VN Yukon or Euros

verylonglegs

Hi,

I am in the postion of buying a new bike to replace my current ride which is a 10yr old Peugeot alu racing bike. Apart from buying just to upgrade to something more modern I'm mainly buying to get a bike that is more comfortable on the poor quality road surfaces that now seem prevalent (either that or I'm just getting old!) It has got to the point where the harsh ride of my current bike has badly affected my enthusiasm to go out for a ride.

I am pretty much settled on a Ti framed bike from Van Nicholas but am uncertain whether the Yukon or Euros would fulfil my needs best. I ride pre-dominantly for fitness reasons and whilst I am looking for increased comfort on the bike I would still be looking to do the occasional intensive interval training ride. I usually do about 35-50 miles. Would the Yukon as an audax bike be a step too far towards a more comfortable ride or is pretty much the same as the Euros but with the added extra of clearance for mudguards?

Thanks in advance for any help.

Slow Downcp

I think the main difference is the mudguard clearance - I think the weight is similar on both frames. If it's your only bike, it depends whether you'll use it in the wet, and if so whether you're happy to have a wet ar5e.

You could get the Euros and fit raceblades on wet days.

topdude

Hi, i have the Euros, i bought the frame and forks from Fatbirds and built it up with Shimano kit and handbuilt wheels. It is a great ride and very comfortable (helped by the more forgiving wheels and Conti 4000s tyres). It has a race geometry but not too agressive so it suits me.
The Yukon looks more laid back with longer wheelbase and slacker angles and mudguard clearance as mentioned above.
Looks like the Euros suits your requirements, why not test ride them both

verylonglegs

Thanks for the input.

I did visit Fatbirds last week and they seemed to be pointing me in the direction of the Yukon but I wasn't entirely sure on the reasoning as I'm not overly-concerned about having the ability to fit mudguards to it so it made me wonder how different the rides are. Maybe I over-stated how much I have had enough of the stiff ride from my current bike, I want something softer but would like to keep some of the racing bike feel. The Euros is a cheaper frame which means I could spend more on wheels etc. and looks better (to my eye anyway) which is why I wanted to absolutely sure before dismissing it.

I think the suggestion of a test ride is the only course of action so will get in touch with them and arrange another visit.

emerywd

I recently purchased the Euros frame and transferred my Dura-Ace gruppo and Aksium wheels from an Ally Focus Izalco.

I bought the Euros as second bike and wanted something more comfortable than my Focus or Cervelo. I've just returned from two weeks in Morocco, doing lots of miles per day on a variety of roads. From dirt tracks, to sweeping hair pins and fast descents 80k descents, the bike was fantastically comfortable, even on days covering 75miles upwards.

I had a similar dilemma when purchasing the frame, but considered the Yukon or Amazon so I could have a go a cyclo-cross this winter. The only downside I can think of with the Euros, is that I need another cyclo-cross bike!

I got the frame from Cyclesense, mail-order for 599 including FSA headset and Reynolds forks. ordered it on sunday, arrived tuesday.

All in all, I'm a very happy punter.

ps I can also recommend the SDG Forumula FX saddle and post. Quite easily the comfiest saddle I've tried, weighs nothing in the i-beam option and is total bargain from Wiggle. Look great with the Euros frame in white, with white bar tape!

TomBombadil

Hi,

I have the Yukon (From Fatbirds) with a chorus groupset and really love this bike. I have had it for two years and it is my alround and winter trainer. I thought I would put mudguards on but after a short while took them off and now always wish that I had chosen the Euros!

The titanium frame looks great after two years and a mudguard that fits to the seat post can be put on and taken off in a couple of minutes. I think the Yukon is worth chosing if you want to put a rack on or you really do love your mudguards and are touring - but the bike looks better without them.

Tom

verylonglegs

Well seems I'm not the only one to have had this dilema then. It does seem there is a slight overlap in their product range because for those who want mudguards and carriers then you'd buy the amazon surely? I'm leaning towards the Euros even more now after your replies, better sort out that test ride!

toontra

verylonglegs wrote:

Well seems I'm not the only one to have had this dilema then. It does seem there is a slight overlap in their product range because for those who want mudguards and carriers then you'd buy the amazon surely?

Not really. The Amazon is a full-on heavy-duty tourer. The Yukon (which I have and am delighted with BTW) is a fast tourer/Audax style bike, where you need a rack but want to go as far, as fast and as comfortably as possible.

paul_smith_srcc

verylonglegs wrote:

Well seems I'm not the only one to have had this dilema then. It does seem there is a slight overlap in their product range because for those who want mudguards and carriers then you'd buy the amazon surely? I'm leaning towards the Euros even more now after your replies, better sort out that test ride!

I wrote a review of my Yukon here that may be of interest, it‘s ideal for Lightweight touring or fast day rides, as 'toontra' has mentioned, the Amazon is more of a heavy duty version that can take larger tyres and a more robust set up if need be, 135mm rear hub for example, normally bought by those wanting a multi role bike or by those who just prefer or want something with a more robust set up, larger riders like the Amazon, often those who have been used to traditional tourers will chose one as they are more familiar with a bike set up along those lines with larger tyres and V Brakes or Canti's.

The Euros has closer clearances and will look and feel closer to a full on race bike when compaired to the Yukon, if you don’t want to fit guards or carry luggage the Euros would be worth considering. The Yukon has a slighter shallower head angle to aid stability when loaded and reduce toe overlap, this means that it will not feel quite as lively for out of the saddle effort, although close it will never feel quite as quick as the Euros.

By way of a comparison as you can see above I have a Yukon for long day rides and light touring, the bike I save for the occasional race as well as sunny days when I am feeling a bit frisky in the speed department is a Chinook, which in fairness translates to a purchase out of a seldom slip into me being indulgent, my last race bike lasted thirty years, so I thought it was about time had another.

Paul_Smith