Dawes Century SE

[jayonabike]

I am thinking of getting Dawes Century SE as my winter bike. I love the classic frame geometry and this bike looks ideal for the job. Steel frame, carbon forks and full mudguards. Fairly cheap components to replace after the winter crud takes its toll and can take a rack and suitable for all day riding. Could even strip it down a bit and use for day long rides in the summer. On offer for £715 seems a bit of a bargain too. What do you think?

 

[Crackle]

I think, nay I'm sure, there's an upcoming review in road.cc. Baggy of this forum will have the lowdown as I think Chuffy is doing the review.

There's a gallery here.

I like the looks of it. I have the Dawes Audax 2006 which is pretty similiar, no carbon forks though and it's all I need in a bike. I think the price is pretty good too and it will do all that you mentioned, easily.

 

[Baggy]

It s indeed like an updated version of the Dawes Audax - there will definitely be a review of it on road.cc soon. In short, yes, it's got all the bits you'd want too make it an ideal winter bike and it's apparently very comfortable on long day rides It's got a sensible range of gears and the frame was very tidy and well finished.

At that price they're a bargain, though Spa cycles have them on pre-order, not actually in stock as yet - but worth waiting a couple of weeks for I think.

 

[jayonabike]

Yes it does seem to tick all the right boxes for me. I spoke to Spa Cycles yesterday, and had a good chat with them. All I need to do now is sell the Mountain bike to release some funds to go towards it.....
P.S thanks for the link to the gallery Crackle.

 

[GrumpyGregry]

I am thinking of getting Dawes Century SE as my winter bike. On offer for £715 seems a bit of a bargain too. What do you think?

seems like a massive bargain to me.

 

[Alembicbassman]

My winter bike cost £160 second hand. Still has Tiagra stuff

£700 is a lot to spend on a winter hack.

 

[Baggy]

£700 is a lot to spend on a winter hack.

If lazyj takes the plunge I reckon it will end up getting used year round

 

[P.H]

My winter bike cost £160 second hand. Still has Tiagra stuff

£700 is a lot to spend on a winter hack.

Shhhhh... If people don't buy new bikes, where are you going to get second hand ones from?


And £700 is what I'd spend on three months commuting if I didn't have a bike I liked riding. If you use them, bikes are cheap That Dawes does look like decent value at Spa prices.

 

[jayonabike]

I ordered one from Spa cycles last night, should be here sometime in April, and Baggy's right this will get used throughout the year!

 

[Baggy]

If anyone is interested there's a review of the Dawes up now, with some more nice pictures!

 

[Crackle]

If anyone is interested there's a review of the Dawes up now, with some more nice pictures!

Hey, the link works this time Very good review but "Previous versions have been known to stray into oversized tubing and odd profiles in an attempt to look modern" I hope he doesn't mean my 2006, I'll have 'im. Still, it is 631 though and 105 so I can live with it's oversized attempt to look modern.

The Century is more sensibly geared out the box though and 25 tyres rather than the 23's on mine are a better bet for it's intended use. I will soon be putting 25's on mine but Schwalbes not the Rubinos.

You'll be very happy with this LJ.

 

[jayonabike]

Great review, after reading it I can't wait for mine to turn up!

 

[Baggy]

Has your bike arrived yet lazyj? After giving the review bike back Chuffy missed it so much that he decided to take advantage of the offer . Spa called us yesterday to say they'd just received their delivery from Dawes so it should be with us at any time!

 

[jayonabike]

Yes, it turned up today. I haven't a clue about building a bike so I have dropped the box of bits off at my LBS and hope to be riding a shiny new bike by the weekend!

 

[Goldie]

Apologies for dusting off an old thread. I'm thinking about buying a bike for commuting and longer weekend rides. It needs to be tough and up for climbing hills, as I live at the edge of the North Yorkshire moors. I remember liking the look of the Century and Clubman when they came out, and I can see that they are still knocking about here and there for £670 - £750, which is within my budget. Any Century or Clubman owners out there who'd like to share their experiences of riding and owning these?

Also, I never did understand what differentiated the Century and the Clubman - was it just groupset?