Author Topic: Recommend my mate a fancy Audax bike... (Read 5597 times)

Bobby · « **on:** 20 November, 2018, 02:53:22 pm »

My mate has ridden a Carbon Specialized Roubaix for several years (LEL, PBP, etc) and until a car trashed it he was quite happy. However he's had an eye on something that'll run wider tyres with proper guards, have dynamo light, mounts for a rack should that be needed in future etc etc.

His budget for replacement is a very healthy £3-4k so there should be good choice

What do people currently recommend? Thanks in advance,

LittleWheelsandBig · « **Reply #1 on:** 20 November, 2018, 02:56:34 pm »

PeterM seems keen on his pair of Masons.

Nothereforafasttime · « **Reply #2 on:** 20 November, 2018, 03:00:28 pm »

This one...

https://www.reillycycleworks.com/products/gradient-adventure

I love it - and the Di2 works like a dream. Fit it with that and you should get change out of £4k

Here's the review:

https://road.cc/content/review/221625-reilly-gradient-2017-graveladventure-bike

vorsprung · « **Reply #3 on:** 20 November, 2018, 07:34:24 pm »

I was on a Specialized Roubaix only but when I turned 50 bought a Genesis Datum as well

Kinda review/compare on the blog here

It's a great bit of plastic

ElyDave · « **Reply #4 on:** 21 November, 2018, 05:52:57 am »

I have my eye on a Fairlight Faran after my misadventure

bobb · « **Reply #5 on:** 21 November, 2018, 07:12:22 am »

£3-4k? Something Titanium dripped with Campag. Your mate will be good to go

Karla · « **Reply #6 on:** 21 November, 2018, 11:44:32 am »

Kinesis Tripster ATR? I'm running the AT (the alu version) on my world tour and love it. Both frames can officially take 45mm tyres, or 40 with mudguards. For that amount of money you could fit it with hydraulic brakes and a very blingy groupset

LittleWheelsandBig · « **Reply #7 on:** 21 November, 2018, 11:46:37 am »

HK uses a Tripster AT with hydraulic brakes, dynamo, mudguards and rear rack as her commuter bike and it seems to work quite well. It has done a couple of brevets already.

PeterM · « **Reply #8 on:** 21 November, 2018, 04:14:14 pm »

Quote from: LittleWheelsandBig on 20 November, 2018, 02:56:34 pm

PeterM seems keen on his pair of Masons.

Indeed. They're brilliant.

Mason Definition will take up to 700C 32 tyres with guards, Mason Bokeh up to 700C 42 or even fatter with 650B wheels. The Definition is very slightly racier, but both are quick and comfortable with excellent handling. You can get them built up in a variety of specifications by Mason or just get a frameset, with or without wheels. If you really want fancy, there are beautifully built Ti versions of both.

Bobby · « **Reply #9 on:** 21 November, 2018, 10:50:59 pm »

Thanks all, have passed on the suggestions - keep ‘em coming:)

Stretch · « **Reply #10 on:** 22 November, 2018, 12:09:54 pm »

Quote

I have my eye on a Fairlight Faran after my misadventure

Have a look at the Secan before you decide; I used one with 700/28s for a 600K in September - lovely bike for the job.

ElyDave · « **Reply #11 on:** 22 November, 2018, 07:47:16 pm »

Yes, I'm not clear if the Secan is the replacement for the Faran, or a different beast entirely?

Stretch · « **Reply #12 on:** 22 November, 2018, 08:21:40 pm »

The Secan is a different bike to the Faran; its more like their Strael road bike with clearance for bigger tyres and has a carbon fork, I think the Faran has a steel one.

The designer's notes are on their website:
https://fairlightcycles.com/?v=79cba1185463#

ElyDave · « **Reply #13 on:** 22 November, 2018, 08:43:05 pm »

OK, I'd seen the website, hadn't fully absorbed. Faran as you say is all steel

The pull towards the Faran was on the basis of big clearances for knobblies as well as the GP 4 Seasons 700x28 that I ride now, as well as disc brakes etc.

Stretch · « **Reply #14 on:** 23 November, 2018, 12:15:58 pm »

The clearance (and steel frame) was the pull for me too Dave; Secan has clearance for 700x42s or larger if you go with the 650 option.

I've had guards and 28s on for the longer road rides, it behaved really well

fuaran · « **Reply #15 on:** 23 November, 2018, 12:28:30 pm »

The Shand Stooshie looks nice, if you want steel.

Scrantaj · « **Reply #16 on:** 30 November, 2018, 12:53:12 pm »

For that money you can go down the custom route.

Have a chat with Justin Burls www.burls.co.uk

Custom built steel and titanium frames or complete bikes to your exact spec for less than you'd think. Extra bosses, wide clearance, internal or external routing, chocse of tubing, whatever you want in a custom sized frameset. If you're not sure about sizing and geometry he will walk you through the entire process and advise you based on what you want the bike to do.

My Audax bike is built around a custom tiantium frameset he built for me and it's the best I've ever owned.

Oxford_Guy · « **Reply #17 on:** 19 December, 2018, 05:10:36 pm »

Something in Reynolds 953 stainless, perhaps?

Bobby · « **Reply #18 on:** 20 December, 2018, 12:13:24 am »

I’m not sure what his views are on material - burls does look good though! (I like my ti frame, if it breaks i’ll Likely look at a burls frame next)

bludger · « **Reply #19 on:** 27 December, 2018, 05:50:55 pm »

I do really like the look of Van Nicholas bikes and they're available with Rohloffs too!

https://www.vannicholas.com/touring-bikes/deveron-(disc)

alexb · « **Reply #20 on:** 02 January, 2019, 11:49:49 pm »

Isenworks? Built in London, small batch with loads of options. Lovely paint!

Bledlow · « **Reply #21 on:** 16 January, 2019, 11:35:36 pm »

Quote from: bobb on 21 November, 2018, 07:12:22 am

£3-4k? Something Titanium dripped with Campag.

Got one! Now, all I have to do is sort out my bloody health & get back on it.

I'd recommend it to anyone who has the dosh. I love mine.

Bledlow · « **Reply #22 on:** 16 January, 2019, 11:45:28 pm »

Quote from: Nothereforafasttime on 20 November, 2018, 03:00:28 pm

This one...

https://www.reillycycleworks.com/products/gradient-adventure

I love it - and the Di2 works like a dream. Fit it with that and you should get change out of £4k

Here's the review:

https://road.cc/content/review/221625-reilly-gradient-2017-graveladventure-bike

Mark Reilly designed Enigmas when I bought mine. I would expect any bike of his to be lovely.