Re: [CR] Dawes

Dawes still makes bicycles, but has never responded to me about any questions regarding old Dawes bikes that I have. Their link is: http://www.dawescycles.com/

I have picked up three at garage sales over the years:

1) an early 80s pale green Galaxy touring frame with full Reynolds 531ST (a mid range bike in its time with the cushiest ride for touring I have ever felt and I have thoroughly enjoyed it; Cinelli stem, Japanese components);

2)a humble touring model from the late 70s/early 80s with a name I forget with the odd factory combo of Reynolds 501 main triangle with a Reynolds 531 fork (Solida cranks, Japanese components); and

3) a late 70s/early80s Dawes Imperial racing bike with a very narrow clearance between seat post and rear wheel; entirely Reynolds 531 tubing (I have never seen or heard of another Imperial, Shimano 600/105 group).

Dawes dates at least to the early 1950s and has for most of its existence apparently focused on rather practical, middle of the road quality bicycles. My bikes all evidence good build quality and none of the sloppy welding found on a lot of English bikes. At they same time they are not pretending to be works of art. Some of the very early Dawes had some pretty fancy lug work, but they have never been, that I know of, anyway, ranked among the first rank of hand made bicycles in England.

But if you like touring bike geometry and dimensions, and like sumptuous ride, instead of quick and stiff, and you run into an old Galaxy with 531ST it is a wonderful bike to ride for a utility bike. I found myself taking it for spins rather than my fancier bikes, because I just loved how cushy it rode. It had a bad rep as a mushy bike in its time, but that was at a time when most were still obsessed with riding racing bikes on the street. Today, with the rediscovery of "ride quality" in bikes and with the rediscovery of the practicality of bike comfort, I do believe many would view the Galaxy through a more favorable lens. Alas, someone forgot and drove mine into the garage, while it was still mounted on the car top carrier and it has never been the same since. Drat!

Finally, Dawes has always stayed to the center of the market and has survived doing so. Sometimes the middle holds.

Don Wilson
Bandon,OR/Los Olivos,CA USA