Tourer or Audax ?

[Steve N]

I'm just getting back into cycling, for pleasure mainly and some fitness.

When I bought my first decent bike around 20 years ago I tried a Sports Trainer but found it rock hard and teeth rattling.
The guy in the shop recommended I try a Tourer. I did and found it really smooth, It was a Raleigh Royal with 531 tubing.

I now want to upgrade to something better with more modern parts and have a better budget now than then.

I assumed a tourer would be ideal again but I dont actually do true touring with heavy loads etc, more like fair weather cycling around 10 to 40 miles, though I may try and increase that as my fitness improves. The true Tourers I've seen do look a little tank like as they are obviously built to carry loads.

Would an Audax or even a Sportif suit me better?

Must be comfortable though, especially over longer distances, with some ability to absorb minor road bumps etc

 

[RedBike]

A lot depends upon your budget but it does sound as though you're after more of a audax / sportive bike.

If your budget allows I would have a look at a few carbon bikes like the Specialized Roubaix

 

[John the Monkey]

An Audax or "Sportive" makes sense if you don't intend on doing loaded touring.

Bear in mind that "Sportive" geometry tends to mean pretty tall headtubes & a fairly upright riding position that isn't everyone's cup of tea.

An audax bike should also take mudguards, and maybe slightly larger tyres. (Compliance in a frame is important, but you can get a fair bit of comfort from plush rubber too).

 

[Banjo]

I have a Scott Speedster which is probably aimed at the Sportive market. I find that the carbon fibre forks really soak up the road buzz and makes for a more comfortable ride.

The majority of my riding is similar to yours out on my own purely for the enjoyment of riding.

 

[MacB]

Have you still got your Raleigh Royal 531 tourer?, could be worth tarting that up

 

[jimboalee]

Have you still got your Raleigh Royal 531 tourer?, could be worth tarting that up

Don't "Tart it up". Keep it concours.

Go on a 100 Audax on a Raleigh Royal 531 and you'll get looks of admiration, and looks of jealousy.

 

[jimboalee]

Don't "Tart it up". Keep it concours.

Go on a 100 Audax on a Raleigh Royal 531 and you'll get looks of admiration, and looks of jealousy.

There. I've saved you a thousand quid. My fee is 10%.

 

[Scoosh]

I have a Condor Fratello, which is an 'audax' bike, also suitable for light touring. Steel frame, carbon forks - very smooth and comfy. I've done a 300km audax without any bike-induced pain .

Takes 700 x 28 tyres with full mudguards, rack for light touring, 2 x bottle cages - and I have a Brooks saddle .

I think this is the type of bike which would suit you - it's quick enough for day rides, can take light touring luggage, full mudguards and is comfortable enough for when you just want to keep going .... .


I haven't ridden a carbon bike, so cannot comment on their comfort/speed but I'm very happy with my Fratello - it does what I want to do on a bike.

 

[HLaB]

I haven't ridden a carbon bike, so cannot comment on their comfort/speed but I'm very happy with my Fratello - it does what I want to do on a bike.

My only experience of Steel was my old hybrid it would eat up the cobbles, whereas the (alu) sirrus feels like a bone shaker over cobbles but then again the steel hybrid had 32mm tyres and the sirrus 28mm (and latteraly 25mm) tyres. My carbon bike and scandium bike (with carbon forks/stays) don't feel that much different to the alu sirrus on comparable surfaces. Then again I do sometime get pin and needles in the hands on the alu bike where I don't on the other bikes but I put that down to the hoods (sora, compared to campi and 105)

 

[Fab Foodie]

Take a look at...

Condor Fratello
(Website's being rebuilt at the mo)


Genesis Equilibrium
http://www.genesisbikes.co.uk/bikes/road/equilibrium/equilibrium/overview/

Salsa Casseroll
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/-_-/5360042516/

Good steel bikes are a joy to ride, but I have to say, the price of steel bikes is shooting up somewhat!

 

[Royalrider]

As has already been mentioned a lot depends on your budget.
I was in exactly your situation and also have a 1980 Raleigh Royal 531. It is a lovely bike and has served me well and I will definately ride it again but as you will have discovered 'tarting it up' is a very expensive option. You are restricted to the friction changers, the five speed block, unless you go down the route of spreading the frame, the wheels/tyres are increasingly more difficult to find. I can confirm that a move to a more 'modern cycle' is like chalk and cheese.

My bike of choice was the van Nicholas Amazon. I know it is a lot of money but my 'man maths' and reason was that it will last a lifetime, the titanium frame never ages, doesn't rust, is a very forgiving comfortable frame to ride and will take you over any surface.
It can be set up as a tourer or stripped down and used as a fast audax style and I love it. It really is a Jack of both trades but arguably not the master of either. But unless you are going to buy two bikes!!!!!

My riding partner rides a Trek Madonne 5.2 and in the hands of a pro his bike would undoubtably be faster but for most and certainly us there is no perceptable difference and when we turn off the tarmac roads onto the cinder cycle trails I do not need to miss a beat.

 

[StuartG]

I have had a Dawes Galaxy tourer for 30 years and have just treated myself to a Condor Fratello. I love them both but if I had to lose one it would be the Galaxy. That extra sprightliness and sensitivity of the Fratello is a real joy.

I'm sure the Fratello would have a problem if I was carrying a tent or an extra couple of stone. But I don't. Now I'm far more interested in extending my speed and distance.

IMHO Audax style bikes are the ideal for the non-specialist weekend rider.