Help me build a bikepacking bike!

[bikeworkshop]

You'd be better off with your original plan - a new bike at £600 I doubt the freehub, bb or headset bearings would last to Croatia, and it won't be an easy or inexpensive fix.
We see plenty of these bikes worn out.
Price determines quality.

Mtbs before 96 were generally available with decent quality rigid forks.
You'll want rack mounts on the rear, and eyelets on the fork so you could fit a low rider.
If you buy a whole bike, then adapt gearing and tyres, it will be best value.
Get a good saddle - and that's not a soft "comfort" model. Wear cycling shorts and padded gloves, and you might need something to cover your neck.

Learning to use spd pedals will pay you back massively.

Marin bear Valley,
kona lava dome,
specialized rock hopper

These are all abundant, and available in 16.

Beware individuals' advice.
A lot of people think their own personal preferences are universal.

A lot of people don't like rohloff hub gears, or Brooks saddles, one-by, or fat tyres. But quite a few do, loudly

You might or might not agree.

 

[originsoundd]

If you have a Hahanna and are comfortable on it, and have suitable racks and mudguards. Then (with a rigid fork and some slick tyres of 1.5" to 2" section), I'd use that.

My next multi-day tour is likely to be on my "gravelised" '92 Breezer Sky.

Fair point, maybe I should just do that. The only reason I thought to get something different was due to fit.

 

[Mark Manley]

Ok thanks. Is £750 really a low budget? Apologies if I sound stupid but I'm new to a lot of this!

Not at all but you might have to wait around for the right bike, I bought a Rohloff hubbed Roberts Roughstuff from the original owner last month for £650, it was a ladies frame which might put some off but the seller had certainly put it to some good use.

 

[originsoundd]

You'd be better off with your original plan - a new bike at £600 I doubt the freehub, bb or headset bearings would last to Croatia, and it won't be an easy or inexpensive fix.
We see plenty of these bikes worn out.
Price determines quality.

Mtbs before 96 were generally available with decent quality rigid forks.
You'll want rack mounts on the rear, and eyelets on the fork so you could fit a low rider.
If you buy a whole bike, then adapt gearing and tyres, it will be best value.
Get a good saddle - and that's not a soft "comfort" model. Wear cycling shorts and padded gloves, and you might need something to cover your neck.

Learning to use spd pedals will pay you back massively.

Marin bear Valley,
kona lava dome,
specialized rock hopper

These are all abundant, and available in 16.

Beware individuals' advice.
A lot of people think their own personal preferences are universal.

A lot of people don't like rohloff hub gears, or Brooks saddles, one-by, or fat tyres. But quite a few do, loudly

You might or might not agree.

This is great, thanks! Probably should have made it explicit that the £750 budget I mentioned was not necessarily just for a new complete bike, but rather the total cost of all the components of the bike (probably used) or a complete used bike + any extra parts.

 

[highlandsflyer]

One thing I would say is buy as soon as you can. Prices are really low right now.

If you can get yourself to a decent bike emporium to try the fit of a few bikes setup for 'adventure', that might help.

I second a Thorn, though any old tourer with big tyres can handle a bit of single track ridden sympathetically. These can be had for buttons right now. Less shiny kit, less unwanted attention.

 

[originsoundd]

One thing I would say is buy as soon as you can. Prices are really low right now.

If you can get yourself to a decent bike emporium to try the fit of a few bikes setup for 'adventure', that might help.

I second a Thorn, though any old tourer with big tyres can handle a bit of single track ridden sympathetically. These can be gad for buttons right now. Less shiny kit, less unwanted attention.

Nice one, will be on the lookout for a Thorn then. Any other brands you'd recommend?

 

[bikeworkshop]

Decent rear panniers are expensive, cheap ones are a waste of money.
Look on ebay to see if you can find some panniers used.

If you use a front low rider, they are cheap, and you can put light bulky items like clothes or sleeping bag in a drybag and bungee them on.

Buy this - you can't go wrong.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/28627338...fKWcIN2RE6&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY
You'd want rapidfire shifters, racks, new touring saddle, bar ends to give multi position riding, touring tyres, say 1.5 contis

 

[bikeworkshop]

Nice one, will be on the lookout for a Thorn then. Any other brands you'd recommend?

You willpay a premium for a thorn, although your budget will just carry it.

 

[Mark Manley]

Older Koga World Traveller and Roberts Roughstuff can be had within your budget occasionally.

 

[originsoundd]

Decent rear panniers are expensive, cheap ones are a waste of money.
Look on ebay to see if you can find some panniers used.

If you use a front low rider, they are cheap, and you can put light bulky items like clothes or sleeping bag in a drybag and bungee them on.

Buy this - you can't go wrong.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/28627338...fKWcIN2RE6&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY
You'd want rapidfire shifters, racks, new touring saddle, bar ends to give multi position riding, touring tyres, say 1.5 contis

I found a 16" one on eBay that looks good! Might go for it.