Dawes Discovery 301



L

Lee

Guest
Hi !.

I am 67 yrs old (male) and i bought a £90 wonder MTB last year and i think
i`ve outgrown it !.it now seems very limited as to what it is capable of , i
tried changing the tyres for semi slik Schwalbe city tyres and the
difference is amazing....i`m climbing inclines in 3rd & 4th where before i
was struggling in 1st !....on level roads i`m pedalling like mad to get to
circa 25mph....... (what do you expect for 90 quid).....

I am looking at a Dawes Dicovery 301 for £270 as a next step up and am told
that with the extra cogs, i should be able to reach more than 25mph on the
flat, besides, i like it very much but would like a second opinion as to
whether there is a better choice for around the same cash....

Thanks ....I`ve got the cycling bug.... :)

Lee.....
 
"Lee" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Hi !.
>
> I am 67 yrs old (male) and i bought a £90 wonder MTB last year and i think
> i`ve outgrown it !.it now seems very limited as to what it is capable of ,
> i
> tried changing the tyres for semi slik Schwalbe city tyres and the
> difference is amazing....i`m climbing inclines in 3rd & 4th where before i
> was struggling in 1st !....on level roads i`m pedalling like mad to get to
> circa 25mph....... (what do you expect for 90 quid).....
>
> I am looking at a Dawes Dicovery 301 for £270 as a next step up and am
> told
> that with the extra cogs, i should be able to reach more than 25mph on the
> flat, besides, i like it very much but would like a second opinion as to
> whether there is a better choice for around the same cash....
>
> Thanks ....I`ve got the cycling bug.... :)
>
> Lee.....
>
>
>
>
I rode a Discovery 501 for over two years. It was modified a bit with an 11
to 34 rear cassette and the chainset was changed to 44 34 24 . It served me
very well for cycle/camping touring and day to day training and shopping
runs and It covered over 10,000 in the time I had it ( it was stolen last
December) I am now riding my Discovery 601 -- again modified a bit with
butterfly handle bars and the 11-34 cassette again. I have just got back
from this years cycle/camping tour on the Rhein/Mosel and it behaved
impeccably towing a BoB Yak trailer for over 2240 kms!

I am not a speed merchant at 69 but I can trundle along at 20 mph on the
level in little wind.and on a normal sort of day in the lumpy area I live in
I usually maintain an average of about 10 mph over a days ride. But I do
tend to carry training loads wherever I cycle.

I would suggest that you still might be able to buy last years models at a
sale price from a good lbs and perhaps you might be able to get a 401 or a
501 for a similar price.

I confess that I am almost certainly going to buy a Trice T trike for next
years magnum opus since I am think of going C2C across USA. Is is certainly
faster ( and also lowered geared in the option I am considering which will
get me over the Rockies), a delight to ride and adds a new freedom to the
art of biking. It also has a very good load carrying capacity


--
Trevor A Panther
In South Yorkshire,
England, United Kingdom.
www.tapan.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk
 
"Lee" <[email protected]> of wrote:
>I am 67 yrs old (male) and i bought a £90 wonder MTB last year and i think
>i`ve outgrown it !.it now seems very limited as to what it is capable of , i
>tried changing the tyres for semi slik Schwalbe city tyres and the
>difference is amazing....i`m climbing inclines in 3rd & 4th where before i
>was struggling in 1st !....on level roads i`m pedalling like mad to get to
>circa 25mph....... (what do you expect for 90 quid).....
>
>I am looking at a Dawes Dicovery 301 for £270 as a next step up and am told
>that with the extra cogs, i should be able to reach more than 25mph on the
>flat, besides, i like it very much but would like a second opinion as to
>whether there is a better choice for around the same cash....

You need to give us a bit more information. There is a choice of reasonable
bikes at your price level, but without knowing what sort of riding you do
it's impossible to suggest which might suit you. So where do you ride, how
far, how often?
--
Steph Peters
Chorlton Wanderers Cycling Group
Monthly slow and easy rides from South Manchester
http://www.sandbenders.demon.co.uk/cycling/chwan.htm
 
"Pinky" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
> "Lee" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
> > Hi !.
<snip

> I rode a Discovery 501 for over two years. It was modified a bit with an
11
> to 34 rear cassette and the chainset was changed to 44 34 24 . It served
me
> very well for cycle/camping touring and day to day training and shopping
> runs and It covered over 10,000 in the time I had it ( it was stolen last
> December) I am now riding my Discovery 601 -- again modified a bit with
> butterfly handle bars and the 11-34 cassette again. I have just got back
> from this years cycle/camping tour on the Rhein/Mosel and it behaved
> impeccably towing a BoB Yak trailer for over 2240 kms!
>
> I am not a speed merchant at 69 but I can trundle along at 20 mph on the
> level in little wind.and on a normal sort of day in the lumpy area I live
in
> I usually maintain an average of about 10 mph over a days ride. But I do
> tend to carry training loads wherever I cycle.
>
> I would suggest that you still might be able to buy last years models at a
> sale price from a good lbs and perhaps you might be able to get a 401 or a
> 501 for a similar price.
>
> I confess that I am almost certainly going to buy a Trice T trike for next
> years magnum opus since I am think of going C2C across USA. Is is
certainly
> faster ( and also lowered geared in the option I am considering which will
> get me over the Rockies), a delight to ride and adds a new freedom to the
> art of biking. It also has a very good load carrying capacity
>
>
> --
> Trevor A Panther
> In South Yorkshire,
> England, United Kingdom.
> www.tapan.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk
>
>

Thanks Trevor.
 
"Steph Peters" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> "Lee" <[email protected]> of wrote:
> >I am 67 yrs old (male) and i bought a £90 wonder MTB last year and i
think
> >i`ve outgrown it !.it now seems very limited as to what it is capable of
, i
> >tried changing the tyres for semi slik Schwalbe city tyres and the
> >difference is amazing....i`m climbing inclines in 3rd & 4th where before
i
> >was struggling in 1st !....on level roads i`m pedalling like mad to get
to
> >circa 25mph....... (what do you expect for 90 quid).....
> >
> >I am looking at a Dawes Dicovery 301 for £270 as a next step up and am
told
> >that with the extra cogs, i should be able to reach more than 25mph on
the
> >flat, besides, i like it very much but would like a second opinion as to
> >whether there is a better choice for around the same cash....
>
> You need to give us a bit more information. There is a choice of
reasonable
> bikes at your price level, but without knowing what sort of riding you do
> it's impossible to suggest which might suit you. So where do you ride,
how
> far, how often?

Daily shopping (about 5 miles daily) and occasional weekend rides up to
30-40 miles, no offroad......

Lee...

> --
> Steph Peters
> Chorlton Wanderers Cycling Group
> Monthly slow and easy rides from South Manchester
> http://www.sandbenders.demon.co.uk/cycling/chwan.htm
 
in message <[email protected]>, Lee
('[email protected]') wrote:

>
> "Steph Peters" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
>> "Lee" <[email protected]> of wrote:
>> >I am 67 yrs old (male) and i bought a £90 wonder MTB last year and i
> think
>> >i`ve outgrown it !.it now seems very limited as to what it is capable
>> >of
> , i
>> >tried changing the tyres for semi slik Schwalbe city tyres and the
>> >difference is amazing....i`m climbing inclines in 3rd & 4th where
>> >before
> i
>> >was struggling in 1st !....on level roads i`m pedalling like mad to
>> >get
> to
>> >circa 25mph....... (what do you expect for 90 quid).....
>> >
>> >I am looking at a Dawes Dicovery 301 for £270 as a next step up and
>> >am
> told
>> >that with the extra cogs, i should be able to reach more than 25mph
>> >on
> the
>> >flat, besides, i like it very much but would like a second opinion as
>> >to whether there is a better choice for around the same cash....
>>
>> You need to give us a bit more information. There is a choice of
>> reasonable
>> bikes at your price level, but without knowing what sort of riding
>> you do
>> it's impossible to suggest which might suit you. So where do you
>> ride, how
>> far, how often?
>
> Daily shopping (about 5 miles daily) and occasional weekend rides up to
> 30-40 miles, no offroad......

For the five mile shopping trips, an upright riding position will be
ideal and straight bars no disadvantage. For the longer weekend trips a
lower more relaxed position might be more comfortable and you really
need to be able to vary your hand position.

--
[email protected] (Simon Brooke) http://www.jasmine.org.uk/~simon/

;; Women are from Venus. Men are from Mars. Lusers are from Uranus.
 
Pinky wrote:

> I confess that I am almost certainly going to buy a Trice T trike for next
> years magnum opus since I am think of going C2C across USA. Is is certainly
> faster

For values of "certainly" that aren't very certain... The Trice T isn't
going to break any speed records even though it should give you a fair
dose of Whizz downhill.

ot that that makes it bad, but it might well be the wrong machine if
you're getting it with "faster" as a specific buying goal.

Pete.
--
Peter Clinch Medical Physics IT Officer
Tel 44 1382 660111 ext. 33637 Univ. of Dundee, Ninewells Hospital
Fax 44 1382 640177 Dundee DD1 9SY Scotland UK
net [email protected] http://www.dundee.ac.uk/~pjclinch/
 
Lee wrote:

> I am looking at a Dawes Dicovery 301 for £270 as a next step up and am told
> that with the extra cogs, i should be able to reach more than 25mph on the
> flat, besides, i like it very much but would like a second opinion as to
> whether there is a better choice for around the same cash....

The Disco 301 looks a fair machine that is basically gimmick free and
should do what you want. However, I would personally suggest you budget
extra for a decent set of mudguards (SKS are v. good) and a luggage
rack, and probably a decentish pair of panniers too if you intend using
it for shopping. Trailers are very good for shopping, but will add
considerably to the budget.

25 mph on the flat is difficult to sustain: once you're up towards 20
air resistance is the main factor, and the upright ride position of a
hybrid contributes quite a bit to air resistance, so I wouldn't assume
you'll be doing 25 mph everywhere with no hills!

There are certainly other viable options: hybrids in this bit of the
market aren't a scarce commodity, but Dawes are a respectable brand and
you won't be getting ripped off.

Pete.
--
Peter Clinch Medical Physics IT Officer
Tel 44 1382 660111 ext. 33637 Univ. of Dundee, Ninewells Hospital
Fax 44 1382 640177 Dundee DD1 9SY Scotland UK
net [email protected] http://www.dundee.ac.uk/~pjclinch/
 
Lee wrote:

>
> Daily shopping (about 5 miles daily) and occasional weekend rides up to
> 30-40 miles, no offroad......

You might have a look at a Dawes Horizon, or whatever Edinburgh Cycles
call their equivalent. The rack will take the panniers for your
shopping, and you'll probably find it a better bet for longer rides.
 
Simon Brooke wrote:

> For the five mile shopping trips, an upright riding position will be
> ideal and straight bars no disadvantage. For the longer weekend trips a
> lower more relaxed position might be more comfortable and you really
> need to be able to vary your hand position.

Up to a point. Different people have different ideas of "relaxed" and
"comfortable" is similarly variable with personal physiology.

Drop bars certainly allow for better aerodynamics which in turn means
less overall effort on long trips, but any necessity for varying hand
positions is often due in large part to the extra weight being placed on
the arms, hands and shoulders by the more pronounced lean.

Another thing about drops is they do take a bit of getting used to.
IMHO it's worth it, but they're not the right answer for everyone.
Having said that, if the OP really wants to get about at high speed then
they're clearly a better solution to flats.

Pete.
--
Peter Clinch Medical Physics IT Officer
Tel 44 1382 660111 ext. 33637 Univ. of Dundee, Ninewells Hospital
Fax 44 1382 640177 Dundee DD1 9SY Scotland UK
net [email protected] http://www.dundee.ac.uk/~pjclinch/
 
Pinky wrote:

>
> I confess that I am almost certainly going to buy a Trice T trike for next
> years magnum opus since I am think of going C2C across USA. Is is certainly
> faster ( and also lowered geared in the option I am considering which will
> get me over the Rockies), a delight to ride and adds a new freedom to the
> art of biking. It also has a very good load carrying capacity

That's a very nice machine and probably perfect for that use.
I've been over the Rockies several times, regrettably before I bought my
'bent.
The descents seem to be made for fast recumbent riding.

I certainly like the luggage carrying options you will have, with the option of
double panniers on the rear or a combination of the Radical bags and standard
panniers.

John B
 
In article <[email protected]>, Peter Clinch wrote:
>Lee wrote:
>
>> I am looking at a Dawes Dicovery 301 for £270 as a next step up and am told
>> that with the extra cogs, i should be able to reach more than 25mph on the
>> flat, besides, i like it very much but would like a second opinion as to
>> whether there is a better choice for around the same cash....
>
>The Disco 301 looks a fair machine that is basically gimmick free and
>should do what you want.
[...]
>25 mph on the flat is difficult to sustain: once you're up towards 20
>air resistance is the main factor, and the upright ride position of a
>hybrid contributes quite a bit to air resistance, so I wouldn't assume
>you'll be doing 25 mph everywhere with no hills!

If he's really already reaching 25mph on his slick-tyred £90 mountain bike
("on level roads i`m pedalling like mad to get to circa 25mph"), he ought to
be able to manage a little faster on a reasonable quality hybrid.
(Not up to Alan Holmes speeds perhaps, but still quite impressive.)

But something like a Dawes Giro 300 might be more suitable.
 
"Simon Brooke" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> in message <[email protected]>, Lee
> ('[email protected]') wrote:
>
> >
> > "Steph Peters" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> > news:[email protected]...
> >> "Lee" <[email protected]> of wrote:
> >> >I am 67 yrs old (male) and i bought a 90 wonder MTB last year and i
<snip
>
> For the five mile shopping trips, an upright riding position will be
> ideal and straight bars no disadvantage. For the longer weekend trips a
> lower more relaxed position might be more comfortable and you really
> need to be able to vary your hand position.

Thanks, but i prefer the upright position and appreciate the reduced air
resistance with dropped bars but they make my back ache!!.

Regards.

Lee.....

>
> --
> [email protected] (Simon Brooke) http://www.jasmine.org.uk/~simon/
>
> ;; Women are from Venus. Men are from Mars. Lusers are from
Uranus.
 
"Peter Clinch" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Simon Brooke wrote:
>
> > For the five mile shopping trips, an upright riding position will be
> > ideal and straight bars no disadvantage. For the longer weekend trips a
> > lower more relaxed position might be more comfortable and you really
> > need to be able to vary your hand position.
>
> Up to a point. Different people have different ideas of "relaxed" and
> "comfortable" is similarly variable with personal physiology.
>
> Drop bars certainly allow for better aerodynamics which in turn means
> less overall effort on long trips, but any necessity for varying hand
> positions is often due in large part to the extra weight being placed on
> the arms, hands and shoulders by the more pronounced lean.
>
> Another thing about drops is they do take a bit of getting used to.
> IMHO it's worth it, but they're not the right answer for everyone.
> Having said that, if the OP really wants to get about at high speed then
> they're clearly a better solution to flats.

Thanks, but i don`t wish to get around at high speeds and i don`t like
dropped bars, i am just making the point that i seem to be thrashing my
pedals and getting no-where fast....i enjoy dawdling along enjoying the
scenery but i do enjoy having the high speed capabilty...who amongst us
doesn`t grow horns occasionally and burning up the road?.
Under the current circumstances i feel capable of it but my steed doesn`t!!
:)

Lee....

>
> Pete.
> --
> Peter Clinch Medical Physics IT Officer
> Tel 44 1382 660111 ext. 33637 Univ. of Dundee, Ninewells Hospital
> Fax 44 1382 640177 Dundee DD1 9SY Scotland UK
> net [email protected] http://www.dundee.ac.uk/~pjclinch/
 
"Al C-F" <[email protected]> wrote in
message news:[email protected]...
> Lee wrote:
>
> >
> > Daily shopping (about 5 miles daily) and occasional weekend rides up to
> > 30-40 miles, no offroad......
>
> You might have a look at a Dawes Horizon, or whatever Edinburgh Cycles
> call their equivalent. The rack will take the panniers for your
> shopping, and you'll probably find it a better bet for longer rides.

Yes, thanks.....very nice (i have a catalogue) but the dropped bars would
have to go!. :)

I have a carrier on my current bikethat i could use but i could do with some
panniers..

Lee...
 
"Peter Clinch" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Lee wrote:
>
> > I am looking at a Dawes Dicovery 301 for £270 as a next step up and am
told
> > that with the extra cogs, i should be able to reach more than 25mph on
the
> > flat, besides, i like it very much but would like a second opinion as to
> > whether there is a better choice for around the same cash....
>
> The Disco 301 looks a fair machine that is basically gimmick free and
> should do what you want. However, I would personally suggest you budget
> extra for a decent set of mudguards (SKS are v. good) and a luggage
> rack, and probably a decentish pair of panniers too if you intend using
> it for shopping. Trailers are very good for shopping, but will add
> considerably to the budget.

Ahh!.....thankyou Pete....just the kind of opinion i was looking for.

Unfortunately i can`t find any reviews and comparisons of the Discovery 301
and was looking for an opinion!

I have a luggage rack and `guards on my current bike but certainly need some
panniers.

As you clocked, i am quite taken with the appearance and apparent quality of
the Discovery; for the price which, as a pensioner, is stretching my budget
of around £300....and `Dawes` Has always had a good name back to the 1950`s
that i can remember, hence my choice....but i would accept something more
suitable around the same price as i`m sadly, not up to date with the later
generation of cycles.


> 25 mph on the flat is difficult to sustain: once you're up towards 20
> air resistance is the main factor, and the upright ride position of a
> hybrid contributes quite a bit to air resistance, so I wouldn't assume
> you'll be doing 25 mph everywhere with no hills!

Correct, but it is nice to have the capability when required.....
;-)


> There are certainly other viable options: hybrids in this bit of the
> market aren't a scarce commodity, but Dawes are a respectable brand and
> you won't be getting ripped off.

Exactly my thoughts Peter, i had a Dawes Clansman (Purple with a tartan
transfer on the saddle stem ) as a youngster in the 50`s and loved it to
bits..... polished it every time i used it.....every time i saw it i
couldn`t take my eyes off it......it was certainly (as i remember) better
quality than Hercules, B.S.A and Raleigh that i had owned before, i went
everywhere on it......miles and miles....so no newcomer to bikes!!! ....
just a little out of touch with this modern stuff!!!...hence the posting...

I have been a lurker on this N.G for abut 2 years...

Regards...

Lee.....

>
> Pete.
> --
> Peter Clinch Medical Physics IT Officer
> Tel 44 1382 660111 ext. 33637 Univ. of Dundee, Ninewells Hospital
> Fax 44 1382 640177 Dundee DD1 9SY Scotland UK
> net [email protected] http://www.dundee.ac.uk/~pjclinch/
 
"Alan Braggins" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> In article <[email protected]>, Peter Clinch wrote:
> >Lee wrote:
> >
> >> I am looking at a Dawes Dicovery 301 for £270 as a next step up and am
told
> >> that with the extra cogs, i should be able to reach more than 25mph on
the
> >> flat, besides, i like it very much but would like a second opinion as
to
> >> whether there is a better choice for around the same cash....
> >
> >The Disco 301 looks a fair machine that is basically gimmick free and
> >should do what you want.
> [...]
> >25 mph on the flat is difficult to sustain: once you're up towards 20
> >air resistance is the main factor, and the upright ride position of a
> >hybrid contributes quite a bit to air resistance, so I wouldn't assume
> >you'll be doing 25 mph everywhere with no hills!
>
> If he's really already reaching 25mph on his slick-tyred £90 mountain bike
> ("on level roads i`m pedalling like mad to get to circa 25mph"), he ought
to
> be able to manage a little faster on a reasonable quality hybrid.
> (Not up to Alan Holmes speeds perhaps, but still quite impressive.)
>
> But something like a Dawes Giro 300 might be more suitable.

Thanks Alan, i notice (like Peter) you have also stayed with `Dawes`, but
the `Giro 300` is more race orientated and altho` i loved them as a kid, i
replaced the dropped bars with straights; eventually and have stayed with
staights since....

Thanks for your comments, much appreciated..

Lee.....
 
On Thu, 06 Jul 2006 06:08:41 GMT, Lee <[email protected]> wrote:
> Thanks, but i don`t wish to get around at high speeds and i don`t like
> dropped bars, i am just making the point that i seem to be thrashing my
> pedals and getting no-where fast....

Earlier you said 25mph and now you say nowhere fast. 25mph is damn fast
in my book.

--
Andy Leighton => [email protected]
"The Lord is my shepherd, but we still lost the sheep dog trials"
- Robert Rankin, _They Came And Ate Us_
 
Lee wrote:
> "Al C-F" <[email protected]> wrote in
> message news:[email protected]...
....
>>
>>You might have a look at a Dawes Horizon, or whatever Edinburgh Cycles
>>call their equivalent. The rack will take the panniers for your
>>shopping, and you'll probably find it a better bet for longer rides.
>
>
> Yes, thanks.....very nice (i have a catalogue) but the dropped bars would
> have to go!. :)
>

Is the Sterling still produced? That came out with 'butterfly' bars a
few years back.
 
In article <%[email protected]>, Lee wrote:
>"Alan Braggins" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>> In article <[email protected]>, Peter Clinch wrote:
>> >25 mph on the flat is difficult to sustain: once you're up towards 20
>> >air resistance is the main factor, and the upright ride position of a
>> >hybrid contributes quite a bit to air resistance, so I wouldn't assume
>> >you'll be doing 25 mph everywhere with no hills!
>>
>> If he's really already reaching 25mph on his slick-tyred £90 mountain bike
>> ("on level roads i`m pedalling like mad to get to circa 25mph"), he ought
>to
>> be able to manage a little faster on a reasonable quality hybrid.
>> But something like a Dawes Giro 300 might be more suitable.
>
>Thanks Alan, i notice (like Peter) you have also stayed with `Dawes`, but

That was just an example at a similar price because you are looking
at a Dawes at the moment.


>the `Giro 300` is more race orientated

As far as I'm concerned, anyone who can sustain 25mph on the flat on a
£90 mountain bike is race (or at least speed) oriented....
 
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