New Road/Tourer Advice

Markc1983

Hi Guys,

New to the forum and am looking for some general advice. I recently took up cycling a couple of months ago using a cheap (£50) 2nd hand bike. It would be fiat to say that I have caught the bug.

I'm now looking for a new bike that can cope with a 15mile commute in the morning, but is also capable of taking on LEJOG next year which I am looking to do unsupported staying in B and Bs. I am looking for something that provides comfort but does not compromise on speed. I guess a tourer is what I'm looking for but there is almost too much information out there.

My budget is around £1000-£1100. If anyone out there can recommend specific models it would be much appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

Mark

holiver

If you are staying in B&Bs and won't be taking any camping kit then you could probably get away without the need for a rack on the front. That will give you a lot of options! The comfort aspect is mainly down to the fit, followed by tyres and contact points in my opinion.

mercia_man

Spa Cycles steel audax, from £1,100 with SRAM Apex or Shimano 105. Designed for brisk, long distance riding in comfort and also suitable for commuting, general use and light B&B touring. You can also get them, if you pay the upgrade price, with strong and reliable handbuilt wheels.

g00se

I suppose the term you are looking at is an 'Audax' bike (Long distance, self sufficient timed events). They're sometimes called light or fast tourers. Something like this:

http://roadcyclinguk.com/gear/tifosi-au ... eview.html

Ber Nard

Mercia Man wrote:

Spa Cycles steel audax, from £1,100 with SRAM Apex or Shimano 105. Designed for brisk, long distance riding in comfort and also suitable for commuting, general use and light B&B touring. You can also get them, if you pay the upgrade price, with strong and reliable handbuilt wheels.

That was the bike that sprung to mind for me, as well. The Apex version seems to have a good spread of gears, too. I'd definitely stretch the budget to get the hand built wheels.

http://www.spacycles.co.uk/products.php ... b0s21p2827

Markc1983

Thanks for the replies very much appreciated, will take a look at the links now.

Markc1983

I like the look of both suggestions to be honest, Spa Cycles also seem to have excellent customer service which is a bonus for someone is complete newbie (some terminology still very foreign to me) . What is the advantage of going for the hand built wheels?

mercia_man

Markc1983 wrote:

I like the look of both suggestions to be honest, Spa Cycles also seem to have excellent customer service which is a bonus for someone is complete newbie (some terminology still very foreign to me) . What is the advantage of going for the hand built wheels?

Handbuilt wheels are more suitable for long distance riding with luggage. Less likely to break a spoke, easier to fix by bike shops or yourself if you do have problems and can be rebuilt relatively cheaply when the rims wear out - unlike low spoke count factory wheels.

Another possibility to consider is the Tifosi mentioned above by g00se. The Cycle Clinic aka Malcolm Borg (a well known wheel building expert to users of this forum) sells these and can fit them with his own excellent handbuilt wheels.

Markc1983

Cheers, much obliged.

bobmcstuff

Cheapest Condor Fratello build works out abour £1200 if you could stretch to that... That's what I've gone for, wanted similar things from it to you. Also briefly looked at the Genesis Equilibrium (the 2014 ones don't have rack mounts so would need a 2015), and seriously considered a Bob Jackson Audax end-end (which is beautiful).

jordan_217

Ribble 525, I got mine with Deda finishing kit, 105 groupset and RS21 wheels for just over £800. It has full guards, can take a rack and 25mm tyres. It's really well finished and is lovely to ride. I'm really pleased with it.

HebdenBiker

+1 for Spa. And yes, their handbuilt wheels, and their customer service and knowledge, are excellent.