Thorn Cycles Forum
Community => Muppets Threads! (And Anything Else) => Topic started by: jags on February 02, 2014, 11:03:48 pm
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So here's the thing,you all know by now I'm drooling to buy either the Thorn Audax or Club Tour frameset.
but the other day i came across the Spa Steel Tourer made from Reynolds 725 tubing for a hell of a lot less money than either of the Thorn's. :-\
So would anyone have any idea why? Is the Thorn frames far Superior than the Spa frames .yip i need expert advice before i go spending my wifes money.
jags.
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There's also the Spa Audax in steel too, with carbon forks, again cheaper than Thorn, http://www.spacycles.co.uk/products.php?plid=m2b0s143p2828
No reason to suppose they are any better or worse than the Thorns. Designed I believe by a guy on the CTC forum (531colin) who used to work for Spa.
Fewer sizes than Thorn, and only one colour that I can see, so maybe some savings made there.
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Hi Jags,
I have no exposure to Spa Cycles, never having seen one in the flesh so to speak, but here's an expert (?) opinion:
http://www.ctc.org.uk/sites/default/files/file_public/201303064-reviews-year-round-road-bikes.pdf
Cheers,
pj
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I have seen them in the flesh and they look very nice to the untrained eye.
When you look at the Spa Steel Touring and the spec and accessories it comes with for under 950ukp it makes a similarly specced Thorn Club tour looked decidedly expensive. It would certainly be nice to see a direct test review of the two side by side.
Andy
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So here's the thing,you all know by now I'm drooling to buy either the Thorn Audax or Club Tour frameset.
but the other day i came across the Spa Steel Tourer made from Reynolds 725 tubing for a hell of a lot less money than either of the Thorn's. :-\
So would anyone have any idea why? Is the Thorn frames far Superior than the Spa frames .yip i need expert advice before i go spending my wifes money.
jags.
As a long time customer of both Thorn/SJSC and Spa....I can honestly say that having seen locally two Spa bikes (a Tour and an Audax) that Thorn look better. However I am biased and so I decided to check the differences. Thorn have a pump peg on rear left seat stay which I find very handy. Other than that, not so many sizes to choose from (possibly a good idea) not so many colours (Black only or Titanium) and so I think Spa are better value based on these differences. I have and always will believe that Thorn are too highly priced, but of course Spa do not have such elaborate advertising via the online brochures, nor so many mouths to feed (Staff etc) nor a designers trips abroad every Winter to 'test' new ideas......
I am tempted by a Spa frameset myself but every time I go to click the sites payment button (Spa Cycles) I refrain. Why you might ask? Answer because I know deep down that I would miss direct fit mudguards, a steel fork and the pump peg.
It is a dilemma and I think it is because I already own good bikes. I consider (in my mind only) the Spa bike to be not quite so good, but it is a great deal less expensive.
jags--if you buy a Spa bike in my opinion the Audax would be a great bike for you, or the Tourer?
One last mention, the Spa frameset decals are stuck on top of the paintwork by heat gun, not under lacquer.
It is difficult but the Spa offering is really a decent frameset I am certain as the two I see locally do look good.
jags I guess that you are now even more confused?
By the way, the CTC report by Chris Juden, I personally take his reviews with a pinch of salt. He has a viewpoint but I feel that he looks down his nose at the cheaper end of the market and has years of his opinion and seems not to have time for others opinions. (in my opinion of course!
Best regards,
John
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See the thing about bike tests you cant judge a bike in a day you need to have it for at least 6 months of riding.when i first bought the sherpa i hated it like riding a tank,but i was coming from riding a full on carbon lightweight bike so i was i compairing the two which was very unfair.but yeah after 6 months or so i realized this sherpa was a lovely bike still didnt like the way it climbed but other than that is done what its supposed to do with nobs on.
to be honest at this time the spa tourer wins hands down, the club tour might be a great bike but it's certainly not hundreds of pounds better,did andy blance not say that reynolds 725 tubing was the way to go on a touring bike (maybe not but someone did) ::)
anyway i still have time to cocider which frame to buy no panic just yet.
jags
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Hi jags,
Thorn Club Tour Frame, fork, headset and seat post is £599 (cheapest fork). Spa steel tourer frame, fork and headset (not fitted) is £315.
Is it worth an extra £284?
Good question.
I live in Harrogate home of Spa and I personally know Colin who designed the Spa frames.
I have ridden both the Spa Tourer and the Spa Audax but the titanium versions.
Colin rides with my club "Wheel Easy" and a lot of members have Spa Titanium Audax bikes and think they are fantastic, very comfortable and responsive.
They are an enormous success.
The Tourer and the Audax are quite different bikes so make sure you match your requirements with the right bike. Just like the Thorn Audax and Club Tour are quite different.
I really liked the ride of the Spa Tourer and it was on my short list. It would also have made sense for me to take a bike in my home town for the after sales support. However I have ordered a Thorn new Club Tour ( it is actually ready but I am going on holiday on Thursday so don't want it until I return!).
Why not the Spa?
As always the "devil" is in the details.
I want steel. The Spa steel tourer doesn't come in my size of 60cms
The titanium spa is not "pretty" and is big and chunky.
Colin is a very experienced cyclist, tourer, roughstuff rider and has been in the cycle trade for many years but is new to bike design.
I think their manufacturer is based in China and will be newish to Spa
I trust Colin but he is retired now & Spa's customer services can be eccentric (best word I can think of!)
I feel the frames have been built to a price (not detracting from the design here)
The Thorn is designed by an experienced cycle tourer with years of bike design experience
There will be a longstanding relationship with the manufacturer (Taiwanese I think)
The frames are frame sealed inside and well prepped.
The Thorn seems to oose quality
I would like to try a rear disc brake
I wanted the new 853 fork (tried one and fell in love)
There are very few Thorns around these parts
I don't have the same price considerations as your good self Jags, having sold a couple of bikes last year. However I wouldn't want to buy any bike unless I had had a good ride on one. Spa will let you borrow any bike for a good half day but you would have to come over here to do it. Otherwise it is quite a risk even if it is cheaper.
Thorns policy is no risk. 14 days for a complete bike or 100 days for the frame and fork if you build it up yourself or by LBS.
I bet this hasn't helped much. My head said Spa Ti Tourer but my heart won and I sincerely hope it wont be broken when I meet her for the first time!! :D
Steve
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Steve thanks for that,actually i did see the Spa TI bike because bikepacker stayed here with me and he was on his spanking new spa ti bike he since changed to a bob jackson.
i thought the Ti looks dull no idea about ride quality as it was way to big for me.
but yeah i dont want to buy a frame just because its cheaper i do like quality and dont mind paying extra for it. yeah the thorn has a bit more street cred for sure but does it ride any better thats the big question.
jags
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Great summary Steve and I am sure soon you will be in a good position to put them head to head and give us all a good comparison between the two.
I currently have my heart set on a R&B Club Tour with the 853 fork and any help on justifying the price would be much appreciated.
Andy
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fork is very expensive i did look at this my self i think i would be going carbon as i've no intentions using front panniers. ::)
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Jags, I don't think there is carbon fork option for the Club Tour.
It sounds to me the Audax is the bike for you but it does depend on tyre size choice you are looking for.
Will the Thorn Audax ride better than the Spa Audax?
Only you would be able to answer that after you have tried both bikes. No one else can decide that for you.
All the people I know (except one, who sold his very quickly for another Rohloff) love how their Spa Titanium Audax ride. They don't like the looks though!
I know no one with the Spa Steel Audax yet though.
I'd be careful about the steel Spa Audax until there are more owners and reviews. They have used Reynolds 725 tubes which isn't normal for an Audax bike.
It seems 631 or 853 is more common on good Audax bikes.
Steve
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One thing to note that is quite important is the rear spacing.
Thorn-
Audax 132.5mm OLN
CT 135mm OLN
Spa-
Audax 130mm OLN
Tourer 132.5mm OLN
On the Spa audax this will limit to road hubs.
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For what it is worth i bought a a Spa Ti Audax bike and never really took to it.
I did not like the ride and it felt lifeless also whilst I know it would not effect the ride quality the finish was dull and un-interesting. In the end I sold it and bought a Bob Jackson frame and i am much happier with it. I also used to have a Raven Tour which I enjoyed riding but eventually sold as it was overkill for what I wanted it for but it was definitely the most comfortable bike I have ridden.
At times I still wish I had kept the RT but needs must.
At some point will probably join the Torn club again but with a Club Tour.
Hope this helps.
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Thanks again lads,yeah i think it will be a touring bike i go for.i'm not changing my tent (if i tell the wife i need a new tent say no more) >:( ;D ;D anyway it weighs 3kg not sure what my new ortlieb classic will weigh when full,but yeah i dont want to overload a shiny new audax ,i know the tour would carry much more so would make sense me thinks to go for a touring bike.
everything on my raleigh is new so no worries there.but looks like i will be buying new canti or V-breakes other than that i'm ready to roll.
yeah the frame is the major factor got to get this right first time no second chance i'm afraid.
thanks lads
jags.
just seen your post richard thanks.
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i'm not changing my tent (if i tell the wife i need a new tent say no more) Angry Grin Grin anyway it weighs 3kg
A 3kg tent? In my opinion, this tips the scales more firmly in the direction of a touring bike rather than Audax.
Lots to think about, Anto.
Best,
Dan.
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Sure have Dan, to be honest if i sold my guitar today i would order the club tour now before i change my mind again.
btw i got the job. ;)
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btw i got the job.
Yay!!! ;D ;D ;D
All congratulations, Jags. I know what this means. Wonderful. They're lucky to have you.
All the best,
Dan. (...who is just delighted with this bit of news)
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;) Thanks Dan sems like a lovely place to work just got to get my head down until i sus the place out ;)
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Interesting thread. I hope that tomorrow will see the delivery of my new Spa Steel Audax, specced with the Shimano 105 build and leather ti railed Spa saddle. Having been a very happy owner of a Thorn Audax [see my posts passim] before, I regretted the day I sold it ever since and it was a toss up between another Thorn or the Spa. I happened to be in North Yorks a couple of weeks ago and so, when I eventually found the Spa HQ [cunningly hidden away!!!] I had time to test one out for size. They have every size built up as demonstrators, and are happy to let you ride/test/sit on the bike to ensure sizing is correct.
The key thing that swung it for me was the size - I had a 570 frame on the Thorn and it always seemed tantalizingly on the small side for me, whilst being lovely at the same time. The Spa comes in 58cm and just sitting astride it was a revelation - it felt right straight away. I don't tour or carry any excess weight so I think this bike seems to be fairly close to the 'old school racer' ethos which is what I want.
I went for the Rigida handbuilt wheels option, as I had a pair of Spa built Rigidas on my Thorn Audax and they were unbreakable. Oddly, carbon forks are standard and steel are an extra, whereas I seem to remember it being the converse at Thorn?
I will report once I have had a chance to ride the bike, which weather permitting will be later this week, tho' it will probably now snow for the next six weeks just to spite me. I hope I will still be allowed to post on the Thorn forum!!! :)
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I hope I will still be allowed to post on the Thorn forum!!!
Aw, you're always welcome, Paul; no worries there.
Generally, I try to keep things Thorn-specific 'cos they are kind enough to make this playground possible for all of us and it seems rather unkind to promote directly competing products on their Forum. However, in this case, where you've owned an Audax, you're in a unique position to compare your new bike and it will help jags and others actually decide. If the Thorn has merits that better meet some individual needs, that will come through. It's a bit of a case-by-case, but this seems a good comparo. Looking from afar, the Spa seems a terrific value where price alone is concerned, but I like the greater versatility allowed by the Thorn's design (geometry, the standard steel fork, individual brazed-on bits and the like, as well as the company and its warranty, which can be Very Important). Which to get will depend on the value an individual places on all those variables -- and the ride and actual fit and suitability for purpose, of course.
All congratulations to you on your new ride and best wishes for many happy journeys beneath the wheels. Exciting news, and I hope you won't have to wait too long for a ride.
Dan.
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Congratulations on getting the job Jags!
And congratulations Paulson on the new bike. :)
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paulson new quality frame and quality hand built wheels nice set of slicks you cant go wrong very best of luck with that beauti.sure will be interesting to hear what you find different on the too bikes Thorn and Spa if any. ;) as i said earlier its going to take months to mould into a bike you will either love it of hate it :o
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Congratulations on getting the job Jags!
And congratulations Paulson on the new bike. :)
Thanks Jim i didn't post it on facebook to many people know me and will start asking aquard questions.i was told that i cant discuss the going ons in the centre to respect peoples privacy which i can fully understand.
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The Spa Audax has just arrived. Taking a break from building it up out of the box.
First impressions......wow!
Will post a pic later and impressions.
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lovely cant wait to see pic's and ride report,and will you be carring any panniers on that baby if so whats the max weight you can carry without frame breaking under to much weight . ;)
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Great stuff - can't wait to see the build pictures and what you think of it, unbiased, of course ;D
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Thanks Jim i didn't post it on facebook to many people know me and will start asking aquard questions.i was told that i cant discuss the going ons in the centre to respect peoples privacy which i can fully understand.
I'm intrigued, Anto. But I won't ask. Congrats for that achievement, as well!
Hate to go OT, but I'm tent shopping myself. Which one are you looking at?
Sam
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Cheers Sam,my new job is a caretaker in a cancer centre,i'll be doing mostly maintanance work nothing to tech thank god ::) i think the work will suit me its only 20 hours a week so no big wages but i'm not to concerned about that,i was told i cannot discusss patients buisness out side the centre which i can fully understand. ;)
tent hunt well if i had the money i think i would be buying the hilleberg nallo gt2 but its crazy money.i had the akto great one man tent but i hated it like sleeping in a coffin i'll be in one of them long enough. ;D
i have the mountain hardware spear gt2 very like the nallo but heavier but yeah loads of room in it and comfy inside.have to say though me and tents dont really get on,i'm a restless sleeper so i'm in and out like a blue arse fly all night long i crack up people that tour with me .(for god sake anto settle down) ::)
i often think how the hell did i ever get into cycle touring and all the gear that goes with it, but when i get on the road set up camp at the end of a hard slog on the bike i realize i love it especally if the weather is good,sure thats what its all about.
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Have a look at the van go force 10 something something 200+... Can't remember the name. Looks very good and half the price of the hilleberg tents.
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Have a look at the van go force 10 something something 200+
Links here...
http://www.forcetentents.com/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vango_(company)
Best,
Dan.
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lovely cant wait to see pic's and ride report,and will you be carring any panniers on that baby if so whats the max weight you can carry without frame breaking under to much weight . ;)
No panniers, although it does have rack mounts. They do a specific touring bike for those who want to carry weight.
The most luggage it will be carrying is a Spa Cycles leather toolbag for spare tubes and levers....
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;)
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Have a look at the van go force 10 something something 200+... Can't remember the name. Looks very good and half the price of the hilleberg tents.
Looked it up now. The vango version is the vango spirit 200+ though this doesn't seem to be in the 2014 catalogue. The force 10 version is the nitro lite 200+. The spirit is heavier and less spendy if you can find it it looks to be the perfect one to touring.
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Finally managed to post a photo after the useless Flickr gave up the ghost!
Everything tightened up, looking good! Can't wait to find time to ride it for the first time.
The scruffy old seatpack is being replaced with a nice honey leather one from Spa!
(http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5480/12310278564_5508a16c30_b.jpg)
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Looks good!
Toe clips and leather straps, eh?
Ah....Memories ......
Have fun getting it dirty.
pj
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i think the work will suit me its only 20 hours a week
Congratulations twice Anto!!
Once for landing the job and secondly for being able to negotiate "bike rider friendly" hours.
I may have to engage you to speak on my behalf next time I go for a job interview.
Cheers,
pj (Who is beginning to understand all this blarney about Kissing the Blarney)
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bike looks stunning super build fair play ,black frame can look class when you dec her out in jewels. ;)
enjoy every pedal stroke .
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pj when i went for the interview i had to tell myself to keep my big mouth shut ;D
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pj (Who is beginning to understand all this blarney about Kissing the Blarney)
Some are born to it, some practice for years, some kiss the stone and become magical cyclists for whom all hills flatten themselves in obeisance.
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That bike looks stunning,
just needs a gold plated chain now to finish it ;)
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... and some go faster stripes.
I'll get me coat ;D.
Seriously tis a cracking(ly) nice bike. Superb stuff.
Robbie
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ok this is where my head is at the moment but could change any minute ::)
no-1 Thorn Club tour
2-Spa Steel tourer.
3-surly cross check
4- velo orange campur.
5- dawes ultra galaxy.
i've more or less ruled out any audax frames no use to me if they don't carry what i want them to carry ;)
i could be looking at frams until the cows came home,i still have time to choose my favourate which eer that will be i sure dont want to buy a donky,guess i had better start getting the pennies together.
jags.
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ok this is where my head is at the moment but could change any minute ::)
no-1 Thorn Club tour
2-Spa Steel tourer.
3-surly cross check
4- velo orange campur.
5- dawes ultra galaxy.
i've more or less ruled out any audax frames no use to me if they don't carry what i want them to carry ;)
i could be looking at frams until the cows came home,i still have time to choose my favourate which eer that will be i sure dont want to buy a donky,guess i had better start getting the pennies together.
jags.
Thorn Club Tour
Spa Tourer
Forget anything else.
John
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Just a thought...
Your Number One choice is well-proven among members of this Forum, jags.
The old Packard automobile slogan was "Ask the man who owns one". It works for bicycles, too. Correctly choosing a new bicycle for oneself in the absence of a test ride is much easier if there is a lot of user feedback on how well the model works. The Club Tour has that in spades, virtually all of it positive.
The other bikes in your list are all fine machines -- no doubt there -- but don't have the depth of feedback or community resources of the Thorn. That really does count for a lot when buying an unknown frame or bike.
Best,
Dan.
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yip its gonna be the club tour as soon as i get the dosh half way there ;)
thanks lads.
anto.
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yip its gonna be the club tour as soon as i get the dosh half way there ;)
thanks lads.
anto.
Anto
To make certain of the message Dan posted-I owned two Club Tours (Winter and Summer). Fell very ill as you know.
What was the first bike I built after regaining some better health? Answer, a Thorn Club Tour!
Truthfully though, I would not be very likely to buy the latest version with the extra lump for disc brake on the rear stay.. I do think however for yourself that there may be a couple of smaller older model frames still available. You might however want rear disc brake.
Keep on keeping on, but do not divert from the way ahead.
John
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Have a look at the van go force 10 something something 200+... Can't remember the name. Looks very good and half the price of the hilleberg tents.
You're right! The Force 10 Nitro Lite looks very similar to the Nallo 2 GT that I have been leaning towards, and is even 5cm taller where it matters. Amazingly, it would save over 1kg of weight!
But at £500, it's actually MORE expensive than the Hilleberg, no? (My Hilleberg website prices come up in $).
Still, it's now on my list for further study, if I can get my hands on one.
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John i'm not really interestd in disc brakes but if i have no choice then so be it i can still use V-brakes on it cant i.
wonder would Dave know if theres older club tours hiding in some corner that would fit me.
emm should i message him. ;) i can't afford it yet but i could send a good amount of money as a deposit..
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You're right! The Force 10 Nitro Lite looks very similar to the Nallo 2 GT that I have been leaning towards, and is even 5cm taller where it matters. Amazingly, it would save over 1kg of weight!
But at £500, it's actually MORE expensive than the Hilleberg, no? (My Hilleberg website prices come up in $).
Still, it's now on my list for further study, if I can get my hands on one.
did you look at exped tents some nice one's.but i could not advise i'm no expert on tents.
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jags the old CT's are listed under clearance:
http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/thorn-club-tour-frame-and-fork-set-prod7579/ (http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/thorn-club-tour-frame-and-fork-set-prod7579/)
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thanks chris i'll pop over there now, cheers
jags
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Good one, Chris.
Jags, would the 485S (20 inch) do you? It is a lovely shade of British Racing Green.
Best,
Dan.
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http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/thorn-club-tour-frame-and-fork-set-prod7579/
i think this would fit going to get my son to get measureing tape out ;)
i wonder would they hold it for me .
thanks chris i'm that bit closer.
jags.
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No problem jags, thats the same size frame I have and I find it's a good fit for me at a shade under 5' 6" with a 105mm stem.
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Good one, Chris.
Jags, would the 485S (20 inch) do you? It is a lovely shade of British Racing Green.
Best,
Dan.
Dan sjs reckons i need the 52.5s in the audax,so what do you reckon,
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No problem jags, thats the same size frame I have and I find it's a good fit for me at a shade under 5' 6" with a 105mm stem.
so we are the same height chris.man i almost feel embarrised asking sjs will they take a deposit on it :-[
what to do what to do.
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Dan sjs reckons i need the 52.5s in the audax,so what do you reckon,
If you ask again about the Club Tour sizes (rather than Audax), be sure to specify you'll be using drops. Maybe the shorter (seat tube) but longer (top tube) frame would work? Dunno.
Dunno if it will make any difference to you, jags, but I do see the thumbnail pic of the rear dropouts shows just a single eyelet.
As for asking...if you don't ask, you'll never know.
Best,
Dan.
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Dunno if it will make any difference to you, jags, but I do see the thumbnail pic of the rear dropouts shows just a single eyelet.
Best,
Dan.
I phoned and spoke to Lisa before buying mine and looking at the same picture, she said they now had two eyelets (mine has), worth checking though beforehand if it matters to you.
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so rack and mudguards fit in one eyelet should be fine.or am i missing something.
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so rack and mudguards fit in one eyelet should be fine.or am i missing something.
Thats my understanding jags (if it only has one eyelet), or use a thorn rack and attach the mudguard to that.
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chris i have a tubus rack just waiting to be fitted ;D
ok so who at sjs should i email about that frame .
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so rack and mudguards fit in one eyelet should be fine.or am i missing something.
For lighter touring with reasonable loads, you should be fine hanging both rack and mudguards from the same eyelet.
Where it becomes important is touring with larger, heavier loads. The longer bolts required to hold both stays and rack can lead to shearing under expedition loads. This (and convenience) is why touring bikes intended for heavier loads have double eyelets. It is also why expedition bikes like the Nomad have 6mm fasteners -- that extra bit of design to ensure reliability.
For the kind of touring you intend, I see no problem with just a single set of eyelets if that is all the frame has.
If your Tubus rack is not an Evo model, it may include a mounting point for the fender stays as well. This will provide a second mount, as would a Thorn rack (as Chris observed).
Best,
Dan.
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Lisa was a great help when I was trying to decide if the frame was right for me, she gets my vote.
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Lisa was a great help when I was trying to decide if the frame was right for me, she gets my vote.
Seconded; Lisa's a gem and a half! ;D
Best,
Dan.
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ok email sent nothing beats a try but a failure ;D ;D
my son just measured me in my bare feet honest i defo shrunk ;D ;D i might need that 48 after all .
anto.
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Good luck mate, hope it works out for you.
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thanks Chris /dan i sent it to dave ::) lets hope he's in good form ;D ;D
dan tubus rack has no fitting for mudguards tubus vega.i resprayed it looks like new.
fingers and toes crossed.
jags.
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Jags, I'm sure everyone has their fingers crossed for you.
Regards, Alfie
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;)cheers alfie guess i'll know soon enough.
jags.
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No problem jags, thats the same size frame I have and I find it's a good fit for me at a shade under 5' 6" with a 105mm stem.
FWIW I am 167 cm (nearly 5'6") with an inside leg 77.5 cm (30.5").
My Club Tour is a 517L and it's a perfect fit (with drop bars).
Cheers,
pj
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peter i seem to have shrunk in the last couple months ;D ;D
i'm 5.5 inside leg 28.5ins
as long as i'm able to walk and cycle i'll settle for what i am not a lot i can do about it ::)
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Ok the latest news .got an email from SJS they said they will hold the frame for me on a deposit ;) but only for 2 months..... ah i'm afraid that wont work for me.
its possible i could have the full amount in 2 months but then again maybe not,so i'm gonna wait until i have the full amount before i :-[ :-[ myself again.
so looks like i'll have to wait again :'(
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hey jags
shame but - don't sell the guitar. Too useful for singing the 'no bike blues'.
A friend of mine was in a music shop in New York trying out a $3000 mandolin. My friend was hesitating (too right!!) and the shopkeeper says 'you'll never run out of money, you'll only ever run out of time'.
I use this now when I need to justify a spend, so it works for me. Didn't work for my friend though.
ian
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Cheers Ian,i taught i would have no problem selling the guitar as its a feckin dinger but always the opportunist that's looking to buy it for half the asking price, no way danno they will never get there miserable mitts on it.Thing is Ian i don't play it much and i wont be stuck for a guitar as i have my sons here he is now living in the states and i ain't posting it over to him ;)besides i'm crap anyway ;D ;D
anyway time is still on my side so i'm gonna wait.
thanks
jags.
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Cheers Ian,i taught i would have no problem selling the guitar as its a feckin dinger but always the opportunist that's looking to buy it for half the asking price, no way danno they will never get there miserable mitts on it.Thing is Ian i don't play it much and i wont be stuck for a guitar as i have my sons here he is now living in the states and i ain't posting it over to him ;)besides i'm crap anyway ;D ;D
anyway time is still on my side so i'm gonna wait.
thanks
jags.
How much for the Guitar Anto? ;D
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600euro and its yours ;) never to late to start ;D
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600euro and its yours ;) never to late to start ;D
YOU could get a decent frame for that! ::)
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i sure could John but i havent got a buyer yet and i've tried.
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YOU could get a decent frame for that!
That's the idea! :D
Guitar => Bike Frame is the New Alchemy.
All the best,
Dan. (...who has been known to convert one thing to another using Magical eBay)
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Well the lads at SJS are trying to get me a frame that fits, man i didn't think it was gonna be this hard all of my other bikes were always spot on size wise and believe me i've went through a few.
anyway what i was wondering was, if i have to buy the newer model club tour with disc fitting do i need to buy a disc wheel as well :o
or will V-brakes do the job....
also if i need to buy V-brakes what break leavers are best, (they gotta look super cool mind)i will be using barend leavers.
now i can't afford any of this lot at the moment i'm just planning ahead.
thanks lads
jags.
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Hi jags
You can completely ignore the disc mount on the frame and just go for standard rim brake wheels. For V brakes you are going to need something like the Tektro brake levers to go with your bar end levers. I have them on both my Nomad and my Tour and they are comfortable and work well.
Looking forward to your future build
Andy
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thanks andy good to know.
it will be a while yet.
jags.
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I rode the new Spa Steel Audax today for the first time. The weather wasn't great, but the bike revealed itself to be a beauty. The frame is comfortable, compliant and fast; the carbon forks do a good job of soaking up some of the road noise. It handles nicely, and does feel quite similar to the Thorn Audax Mk3 in terms of general ride, although the latter's steel forks are more my style. I may well invest in a pair of steel forks in the near future. The thing that particularly impressed me was the lightness and climbing ability of the bike; it dealt superbly with the pedalling effort when I was climbing gradients and feels significantly lighter than the Thorn, though that may well depend on the build specified on either bike.
Mine has Deda finishing kit, 105 triple chainset, levers and rear gearing, tektro brakes, rigida Chrina handbuilt wheels and a pair of Schwalbe Lugano tyres - all translating into a very well specced bike for just short of £1300.
All in all, my feelings are that if you're open minded about which steel framed bike to go for, then consider the Spa as well as the Thorn, it's terrific value.