Bike to go under my new B17 saddle

[ACS]

I have asked for your collective advice in the past and to be honest the collective you has always been spot on, saddle (Brooks), computer, (Cateye) handlebar bag (Altura Orkney), Saddlebag (Carradice Barley)………now for the big one.

Which bike am I going to buy in the New Year?

Budget £700 (via a c2w scheme). I would like something for longer distances. A touring bike is the obvious choice but I know in all honesty know that I will not tour on it. I plan to complete at least 2x 100 km and 2 x100 milers in 2009 and the training that comes with it. Most importantly I want to be comfortable, very comfortable. I have looked at Ridgeback Horizon '09 and Revolution Country Explorer '08 both from EBC. Should I be looking at Audax type bike, my local LBS have suggested a Tricross with mudguards (?). I have a Sirrus Sport (06) but I find it a little too upright for long distance and a bit frisky. I have a battered Raleigh MTB on 26” wheels which I am fond of; it’s comfortable but no lightweight, I think it may be about a stone lighter than me.

So what do you recommend to go under my new B17 saddle?

 

[LondonCommuter]

I'm very happy with my Dawes Galaxy which I've had since July and use for a 2x10mile commute, 4 days per week. If I'd known about it, I might have bought the equivalent Dawes Audax which comes in lighter (components I guess, including thinner wheels, which might not give you the comfort you want).

 

[Danny]

If you are wanting comfort over speed I would go for a tourer or audax bike. Both the Dawes bikes that LC suggest would be good choices.

You could also look at a Thorn Club Tour or one of Paul Hewitt's touring or audax bikes.

 

[Old Walrus]

I've been using a Tricross with mudguards for commuting & leisure for about 18 months (and have recently added a Brooks B17). The commute is a 19/20 mile round trip and the longest journey I have done is about 30 miles.

No issues with it apart from slight toe overlap which is only noticeable at low speeds with extreme movement of the handlebars. Sadly most journeys are with heavy panniers, but strip it down and whooosh!

 

[ACS]

If you are wanting comfort over speed I would go for a tourer or audax bike. Both the Dawes bikes that LC suggest would be good choices.

You could also look at a Thorn Club Tour or one of Paul Hewitt's touring or audax bikes.

Sadly without a substantial donation from the national lottery or other such kindly benefactor both of these excellent suggestions are beyond my budget. Having to set my sights more towards the entry level (hate that phrase) fast tourer / audax type machine and only having just one chance to get it right I am keen to be able to consider all suggestions before taking the plunge.

I thought that the LBS suggestion of cyclo-cross bike converted for audax use was a little odd. My simple logic being that a cyclo-cross bike is a road bike adapted for cross country racing therefore the geometry would reflect its origins and would not be as relaxed as touring / audax bike but now there appears to be some merit in the suggestion.

Anyway thank you for your input because I certainly need guidance.

Andy

 

[Crackle]

Mine

 

[Fab Foodie]

Condor Fratello... and borrow a few quid. It's so painfully beautiful it'll be worth it.
Or, the new 'cheap' Thorn Audax, looks very workmanlike.

Mind you, anything under a B17 is comfotable!

As an outside choice, the Dawes KaraKum is different and hugely under-rated, good value. A pal does 100 milers on one with no problem.

 

[ACS]

Mine

Excellent review. Thank you for pointing it out. Now to find a supplier with one in stock so I can take a look

 

[Crackle]

Have you got anywhere with this SB?

 

[chris667]

This is a good'un. Remember you can get it built with cheaper bits.
http://www.byercycles.co.uk/bikeprice 01- 01- 08/09R1008.html

 

[PpPete]

This ?
Maybe not Audaxy enough... but I'd happily but a B17 on mine (which is just very slightly newer than that one)

 

[ACS]

Have you got anywhere with this SB?

Off to the Edinburgh Bike Coop (our C2W provider) this weekend with SWMBO for a look see. Thought about a Tricross Triple or a Ridgeback Horizon '09. Sadly maths was never the SWMBO’s strong point and trying to explain the formula ‘number of bikes = n + 1' is falling on deaf ears.


She says my 531 C (now 20 years old) + Sirrus Sport (06) + MTB (dubious age mixed bits and battered) should be sufficent for anyone, afterall "You can only ride one at a time"

Bet she makes an excuse not to go because once I get in there there will be no stopping me

 

[jimboalee]

If EBC sell Dawes, you're on a winner.

I have a Dawes Giro 500. £420.

If I had £700 to spend, it would still be the Dawes Giro 500.

Strangely, the Audax is heavier than the Giro 500

I have had no problems with the Giro 500 and have completed a Randonneur 1000 series on it. 1 x 100km, 3 x 200km and 1 x 300km.
10,000 miles in two years and just one new chain.


But I am a bit biased. I have freinds who worked at Dawes.

 

[Wigsie]

The tricross was a popular recommendation for me as I have a long commute and a sore lower back, it does appear to be a jack of all trades that bike. When investigating i did find a some people warning of serious fork judder in the larger sizes (i am 6ft 4!), some input was that this can be fixed and some that it can't. I settled for an Allez Elite in the end which is wonderfull and very comfy! Check the tricross out though as they are great bikes and a decent bike shop can tweak bits to give you a more relaxed ride for the longer events, just look out for fork judder and you may want to see advice to conclude whether it can be fixed.

Good Luck.

 

[jimboalee]

No they don't.

You might be up a gum tree there, cus Giant and Spesh don't have much frame clearance for muddies.

The Ridgeback you mentioned, may I say it, has Sora changers. I can't beleive a bike that price has crappy Sora changers. The mechs are mixed, which indicates to me it wasn't thought about too much, and £600+ quid for that is a joke.
That spec' should be £100 less. £500 - only for the carbon forks, which aren't needed on a bike which is over 20lb easily. If it had Ally forks, it would be £450 - fair price.