Which fast tourer?
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- Posts: 5
- Joined: 5 Oct 2008, 9:31pm
- Location: Cambridge
Which fast tourer?
I am after a lightweight fast touring bike for commuting, day rides and occasional triathlons - one bike, many uses. I have my eye on a Ridgeback Horizon or a Dawes Audax and have a budget of up to about £700. Does anyone have any recommendations for these (or any other models). The Ridgeback has an 8 speed gear block and the Dawes a 10 speed. Any advantage of either of these - 10 seems a big range for a block.
Thanks
Thanks
Re: Which fast tourer?
bonytony1966 wrote:I am after a lightweight fast touring bike for commuting, day rides and occasional triathlons - one bike, many uses. I have my eye on a Ridgeback Horizon or a Dawes Audax and have a budget of up to about £700. Does anyone have any recommendations for these (or any other models). The Ridgeback has an 8 speed gear block and the Dawes a 10 speed. Any advantage of either of these - 10 seems a big range for a block.
Thanks
Look at Thorn Club Tour.
John.
8 speed has much cheaper chains.
PC 48 chains £6 each. How much is a decent 10 speed chain?
On the other hand how long before you can no longer buy decent components for 8 speed systems?
You could get a fantastic second hand lightweight tourer for that money.
Lots of people buy top quality stuff before finding they dont really want to be a cyclist afterall.
PC 48 chains £6 each. How much is a decent 10 speed chain?
On the other hand how long before you can no longer buy decent components for 8 speed systems?
You could get a fantastic second hand lightweight tourer for that money.
Lots of people buy top quality stuff before finding they dont really want to be a cyclist afterall.
Yma o Hyd
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- Posts: 5
- Joined: 5 Oct 2008, 9:31pm
- Location: Cambridge
Lots of people buy top quality stuff before finding they dont really want to be a cyclist afterall.
Been riding daily for about 15 years so I have an inkling I might be a cyclist!
Don't wish to sound like an impudent newbie - I welcome any advice. I'm quite keen to take advantage of the 'Cycle to work scheme' to get a new bike tax, NI and VAT free through my payroll - could save about 40% of the 'new' price.
Ok heres a way to get a really good new lightweight tourer:-
Buy the Thorn Audax Mk3 frame and fork only package from SJS cycles.
Go LBS buy a Tiagra groupset without hubs and a finishing kit ie 'bars &stem,saddle, pedals, 'guards,
Ask LBS to build a pair of wheels with good rims (drc or similar) and Ultegra hubs,good quality tyres and tubes.
I think if you shop around and build it yourself(quite enjoyable)or check the 'net you'll have a very good bike(contrary to JWarners' thoughts on the matter)for around your budget price.
Buy the Thorn Audax Mk3 frame and fork only package from SJS cycles.
Go LBS buy a Tiagra groupset without hubs and a finishing kit ie 'bars &stem,saddle, pedals, 'guards,
Ask LBS to build a pair of wheels with good rims (drc or similar) and Ultegra hubs,good quality tyres and tubes.
I think if you shop around and build it yourself(quite enjoyable)or check the 'net you'll have a very good bike(contrary to JWarners' thoughts on the matter)for around your budget price.
Seconded. If you shop around you could build a Thorn Mk3 up for less than their standard build prices. You can save even more if you're able to pick up second hand parts (as I did). That way you'll end up with exactly the build you're looking for.
Back to comparing the original two options. The Ridgeback has a triple chainset whereas the Dawes Audax Sport and Audax Supreme only have double.
I see that Spa Cycles have the old model Dawes Audax for £650.00 That's a good price for a well specified bike with Reynold 631 frame and triple chainset and could be a good deal if the size suits you.
Back to comparing the original two options. The Ridgeback has a triple chainset whereas the Dawes Audax Sport and Audax Supreme only have double.
I see that Spa Cycles have the old model Dawes Audax for £650.00 That's a good price for a well specified bike with Reynold 631 frame and triple chainset and could be a good deal if the size suits you.
tb wrote:pk wrote:Have a look at the Specialized Tricross sport
I would second this.
A friend of mine bought a nearly new one of eBay for £300 and I was very impressed.
Nice frame / forks, decent groupset, well assembled and very light too.
Until the 2008 version there were issues wrt fork judder under heavy breaking (canti brakes), 2008 on they have min V & No issues wrt judder.
You friend's cheap one may have been one of the earlier versions that the owner did not get on with.
I would rate mine 9.5/10 & it only loses the 0.5 because the mini-V means you have to deflate the tyre to remove the wheel! Other than that it does what it says on the tin: Road, track, trail, towpath, really muddy and grotty stuff on trails on the north Downs, club runs, sportive (one so far, more to follow next year)
Can thoroughly recommend the Tifosi CK7 (audax) frameset from chicken cycles.
http://www.chickencycles.co.uk/tifosi/
a really nice ride for under £200, put on whichever groupset you can afford or complete bike for about £800
http://www.chickencycles.co.uk/tifosi/
a really nice ride for under £200, put on whichever groupset you can afford or complete bike for about £800