Racing bike stolen. Advice needed for first Audax machine!

[KingofHearts]

Hello everybody,

About 3 weeks ago i had my Wilier Izoard (2009) stolen in a burglary. Since then I've been moping around and had convinced myself that cycling would never be the same now that my beloved bike was between somebody else's legs! But I've managed to pick myself up and try to move forward.

Since moving away from my mums house I no longer have the disposable income to splash out £2k on a delightful bike, but I do have a £1000 bike voucher to spend with Evans on the ride to work scheme! I also don't mind bumping this up by no more than £300.

Can anybody help me decide on what bike I should look to ride next? I'm no longer interested in racing, but instead will focus on Audax rides so it needs to be comfortable.
I'm 6'0 with a 32" inside leg (i think)

I've picked out three bikes from a long list, if you could lend your opinions on these and any others that you know of in the price range I'd be very thankful.
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/hoy/sa-calobra-004-11-speed-2014-road-bike-ec059960
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/cannondale/supersix-evo-105-6-2014-road-bike-ec054394
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/scott/cr1-20-compact-2014-road-bike-ec054445


Thanks for your time,
Rob

 

[RhythMick]

I don't think you can bump up the amount you have to spend. With the ride to work schemes the bike isn't actually yours until several years in. You lease it for a nominal fee.

Many people say steel is a more comfortable ride. I can't comment but I know that when I buy an Audax/Touring bike I'll be looking at that.

Most importantly though, be properly measured and fitted for your bike before u even start making shortlists of bikes. The right fit for you should guide your shortlist. You can spend the extra getting a decent fit - from personal experience that's money well spent.

 

[RhythMick]

Hello everybody,

About 3 weeks ago i had my Wilier Izoard (2009) stolen in a burglary. Since then I've been moping around and had convinced myself that cycling would never be the same now that my beloved bike was between somebody else's legs! But I've managed to pick myself up and try to move forward.

Since moving away from my mums house I no longer have the disposable income to splash out £2k on a delightful bike, but I do have a £1000 bike voucher to spend with Evans on the ride to work scheme! I also don't mind bumping this up by no more than £300.

Can anybody help me decide on what bike I should look to ride next? I'm no longer interested in racing, but instead will focus on Audax rides so it needs to be comfortable.
I'm 6'0 with a 32" inside leg (i think)

I've picked out three bikes from a long list, if you could lend your opinions on these and any others that you know of in the price range I'd be very thankful.
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/hoy/sa-calobra-004-11-speed-2014-road-bike-ec059960
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/cannondale/supersix-evo-105-6-2014-road-bike-ec054394
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/scott/cr1-20-compact-2014-road-bike-ec054445


Thanks for your time,
Rob

Also, your stated objective is Audax rides rather than racing and sportives. Audax are of course 100 - 600km and beyond. I could be wrong but I wouldn't naturally associate the aggressive racing geometry of those bikes with Audax.

 

[StuAff]

If you want a carbon bike for audax, as @RhythMick has stated, those aren't it. You want more relaxed geometry, a frame designed with comfort in mind, wider tyre clearance, mudguard mounts preferable.....Spesh Roubaix is the obvious (or too obvious) candidate, then there's Trek Domane, Cannondale Synapse, Scott Solace (and many more)....