One more thing about Dawes. They put nearly all the customer's money into the frames. In general, a Dawes bike at a certain pricepoint, when compared to other makers at the same price, might have a frame one step higher, and possibly parts that are one step lower. This made Dawes bikes a very good bike for people were just starting out, on a budget, because money can later be put into upgrading the parts without needing to get an improved frameset. Workmanship was decidedly "british" however, on Dawes frames.
This is aptly illustrated in the 1984 catalog :
http://www.bulgier.net/
Who else puts suntour Vx gears on a reynolds 531-throughout frame?
- Don Gillies
San Diego, CA, USA