Spa cycles Steel Audax - Advice required, has anyone got one?

[DanZac]

Hi knowledgeable fellow cyclists. I got knocked of today by a nice lady turning right, straight across me. whilst I'm OK my trusty, and much abused second bikes taken a bit of a battering (well a lot really) so I'm on the lookout for a replacement. I've already got a steel framed tourer that I use as a favoured ride for plodding out the miles at the weekends as its comfy and fast enough for my needs (plus carried all the touring gear as required). However I don't really need another full on tourer (I've got a bit of a 2 centre life going on so need 2 bikes) but I do knock out some fairly big miles on a regular basis and quite like the look of the Spa Cycles Steel Audax.

http://www.spacycles.co.uk/products.php?plid=m1b0s21p2827

So the big question are has anyone got one? what do you think of it? and can anyone give me any sensible alternatives around that price point. I don't really want a full on race frame and would prefer a bit more of a relaxed ride (geometry). I'm thinking of having a day out and making the trip up to Harrogate for a look see but it's a long way for a wasted trip.

Many thanks guys.

 

[outlash]

Does it need to be Steel?

I've been looking at something similar and I've discounted the Spa because I want disc brakes and the frame or forks don't have the mounts for them. I've been looking at the Genesis Equilibrium or the Condor Fratello, both are a bit more expensive though unfortunately.

Tony

 

[totallyfixed]

Hi knowledgeable fellow cyclists. I got knocked of today by a nice lady turning right, straight across me. whilst I'm OK my trusty, and much abused second bikes taken a bit of a battering (well a lot really) so I'm on the lookout for a replacement. I've already got a steel framed tourer that I use as a favoured ride for plodding out the miles at the weekends as its comfy and fast enough for my needs (plus carried all the touring gear as required). However I don't really need another full on tourer (I've got a bit of a 2 centre life going on so need 2 bikes) but I do knock out some fairly big miles on a regular basis and quite like the look of the Spa Cycles Steel Audax.

http://www.spacycles.co.uk/products.php?plid=m1b0s21p2827

So the big question are has anyone got one? what do you think of it? and can anyone give me any sensible alternatives around that price point. I don't really want a full on race frame and would prefer a bit more of a relaxed ride (geometry). I'm thinking of having a day out and making the trip up to Harrogate for a look see but it's a long way for a wasted trip.

Many thanks guys.

Yes I have one, it has done 2 tours so far and is a very smooth comfortable ride, possibly the "quietest" bike I have ever ridden, on my recommendation another CC'er got one and prefers to ride that over the Cannondale they have. Terrific value.

 

[raleighnut]

I was looking at one of those or the Mercian Audax as my N+1 up until my fall (the savings I had went on the trike) couldn't decide between the 2 but my plan was to buy a frame only as I have most of the components either in the shed or currently fitted to another one of my bikes (I tend to swap bits from one frame to another and the 531 Raleigh has got a medium cage 105 rear mech that it doesn't really need now it has only got a double front ring and there is an Ultegra triple sat under the bench. )
The Mercian is well worth a look though.

 

[DanZac]

Many thanks all for the swift responses, your advice is much appreciated.
@outlash - No it doesn't have to be steel, but I quite like the look of the steel framed bikes and like the slightly softer ride they tend to give. that said though I do like the look of the Genesis bikes but like you say they are a little out of my price range, although I could just stop being tight and go for it, defiantly food for thought.
@raleighnut - As for the Mercian range, they are truly stunning creations and if money was no object a definite first choice, unfortunately no matter how far I try to stretch things I think they are a little out of my league (mind you I get a bit of a lump sum from my pension in a few years so one for the future I think).
@totallyfixed - Many thanks, I think a little day out will have to be in order.

 

[Dogtrousers]

I have one and I love it.


I use if for rides in the 100km-100miles range at gentle speeds. So not a super distance audaxer, but long enough. I'm over 90kg so the bike has to contend with some bashing.

Spa have been great do deal with. I spent a full morning there talking about and riding bikes round a short (a few km) route suggested at the shop, before choosing. I could have spent all day. They've been very responsive to my contact since, answering my questions - both sensible and utterly dumb - promptly.

The only problem has been the SRAM Apex groupset. The BB seized after less than 3000km. I replaced it, but the whole transmission needed replacement not long after that - worn out. Now, this latter may be largely my fault, I hadn't detected and replaced a stretched chain, and although I had cleaned it after every ride my faith in my cleaning methods has been shaken - as has my faith in SRAM components. But there are tons of happy SRAM customers out there, so don't necessarily take this too seriously.

It now has a 105 chainset, new chain and cassette and jockey wheels (gear mechs are still fine)

The original saddle (called a "passport navigator") was really quite comfortable, although I've now put a Brooks B17 on there.

The original brake pads on the Miche brakes were nasty and I replaced them almost immediately.

Edit to add: If you choose to run 28mm tyres, there is still clearance, just. But it's possible (easy in fact) to get stones etc stuck between tyre and guard, and the front clogs with mud very easily. I'd recommend 25s.

 

[raleighnut]

Lo

I have one and I love it.


I use if for rides in the 100km-100miles range at gentle speeds. So not a super distance audaxer, but long enough. I'm over 90kg so the bike has to contend with some bashing.

Spa have been great do deal with. I spent a full morning there talking about and riding bikes round a short (a few km) route suggested at the shop, before choosing. I could have spent all day. They've been very responsive to my contact since, answering my questions - both sensible and utterly dumb - promptly.

The only problem has been the SRAM Apex groupset. The BB seized after less than 3000km. I replaced it, but the whole transmission needed replacement not long after that - worn out. Now, this latter may be largely my fault, I hadn't detected and replaced a stretched chain, and although I had cleaned it after every ride my faith in my cleaning methods has been shaken - as has my faith in SRAM components. But there are tons of happy SRAM customers out there, so don't necessarily take this too seriously.

It now has a 105 chainset, new chain and cassette.

The original saddle (called a "passport navigator") was really quite comfortable, although I've now put a Brooks B17 on there.

The original brake pads on the Miche brakes were nasty and I replaced them almost immediately.

Lovely bike, pretty much what I was planning on building up.

 

[Dogtrousers]

Lo

Lovely bike, pretty much what I was planning on building up.

About a year before buying I resolved to build one. However, when it didn't magically materialise in my garage after several months I realised that a whole bike purchase was going to be required.

 

[raleighnut]

About a year before buying I resolved to build one. However, when it didn't magically materialise in my garage after several months I realised that a whole bike purchase was going to be required.

Like I posted earlier I've got most of the bits needed lurking in the shed to put onto a nice frame but then ended up spending just shy of a grand on the trike and electric wheel kit.

 

[TeeShot]

Yup I've got one, bought second hand a few weeks ago.

As an earlier poster said, "it's the quietest bike I've ever been on", I'm glad it not just me !!

Highly recommended.

Mike

 

[DanZac]

Thank you all for your responses. I've stuck a days leave in for tomorrow and I'm heading up to Spa cycles for a proper look at the beast in the flesh.
I will report back once I've made a final decision, but in light of my earlier thoughts and your favourable reviews I think my minds pretty well made up.

 

[DanZac]

Well that was a pretty easy decision to make. Amazingly rideable bike that just felt right. Brilliant customer services with knowledgable helpful staff from Spa cycles.
Just got 2 / 3 week impatient wait now whilst they build my new toy. Can't wait!
Thanks to everyone whos contributed to this thread and helped me my decision a lot easier.

 

[Dogtrousers]

Just to taunt you, here's another pic of mine

 

[totallyfixed]

And another in touring mode, this one taken in The Netherlands. Not sure what @Dogtrousers meant by not a super distance audaxer? This is better than my last audax bike which was a Thorn Brevet and I did a few 400km rides on that one with no problem.

 

[Dogtrousers]

I meant that I'm not a super distance audaxer. I'm sure my bike would love to do bigger distances, but it would need to find another rider!