Fast Audax

[RedBike]

I don't know if this is the right suection; but here it goes.

I'm after a new bike to commute to work on. It's a fairly long trip at 25 miles each way over hilly terrain. I will also probably use the bike for wet weather club runs and sportives.

Full length mud-guards are a must and perhaps even a rear pannier rack. The bikes got to be quick so that i'm not the last one to the cafe every Sunday morning.

Now the tricky bit. I've got a budget of £400, £450 absolute tops.

Any suggestions?

 

[John Ponting]

Ridgeback Horizon; list £499 but some 2006 are still available and 2008 are just out so 2007 will be remaindered soon.

 

[RedBike]

That looks spot on. Unfortunately I don't know what it is.

 

[John Ponting]

Ribble ?

FRAME:Ribble Audax/Winter 7005 Frame (Horiz Top Tube)
56cm blue BASIC BIKE PRICE £ 525.00 change this optionFORK:Alpina Carbon Forks Mudguard Eyes (Alloy Steerer)
FORK UPGRADE PRICE £ -20.00 change this optionGROUPSET:Shimano Sora 8spd Triple Groupset without hubs
one colour GROUPSET UPGRADE PRICE £ -39.95 Chainset: Shimano Sora 3304 Octalink Triple 8 Spd Chainset 175 30/42/52Cassette: Shimano 8 Spd HG50 (Sora) Cassette 13-26change this optionWHEELS:Shimano Pair Wheels R500 (Tiagra) Clincher
8/9/10 Shim black WHEELS UPGRADE PRICE £ -49.05 change this optionHANDLEBAR:ITM Road Racing 300 SO Handlebars (31.8)
manager's choice change this optionHANDLEBAR STEM:ITM Forged Lite SO Handlebar Stem (31.8)
manager's choice change this optionSADDLE:Selle Italia XO (Alloy) Transam Saddle
one colour change this optionSEAT PILLAR:CSN Alloy Seatpillar
27.2mm - 350mm black change this optionTYRES:Vittoria Zaffiro Rigid Tyre
700 x 23mm black/black change this optionHANDLEBAR TAPE:ITM Cork Embossed Handlebar Tape
black change this optionBikeBuilder Total:inc VAT:£416.00exc VAT:£354.03

 

[RedBike]

I've seen the Ribble, just wondered if there were any alternatives. I will be keeping an eye out for anyone selling a 07 medium (56?) Horizon a bit cheaper.

 

[DLB]

have you considered edinburgh company's continental? i think it's £300 - £400. i have the 2006 model and like it alot.

 

[Noodley]

have you considered edinburgh company's continental? i think it's £300 - £400. i have the 2006 model and like it alot.

And their (usually very very good discounts) sale starts on 3rd January.

 

[Paulus]

A bikie who works with my wife got his Ribble two weeks back and loves it already. They are very good bikes.

 

[stephec]

Out of interest, which club are you in Redbike?

 

[gavintc]

I love my winter bike/audax Ribble - It is about 4 yrs old, takes full guards and just works well - comfortable, fits me well and successful. On the downside, it is not a 'sexy' looking bike and I wish I had a double chainset rather than a triple.

 

[RedBike]

I've ordered the Ribble (Sora Triple) and the Madison Summit rear pannier rack.

This is the first triple i've had, other than the MTB that is.

Thanks for all your help.

 

[John Ponting]

Looks a good choice RedBike. Did you have to go over budget or was it a good deal ?

 

[RedBike]

Bike was £385, rack was £20, delivery was £20 (I think).
In total the bill came to about £425;
(Paid about £385 once I had used my discount.)


I was very tempted to use the bike builder as I didn't really want oversized bars (my lights wont fit!), a double with a 25/26 cassette and a better set of tyres.

In the end I opted for a list model because they were slightly cheaper and had handmade wheels (not available through the builder). I can always change the tyres and I'm sure I can live with a triple. Not too sure what i'm going to do about the lights yet though.

 

[John Ponting]

Well done. Look forward to hearing your "on bike" comments in a couple of weeks. I hope your experience stays a good one.