Bob Jackson End-End - anyone had one?

[deejayen]

I know it's old-school, but I'm wondering if anyone has experience of the Bob Jackson End-End. It looks like it was some sort of light touring / audax bike built from Reynolds 631 tubes. The original specs say it can fit 28mm tyres with mudguards and 47-57mm brakes. I'm curious about its performance \ comfort \ handling \ load carrying capabilities etc.

Would it be less sprightly and slightly more to the touring side of things than a Spa Audax?

 

[Jameshow]

I know it's old-school, but I'm wondering if anyone has experience of the Bob Jackson End-End. It looks like it was some sort of light touring / audax bike built from Reynolds 631 tubes. The original specs say it can fit 28mm tyres with mudguards and 47-57mm brakes. I'm curious about its performance \ comfort \ handling \ load carrying capabilities etc.

Would it be less sprightly and slightly more to the touring side of things than a Spa Audax?

Looks a lovely bike

https://www.thespoken.cc/bob-jackson-end-end

 

[Big John]

Looks a lovely bike

https://www.thespoken.cc/bob-jackson-end-end

This is what happens when you've done all the club stuff, you've finished road racing and you finally succumb to old age....and switch to a good quality steel bike. I've never been happier than when I go out on my steel bikes. One is a raleigh with 531 tubing and the other is a raleigh randonneur with a b17 saddle and reynolds 708 tubing. The 531 is 7 speed with STIs fitted and the other is 708 with 8 speeds and a Sugino triple. I've got 28mm tyres on both but they'll just about take 32s. Comfort and smoothness. I've got my 10 speed carbon Ultegra equipped bike, which i raced on, in the shed but it rarely gets used.

 

[simongt]

Likewise Big John.
I packed in 'fast cycling' some time ago and now my favorite times are out on my 1991 Galaxy; full 531 + B.17, just pootling along enjoying the rural environs.

 

[wafter]

This is what happens when you've done all the club stuff, you've finished road racing and you finally succumb to old age....and switch to a good quality steel bike. I've never been happier than when I go out on my steel bikes. One is a raleigh with 531 tubing and the other is a raleigh randonneur with a b17 saddle and reynolds 708 tubing. The 531 is 7 speed with STIs fitted and the other is 708 with 8 speeds and a Sugino triple. I've got 28mm tyres on both but they'll just about take 32s. Comfort and smoothness. I've got my 10 speed carbon Ultegra equipped bike, which i raced on, in the shed but it rarely gets used.

At 45 I arrived at this point some time ago

I envy your stable - while maybe an apples-to-oranges comparison do you notice any difference in ride feel / comfort between the 531 and 708 frames?

 

[EckyH]

Would it be less sprightly and slightly more to the touring side of things than a Spa Audax?

Don't know about a Spa Audax, but about my BobJackson Audax End-End. It served me as a single speed commuter for a few years and as a training bike.

Currently it's set up single speed with mudguards and 28mm Vittoria Rubino Pro on Rigida DP18 rims. The tyres are roughly 26.5mm wide on these rims and there is still space to experiment with slightly wider tyres.
Despite those skinny tyres by today's "standards" and the stiff wheels the ride is fairly comfortable. The handling isn't twitchy but nimble enough for me. Stiffness of the frame is good enough for me as a 110kg guy.
For touring with a considerable amount of luggage I'd choose another bike nowadays: wider tyres, better brakes and a stiffer frame. But with a handlebar bag and only a few kilograms on a rear rack probably it will do the job good enough.

E.

 

[Jameshow]

Don't know about a Spa Audax, but about my BobJackson Audax End-End. It served me as a single speed commuter for a few years and as a training bike.
View attachment 813287
Currently it's set up single speed with mudguards and 28mm Vittoria Rubino Pro on Rigida DP18 rims. The tyres are roughly 26.5mm wide on these rims and there is still space to experiment with slightly wider tyres.
Despite those skinny tyres by today's "standards" and the stiff wheels the ride is fairly comfortable. The handling isn't twitchy but nimble enough for me. Stiffness of the frame is good enough for me as a 110kg guy.
For touring with a considerable amount of luggage I'd choose another bike nowadays: wider tyres, better brakes and a stiffer frame. But with a handlebar bag and only a few kilograms on a rear rack probably it will do the job good enough.

E.

Those rims are going to be pretty stiff imho.

 

[deejayen]

Thanks!

I like the fixed wheel option! Most of my audaxes were on fixed (a 1950's track bike) but I switched to recumbents years ago after problems with numb fingers.

I'm undecided about the Bob Jackson. It caught my eye, and It's not too far from me, so I could go to see it if I decide it may be a bike I could get on with. However, I'm still unsure about any upright bike for anything more than short rides, but every so often I think it would be nice to have an upright I could use for audax and fairly lightweight camping trips.

Mention of newer style bike has me considering those as well, including things like the Salsa Vaya which seems to have shorter reach which may help to avoid numb fingers. Apparently it's not a bike for heavily loaded touring, and it may be a bit sluggish and slow steering even with road tyres.