Dawes Clubman Audax - Updated

philclubman

My Dawes Clubman

Oct 14: New saddle, seatpost and stem.

The stem is still work in progress, but the Planet X saddle is great and the new seatpost looks much nicer than the old one.





May 2014: A few updates for the summer.

I've made a few changes since I posted on here so thought I'd post an update.

Gone is the FSA chainset for a much sleeker looking Shimano 6600, I've added some 105 pedals and changed the shifters to 105 too (now a 10 speed drive train).

Mudguards are off for the moment and I swap in some nice summer wheels for the weekends. The Excellights get used for commuting duties.

I did my first TT at bexley last week and managed a 26:22 which I don't think is too shabby.





June 2013: Finally had some time to give her a good clean and the light was nice so thought I'd get the camera out too.

I bought the bike as my first 'proper' road bike about a year ago. I needed something with full length mudguards and rack mounts and wanted steel. I looked at Planet X Kaffenback, Condor Fratello, Hewitt Chiltern amoungst others, but found this as a cheaper alternative.

I've since changed a few bits, mainly stuff from my parts box and cheap bits like saddle and rear derauilleur from ebay. The most significant change is the wheels which are Ambrosio Excellight on Shimano 105 hubs - special offer from Planet X. The tyres are Challenge Open Forte which are lovely, much nicer than the Michelin Pro 3s they replaced.

Hope you like.

declan1

Classy bike and classy pics! Looks great.

ctc

Good Pics!
..and I like the bike - but then I would. I like mine too!

Yossie

I actually only opened this thread to be nosey and expected some pile of junk which I'd laugh at but that's really really nice - top stuff.

philclubman

Thanks guys. It's a great all round bike - perfect for commuting and getting my daughter to nursery as well as club runs. I might even do my local 10 mile TT on it this year.

Declan - I really like your BSA. Nice photography too.

CTC - how are you finding yours? Have you changed many bits? I'm deciding what to buy next. Maybe some leather bar tape.

Yossie - not sure how to take that! Sounds like a compliment?!

neilrobins

At the risk of being flamed, how closely related are the Raleigh and Dawes clubman bikes? I sat astride the Raleigh and it was a handsome beast, the Dawes looks very similar.
I guess it is a comfy ride.

JohnnyV111

Proper photos do justice to a lovely bike.

Yossie

Yossie - not sure how to take that! Sounds like a compliment?!

Yup - 100% compliment. Its really nice - top stuff.

logitech208

Like that a lot.

ctc

Hi PhilClubman

I've got the 2011 Century SE, so just a different groupset.

Over the years I've changed wheels, bars, saddle. Saddle and bars to my own liking (the Ritchey Classic look good, and I wanted a 44cm) and the wheels and tyres to some 105 hubs with open pros. Tyres are the Conti Grand Prixs.

philclubman

neilrobins wrote:

At the risk of being flamed, how closely related are the Raleigh and Dawes clubman bikes? I sat astride the Raleigh and it was a handsome beast, the Dawes looks very similar.
I guess it is a comfy ride.

Why would you get flamed for asking that?

I've only seen pictures of the Raleigh, but it looks really nice. They're both steel, take full length guards and a rack and have a lovely 'retro' style. The Dawes has carbon forks which look slightly racier than the Raleigh.

Are you thinking of buying the Raleigh? Make sure you post some pics if you do - as you say it is a handsome looking bike.

Paul 8v

Really nice bike and great pics, I wish my pics came out like that!

FocusZing

Great photos, great practical looking bike.

greasedscotsman

philclubman

Thanks guys. Photography is my second hobby after cycling. It's nice to combine the two.

MiddleRinger

Super stylish and an absolute stunner. Actually I think I am in love!

I could quite happily ride away on that for the next 50 years.............

RideOnTime

Yes, like those retro lines...

holiver

Lovely. I really, really like the look of the frame. I'm sorely tempted by one!

Does the rack fit OK using the same eyelets as the guards?

Also, do you have any idea of the weight of the original wheels?

philclubman

Rack fits fine with same eyelets. I'm using some hi-ten 12.9 steel bolts to make sure they're strong enough.

Not sure about the wheel weight, but would definitely replace them. I've got Ambrosio Excellight on Shimano 105 hubs.

Other things that I've replaced are the front brake caliper for a Shimano R650, and the saddle for a Charge Spoon. Anything else I've changed or plan on changing will just be cosmetic.

holiver

Excellent. What rack are you using?

I do have a handbuilt wheel spec in mind (105 and Archetype) if I pick one up. Do you think 28C tyres would fit under the guards with a wider rim?

I would also consider getting rid of the stock groupset too, as 2300 doesn't really do it for me. However getting the contact points right first is probably best.

philclubman

It's a Blackburn rack that came with my Copilot child seat.

I've currently got a Challenge Paris-Roubaix 27mm tyre on the rear and there's just enough clearance. I think you might get a 28 in if you set the mudguards right.

holiver

OK potentially good news on the tyre then. I like the idea of running bigger rubber. Luckily I think there is a 2012 one near me in the right size that I hope to test. I can quiz them on things like the tyres and have a bit of a haggle if I like it. Not sure if I'll be able to get them near £500 though!

holiver

I'm still interested in this bike after having a fit at Bike Science Bristol today. I'm trying to plug all the frame details into the reach & stack calculator at the location below, but need one more measurement. Any chance you could provide the fork length?

https://docs.zoho.com/sheet/published.d ... mode=embed

philclubman

A few updates for the summer.

I've made a few changes since I posted on here so thought I'd post an update.

Gone is the FSA chainset for a much sleeker looking Shimano 6600, I've added some 105 pedals and changed the shifters to 105 too (now a 10 speed drive train).

Mudguards are off for the moment and I swap in some nice summer wheels for the weekends. The Excellights get used for commuting duties.

I did my first TT at bexley last week and managed a 26:22 which I don't think is too shabby.



Holiver, apologies, I hadn't checked back to this thread, but luckily it looks as though you got the fork measurement. Your T2 looks lovely. At some stage I think I'm going to sell the Clubman for a TK3.

philclubman

New saddle, seatpost and stem.

The stem is still work in progress, but the Planet X saddle is great and the new seatpost looks much nicer than the old one.

BGillespie

Still using my Dawes Clubman after 7 years. Finally changed the handlebars to Ritchey Ergomax for arthritic hands; substituted a short, rising stem (I'm a bit tall for the 57cm frame) and replaced the saddle for comfort. Original mudguards were poor quality; now Bontrager. Otherwise it's as bought.

Is anybody else out there still riding a Clubman? Any recommendations for an upgrade on the crankset?

arlowood

BGillespie said:

Is anybody else out there still riding a Clubman? Any recommendations for an upgrade on the crankset?

I'm guessing the Clubman has a square taper BB. If so, this might be an option if you want a 50/34

https://www.tredz.co.uk/.Shimano-FC-A070-Square-Taper-7-8-Speed-Double-Chainset_63552.htm?sku=187170&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=google_shopping&gclid=Cj0KCQjw4cOEBhDMARIsAA3XDRjYGIWrZNNV62a5IzNat6RbsyYmyGpxMrUKzbcSWPG4jPWnMRa8SAEaApuKEALw_wcB

Problem is it's black which you may balk at.




Sunrace do a silver one for a bit less money if you would prefer that:-




https://www.tritoncycles.co.uk/components-c9/chainsets-cranks-c70/fcr86-double-chainset-p25268/s78462?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=sunrace-fcr86-double-chainset-cksrr86&utm_campaign=product+listing+ads&cid=GBP&gclid=Cj0KCQjw4cOEBhDMARIsAA3XDRjaCSqdPRWOQeayKsYvFoeBCGCtROiB3ur_6O86SaFqcypuXwBZvVwaAk8TEALw_wcB

BGillespie

Thanks for that. Yes; tapered square BB and those look good. I should have said it's a triple and needs to stay that way; ageing knees - I need the 30T ring as well. But I see the triple equivalents are available. Cheers!