Dawes Galaxy 48cm Adventure/Touring Bike 2018

Arrived quickly, well packed, not much to fit together. However, several parts of the bike needed adjustment by a qualified bike technician..... Only £40, but worth getting checked out prior to riding.Having cycled only around 100 miles, this is still a high quality, comfy tourer.

I bought mine from a reseller as a "shop soiled" model for a huge discount but it's ostensibly the same as this.I've been away from riding bicycles for quite some time and so this was the first time I've spent good money on a cycle. I wanted something comfortable and relatively relaxed while having the drop bars and pannier capability. A practical bike for all purposes. And the Dawes delivers.True to form, Dawes have made something that exudes quality. The paintwork is lavish and thick while the weighty frame feels solid. It's a little bit of a mission dragging a 15kg bike up the narrow flight of stairs in my Victorian flat but I manage. The pannier rack feels sturdy and can, apparently, handle up to 25kg of weight.The transmission has a surprising amount of flexibility as it has 24 gears. Some of the lower cogs are definitely 'mountain climbing' but that's exactly what you need for a bike designed to carry camping gear and all sorts up hills and across the countryside. It took me quite a while to get used to the integrated brake/gear shift controls as it's different to bikes I've used before (which had Shimano Revoshift or EZ-Fire shifters). This uses the Claris cassette systems which is one of the lowest rung among Shimano's proper road bike range and it can be a touch agricultural but theres only so much one can do with a derailleur for smoothness anyway.The standard fit Schwalbe tyres feel solid and dependable; they've not let me down yet.If I were to complain about anything it would be the standard seat. Woefully uncomfortable, quickly replaced with a Charge Spoon in white which looks brilliant against the dark blue frame.