is this dawes galaxy worth it? *newbie*

lmcycler

Hi everyone, I'm a 'lady cyclist' (although v new to the road biking side of things) and I'm looking for a decent 2nd hand road bike. I'm quite petite so don't want something too heavy, but other than that I wouldn't really have a clue what I want/need!

I found a pre-refurb dawes galaxy road bike, its a good size for me but seems quite heavy. The frame is a reynolds 531, and after the refurb done by the shop I'll have new alloy 7sp wheels, schwalbe marathon tyres, new bar tape and a general strip down and tidy up. new cables and tubes, new back pannier. I've added some photos. I've heard good things about dawes road bikes, although this one is about 20 years old but fairly good nick. There seems to be such a range of road bikes out there at such a range of prices, and this one has been priced at 300-350. I'd appreciate peoples thoughts on this, as at the end of the day I am a novice road cyclist who's new to it all, so its feeling like a bit of a minefield at the minute. I want to be able to carry a bit of weight on the bike on the back pannier for things like camping etc..but nothing too heavy duty for now. Have just joined the uni cycling club so just going from there with the road side of things, and just keeping up with my mountain biking which I enjoy.

I was hoping to pay around £350 for a newish 2nd bike so this is a slightly different path, but would it be worth it perhaps?

There is a halfords roadbike on sale for £299, but am fairly keen to go for the smaller, independent shops if possible. However as a novice it might be a suitable bike for now - I have no idea. Just airing my thoughts really, opinions much appreciated!

Thanks.

gahh it says the fiel size is too big which is strange - only tried adding one photo. nevermind.

Insideinfo

Hi and welcome!

Although the Dawes Galaxy is a good bike, i doubt its worth £350, especially if its 20 years old. Granted, its had the work done to it, but for £350 you could get a new bike for that.

richh

It might be worth it but it would depend on what condition it's been restored to and what new wheels and panniers they are putting on it for you.

For the items you've listed will be new you could be looking at something around the £250 mark for parts alone, let alone the rest of the bike (assuming £150 for wheels, £50 for panniers, £30 for tyres, £15 for cables, £10 for bar tape). All of these you might have to buy if you bought a cheaper bike that needed a bit of TLC.

They are good bikes though. Yes 531 isn't the lightest (but nor is it the heaviest) but that's not really a major issue for a tourer and for all day (non-racing) riding I'd happily trade a bit of weight for increased comfort. If weight is critical for you get a road bike rather than a tourer.

richh

lmcycler wrote:

Have just joined the uni cycling club

you'll be wanting on these then, not a Galaxy

desweller

Dawes Galaxies are generally pretty good and hold their value well for sound reasons. As long as the refit includes quality parts and the frame is in good shape then I'd say that you have a good deal there.

lmcycler

thanks for the advice guys. I think I'm going to have to go back and inspect the frame properly and so how good condition it really is in. Cheers x

rolf_f

If it's in nice shape then you ought to easily be able to get your money back and more via a well done Ebay ad if you did want to sell at a later date. £350 is a very fair price for such a bike. There is a premium involved in buying second hand Galaxys though and there are similar bikes that can be had for less.