J
John Tomlinson
Guest
Its time to retire my 1970's vintage Claud Butler road bike to the status of pub bike[1]. From my
type and style of riding - mainly commuting with the occational audax ride - I have decided that I
need an audax type bike. I am looking to spend about £800.
Criteria in order of priority:
1) Short top tube - I have had some neck and shoulder problems over the years and my old Claud
Butler with a 54cm top tube (54cm seat tube C-top) has helped.
2) Dual pivot Caplier brakes rather than cantis. I know that Sheldon Brown says you can get good
stopping power from cantis, but I have been very impressed with the dual pivots I managed to fit
(using Sheldon's advice about drop bolts) on my current bike.
3) Campag ergo rather than Shimano STI. I am not keen all those cables flapping around.
4) Dynamo braze on.
The options so far are:
The new Thorn Brevet - yes I know this is STI rather than Ergo. but it does come in a short option.
The Geoffrey Butler Compact Audax as advertised on pg 15 of the Feb/March CTC rag. Comes with Veloce
group set for £749
The Centaur from Byercycles: http://www.byercycles.co.uk/bikeprice/09-R0902.html But the top tube is
a little long at 55.5cm
The Dawes Audax but I think this is far too long - I have yet to find out the top tube length.
What are the group opinions on these bikes and any others I have not thought of.
Of course I could go the expensive route and get a Roberts, but I have the feeling that spending
£1200+ on a bike will mean that I will not want to ride it. I might just want to keep it in the shed
and polish it occasionally.
John T.
[5] The rims/hubs are shot and it only has a 120mm OLN for the rear wheel I do not want to
expand that out to 130 for modern hubs as this is stretching it too far. No brazons for
bottle cages or racks.
Remove the singers of Spam before replying
type and style of riding - mainly commuting with the occational audax ride - I have decided that I
need an audax type bike. I am looking to spend about £800.
Criteria in order of priority:
1) Short top tube - I have had some neck and shoulder problems over the years and my old Claud
Butler with a 54cm top tube (54cm seat tube C-top) has helped.
2) Dual pivot Caplier brakes rather than cantis. I know that Sheldon Brown says you can get good
stopping power from cantis, but I have been very impressed with the dual pivots I managed to fit
(using Sheldon's advice about drop bolts) on my current bike.
3) Campag ergo rather than Shimano STI. I am not keen all those cables flapping around.
4) Dynamo braze on.
The options so far are:
The new Thorn Brevet - yes I know this is STI rather than Ergo. but it does come in a short option.
The Geoffrey Butler Compact Audax as advertised on pg 15 of the Feb/March CTC rag. Comes with Veloce
group set for £749
The Centaur from Byercycles: http://www.byercycles.co.uk/bikeprice/09-R0902.html But the top tube is
a little long at 55.5cm
The Dawes Audax but I think this is far too long - I have yet to find out the top tube length.
What are the group opinions on these bikes and any others I have not thought of.
Of course I could go the expensive route and get a Roberts, but I have the feeling that spending
£1200+ on a bike will mean that I will not want to ride it. I might just want to keep it in the shed
and polish it occasionally.
John T.
[5] The rims/hubs are shot and it only has a 120mm OLN for the rear wheel I do not want to
expand that out to 130 for modern hubs as this is stretching it too far. No brazons for
bottle cages or racks.
Remove the singers of Spam before replying
