replacement bike advice please

Hi.

Sounds like your in the market for a cyclocross bike. You can put fenders and mud guards on most frames. You can also change your tire setup from the stock offroad too a beefier road tire.

Check out the bianchi website and look at the 'AXIS' model. That is there cyclocross bike. They usually have a 36/48 double up front with a 12/34 gear cluster in the back. That is pretty low. If you need lower to climb steeper stuff you can also get a triple up front.

Good luck!

I had a Galaxy in the early eighties, this year I bought
myslef another Dawes, but a bit sportier, a Dawes Audax.

Audax bikes are kind of a halfway house between tourer and
racer, "fast tourers" some peole call them. They are
designed for long-distance road riding at speed, al la Audax
events. On the road it's a delight to ride.

It has everything you want (mudguards, drops, luggage
bosses, STI) apart from secondary brake levers (which I
miss, as I like riding on the tops), is incredibly well
built and has a great range of gears (triple chainring!). I
paid £700 for mine, they list at £800. I reckon that's a
much better deal than a new Glaxy or the even pricier super-
or ultra variants.

Well worth a look, IMHO.

hth,

Tony B

nicoll said:

Can anyone suggest what I should look for/ a particular
model/ supplier=

=2E

Quoted message said:

Mail order may be ok as I am in the north of Scotland.

You're looking for an Audax bike - like a light tourer.

I'd heartily recommend Chas Roberts if your budget stretches
far enough=20 (like about =A31500) and you don't mind a
couple of trips to Croydon.=20 Roberts measure you up and
then build the frame to your body size.

robertscycles.comproducts.htmlOpen ↗

My Roberts Audax (Standard: 725 with Veloce) is the bee's
knees: I've=20 had it just over three years, mostly for a
daily 12-mile commute, and it =

still feels special every time I ride it.

There are other good Audax bikes at lower price points.
Check out Thorn, =

Orbit or Dawes, to name a few.

--=20 Mark.

A lot of people recommend Edinburgh Bicycles stuff -
edinburgh-bicycle.co.ukitem.cfmOpen ↗

Sounds like you are looking for a light/fast tourer, which
are often called Audax bikes these days. The main downside
of these, for me, is that they are pretty expensive have a
look at:- Dawes Audax - dawes-dawes-Open ↗
cycles.co.uk/audax.asp Thorn (various) -
sjscycles.comthornbrochure.aspOpen ↗ Orbit (various) -
orbit-cycles.co.ukorbit-cycles.co.ukOpen ↗

You may have a hard time getting brake lever extensions
though. I've not seen any new bikes with them.

Eric.

nicoll said:

I want drop handlebars and am used to secondary
brake levers.

Secondary brake levers have died a death, and quite frankly
good riddance as they were never very good.

Quoted message said:

friends all have a much lower first gear than my bike and
at times that would be an advantage as would shifters on
the brakes.

Look for "STI" if you want shifters on the brakes. For low
gears a modern touring bike will have a triple front
derailleur and a bigger spread at the back (8 or 9 cogs) so
that should sort out the gears

Quoted message said:

Can anyone suggest what I should look for/ a particular
model/ supplier. Mail order may be ok as I am in the north
of Scotland.

I'd take a trip to town and give a few things a try: good
bikes cost serious money and there's no point buying blind
(or partially sighted!). Spend a little extra on a trip and
come out knowing you've got what you want. Edinburgh Bike
Co-op have a fair range of tourers and also have a branch in
Aberdeen if that's easier to get to.

Quoted message said:

I have looked at the Dawes Galaxy (in a brochure only) but
think this may be too much a touring bike.

The Dawes Audax (and similar machines) is lighter and
sportier, though OTOH the tourers will have lower gearing,
albeit spaced out more.

Or the obligatory plug for something Completely Different
which will still do what you want... How about something
like this: kinetics.org.ukgrasshopper.shtmlOpen ↗
Compared to what you're used to it's got better aerodynamics
and is an order of magnitude more comfortable. Gear shift is
on the bars as requested, and it comes with low gearing for
big hills. It is designed as a touring bike and is ideal for
distance hacks on the road. Only real catch for your list of
priorities is it's more expensive and you need to be at
least slightly exhibitionist. If you're visiting Glasgow
then Ben (Mr. Kinetics) has a range of models you can try
out. Having been a confirmed "I like a drop handlebar
touring bike as my bike" chap for a long time, I tried a
recumbent and now wouldn't go back (mine is the
Streetmachine,
kinetics.org.ukstreetmachine.shtmlOpen ↗ but the
grasshopper is lighter and though it won't take heavy loads
so well, that doesn't seem to be an issue for you).

Pete.
--
Peter Clinch Medical Physics IT Officer Tel 44 1382 660111
ext. 33637 Univ. of Dundee, Ninewells Hospital Fax 44 1382
640177 Dundee DD1 9SY Scotland UK net
[email hidden] dundee.ac.uk~pjclinchOpen ↗

"nicoll" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

My bike is approaching 30 years old and parts are hard to
come by and I'm thinking of getting a newer bike.

I cycle all on tarmac normally one/two evenings per week
up to 30 miles and most weekends upto 50 miles. I have
what 30 years ago was called a touring bike.

I would like a bike which can take mudguards and perhaps
occasionally panniers.

I'm happy to buy a good second hand bike or a new bike.

I want drop handlebars and am used to secondary brake
levers. My cycling friends all have a much lower first
gear than my bike and at times that would be an advantage
as would shifters on the brakes.

Can anyone suggest what I should look for/ a particular
model/ supplier. Mail order may be ok as I am in the north
of Scotland.

I have looked at the Dawes Galaxy (in a brochure only) but
think this may be too much a touring bike.

Thanks

Ian

Dawes Audax, last years' models usually good value.

"Peter Clinch" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

nicoll said:

I want drop handlebars and am used to secondary brake
levers.

Secondary brake levers have died a death, and quite
frankly good riddance as they were never very good.

I won't hold back. They were damnable [censored].

The modern world has spawned these:

From sheldonbrown.combrakes.htmlOpen ↗
"Auxiliary ("Cross"😉 Levers for Drop Bars Initially marketed
primarily for cyclocross, these are also an excellent choice
for the touring or long distance cyclist, permitting you to
brake from the top part of the handlebar. Unlike the 1970s
extension levers, these don't interfere with the main brake
levers. They install in the middle of the cable run.

These can also be used as primary levers without the normal
drop bar levers.

Tektro RX 2.0 $24.95 "

Or ask someone who's into cyclocross.
--
"Since you must keep improving, a $5 bike offers a lot more
opportunities to improve it, and can be improved cheaper.
It's expensive to improve on a $2000 bike." - Rick Onanian
in rec.bicycles.tech

Ian said:

I want drop handlebars and am used to secondary
brake levers.

I used to use them too and thought I could never tolerate
drop bars without them. I was wrong. Modern brakes and brake
levers are so efficient and comfortable to use from the
hoods (from top position) that you don't miss the extension
levers, even if you prefer to hold the bars near the stem
much of the time.

~PB

On Wed, 16 Jun 2004 11:12:15 +0200, Mark South <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

The modern world has spawned these:

From sheldonbrown.combrakes.htmlOpen ↗
"Auxiliary ("Cross"😉 Levers for Drop Bars Initially
marketed primarily for cyclocross, these are also an
excellent choice for the touring or long distance cyclist,
permitting you to brake from the top part of the
handlebar. Unlike the 1970s extension levers, these don't
interfere with the main brake levers. They install in the
middle of the cable run.

These can also be used as primary levers without the
normal drop bar levers.

Tektro RX 2.0 $24.95 "

Or ask someone who's into cyclocross.

I fitted these to my tourer. Rather than pull cable they
push outer and so they can be fitted without cutting the
cable. They are thus completely separate to the drop levers
and provide full leverage on their own. They are useful,
though not exactly necessary.

Colin

Peter Clinch said:

nicoll said:

I want drop handlebars and am used to secondary brake
levers.

Secondary brake levers have died a death, and quite
frankly good riddance as they were never very good.

They're back, though now work a lot better. A second lever
fitted into the cable run along the top of the handlebars.
Works by effectively lengthening the gap between two pieces
of outer cable.

A Specialized Sequoia which I test rode yesterday(*) has
them, and they work. However, as one used to braking from
over the hoods, I found them an unnecessary extra component.

(* Cycle to work week, and an attempt to get the management
to introduce the bike-from-employer tax break brought a
selection of medium to swish bikes to work from a few major
importers for us to try. I also had a go on a Trek carbon
fibred race bike.).

- Nigel
--
NC - Webmaster for 2mm.org.uk2mm.org.ukOpen ↗ Replies to
newsgroup postings to the newsgroup please.

Yes Dawes Galaxy or Audax. I just did e2e on Dawes Galaxy
Tour and the bike was perfect except for one broken spoke
which I blame on carrying full camping gear and too rapid
descent of potholy hills. Mine was £500 in sale plus free
Ortleib bag. They seem to be available all year round at
"sale" prices -see CTC mag etc. and are very good value.

cheers

Jacob
ps I'm new here - I was getting used to the CTC web site
message board and the [censored] have closed it without
comment or explanation.

jacob said:

ps I'm new here - I was getting used to the CTC web site
message board and the [censored] have closed it without
comment or explanation.

Probably came to the inevitable realisation that almost all
of the web based forums to date are congenitally [censored]
compared to Usenet feeds...

Pete.
--
Peter Clinch Medical Physics IT Officer Tel 44 1382 660111
ext. 33637 Univ. of Dundee, Ninewells Hospital Fax 44 1382
640177 Dundee DD1 9SY Scotland UK net
[email hidden] dundee.ac.uk~pjclinchOpen ↗

in message <[email hidden]>, jacob

(') said:

Yes Dawes Galaxy or Audax. I just did e2e on Dawes Galaxy
Tour and the bike was perfect except for one broken spoke
which I blame on carrying full camping gear and too rapid
descent of potholy hills. Mine was £500 in sale plus free
Ortleib bag. They seem to be available all year round at
"sale" prices -see CTC mag etc. and are very good value.

ps I'm new here - I was getting used to the CTC web site
message board and the [censored] have closed it without
comment or explanation.

That's the problem with web-based 'fora'. Usenet may be
archaic and anarchic, but it works.

Oh, and welcome, by the way.

--
[email hidden] (Simon Brooke)
jasmine.org.uk~simonOpen ↗

;; making jokes about dyslexia isn't big, it isn't
clever and ;; it isn't furry.

"nicoll" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

My bike is approaching 30 years old and parts are hard to
come by and I'm thinking of getting a newer bike.

I cycle all on tarmac normally one/two evenings per week
up to 30 miles

and

Quoted message said:

most weekends upto 50 miles. I have what 30 years ago was
called a touring bike.

I would like a bike which can take mudguards and perhaps
occasionally panniers.

I'm happy to buy a good second hand bike or a new bike.

I want drop handlebars and am used to secondary brake
levers. My cycling

Presumably those evil devices known as 'Suicide Levers'
among other things. See Sheldon for alternative names and
description. sheldonbrown.comgloss st z.htmlOpen ↗.
The braking effect of the extension levers on the bike I
used to have was about the same as I got by sitting up
straight and using the wind resistance.

Quoted message said:

friends all have a much lower first gear than my bike and
at times that would be an advantage as would shifters on
the brakes.

Can anyone suggest what I should look for/ a particular
model/ supplier. Mail order may be ok as I am in the north
of Scotland.

I have looked at the Dawes Galaxy (in a brochure only) but
think this may

be

Quoted message said:

too much a touring bike.

Thanks

Ian

I can endorse the general Audax Bike advice. I am now on my
second. The first was a Dawes Audax, but since it started as
just a frame I built it up myself using mostly Campagnolo
bits (because I had always wanted a bike with a double-
clanger and Campags) and the second, a Tifosi CK7, I bought
ready made. This bike also has mostly Campagnolo bits.

I can thoroughly recommend the buy-a-frame-and-build-it-
yourself route as a way of becoming familiar with the
modern components such as Ergo Levers (STI if you use
Sh*m*no stuff). The Tifosi CK7 alloy frame sells for just
over 200 quid and the Fort Audax steel frame (identical to
the Dawes Audax frame) sells for just under 200 quid. You
then need to budget for either Campagnolo or shimano
running gear, some wheels and a few other bits. The beauty
of this approach is that you don't have to buy everything
at once. A good bike maintenance book will also be required
if you are not familiar with the latest bits and pieces.
What you end up with is a bike that you understand and can
fix if it goes wrong.

Terry Duckmanton

"Mark South" <[email hidden]>typed

Quoted message said:

The modern world has spawned these:

Ummm ITYM 'spurned'...

--
Helen D. Vecht: [email hidden] Edgware.

jacob said:

one broken spoke which I blame on carrying full camping
gear and too rapid descent of potholy hills.

Nope. The spoke broke because (like almost all manufacturers
these days) Dawes ship machine-built wheels with spoke
tension way too low and no stress-relief. You should have
someone who knows how (sadly, not all LBS's do) fix those
wheels for you if you don't want to keep on breaking
spokes/having to re-true all the time.

--
Peter Headland

"jacob" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Yes Dawes Galaxy or Audax. I just did e2e on Dawes Galaxy
Tour and the bike was perfect except for one broken spoke
which I blame on carrying full camping gear and too rapid
descent of potholy hills.

But might just as easily be caused by the broken spoke
fairy.

...

Quoted message said:

Jacob
ps I'm new here - I was getting used to the CTC web site
message board and the [censored] have closed it without
comment or explanation.

Welcome, Jacob. Let's hope you don't hate it here much. You
are allowed an extra name here, BTW. And please watch your
language, URC people don't like obscenity or lewd overtones.
--

- John D. Salt in alt.religion.kibology

"Helen Deborah Vecht" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

"Mark South" <[email hidden]>typed

Quoted message said:

The modern world has spawned these:

Ummm ITYM 'spurned'...

No, despite the fact it makes a witty comment, the new outer-
pushing inline brake levers are catching on, with more
people using them and more manufacturers making them.

Follow the link I gave and read about them. They are nothing
like the old 70s lever extensions.
--
Mark South: World Citizen, Net Denizen

Mark South said:

Welcome, Jacob. Let's hope you don't hate it here much.

LOL! Damning with faint praise.

--
Guy
--
May contain traces of irony. Contents liable to settle after
posting. chapmancentral.co.ukchapmancentral.co.ukOpen ↗