Audax v Racier bikes?

samsbike

I am just curious, for the middle aged man spouting a gut of respectable proportions (me), aren't we as a group better off getting a more upright bike rather than something racier like a CAAD10? Dare I say it, a hybird with drops or something.

I say this because I bought a genesis equilibrium to ride on and it is a more relaxed ride apparently. But I was uncomfortable that I had to get a shorter stem with a much higher rise. Ideally I should have got something with a longer steerer tube/head tube (a Surly or Condor Fratello spring to mind).

I have also been riding it for about 6 months, commuting only and put up with aches and pains for a long time.

If I am honest I love the look of race bikes and while I would love a Supersix or something, I am just not sure it would work for me.

Its a bits like having a sports motorcycle, they are lovely to look at, but I have much more fun riding an upright naked than the sportsbike.

Hoopdriver

Obviously it depends what you like

I too am middle aged and very much prefer classic steel lightweight tourers - for the relaxed ride as well as the aesthetic appeal and, I suppose, since they are the styles of bicycles I grew up with and aspired to. I don't know if I am 'better off' because of my choices, but i certainly enjoy my rides, put in long miles without discomfort or strain and look forward to going out each morning.

Gizmo_

I guess it depends what you're trying to do. If you're just wanting to get out and about in the fresh air and speed isn't important at all, it makes sense to buy the most comfortable one.

Personally when I got my road bike I intended to get into cycling reasonable distances rather than racing, so it was a toss-up between the CAAD8 and the Synapse. However, the "less comfy" one of the two just felt a bit more 'alive' - and psychologically I like knowing that the greatest possible proportion of my effort is translating into efficient forward movement, so I went for the CAAD8. I've ridden 60-plus miles a few times now and it's fine - slight numbness in the undercarriage perhaps, but nothing a dose of Rule 5 and a rub down from the soigneuse can't solve.

chrisaonabike

Gizmo_ wrote:

...the "less comfy" one of the two just felt a bit more 'alive'

This is exactly how a couple of the bikes I test rode recently felt.

Specifically, an Allez Elite compared with the Secteur Elite - the Secteur was a bit more comfy, but the pleasure of riding the Allez was greater since it just felt more positive.

The carbon Defy 3 I ended up buying was similar to the Allez - a bit harder over the bumps than the Secteur, but noticeably more positive and enjoyable for that.

Longest ride on it is 38 miles so far, and already the comfort level is greater than the earlier rides that were a lot shorter.

Chris James

Not sure if you can easily distinguish between 'audax' and 'racier' bikes.

My 57cm Dawes Audax has a 57cm top tube and 110mm stem and deep (actually normal, but deep compared to modern compact) drop handlebars.

If anything most modern 'sportive' style fit bikes have shorter top tubes and longer head tubes than my Dawes!

samsbike

Chris James wrote:

Not sure if you can easily distinguish between 'audax' and 'racier' bikes.

My 57cm Dawes Audax has a 57cm top tube and 110mm stem and deep (actually normal, but deep compared to modern compact) drop handlebars.

If anything most modern 'sportive' style fit bikes have shorter top tubes and longer head tubes than my Dawes!

I was assuming that the audax bikes have longer head tubes and shorter top tubes, but could be wrong. I must confess to having more than a passing fancy to the huge steerer tube a guy at work has on his surly.

drlodge

samsbike wrote:

Chris James wrote:

Not sure if you can easily distinguish between 'audax' and 'racier' bikes.

My 57cm Dawes Audax has a 57cm top tube and 110mm stem and deep (actually normal, but deep compared to modern compact) drop handlebars.

If anything most modern 'sportive' style fit bikes have shorter top tubes and longer head tubes than my Dawes!

I was assuming that the audax bikes have longer head tubes and shorter top tubes, but could be wrong. I must confess to having more than a passing fancy to the huge steerer tube a guy at work has on his surly.

That's pretty much it. An "Audax" bike will have a "more relaxed" geometry. In practice this means one or more of the following:
- shallower seat/head tube angles
- shorter reach, so shorter top tube
- less drop between saddle and bars. Hence you might expect a longer head tube.