I am about due to set off on a trip from London to the south of Spain and am in need of a new bike (I have just had one stolen). When I return I would like to do some racing. Therefore I was wondering if anyone knew what the fastest touring bike there is, or any racing bikes that can hold panniers with a bit of weight? I have heard that the Dawes Audax Sport is decent, any thoughts? (Budget around 600)
Best Touring / Racing Bike
- Thread starter GCHLewis
- Start date
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RedBike
New Member
- Location
- Beside the road
The dawes sport has Sora shifters and a compact chainset.
Sora shifters making changing gear from on the drops near impossible. The compact gearing might leave you under-geared on some of the really quick descents.
I've done a few races on my Ribble winter bike. It's on the heavy side but seems to have a good turn of speed (with the mud-guards / racks removed)
Sora shifters making changing gear from on the drops near impossible. The compact gearing might leave you under-geared on some of the really quick descents.
I've done a few races on my Ribble winter bike. It's on the heavy side but seems to have a good turn of speed (with the mud-guards / racks removed)
Alf
Guru
- Location
- Penicuik, Midlothian
GCHLewis said:
You will find that a bike that is designed as a race bike will feel twitchy to someone used to the stability of a tourer. That also means that if you put panniers on a race bike you will feel the effect of the load on the way the bike handles more than if you put the same luggage on a tourer. Having said that, the bike I ride every day (often with a single pannier weighing up to 10Kg is basically a race bike but with mudguard clearance, braze-ons for a rack, etc. Nowadays bikes like this are generally called audax bikes and if you want to mix the two ends of the spectrum - touring and racing on the same bike, it is probably want you want.
There is quite a big selection and you really have to choose your price and your other priorities. If you really get into racing, you are going to want a pure race bike before too long, so you can bear that in mind if you are thinking of what compromises to make.
Alf
RedBike
New Member
- Location
- Beside the road
GCHLewis said:
The Ribble doesn't feel to bad with the panniers. The frame is very stiff so it copes with the extra weight very well. However, I wouldn't recommend it as a tourer.
You can only fit 23mm tyres on it. These are a little bit too thin for a heavily laiden tourer. The frames also very stiff. Great for racing but a little bit on the harsh side for long days in the saddle.
The seat-stays are also quite short. I have to be carefull how I fit my pannier bags to the rack or I bang my heals on the bags.
My preference would be for a second-hand reynolds 853 frame (audax / sportive), light enough to race on, comfortable enough to tour on.
kenisis Racelight T deserves to be on the shortlist.
http://www.roadcyclinguk.com/news/article/mps/UAN/2863/v/1/sp/
You could probably get it built up to your budget or not much more.
Wiggle have the brown frame on offer at £150. It goes well with the ITM Visia fork which is cheap if you can still find one. I recently built on up. if you don't want to do it yourself, Epic Cycles have a good reputation
http://www.epic-cycles.co.uk/Kinesis.htm
http://www.roadcyclinguk.com/news/article/mps/UAN/2863/v/1/sp/
You could probably get it built up to your budget or not much more.
Wiggle have the brown frame on offer at £150. It goes well with the ITM Visia fork which is cheap if you can still find one. I recently built on up. if you don't want to do it yourself, Epic Cycles have a good reputation
http://www.epic-cycles.co.uk/Kinesis.htm
GCHLewis said:
If you don't mind putting it together yourself, you could easily do it within that budget. I spent nearly £800 on mine, but I choose Campag and wheels built by Paul Hewitt. I did cost it with Spa Cycles wheels and Tiagra, it came to £640 including having the BB and Headset fitted.
