London-Edinburgh-London 2013: The thread

[middleagecyclist]

Actually, looking at the pics and dimensions I think the Super C Barley and the Super C Audax are the same bag. Anyway, the niggle remains. Does a 'proper' Carradice have to sport a diamond reflective patch? I need to know!

 

[zigzag]

it doesn't matter if a bag has reflectives or not - if you can figure out that it's a cyclist in the front (on a cold and rainy night in the middle of nowhere), you can be sure it's an audaxer. but whether he is on the right track - you can never be sure!

 

[middleagecyclist]

it doesn't matter if a bag has reflectives or not - if you can figure out that it's a cyclist in the front (on a cold and rainy night in the middle of nowhere), you can be sure it's an audaxer. but whether he is on the right track - you can never be sure!

What are you suggesting? Is Audax-ing a purely male pastime?

 

[zigzag]

should have been he/she (but very small number of female riders doing long rides unfortunately, so most likely - he )

 

[alans]

Actually, looking at the pics and dimensions I think the Super C Barley and the Super C Audax are the same bag. Anyway, the niggle remains. Does a 'proper' Carradice have to sport a diamond reflective patch? I need to know![/quote]

yes

 

[frank9755]

Joking and bantering apart, people do look at these posts for info, so I'd have to say audax is the most tolerant form of cycling I've found with the broadest range of bikes and equipment on display. No-one minds what you do or don't have. And that includes the guys from Rapha, who have been a great addition to the audax scene over the last couple of years and excellent PR for their company. They gave me a wonderful tow for five miles into Malmesbury last year and gave PBP entrants a discount on their kit!

 

[yello]

They gave me a wonderful tow for five miles into Malmesbury last year and gave PBP entrants a discount on their kit!

They did indeed. And a very fine jersey it is too.... even if I was welcomed to Brest by someone with the words "ah, someone else with more money than sense"!

 

[alans]

I have decided not to ride

 

[mcshroom]

I have decided not to ride

I assume that's just LEL not riding in general

 

[yello]

and I'm still undecided! Plenty of time to change your mind alans!

 

[alans]

I assume that's just LEL not riding in general

I have made a decision to not ride audax calander events for the foreseeable future.The focus of my riding will be those rides I can start from home & occassionaly rides starting close to home involving minimum expenditure
The British Cycle Quest & the judicious use of trains plus audax DIY & Perms will be my cycling diet.

 

[alans]

and I'm still undecided! Plenty of time to change your mind alans!

A change of mind is extremely unlikely.There are non-cycling related circumstances involved.

 

[Mr Bunbury]

But I've yet to get The bike. Surely I should choose the best bag and then get the bike and fittings to go with it?

Now, I can appreciate Cotton Duck as a material but all those leather straps and metal buckles and rings seems...well, just a bit past it to me *covers head*. What's wrong with having some plastic fastenings such as those on the Carradice Super C Audax Saddlebag?

The Super C is too big for LEL. Seriously, it'll only encourage you to carry too much stuff, and then to waste time faffing around with too much stuff at the controls.

The size down, the Nelson, is the biggest I'd consider for Audax. I've done week+ credit card tours with mine without a problem, and have generally downsized to an Ortlieb saddlebag for audaxes up to PBP, using the Carradice if I've needed an extra change of clothes at the end or whatever.

Seriously, far more people wish they'd brought less stuff than wish they'd brought more. As for bikes, your 'light bike' should be ideal unless it's a super-aggressive criterium bike. The idea that you need a slow, heavy bike for audax is one I've never been able to fathom.

 

[jefmcg]

I'm confused. The super c audax linked about is 9 litres. The nelson is 15.

The standard super c is 23 litres.

Personally, I'd avoid carradice with plastic buckles. I managed to destroy a maxi saddle pack in six months of commuting; http://www.cyclechat.net/threads/carradura-maxi-saddlepack.96390/

 

[martint235]

I've got a Nelson. I've used it for 5 day trips with changes of clothes etc, there's more than enough room for LEL I think. I'm only planning on taking batteries and a change of kit.