It has to be as it has been ridden and ridden and ridden. I nearly went to sell it once and I am really glad I didn't, as the newer versions they make today (They still make them) are not quite as good. They are not bad... But to me the 1989 version was the best to have. 1988 and before they were made for the 27" wheel size. They did have nice curly lugs though. 1987 and before they had centre pull brakes and not cantilevers. I believe they also had a double chainset rather then a triple on this year or before. Slightly earlier then that (About 1985 and before at a guess) they had steel wheels and were not full 531.
1990 onwards they had vertical dropouts. Around 1993 onwards they had more durable paintwork. However, as the years approached to the millenium they dropped the 531 frames in favour of 631 and then started altering the much proven geometry... Still nice bikes but I preferred them as they were as when they followed rhe modern trends of dropping the top tube with a smaller frame and altered geometry to increase seated pedalling efficiency, the ability to get a dropped gear range effect by standing on the pedals was lost (The old standing on the pedals technique enabled riders to ride tall gears up steep hills. Todays bikes need the lower gears because their geometry works against standing on pedal riding techniques... Yes it can be done, but modern bikes are not as great, so one may as well eep to the saddle!)
So in conclusion, 1989 was the very best year to get a Dawes Galaxy. The last of the horizontal dropout machines which also had the newer 700c wheels. The bery best of all worlds!
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