Building Titanium Audax Bike

[531colin]

"Stereotyping?"
I have picked up on one thing, the seat tube angle.
If you are on triathlon bars, then you can't pull up on the bars, so having the saddle forward means you can push against the weight on your hands, and it helps for an "aero" position.
If you are having a day in the hills, you don't want weight on your hands, because you need to be able to distribute your weight between the contact points on a rough surface......the bike moves "like a rocking horse" underneath you.

[Bonefishblues]

"Stereotyping?"
I have picked up on one thing, the seat tube angle.
If you are on triathlon bars, then you can't pull up on the bars, so having the saddle forward means you can push against the weight on your hands, and it helps for an "aero" position.
If you are having a day in the hills, you don't want weight on your hands, because you need to be able to distribute your weight between the contact points on a rough surface......the bike moves "like a rocking horse" underneath you.

Colin, I think Gloomyandy has correctly surmised that my post was in response to his, just above, not yours, but happy to confirm.

[Bonefishblues]

My tongue was very much in my cheek with the target market comments.

Before my knees started giving me problems I was very much a climber and occasional mountaineer, as such I've known about Alpkit for a fair time and have been a happy customer of theirs several times over the years. Now my main interest is cycling (in many forms including touring/TT/ and general just riding about with good friends in a club), so I was very interested to see that Alpkit has moved in this direction. Hence my recommendation on this thread!

You do have to admit though that the image that Alpkit presents is very different to that of say Spa. I've found both excellent to deal with over a number of years, and long may they both continue!

Indeed. They both offer alternative routes to eternal youth

[Heltor Chasca]

Thanks for your earlier post on seat angles Colin. So the angle of the seat tube affects reach? The smaller the angle the longer the top tube and therefore reach?

Sorry Csantos (OP) for partially hijacking your thread. But I'm genuinely interested as I've just started Audax. For now I'm doing the events on my Surly DT but I'm keen to learn about other options.

What do you and other experienced Audaxers think of aluminium or carbon bikes? (Like the Cube Attain which comes in both materials)

[Csantos]

Thanks for your earlier post on seat angles Colin. So the angle of the seat tube affects reach? The smaller the angle the longer the top tube and therefore reach?

Sorry Csantos (OP) for partially hijacking your thread. But I'm genuinely interested as I've just started Audax. For now I'm doing the events on my Surly DT but I'm keen to learn about other options.

No problem at all. I am finding this geometry debate quite interesting, and will be very helpful for choosing the right frame. I am doing a proper bike fit this week, and this has already given me some stuff to think about.

[531colin]

.........No problem at all. I am finding this geometry debate quite interesting, and will be very helpful for choosing the right frame. I am doing a proper bike fit this week, and this has already given me some stuff to think about.

This is free (and easy)(....http://wheel-easy.org.uk/uploads/documents/Bike%20Set%20Up%202017a.pdf

[Csantos]

Quite interesting.

The bike fit I am doing is not free, but I do not think it is particularly expensive either. I have heard of people paying £200 plus for a bike fit, this one will be €80. It is done by academics, who specialize in performance enhancing for pro athletes, and these bike fits ar also a way of them getting useful data for their research, I suppose.

[531colin]

Quite interesting.

The bike fit I am doing is not free, but I do not think it is particularly expensive either. I have heard of people paying £200 plus for a bike fit, this one will be €80. It is done by academics, who specialize in performance enhancing for pro athletes, and these bike fits ar also a way of them getting useful data for their research, I suppose.

PBP needs a riding position thats comfortable day and night. (and, for example, won't result in over-extending your knees when you are exhausted). I'm not sure thats the same as a position that gives (for example) maximum wattage in a gym test.

[Heltor Chasca]

.........No problem at all. I am finding this geometry debate quite interesting, and will be very helpful for choosing the right frame. I am doing a proper bike fit this week, and this has already given me some stuff to think about.

This is free (and easy)(....http://wheel-easy.org.uk/uploads/documents/Bike%20Set%20Up%202017a.pdf

I've just had a play thanks to this Colin. I recon my saddle is anywhere between 3-5mm too high. It doesn't sound much, but I'm thinking I've got too much weight on my hands. The last century I did, I was left with aching firearms, which I thought was from lots of descents and loads of braking. And although I've got lots of upper body strength from chucking chainsaws about all day, I think this could do with sorting. I also guess my power could improve.

[531colin]

It still sounds odd to me, but i'm driven to change my saddle height when I change from shoes to boots. i guess the sole might be 3mm different thickness.

.......... aching firearms............. ...........

(Sorry )......saddle setback is about balance on the bike. Mark your saddle rails, then try it 5mm further back, then (maybe) 10mm..
you should feel the weight come off your hands, so that you are pulling on the bars (hoods) for anything like an effort.

[PH]

The last century I did, I was left with aching firearms, which I thought was from lots of descents and loads of braking.

Also consider that it might have nothing to do with the bike fit.
As you get tiered you're likely to get lazy, easy to forget all those things you know about changing position, staying relaxed, spinning rather than stomping... There comes a point on some long rides where I have to keep constantly reminding myself to ride well and I suffer from it if I don't.

[Heltor Chasca]

Good point PH. Reason no. 41 for accidents with chainsaws etc too.

Now I know why Csantos is plumping for a lighter Audax bike. I can't deny that I'm not a little green-eyed when I see lighter, quicker bikes pootling along with apparent ease in comparison to my heavy duty tourer. It'll be interesting to hear what build you come up with Csantos.

[Csantos]

That is the intention, go light without compromising reliability or comfort. I am on the light side myself (70 kg), so I will not need very large tyres, or heavy and resistant frames.

This is how it currently looks (some of the stuff is parts that I have lying around, some I am planning on buying in promotions/sales that I have found online):

Frame Enigma Etape Disc
Fork Enigma C-Six Carbon Disc Fork
Rear Derailleur Ultegra Rear Derailleur RD-6700-A GS grey
Crankset Shimano FC - R565 Compact, Hyperdrive 50 x 34 T Black
Front Derailleur Shimano Ultegra FD-6700G
Chain SRAM 1071
Cassette Shimano TIAGRA CS-4600, 12-30 T
Bottom Bracket Shimano Dura Ace BB-R9100
Shifters Shimano Ultegra ST-6700
Handlebars Enigma Compact 6061 O/S Handlebars
Headset Enigma
Seatpost Van Nicholas Titanium Seatpost
Stem Enigma 3D Forged Stem
Saddle Brooks Swallow
Brakes Avid BB7 SL
Wheelset Shimano RX31
Tyres Continental GP4000S 700x28

[Heltor Chasca]

^ Very nice and I like the components (as little as I know) Colour code the fork and bar tape for extra swankiness. [emoji41]

[Csantos]

Fork will be black (I think it is the only color available).

Bar tape will be "honey", like the brooks saddle. Thought of making something a bit different than the traditional titanium frame + black tape/seat.

However, I wont be using Brooks tape, it is just too expensive for what it is. I have previously used a leather tape from a company in Barcelona called Finna, which is as good (if not better) than the Brooks, at less than half the price, and comes with chrome end plugs.