CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Questions/Support/Help

Bike for audax?

(101 posts)
  • Started 12 years ago by crowriver
  • Latest reply from crowriver
  • This topic is resolved

1234

  1. amir
    Member

    I use GP4000s on my "summer" bike - lovely and easy with a good grip. They have reasonable puncture proofness.

    I use Michelin Krylion Carbon for the winter bike. They are quick but more resilient and very well thought of in roadie circles and reviews.

    Both of the above you should be able to find at knock-down prices if you look around at the right time of year (particularly the michelins).

    On my commuter I have Gatorskin Hardcases. Nice and resilient for commuting. Not as bullet proof as M+ but much nicer to use. Grip not quite as good as the michelins.

    Even on the commute on balance I prefer having tyres that perform okay and have the very rare puncture to repair.

    Posted 12 years ago #

  2. Dave
    Member

    I rode Paris-Brest-Paris on GP4000s-es, they come in 25mm now and the extra width makes them considerably better (ideally they'd come in 28mm, but hi ho!). These are the same tyres I used to use religiously on my Pearson when I was "fixing" it out to Dunfermline every day.

    Earlier in the year I rode with Gatorskins, which do come in a little wider and so may work out better (depends on the surface IMO).

    I'd never do it on something as burly as a Marathon or Marathon Plus, the latter I used over one winter commuting, but I'd rather have a bike that feels nice to ride and spend time fixing a flat!

    Currently I'm pinning my colours to the mast with Schwalbe's 35mm Kojaks (which come in at 32mm on the bike).

    Posted 12 years ago #

  3. Smudge
    Member

    I've got schwalbe Durano S on my "roadbike", I've got very little experience of audax but on the run to London last year they seemed to spin up easily and grip well (and had no visits from the fairy!).
    Maybe worth a look?

    Posted 12 years ago #

  4. crowriver
    Member

    Interesting that treadless slick tyres are coming out on top in the straw poll.

    I'm sure the Conti tyres are all amazing but they are a bit too skinny for my chunky rims. Reckon the skinniest I can get on the Pioneer's 90s retro wide Mavic Rigida rims is 28c. Mind you the 32c Marathon Pluses I have on at the moment look more like 28c on the rim: haven't measured it but they look much lower profile than they should.

    Marathon Racer looks interesting. Comes in a 30c. Or maybe Marathon Supreme in 28c or 32c.

    Or Durano comes in 28c and 32c. Proper road race tyre but.....punctures? Durano Plus is almost a road race Marathon Plus, but it's heavy too...

    Can you tell I'm a total Schwalbe devotee?

    Posted 12 years ago #

  5. kaputnik
    Moderator

    Gatorskins come in 28 and I have them on a rim that goes up to 50 (Mavic A319). If you want to do a trial fit to see if they don't blow off the rim when inflated, mine are currently hanging up unused (have 32s on the tourer just now)

    Posted 12 years ago #

  6. Dave
    Member

    For what it's worth, having ridden the Marathon Racer and Durano as well as the Kojak, I'd say the Marathon Racer is certainly not as good a choice as the latter.

    If you want something at 28c, then I'm not sure what I'd choose between Supreme and Durano. Probably I'd go for the Supreme unless the cost was way higher.

    I don't think there's much advantage in going narrower than 28 on the kind of surfaces an audax will generally cover - for every km on something smooth enough that you wish for a hard racing slick, there will be 4-5km where you'd have been rattled horribly..

    28-32mm measured size (not nominal) is where I believe the sweet spot is *for me* :)

    Posted 12 years ago #

  7. amir
    Member

    Sheldon Brown's info on matching tyres and rims:

    http://sheldonbrown.com/tire-sizing.html

    Posted 12 years ago #

  8. crowriver
    Member

    @Dave, thanks, I will have a serious look at the Supreme tyres. I reckon it will be 32c for that extra bit of suspension on dodgy road surfaces.

    @kaputnik, once again I'm humbled by your generous offer. Having tried out Gatorskins on the single speed I find my traditionalist sensibilities challenged by the minimal tread pattern. They look quite fast mind you. Isn't there an issue though with the sidewall on Gatorskins?

    Posted 12 years ago #

  9. crowriver
    Member

    Last night and this afternoon, converted the Raleigh Pioneer Trail to drops.


    Randonneur bars installed

    Rides nicely, shifting is crisper with new shifters and cables, and the brakes are more effective with new cables too. Added some in-line cyclocross style levers to the flats, they are great but create a slightly odd look with the non-aero levers on the drops.

    Just need to re-fit lights and computer and the bike's good to go.

    Posted 12 years ago #

  10. recombodna
    Member

    Looks great!! Personally I'd bin the stand and the lock bracket but that's just me. When's the first audax then? I'm looking at the Nippy Sweetie.

    Posted 12 years ago #

  11. crowriver
    Member

    @recombodna, thanks!

    Personally I'd bin the stand and the lock bracket

    I'll probably remove these prior to any events. However they're handy for leisure rides.

    When's the first audax then? I'm looking at the Nippy Sweetie.

    Not an official audax, but I'm interested in the Audrey Fyfe Memorial Run / Not The Tour of East Lothian on 11th March.
    Hope to fit in a Spokes ride and CTC Saturday ride before then, maybe a Hilly Tuesday ® or two as well..

    Posted 12 years ago #

  12. recombodna
    Member

    Yeah what's the craic with that run. Is it just turn up and ride type thing or do you have to book up?

    Posted 12 years ago #

  13. crowriver
    Member

    As it's being organised by CTC I think it may be an idea to contact them beforehand. Liz posted the organiser's details on here a while back.

    Posted 12 years ago #

  14. DaveC
    Member

    Hey guys I'm doing the Nippy Sweetie and hoping to do the Audry Fyfe memorial. I haven't heard from the CTC and the reminder is good as I need to follow up on that.

    Posted 12 years ago #

  15. crowriver
    Member

    Took the Pioneer for a spin late this afternoon when I got back. Lights and computer now back on so sampled the twilight. Quite comfy with the extra padding on the bars, the stem shifters are easy to use but will take a bit of time to become second nature.

    The cables coming from the non-aero levers are a bit in the way though. I have quite large hands so I found the sides of my palms or the back of my hands constrained by them occasionally depending on the position. I'll persevere for a bit, the setup is unfamiliar and I may get used to it.

    However I suspect I'll have to stump up for aero levers before long. I can't just use any old road lever either as they need to pull enough cable for canti brakes. It's a pity because the non-aero levers are quite good otherwise, with a QR to slacken the brakes to ease wheel removal. The more expensive aero levers lack this feature.

    Posted 12 years ago #

  16. crowriver
    Member

    Hmm. Now I'm seeing various posts (on another forum, sorry) that say any old road/caliper lever will work with cantilever brakes. I've got a set of NOS aero levers sitting in the parts jumble in the garage. Wonder if I should fit those?

    Posted 12 years ago #

  17. recombodna
    Member

    Fit 'em you it makes sense.

    Posted 12 years ago #

  18. crowriver
    Member

    Well I switched to the standard aero levers this evening. They work just fine. Nice to have the clean front end and unrestricted hand movement on the bars. The brakes may need some adjustment over the next wee while as the cables stretch and bed in, but so far, so good.

    I did a quick run to B&Q to see how they fared, no problems. I shall test them out properly on the Spokes ride tomorrow, will take some pliers just in case the cables need to be pulled tighter...

    Posted 12 years ago #

  19. crowriver
    Member

    Well the new setup performed very well on today's ride, which was about 42 miles over mixed terrain, including the rather bumpy and muddy Fife coastal path. The cantilever pads were rubbing a little bit intermittently which was slightly annoying but didn't impede my progress. Brake stopping power pretty good. Need some fine adjustment of the positioning screws probably and that'll be it.

    Pleased too with how the bars have worked out: quite comfy and the handling is fine, even with a very short reach stem. I was glad of the cyclocross levers, which allowed a more upright position holding the flats as and when it was needed, and still being able to brake efficiently.

    Saddle was okay, better with a slightly forward leaning position. I'm looking at a comfier one though. Need to change the pedals too, maybe add some toeclips while I'm at it.

    Posted 12 years ago #

  20. kaputnik
    Moderator

    Well if it's for Audax, it has to be a Brooks of course. Otherwise people might point and stare! "Look, the man with no Brooks!"

    Posted 12 years ago #

  21. crowriver
    Member

    I fear the Brooks/no Brooks debate is a bit like the h****t debate!

    Having never ridden on one, I suppose I don't know what I'm missing. My twin concerns over a Brooks are the 'breaking in' period, and the cost. There's also this!

    I'm tempted instead to go for a decent quality gel saddle. Anathema to Brooks enthusiasts, I know!

    Posted 12 years ago #

  22. kaputnik
    Moderator

    Of course, the only proper saddle is one that works for you...

    But in defence of the Brooks, I found neither of the B17s I own (narrow and regular flavour) required any breaking in, they just got progressively more comfortable. Also you can buy them for £60-70 if you shop around, which for a saddle that will last 10,15,20 years when properly cared for isn't that expensive.

    But what works for you!

    Posted 12 years ago #

  23. crowriver
    Member


    Final iteration - for now

    Got round to fitting a new (to me) saddle today, and snapping the bike with its aero bars. I think it's just about sorted now (except I really need to change those pedals)...

    Posted 12 years ago #

  24. recombodna
    Member

    Thats me paid up for the Nippy Sweetie..... no turning back now eh?

    Posted 12 years ago #

  25. crowriver
    Member

    Suppose it depends on the weather! Looks like an interesting event, some challenging climbs in there. I'll be away, so I've got a cast iron excuse for not taking part.

    I'm hoping the weather will not be too harsh on 11th March for the Audrey Fyfe memorial run: not an official audax but run under similar conditions. Redstone Rigg could be a bit of a test!

    Posted 12 years ago #

  26. DaveC
    Member

    Hi again recombodna, I've also posted on yacf, if your looking for someone ride it with a couple of us are taking part, your very welcome to ride along and have a chat with us.

    Dave C

    Posted 12 years ago #

  27. kaputnik
    Moderator

    I'm just checking if my diary is free and will put my entry in as soon as it's confirmed.

    Posted 12 years ago #

  28. recombodna
    Member

    DaveC Yeah saw you were on YACF. It would be good to hook up. I'm trying to persuade a couple of pals to do it as well. It'll be my first audax. I want to mentally and physically break the 100 mile barrier as I've never done more than 100 miles in a day. I reckon 125 miles s a good place to start... we'll soon see.

    Posted 12 years ago #

  29. kaputnik
    Moderator

    See you all at the start line. 8AM sharp!

    Posted 12 years ago #

  30. DaveC
    Member

    Well as you probably know I'm doing the Audrey Fyfe memorial cycle this March (11th I beleive) and you're welcome to join me on that as I'm using it as a warm up.

    Posted 12 years ago #

RSS feed for this topic

1234

Reply »

You must log in to post.


Video embedded using Easy Video Embed plugin