@ianrauk - the OP has two bikes and asked for a view as to which would be better. Which do you think would be better?
Which ever one he feels most comfortable riding a long distance.
@ianrauk - the OP has two bikes and asked for a view as to which would be better. Which do you think would be better?
Keep up at the back. It hasn't been Scout Leader Gay Pink for ages. It's now anti-magenta. Or green, as people call it.And yet you still persist with the pink one.
Keep up at the back. It hasn't been Scout Leader Gay Pink for ages. It's now anti-magenta. Or green, as people call it.
I hoping to partake in a 110k audax in Norfolk soon and wondered what bike to use. Currently have a four year old specialized Allez - 16 speed, 23mm tyres - and a brand spanking 20 speed cx bike (11 - 34 cassette I think). If I put some decent road tyres on the cx (32 gators I was thinking), would this be better than the Allez, even though that is the actual road bike?
I know it depends on the tyre a bit, but I'm running 28mm at 65psi front, 85 rear, which is basically in line with http://www.bikequarterly.com/images/BQTireDrop.pdf (front a bit hard, but I've a bad habit of slamming it into lumps).I have started reducing the tyre pressure in the front tyre to help with comfort, so tend to run 28mm at ~80psi, 23mm at about 85psi.
Nice pics. Been to Cotswolds three times but never with a bike. I imagine the hill that leads down into Broadway would be a pretty fearsome climb though!My decision as to which bike to use for 100/200km Audax rides is similar:
Aluminium frame, 23mm tyres, Shimano R501 rims, triple cs, ~13kg laden (a humble Triban)
Steel, 32 or 28mm tyres, 36h Sputnik rims, triple cs, 16-17kg laden (531ST 'fast tourer')
I've done 200km on both. Steel bike/ fatter tyres soak up more vibration though bike feels heavier for climbing. Alu bike is a harder ride though feels more nimble. What they have in common is a Brooks B17 saddle, which for me ended my search for something that was very comfortable for longer (/any) rides. I tend to double up mitts to help with any hand numbness... I have started reducing the tyre pressure in the front tyre to help with comfort, so tend to run 28mm at ~80psi, 23mm at about 85psi.
Sounds like your CX gearing would have more options for hills, and 32mm tyres slightly more comfortable - plus it's the new bike... ;-)
Some pics if interested... https://www.flickr.com/photos/25983110@N05/albums