Spa steel Audax v something else

london-red

So, I need to replace my Equilibrium as the thread on the bottom bracket thread has been stripped. Looking at a few options and would appreciate some views on them and potential other options.

What I want

All year round commuter, steed for family jaunts, light off-road use, decent tyre clearance, rack mounts, comfort, whizzability, style, good looks...

So far, the Spa Audax 725 is top of my list (http://www.spacycles.co.uk/products.php?show=2828) but I keep getting my head turned by the much cheaper Ribble 7005 CR1 (http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/sp/road-track-bike/ribble-7005-cr1-frame/RIBBFRAX220)

Any views or thoughts?

The Rookie

Or just buy a threadless bottom bracket....I know it's N=1 and all that, but use the +1 for something different!

london-red

[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19652770#p19652770]The Rookie[/url] wrote:

Or just buy a threadless bottom bracket....I know it's N=1 and all that, but use the +1 for something different!

What's one of those?

london-red

[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19652770#p19652770]The Rookie[/url] wrote:

Or just buy a threadless bottom bracket....I know it's N=1 and all that, but use the +1 for something different!

Actually, I have had a look at those, but took the view that I would need to replace my chainset if I were to go down that route.

The Rookie

What chainset type do you have now?

For the sake of a a threadless square taper BB and a decent used ST crankset off ebay to keep all the rest of the frame useable, to me it's a no brainer, but if you fancy building it all into a new frame (and why not), fair play, you could still sell it to someone willing to use a threadless.

The two linked to are quite different in ride which do you prefer?

Mildly left field option and great value http://www.on-one.co.uk/i/q/ZXSTEELKAFF/planet-x-kaffenback-2-steel-pick-n-mix-bundle use what you want from the bundle or sell on!

dhope

Bit more pricey but
https://www.canyon.com/en-gb/road/inflite/inflite-al-slx-frameset.html
?

london-red

Thanks for the comments. Kaffenback was certainly on the list, but I don't want to convert to disc brakes. Same problem with the Canyon, which otherwise looks very attractive...

veronese68

[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19652804#p19652804]London-Red[/url] wrote:

Thanks for the comments. Kaffenback was certainly on the list, but I don't want to convert to disc brakes. Same problem with the Canyon, which otherwise looks very attractive...

If you change your mind I still have the BB7 cable calipers that were on mine. You still haven't tried the discs on mine yet, you may be converted.
If you go the route of that threadless bottom bracket you won't be surprised to know that I have 2 bottom bracket tools needed to fit one. I think I have a pair of (cheap) square taper cranks with no chainrings on them you can have. Give me a shout soon if you want any of that as we go away next week.

london-red

[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19652815#p19652815]Veronese68[/url] wrote:

[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19652804#p19652804]London-Red[/url] wrote:

Thanks for the comments. Kaffenback was certainly on the list, but I don't want to convert to disc brakes. Same problem with the Canyon, which otherwise looks very attractive...

If you change your mind I still have the BB7 cable calipers that were on mine. You still haven't tried the discs on mine yet, you may be converted.
If you go the route of that threadless bottom bracket you won't be surprised to know that I have 2 bottom bracket tools needed to fit one. I think I have a pair of (cheap) square taper cranks with no chainrings on them you can have. Give me a shout soon if you want any of that as we go away next week.

Thanks Steve - that sounds like a decent offer

As for disc brakes, it's not being convinced that's the issue, it's having to upgrade wheels etc...