OP
OP
le_al_khemista
Active Member
- Location
- London
Commuting, Audaxing and Touring under 1k
- Thread starter le_al_khemista
- Start date
Page may contain affiliate links. Please see terms for details.
OP
OP
le_al_khemista
Active Member
- Location
- London
That's not the part that needs convincing but the one where I go "...then we'll make a little diversion for me to check out some bikes for a couple of hours". Might need to find out more about those hot tubs tom73 was talking about...
Nothing my size on the ex-display sale but will keep an eye on ebay for sure.
Yeah, I know. Have been doing some research in that regard as well. Any recommendations? I know that the most cost-effective is adding the bike to home insurance but I haven't got one of those either.
Is home insurance generally cheaper than a bike only? Any recommendations on home insurance? John Lewis seems to get good reviews.
Thanks!
vickster
Legendary Member
That's not the part that needs convincing but the one where I go "...then we'll make a little diversion for me to check out some bikes for a couple of hours". Might need to find out more about those hot tubs tom73 was talking about...
Nothing my size on the ex-display sale but will keep an eye on ebay for sure.
Yeah, I know. Have been doing some research in that regard as well. Any recommendations? I know that the most cost-effective is adding the bike to home insurance but I haven't got one of those either.
Is home insurance generally cheaper than a bike only? Any recommendations on home insurance? John Lewis seems to get good reviews.
Thanks!
The centre of Harrogate is lovely, I’m sure your partner can find plenty to do. Spa is close by a station so you can just take a train from Harrogate. Hot tubs, ugh, breeding ground for all sorts of nasties!
You live in London and don’t have home insurance?
Lloyd’s came up trumps for me this year (high risk SW London area), very generous bike cover and low premium for first year at least
John Lewis are good but shop around. I used compare the market
Bonefish Blues
Banging donk
- Location
- 52 Festive Road
Use a broker like A Plan to do the legwork for you.That's not the part that needs convincing but the one where I go "...then we'll make a little diversion for me to check out some bikes for a couple of hours". Might need to find out more about those hot tubs tom73 was talking about...
Nothing my size on the ex-display sale but will keep an eye on ebay for sure.
Yeah, I know. Have been doing some research in that regard as well. Any recommendations? I know that the most cost-effective is adding the bike to home insurance but I haven't got one of those either.
Is home insurance generally cheaper than a bike only? Any recommendations on home insurance? John Lewis seems to get good reviews.
Thanks!
OP
OP
le_al_khemista
Active Member
- Location
- London
So, I've been to see the lovely folk at Spa and am now very much undecided!
After comparing a few of their bikes the Audax stood out for me (found the Tourer a bit too utilitarian + not a big fan of the v-brakes; the Aubisque is a nice looking bike and ideal for year-round commuting/touring but very much on the heavy side, specially when compared to the Audax - not exactly what I was looking for).
I've tried both the Steel and Ti Audax and even though there isn't a massive difference between the two in terms of weight/handling/comfort, I found the Ti version a bit more forgiving and swift. Perhaps not enough of an improvement to justify the extra £500?
Now, I had pretty much decided that if I was going the Spa route I'd go for the Steel Audax as the Ti version is way over my budget BUT they ended up offering me a very good deal on an ex-demo Ti (a bit over 1k, which is still quite a bit of money for me) so now I'm torn! Both are lovely rides but I'm tempted to splash out on the Ti!
In the meantime I've also been eyeing up this: https://www.ukbikesdepot.com/m16b18..._Road_Bikes/GENESIS_Equilibrium_Disc_10_2018/ (Equilibrium 10 - Disc). Which for the same price would get me disc brakes but with increase in weight and inferior groupset.
Please help! Are there any reasons not to get any of these bikes?
All of them seem to be well regarded as do-it-all comfortable machines from reputable brands so any feedback is welcome.
Thanks!
After comparing a few of their bikes the Audax stood out for me (found the Tourer a bit too utilitarian + not a big fan of the v-brakes; the Aubisque is a nice looking bike and ideal for year-round commuting/touring but very much on the heavy side, specially when compared to the Audax - not exactly what I was looking for).
I've tried both the Steel and Ti Audax and even though there isn't a massive difference between the two in terms of weight/handling/comfort, I found the Ti version a bit more forgiving and swift. Perhaps not enough of an improvement to justify the extra £500?
Now, I had pretty much decided that if I was going the Spa route I'd go for the Steel Audax as the Ti version is way over my budget BUT they ended up offering me a very good deal on an ex-demo Ti (a bit over 1k, which is still quite a bit of money for me) so now I'm torn! Both are lovely rides but I'm tempted to splash out on the Ti!
In the meantime I've also been eyeing up this: https://www.ukbikesdepot.com/m16b18..._Road_Bikes/GENESIS_Equilibrium_Disc_10_2018/ (Equilibrium 10 - Disc). Which for the same price would get me disc brakes but with increase in weight and inferior groupset.
Please help! Are there any reasons not to get any of these bikes?
All of them seem to be well regarded as do-it-all comfortable machines from reputable brands so any feedback is welcome.
Thanks!
Heltor Chasca
Out-riding the Black Dog
Did you try the Elan?
Bonefish Blues
Banging donk
- Location
- 52 Festive Road
Arguably the Genesis tubeset is rather ordinary - 4130 chromolly with a funny name. Go with the ti.
vickster
Legendary Member
Around Double his budget however
Bonefish Blues
Banging donk
- Location
- 52 Festive Road
Good call, IIRC that gets you a 725 tubeset and better kit.
vickster
Legendary Member
I'm very fond òf my rim braked 20 frame in 725. Nearly 5500 miles done
vickster
Legendary Member
OP
OP
le_al_khemista
Active Member
- Location
- London
Around Double his budget however
Yeah, I did look at it, very nice bike but felt there was no point in bothering the staff at Spa for something I wasn't gonna buy.
OP
OP
le_al_khemista
Active Member
- Location
- London
To be honest I can't say I've noticed a huge difference between the Genesis Chromoly and the 725 when I tried the Eq. Perhaps more noticeable on longer rides.