While there is a thread already for the Spa Steel Audax (
https://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=73529.0), it struck me that the Ti version is probably sufficiently different that it warrants its own posting. Of course I would say that, I’ve just bought one

I bought this bike to replace my ageing Trek 2200, which I was using as my commuter and Winter training bike.
As you should be able to tell from the photos, I went with the brushed finish and the Sumo Titanium seat post. It is a 56cm frame which looks well put together and nicely finished. Most of the group set is Shimano 105 5800 11 speed, however they were having problems getting hold of a 53 / 39, 172.5mm crank in the 105 range, so rather than wait the best part of another month I up-graded to an Ultegra one. I supplied the Ritchie Carbon stream handlebar and Specialized Toupe seat for the build. My only criticism of the frame is something others may see as a plus, it has a point on the head tube to enable easy insertion of a frame pump under the top tube. I don’t like to carry my pump there, but I do usually place my light’s rechargeable battery there, which that thing stops me doing.
In general I’d agree with the comments for the Steel version of this bike, it is a nice responsive ride that feels stable. I didn’t try the Steel version, so I can’t comment on it, but the Ti version absorbs a good portion of the road’s bumps and vibration, making for a pretty smooth ride over the back roads and cycle paths of my weekly commute. It is certainly more comfortable than the old Aluminium and carbon fibre frame of the Trek, but not quite up there with sure footedness of my Lynskey Sportive, but then that bike cost several times more than the Audax.
It is a slightly lighter bike than the Trek, but I imagine it is down to the superior frame and slightly higher gearing that is the reason I’ve been setting some PBs on my commute this week.
I’ve seen the Tektro R737 brakes of the standard build criticised in certain quarters and while I swapped out the brake pads for my preferred Koolstop Salmons, so far I’ve found them to be fine.
I use a Topeak Explorer rack and bag to carry my clothes, etc. to work and with my usual load of roughly 15lbs it has no effect on handling that I can detect.
My one caveat is that these days I live in Cambridgeshire. I haven’t had a chance to explore the whole county yet, but I used to think Essex was flat until I moved here! Apparently the 50ft bump I go over on my commute is the local hill

So, I can’t comment on how well she climbs or descends yet.
I’ve only done a couple of hundred miles on her so far, but I will add comments as to how well the bike goes through the Winter.
One final point I thought I’d address is some of the criticisms of Spa Cycles themselves. Obviously I haven’t had a vast amount of dealings with them, just buying the one bike, but I spent a week or so emailing them to sort out the spec. I then drove up there and they were happy for me to go for multiple test rides on different bikes before I made my decision. I guess it took me about an 1 ¼ hours to make up my mind. During my visit another shopper spent roughly the same time umming and ahhing over a seven pound item; personally I’d have chocked him after an hour


