Club Racer

[Rob Green]

I've come back to cycling after a few years off the bike. I bought a Cannondale road bike from a
colleague who emigrated and I've been enjoying getting fit again. The Cannondale's a nice bike, but
it's not ideal for all the riding I want to do, so I've been looking around for something new. The
closest I've found is the Club Racer from Independent Fabrication:
http://64.227.152.248/frames2/steelclubracer.shtml Something that won't get me laughed at by the
chaingang, but that I can put mudguards on and tour with, or maybe ride the occasional Audax.

Fifteen years ago there were a lot of bikes like this on the market: sportier than an Audax
bike, but with room for fatter tyres. I don't see many similar bikes in the current ranges on
offer. The Club Racer would be perfect, but it's really a bit too much money, and I'd prefer
British if possible.

My criteria are:

Light, oversized steel frame, preferably welded. Clearance for 28mm tyres and mudguards. Calliper
brakes. Eyelets for a rear rack and mudguards, and possibly a front lowrider rack. Threadless fork.

I also like the straight 'power fork' of the Club Racer, but only as a visual choice.

Can anyone suggest a British frame or bike that would fit the bill? Should I think about going
custom? If so, who should I go to?

- RG

 

[Stephen Pridgeo]

"Rob Green" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:<[email protected]>...
> I've come back to cycling after a few years off the bike. I bought a Cannondale road bike from a
> colleague who emigrated and I've been enjoying getting fit again. The Cannondale's a nice bike,
> but it's not ideal for all the riding I want to do, so I've been looking around for something new.
> The closest I've found is the Club Racer from Independent Fabrication:
> http://64.227.152.248/frames2/steelclubracer.shtml Something that won't get me laughed at by the
> chaingang, but that I can put mudguards on and tour with, or maybe ride the occasional Audax.
>
> Fifteen years ago there were a lot of bikes like this on the market: sportier than an Audax bike,
> but with room for fatter tyres. I don't see many similar bikes in the current ranges on offer. The
> Club Racer would be perfect, but it's really a bit too much money, and I'd prefer British if
> possible.
>
> My criteria are:
>
> Light, oversized steel frame, preferably welded. Clearance for 28mm tyres and mudguards.
> Calliper brakes. Eyelets for a rear rack and mudguards, and possibly a front lowrider rack.
> Threadless fork.
>
> I also like the straight 'power fork' of the Club Racer, but only as a visual choice.
>
> Can anyone suggest a British frame or bike that would fit the bill? Should I think about going
> custom? If so, who should I go to?
>
> - RG

Ooooo, nice bike. C+ recently reviewed the Kaffenback from On-one favourably, you might want to look
at that. And the own name offerings from Ricci and Dave Hinde also get good reviews. HTH SteveP

 

[den911]

Originally posted by Rob Green
I've come back to cycling after a few years off the bike. I bought a Cannondale road bike from a
colleague who emigrated and I've been enjoying getting fit again. The Cannondale's a nice bike, but
it's not ideal for all the riding I want to do, so I've been looking around for something new. The
closest I've found is the Club Racer from Independent Fabrication:
http://64.227.152.248/frames2/steelclubracer.shtml Something that won't get me laughed at by the
chaingang, but that I can put mudguards on and tour with, or maybe ride the occasional Audax.

Fifteen years ago there were a lot of bikes like this on the market: sportier than an Audax
bike, but with room for fatter tyres. I don't see many similar bikes in the current ranges on
offer. The Club Racer would be perfect, but it's really a bit too much money, and I'd prefer
British if possible.

My criteria are:

Light, oversized steel frame, preferably welded. Clearance for 28mm tyres and mudguards. Calliper
brakes. Eyelets for a rear rack and mudguards, and possibly a front lowrider rack. Threadless fork.

I also like the straight 'power fork' of the Club Racer, but only as a visual choice.

Can anyone suggest a British frame or bike that would fit the bill? Should I think about going
custom? If so, who should I go to? its like lance armsrong once replied to a question rather simalar it is not the bike its the rider. any decent road bike would do . i am fit and 41 and can average 22 mph over 25 miles on at least 3 miles on 1/10 and do it on a scott a f d expert wich i paid £400 last years model the previuos years it was done on dawes scorpio

- RG

 

[Tritonrider]

>[email protected] (stephen pridgeon)

>Ooooo, nice bike. C+ recently reviewed the Kaffenback from On-one favourably, you might want
>to look at that. And the own name offerings from Ricci and Dave Hinde also get good reviews.
>HTH SteveP
>

I can definitely understand wanting to buy local/Brit, but the IF is one hell of a bike. It's a
fairly local company for me. Our club has a lot of their bikes due to their quality and customer
service. They are pricey, but the steel ones are incredibly solid. Just my $0.02 Bill C