Brucey wrote:I would broadly agree with the sentiments above. However finding a good used Thorn Audax bike in your size is a bit of a challenge; whilst I'd sooner have one of those than (say) the Triban I suggested upthread, I reckon the Triban will do the job almost as well, the difference being that you will get a new bike in the size of your choice with a warranty etc for about the same money.
cheers
You surprise me.
Do you really think a Triban frameset is in the same ballpark(Freddie alert
)as a Thorn Audax Mk3(TA3)?
I'd say nowhere near,not even in the same universe let alone near the same class.
I've owned and ridden a good few thousand miles on a TA3 and the same on an Aeron(cheaper end Alu frame standard CF fork and regarded as quite a good winter trainer),having owned them both at the same time was able to compare the two back to back(another Freddie alert
)absolutely no comparison in ride quality.
There's a negative comment about 40mm tyres by ElaineB,which is unjustified IME.
I've posted on here before about how close in time I've ridden 37c(35mm actual)on the Vaya,compared with 28mm tyres on my TA Mk3,and whilst the Thorn was without doubt a comfortable bike,having ridden many century on it,the Vaya/35mm Hypers was far and away more comfortable and within 1mph of the Thorn on various test rides.
The Aeron didn't come close to either.
Indeed it was the lack of use of the TA MK3 after buying the Vaya that caused me to sell it and buy another Vaya.
To also compared the Vaya to another similar bike,Kona Dew Drop,Alu frame steel fork*,run on Hypers(in fact same wheels out of the Vaya,and same gearing),which again was found lacking,though the Kona was comfy,once over 60 or 70 miles the difference was felt(harsh) compared to the Vaya.
I don't want to paint any of the three bikes,TA3,Aeron or Kona,as bad bikes,they're not,it's just that the Vaya is much better in ever respect IME and considered POV.
* I ran the Kona on the stock P2 forks and a pair of LHT forks which were bought for their extra clearance for up to 42mm(actual size) tyres as the P2's were a bit tight with 35mm actual size tyres and m/guards.