From Cycling, May 21st, 1966:
This is similar to the 1964 Galaxy from the Dawes catalog, in fact I think the drawing is the same. This original incarnation of the Galaxy name was a racing bike (or “club” bike, in the British parlance). Sometime between 1967 and 1977, Dawes changed the Galaxy from a racer to a touring bike, as it still is today (there aren’t a lot of datapoints available on the web, but I have some more Cycling issues on the way which should provide some insight).
Hightlights:
- Came with air pump, bottle carrier, and bottle.
- Ideale saddle, which is unusual considering most British bikes I’ve seen from this era came with a Brooks
- Single chainring with high-geared 5 speed freewheel
- Halfguard fenders
- An odd little metal piece attached to the fork, which I assume is for mounting a light
Mark Bulgier has two catalogs on this website labeled 1977, but he says he’s not sure either are 1977. One is in black and white and one is in color, but I think the black and white one is actually newer because both it and the 1984 catalogs have Suntour groups on the bikes, whereas the color one lists a Simplex group.
In the color “1977″ catalog, the Galaxy is described as “basically designed for touring” (specs).
Highlights:
- Double cranks
- non-leather saddle
- Full fenders rather than halfguards
- Cottered steel Stronglight cranks
- Touring-range 14-28 freewheel
- Rear rack
- Simplex Prestige derailleurs
In the black and white “1977″ catalog, the Galaxy is described as “touring lightweight sports”. Also introduced are the better “Galaxy GT” and the best “Super Galaxy”.
Highlights:
- non-leather saddle on the Galaxy, but Brooks saddles on the Super and GT
- Still has full fenders and rear rack
- Suntour VT “ensemble”, with VGT and Cyclone in the GT and Super
- Alloy cotterless cranks, rather than steel cottered
The next catalog Mark has is 1984 (probably, he says, and since 85 was the “changeover” year from non-aero to aero brake levers, and this catalog has all of the bikes with non-aero levers). This year has the Galaxy (“The Classic Tourer”), the Super Galaxy, and the Ladies Galaxy. The Super Galaxy looks like a really nice touring bike, with Brooks saddle, front and rear racks, full fenders, Suntour Cyclone GT derailleurs, and TA Cyclotourist triple. The Ladies Galaxy is an interesting frame, with a single solid top tube that runs at the same angle as a mixte ususally does, but without the thin mixte stays in the rear triangle. The only differences between the Ladies and the “standard” Galaxy is that it has slightly lower gearing (36/48 vs. 40/52) and a “ladies anatomical” saddle, which looks like what we would call a comfort saddle today. This ladies model is definitely a serious bike, rather than the heavy toys most ladies models are. Specs are here.
Highlights:
- The bike no longer comes with fenders (they’re part of the upgrade to the Super Galaxy), but it’s explicitly stated that there’s clearance for them.
- No rack, either, or fork “top” eyelet for one
- Double SR cranks, which look very similar to the TA cranks on the Super Galaxy
And finally, the current Galaxy:
- Fenders are back (even though they’re a bit short in the back to be follower-friendly)
- Rear rack is back
- Cantis instead of centerpulls
A very interesting transition, from 1966 to 2007.
Interested in early 1960’s Dawes catalogues or other information. I have what I beleive is a 1961 Dawes racer. GB stem and bars, Williams steel crankset, 1/2 fenders. Hoping to confirm the brand of hubs. Current has Millard – was thinking Raclite or other Brtish brand might be original…thank you for any help / insights. Phil Stevens
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