Spa cycles

[vickster]

That'll be John. Bob's more emollient.

I dealt with a younger guy in the shop, can’t remember his name. John by email

 

[vickster]

Cheers folks, just need to break it to the OH why I'm taking her for a wkend break in Harrogate 🤭.

It’s a lovely town and top of my list for retirement. No need to explain.
I stayed in the Travelodge West Park on a recent visit, very reasonable and well located, you may need to treat her to posher (I wouldn’t go to the Crowne Plaza though).
When I ordered the Spa, I just went up for the day from London via York to Starbeck

 

[fossyant]

Just looked at the Elan Ti Gravel Bike - very nice and they will do it in GRX 2x (not mad keen on 1x due to sprocket jumps)

 

[oxoman]

Just looked at the Elan Ti Gravel Bike - very nice and they will do it in GRX 2x (not mad keen on 1x due to sprocket jumps)

I'm tempted to go to one of there sub compacts. My current gravel / bikepacking bike is 1x and doesn't go low enough, plus its big jumps. Hence looking at replacing it for something more suitable.

 

[oxoman]

It’s a lovely town and top of my list for retirement. No need to explain.
I stayed in the Travelodge West Park on a recent visit, very reasonable and well located, you may need to treat her to posher (I wouldn’t go to the Crowne Plaza though).
When I ordered the Spa, I just went up for the day from London via York to Starbeck

I've not been in 50yrs since forced to go to flower shows by my parents, dad was a professional horticultereist. Definitely not on my retirement list. I usually go posh with premier inns tbh. Used to travel alot and travel lodges and holiday inns were only used as a last resort. Thanks for the info though.

 

[geocycle]

I'm tempted to go to one of there sub compacts. My current gravel / bikepacking bike is 1x and doesn't go low enough, plus its big jumps. Hence looking at replacing it for something more suitable.

I have a Spa audax with TD2 subcompact. It’s excellent for the hills around here. I also have a Spa elan 2. I thought I would go for the same gearing but they persuaded me the shimano Grx was the better option. I have an 11-40 cassette with a derailleur extension.

 

[Venod]

I use SPA a lot, I have a Ti Elan, bought as a frame with forks, they fitted the headset for me, I usually have a ride up for spokes for wheel builds, they are very knowledgeable, some people don't like their Yorkshire plain speaking attitude but being a fellow Yorkshire man, I have no problems with them.

 

[oxoman]

I use SPA a lot, I have a Ti Elan, bought as a frame with forks, they fitted the headset for me, I usually have a ride up for spokes for wheel builds, they are very knowledgeable, some people don't like their Yorkshire plain speaking attitude but being a fellow Yorkshire man, I have no problems with them.

How does the titanium ride against a steel version comfort.

 

[Venod]

How does the titanium ride against a steel version comfort.

I haven't ridden a SPA Elan steel so can't comment on that comparison, but it is as comfortable as my Steel Chesini, Columbus Tubing.
When I bought the Ti Elan I had gone to check out the steel Elan but they were selling the Mk1 Ti Elan at a discount price, so I ended up with that.

 

[geocycle]

I’ve also not ridden the steel elan but can confirm the Ti version is excellent. It is really a light tourer that can be built into many different configurations and it is pretty solid so saving some weight might not be a bad plan if you’re not riding it with luggage. They will let you ride both configurations if you let them know for your visit.

 

[oxoman]

I'm looking at touring it and also bikepacking. Probably run it with bigger tyres and split mudguards or 2 sets of wheels. See what happens when I go up to the shop. Won't be for a few wks as busy though.

 

[Vantage]

I've had different experiences to most here. I've had 2 touring frames from them, the original steel Tourer and then the Wayfarer. Both handled like wet noodles when fully loaded. Comfortable on their own but not exactly lively.
I've had comments that my loads were set up wrong but the same exact setup on a Dawes Vantage and then with the current Surly BridgeClub threw up no handling issues.

 

[Moodyman]

To avoid disappointment…don’t expect a flashy boutique store. The ‘shop’ is the last one in a long line of industrial units. Expect oil stains on the reception desk, dust on the display items, and a limited selection of visible items. But, they have a large storeroom round the back from which they will wheel out whatever you like.

Ohhh…and they’re not in Harrogate. They’re in neighbouring, and less fashionable Starbeck.

None of the above matters, because the bikes are well thought out and the service is honest. You could say a proper old skool LBS.

 

[Venod]

Ohhh…and they’re not in Harrogate. They’re in neighbouring, and less fashionable Starbeck.

Starbeck is a suburb of Harrogate and there is no open land between its all built up all the way, although it does have its own rail station.