like you haven't, but apologies if I have the wrong end of the stick.
If you know and love the bike, then of course it is worth spending £200 on a paintjob. If not, then maybe not. You certainly would not get your money back if you sold it. So I would suggest treating the frame to the oily rag, building it up and riding it. If you like it then get it painted.
Re:
Nope, I've not ridden it yet.
I had in my head the idea of building a tourer with a road triple so it could double for audax. I bought a 9 speed 105 triple partial groupset and figured tiagra with a319 wheels.
Now back in reality, I think credit card touring etc is as mad as its getting and really what I want is something that doesent rattle my teeth as much as my carbon road bike with 23's on it. I'd like something that I could stick a rack or saddlebag onto so I can hoof food and a change of clothes etc into it, 28's to smooth out the ride.
Maybe a bob jackson end to end, stick on the 10 speed chorus off my carbon bike (it had open pros and 36h hubs) so 28's do able?.
I quite like the galaxy frame though, just the cost of doing it up decently is pretty high.
Nope, I've not ridden it yet.
I had in my head the idea of building a tourer with a road triple so it could double for audax. I bought a 9 speed 105 triple partial groupset and figured tiagra with a319 wheels.
Now back in reality, I think credit card touring etc is as mad as its getting and really what I want is something that doesent rattle my teeth as much as my carbon road bike with 23's on it. I'd like something that I could stick a rack or saddlebag onto so I can hoof food and a change of clothes etc into it, 28's to smooth out the ride.
Maybe a bob jackson end to end, stick on the 10 speed chorus off my carbon bike (it had open pros and 36h hubs) so 28's do able?.
I quite like the galaxy frame though, just the cost of doing it up decently is pretty high.
Interesting thoughts. It's quite possible to carry a fairly minimal amount of kit on a tourer. Sleeping bag and bivi or one man tent, plus one or two changes of light clothes - it's possible to keep the extra weight under 8 kilos if you're strict with yourself.
I personally would avoid carrying food if you can, I find it tends to go manky pretty quickly. If you plan well you can pick up food cheaply along the way - 'Spar' touring rather than credit card touring, I suppose.
I'd think it'd be cheaper to build up the Dawes with touring gears than to buy a new Bob Jackson. What about buying an old MTB and using the drive train off that (not the wheels, obviously...)? Mid-low end MTBs are still quite unfashionable at the moment compared to road bikes, so you could perhaps pick up something really cheap. Stick a pair of bar end shifters on there and you wouldn't even have to worry about indexing compatibility...
As said, I think it's best to ride the bike a few times before chucking money at a respray.
Good luck, in any case...
I personally would avoid carrying food if you can, I find it tends to go manky pretty quickly. If you plan well you can pick up food cheaply along the way - 'Spar' touring rather than credit card touring, I suppose.
I'd think it'd be cheaper to build up the Dawes with touring gears than to buy a new Bob Jackson. What about buying an old MTB and using the drive train off that (not the wheels, obviously...)? Mid-low end MTBs are still quite unfashionable at the moment compared to road bikes, so you could perhaps pick up something really cheap. Stick a pair of bar end shifters on there and you wouldn't even have to worry about indexing compatibility...
As said, I think it's best to ride the bike a few times before chucking money at a respray.
Good luck, in any case...
If you do want it like the Brompton it might be worth stripping down the frame yourself.
All you need is some paint stripper and some scotchbrite on. You probably will be able to get a can of gloss lacquer from your local hardware store. And then just apply a few coats
.
All you need is some paint stripper and some scotchbrite on. You probably will be able to get a can of gloss lacquer from your local hardware store. And then just apply a few coats
.
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It's all work that might be wasted if you don't like the ride though. Just rub the frame over with an oily rag after every ride and any rust or bare patches won't get any worse while you decide if you like it.
