Cycling UK Forum

A work colleague is taking advantage of the Cycle to Work Scheme. His requirements appeared to be simple at first glance and he asked me to assist in the search for a road bike, audax/fast tourer type. He is prepared to go to the £1000 limit imposed by the scheme.

Despite my reasonable knowledge of what bikes are available, I am unable to advise him as to what would be a reasonable purchase. We have looked at Genesis, Dawes, Thorn, Trek etc, but have been unsuccessful. We know you can fit race blade type guards, but he wants proper guards on a reasonably light bike.

Has anyone a recommendation?

Thank you.

Rod Bridgett

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=26673
Tifosi CK7. This one's with Shimano stuff, but you can get it with Campagnolo stuff. I bought the frame only, and haven't finished building it yet so I can't say owt for how good it is, but I can say with all the components on it IS reasonably light.

Giant SCR? What size tyres does he want to be able to fit (with 'grds)?

I have persuaded him that 25mm tyres would be adequate for the road/Sustrans type rail/cinder track that he proposes to ride. Rod Bridgett.

I can recommend the Dawes Audax - might have to check if 25 tyres AND mudguards can be fitted at the same time

I run 23s - I know it struggles a bit on the back for clearance with the mudguard stay (i.e 37s WONT fit)
No probs on the front which is where you could run a cyclocross tyre (Michelin Mud 2) if he's going to be on a lot of loose stuff.

It's steel - around 12.5 kgs and a lifetime frame warranty when I got mine (2006)

Front and rear rack bosses too - mudguards come as standard.

Mine works hard for a living (30 miles a day all year round) and only the ISIS bottom bracket gave up so far (and ISIS BBs all do that Sir - apparently)
Paint is tough.

They are a bit long in the top tube so check the reach - better to go down a size and fit a longer seat post - it's a standard geometry frame (i.e. horizontal top tube)

It would leave a reasonable amount for lights/hi viz/ panniers etc on the Bike to Work Scheme.

You could also check out the Scott Speedsters - although only the flat bar version takes mudguards for some reason!

Cheers
Cookie

A friend of mine has a ribble winter/audax bike, don't think he has too many problems with it.

http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/

Cheers,

Matt

Trek entry level road bikes have clearance for mudguards.

Trek 1.2, for instance.

Gazza

First reaction was to say go for anything marked audax, which usually means a road frame with guard fittings but I notice he rides mixed terrain, Sustrans, cinder track and so on. Has he considered a traditional tourer? They don't have to be festooned with racks but will take guards and up to 35mm tyres and will make rough going a lot more practical.

Some are just audax style bikes with more tyre clearance (which many real audax riders prefer).

Thank you for all the replies and the time you spent on them. I think I have found what I considered to be the most suitable complete bike for the £1000 Bike to work scheme limit.

It is a Giant Defy 1 from Edinburgh Bike Cooperative at £974, 105 throughout, mudguard eyelets and clearance, 25mm tyres and weighing only 19lbs without the pedals. Not a bad looking bike.

Thanks again for all the comments.

Rod Bridgett

Nice looking bike and Giants are invariably good VFM IMO/E, but sure wouldn't be my weapon of choice for two out of three of " road/Sustrans type rail/cinder track"!

Before your mate splashes out on any old mudguards, be aware that the only ones that will fit are those made by Giant - specifically for that model. They are similar to SKS guards but have a cut out & bridge to clear the brakes, which are standard reach items.

A mate at work has ordered one of these too, some great parts on there

Thank you to Swizz69 for the tip about the mudguards. That was well worth knowing and is not someting I would have thought about.

Rod Bridgett