Altering Audax Bike for Touring

[Borris]

I have the chance to buy a good Audax bike and would like to make some changes for touring. It has Shimano WH-RS30 wheels and 700-23 tyres. Would these wheels be strong enough for touring ( I weigh 90 kilos ) and would they take 700-28 tyres ? The bike has an Ultegra groupset with 9-speed 12/28 cassette and 38/51 chainrings . How could I easily alter this so I would have a 30" bottom gear , which I have on my present ( old ) touring bike. I imagine I would have to have a 32 cog on the back to do this , but would the Ultegra accommodate it ? I would appreciate any help with this as I don't want to risk buying the bike unless I could do these changes successfully . Thankyou !

 

[raleighnut]

I have the chance to buy a good Audax bike and would like to make some changes for touring. It has Shimano WH-RS30 wheels and 700-23 tyres. Would these wheels be strong enough for touring ( I weigh 90 kilos ) and would they take 700-28 tyres ? The bike has an Ultegra groupset with 9-speed 12/28 cassette and 38/51 chainrings . How could I easily alter this so I would have a 30" bottom gear , which I have on my present ( old ) touring bike. I imagine I would have to have a 32 cog on the back to do this , but would the Ultegra accommodate it ? I would appreciate any help with this as I don't want to risk buying the bike unless I could do these changes successfully . Thankyou !

I would be tempted to fit a triple to the front as if it is an audax bike it will have mudguard mounts on it (mandatory on audax events) that will accept a rack. This should convert it into a good lightweight tourer, Marathon 28's and away you go.

 

[RecordAceFromNew]

The bike has an Ultegra groupset with 9-speed 12/28 cassette and 38/51 chainrings . How could I easily alter this so I would have a 30" bottom gear , which I have on my present ( old ) touring bike. I imagine I would have to have a 32 cog on the back to do this , but would the Ultegra accommodate it ? I would appreciate any help with this as I don't want to risk buying the bike unless I could do these changes successfully . Thankyou !

No issue with tyres. Regarding how to achieve 30" it will be expensive to go triple if your front shifter isn't. However all is not lost, there are two primary alternatives, 1) go double compact typically 50/34, or 2) go LARGE at rear. With 1) you can achieve 30" with a new 30T cassette which I would be very surprised if your Ultegra rear mech can't handle with judicious B screw adjustment. With alternative 2) you can keep everything up front intact and use a 34T cassette, but which likely requires a new rear mech - but any Shimano 9 speed mtb rear mech costing c£15 up would do, plus a new, longer chain.

Anyhow it is quite doable and not particularly expensive - your choice should probably be driven by how your want your gears spaced.

 

[Borris]

Thanks , guys . I like the compact idea. I've just calculated that a 30/46 combo would give me a 30" gear with 28 tyres , without altering the back at all . Would this work ? ..............Also , would the Ultegra brakes take 28 tyres ?

 

[raleighnut]

Thanks , guys . I like the compact idea. I've just calculated that a 30/46 combo would give me a 30" gear with 28 tyres , without altering the back at all . Would this work ? ..............Also , would the Ultegra brakes take 28 tyres ?

28 tyres are not that big,I use 28's on one of my bikes with 105 calipers without any problems so I doubt that ultegra would have any clearance issues.
however I'd like a bigger gear than 46-12 for touring.

 

[Gravity Aided]

Kind of depends on where you want to tour, but I'd give this a try for now. Loaded or light or credit card touring makes a difference on the gearing you require, and if you are going to have a big load, you might see if caliper brakes are strong enough to stop you and the load you carry on a downhill.

 

[RecordAceFromNew]

Thanks , guys . I like the compact idea. I've just calculated that a 30/46 combo would give me a 30" gear with 28 tyres , without altering the back at all . Would this work ? ..............Also , would the Ultegra brakes take 28 tyres ?

You will be using the front mech outside its design parameters, so up shifts might be a bit agricultural, and may require careful setup.