Roadie vs. Audax. vs Touring Bikes

[Risex4]

Bit of advice if I may ask those more versed in this things than I.

After a year or so of being back in the saddle, I think I'm finally going to take the plunge and get a new bike ready for the nicer weather. At the moment I'm riding a 10 year old Dawes Hybrid; she's a perfectly fine bike and will be kept for my short commuter hops and such, but as I ramp up the miles and frequency Im feeling its time to get something better suited to the job.

The bulk of its job will be 50-100 milers, although I do want to keep pushing my range out towards Audax distances on a fairly regular basis and have plans towards a JOGLE at some point. My normal rec rides are more thrash-slog than relaxing cruise as I do prefer to push myself for speed rather than amble around peacefully (not that theres anything wrong with the latter; just my preference!). I don't forsee a need for panniers as I don't yet have a massive hankering towards touring.

Anyway, after that waffle, my question is what type of bike to go for? I've briefly ridden different bikes from the different categories, but couldnt really discern much difference over 100 yards. I cant afford n+2 so I guess Im after the thoughts or observations from more experiences riders about pros and cons. Given that the bulk of my riding will be "pacey" (in relative terms!) 50-60 milers where a dedicated roadie would I guess be most beneficial, would it on the other hand be unbearable to ride a 200km or JOGLE on one?

 

[Rob3rt]

Bit of advice if I may ask those more versed in this things than I.

After a year or so of being back in the saddle, I think I'm finally going to take the plunge and get a new bike ready for the nicer weather. At the moment I'm riding a 10 year old Dawes Hybrid; she's a perfectly fine bike and will be kept for my short commuter hops and such, but as I ramp up the miles and frequency Im feeling its time to get something better suited to the job.

The bulk of its job will be 50-100 milers, although I do want to keep pushing my range out towards Audax distances on a fairly regular basis and have plans towards a JOGLE at some point. My normal rec rides are more thrash-slog than relaxing cruise as I do prefer to push myself for speed rather than amble around peacefully (not that theres anything wrong with the latter; just my preference!). I don't forsee a need for panniers as I don't yet have a massive hankering towards touring.

Anyway, after that waffle, my question is what type of bike to go for? I've briefly ridden different bikes from the different categories, but couldnt really discern much difference over 100 yards. I cant afford n+2 so I guess Im after the thoughts or observations from more experiences riders about pros and cons. Given that the bulk of my riding will be "pacey" (in relative terms!) 50-60 milers where a dedicated roadie would I guess be most beneficial, would it on the other hand be unbearable to ride a 200km or JOGLE on one?

I have cycled up to 150 mile, inc 215km Audax on a race geometry bike, it was fine. Wouldn't hesitate to do c2c or JOGLE,/LEJOG on it comfort wise. But for JOGLE/LEJOG what would you do with regards change of clothing and supplies?

 

[Risex4]

The JOGLE I've got in mind is more of a "how fast" one rather than a holiday, and with that in mind I've already got a support car of sorts lined up (a bunch of not-so-cycling-enthused mates are up for the craic of a road trip and have already divied up the next-day-designated-driver rota).

 

[Scoosh]

An 'audax' geometry bike should have a little more 'relaxed' geometry than a more race-oriented one, ie you will probably be a little less stretched out, a bit more upright and it should be a little less twitchy in the handling, much like a fast grand touring car vs a sports car.

The 'race' bike will be slightly quicker but possibly at the expense of some comfort, while the audax bike will probably have fittings for a rack and maybe panniers, should you wish to do some fast/ 'credit card'/ B&B touring at a later date.

Another, probably more important aspect, is the audax bike should have fittings for full mudguards, which can be very useful on longer-distance rides and could make a big difference on a LEJOG ! Race bikes can have mudguards fitted but they are not as robust as full mudguards.

 

[Alembicbassman]

Audax frames are often made of steel. Mine is Reynolds 525, Spa Cycles sell a really nice Reynolds 725 frame with carbon forks for £305, you can spec the bike to your own requirements with no compromises. Wider tyres are often found on Audax bikes, I use 25c some use 28c and some use wider if the stays allow. You'll also get long drop caliper brakes to allow fitting of mudguards Tourers tend to have cantilever or cable disc brakes. They run tyres over 32c generally.

This is a bargain if you're over 6ft, the 58cm model is just £360 and comes with a steel Reynolds 520 frame and has mounts for rack and guards.

http://www.winstanleysbikes.co.uk/product/37159/Ridgeback_Mercury_Bike_2011

Dawes make the Clubman Audax model with a triple chainset. Edinburgh Bicycle have the Revolution Audax with double chainset. Both have rack and guard mounts.

Giant make the aluminium Defy which is more race oriented but has mounts for a rack and skinny mudguards due to the short drop brake calipers.

 

[just jim]

I think the steel Spa Audax frame looks ideal for many jobs. I wish I had the spending cash and the space for one.
The latest CTC magazine review was nice an' positive.

 

[Risex4]

Thanks.

I guess as Im probably more interested in the distance thing than the outright speed thing (JOGLE isnt the only challange I've got my eye on), the audax option would be the more sensible option to go for, for flexibility if nothing else. And as I am upgrading from quite a heavy lump of an old hybrid, anything is going to be a step up in terms of speed!

I guess the ultra-lightweight carbon speed demon is going to have to be my present to myself for my midlife crisis.

 

[just jim]

Though I am wary of sounding like an advert, I do think the Spa frame looks great value - you get a headset to go with it too.

 

[martint235]

I've got a road bike lined up for LEL but it is titanium for some comfort. It's also set up with a large carradice bag on the back which I reckon can do me for 4 days of holiday (not taking much stuff on LEL). Longest distance on it so far is 230 miles in one hit and it was still comfortable but I'll be breaking that record in April.

 

[roadrash]

Giant make the aluminium Defy which is more race oriented but has mounts for a rack and skinny mudguards due to the short drop brake calipers.

and i just happen to know wheres theres one for sale
http://www.cyclechat.net/threads/2011-giant-defy-2.123674/

 

[Ian H]

I use a Ti fast touring style of frame for audax and, er, fast touring. Take the mudguards off and it looks much like a sportif frame. Rack mounts, three bottle mounts, steel forks.

 

[172traindriver]

I guess that I am fortunate to have a couple pf nice summer bikes along with a practical winter trainer. I often wondered about the comfort of a bike that was purely classed as race geometry. I took the plunge a couple of years ago and bought an AR series Felt which is really comfortable as well as being a quick bike.
I tend to do sportives on the Felt and never get off it feeling 'beaten up' at the end of the ride. Last year I did the 112 mile version of Flat Out In The Fens and apart from the 2 stops at the feed stations to fill bottles and empty the tank I didn't stop. I think that amounted to 6 minutes. I didn't suffer any discomfort apart from the effort that is required for that distance.
I know you read the reviews about how stiff a bike is etc, but I also wonder about some of these reviews because if you think about it pros have to sit on these things for 6 hours a day every day. Yes I know the job description states that, but if they were crippled how would they perform?
The best thing would be to find a good bike shop that lets you do test rides, and try different types of bikes to get a feel before you take the plunge.

 

[Ningishzidda]

When I did my 'how fast' LEJOG in 2005, I bought a Specialised SWorks Alum. I retrofitted a few parts to bring it to 16lb. The trip was a dream.

 

[Risex4]

When I did my 'how fast' LEJOG in 2005, I bought a Specialised SWorks Alum. I retrofitted a few parts to bring it to 16lb. The trip was a dream.

OOI, how fast was your "how fast"?

 

[Fab Foodie]

The steel Genesis Equilibrium and the perennial Condor Fratello are also good fast all-rounders for fast club runs to Audaxing.
Lookers too!
If I was buying 'one bike' then these would be my choices (within my budget).