Audax Mk3 Advice please

[j22jbl]

Hi, I am making a come back in the road cycling stakes, now that my family are growing up. I have owned a selection of bikes over the years, including a Dawes Impulse and Super Galaxy. I have a Trek 1500d that has only covered about 700 miles in the last 5 years, and this is the bike that I have recently been getting out on more and more. I have a mountain bike for canal tow paths with some slicky tyres and use that with the family etc.

I dont find the Trek 1500 particularly comfortable, and I am very seriously thinking therefore about selling it. I would like to put the cash towards a Thorn Audax. I live near to Bridgwater and Thorn are very local to me.

 There is no doubt about the pedegree of Thorn bikes, and arguably I could not go wrong with any. However, I have been taking a closer look at the range, they offer three specs - the SJSC special, Deore/105 STI and the Ultegra 10 speed. Prices range from £1,299 to £1,999.

I took a look at the rims offered on the entry level bike, Mavic Open Sport and on doing a google found that these appeared to be a basic and inexpensive rim. That suprised me because, whilst they are on the entry level Thorn Audax, this is not a bottom of the range price when it comes to comparion with other brands (particualry the mass produced type bikes of say Dawes). I thought that being a Thorn and with a price tag of £1,299 they might have put some better rims on?

Equally, I just wonder how the rest of the kit on the entry level bike stacks up - is it good value or would I be better advised to opt for the Deore/105 set up, alternatively, start with the bottom of the range and buy some upgrades. The kit on my Trek is Ultegra and do I really want to buy a more expensive bike, with cheeper kit?

I must say that I am not at the stage whereby I go out for a 100 miles at a time, but as the Spring approaches and I get fitter then I will certainly increase my distances. Even now, getting out for a thirty miler, I want to enjoy the bike and it whilst it may appear over indulgent, I would like the best I can reasonably afford, without risking the wrath of her indoors!

Should I push the boat out and spend the £1,999, or buy the entry level and upgrade certain components. If it is the latter, which components should be upgraded, to what and why?

I thank you in advance for any feedback that you can provide, and hope that my line of question is not unreasonable.

John

PS if anyone is interest in a low mileage, Trek 1500d in mint condition please let me know - it will shortly be appearing on ebay!

[sbseven]

Out of interest, what's actually wrong with the Trek? Wrong size frame, ride too harsh?

You could buy the Audax Mk3 frame and fork option and transfer some components over from the Trek, if they're still in pretty good condition. That would probably be a lot more cost effective than selling the Trek on Ebay. Sounds like most of the kit is pretty reasonable quality and should be transferable. (I think you'd need a new rear hub as the Audax Mk3 has 135mm spacing). That might be my starting option...

Then, assuming the Trek frame's not the wrong size (and even that could possibly be 'fixed' with a different stem / handlebar configuration), you'd have the basis of your new 'winter road bike' which you could build back up over time!

I've got a Thorn bike (Raven Nomad) and I like Thorn/SJSC as a company and I was keen to tap into their expertise in the (heavy duty) touring market and I consider them pretty much the market leaders in this particular field. When it comes to road bikes, though, like the Audax Mk3 or even 'sportive' style bikes that may also be suitable for your needs, the market is a lot bigger and the competition is certainly strong. I'd suggest initially casting your net wider and looking around a bit to ensure the Audax Mk3 is the best deal around for your purpose, especially as you've pointed out, you're coming back into road cycling and you're not talking about entry level prices here...

If you want an "Audax type bike" - Comfortable frame / mile-eater / mudguard eyes / light touring maybe - then a post on YACF (or other such larger forums) will give you many further suggestions to follow up. The Audax Mk3 will be mentioned, I'm sure, along with quite a few other interesting offerings.

Research well, then make that decision! 

Shaun

[j22jbl]

Shaun,

Many thanks for that advice. You are not the first to suggest transferring parts of the Trek. I will as you suggest do a lot more research. I think the issue with the Trek is that the ride is rather harsh, and I suspect that I am after something a little less sporty, and with a little more comfort. Perhaps I am getting old!!

[brummie]

FYI:
The Mk3 Audax is actually spaced 132.5mm at the rear dropouts to accept either 130mm ( road ) or 135mm (mtb ) hubs ! Mavic Open Sport rims may not be the most expensive rims available but they offer good performance. When buying wheels I'd quite happily pay more for a pair that are well built on a good pair of hubs. Rims wear out eventually & need replacing...

[rualexander]

Shaun,

Many thanks for that advice. You are not the first to suggest transferring parts of the Trek. I will as you suggest do a lot more research. I think the issue with the Trek is that the ride is rather harsh, and I suspect that I am after something a little less sporty, and with a little more comfort. Perhaps I am getting old!!

I recently bought the Mk3 frame & forks (plus carbon fork), and transferred wheels and most components over from an older Cannondale. I am pleased with the Mk3, and was surprised at the increase in comfort in terms of reduction in harshness of the ride. Frame and forks at £350 (plus £110 if getting the carbon forks as well), seems like a good option for you, rather than paying between £1300 and £2000 for a complete bike, especially if you don't intend to keep the Trek anyway.

[Paulson]

Now I've settled on a mk3 myself, another question.  Lots of issues are starting to come out of the woodwork concerning my foul little plan to transfer the kit from my road bike!

a) Brakes - I ran 105 calipers (BR5600's) which I suspect are short drop - 49mm.  I am starting to fear that these won't for the extended frame clearance on the audax frame - will I have to sell 'em off and buy some new ones with long drops?

b) the front mech/bottle eyelet issue is starting to bother me a little as I have a compact tiagra chainset (fc4500) running 52 - 39.  In the future I may change this if I do get into touring a bit more - but riding in east anglia does not demand much in the way of hill climbing!!

[rualexander]

Paulson,
Yes, I think you will have to change your short drop brake calipers for deep drop versions. For my Mk3 I bought Miche Performance deep drop (41-57mm) brakes but even they do not really have enough clearance at the rear and I have had to file some extra adjustment into them, however another forum member advised me that he too had this problem with the Miche brakes but changed to Shimano and they were fine.
I did not have a problem with the front mech/bottle cage boss positioning on either my Mk3 (using an old Suntour mech) or my Sherpa (using a new Deore mech), the mech is clamped above the lower boss on both bikes and the cage fits ok, but it does seem odd to put the bosses in the area where the mech is likely to be fitted, especially on larger frames where I have found the reach down to get my bottles a little too far.

[Paulson]

Thanks; I suspect I will have to ring SJS in the morning and ask them to add a pair of A550's to my order - so my 105's will be going on ebay!

Well, as long as the BB/chainset fit ok, that's not too much of a hit!!

[philb]

Hi. I think it depends on what type of rider you are. The entry level is designed for someone who needs a broader spread of gears and the Ultegra is for a more experienced cyclist. I brought a frameset last year, and except for brakes, moved the whole group from a lemond 9 speed triple. I'm very happy with the set up and saved a lot over a new Ultegra one.

[freddered]

I was looking at the Mk3 but eventually went for a Condor Fratello.

They are very similar bikes (if you go for Carbon fork) but the Thorn prices increased significantly while I was deciding and meant I could get a well-specced 105 30spd setup for £1200 in a Condor.

My friend has the Mk3 in red though, it looks really nice and he really loves it (having completed 200, 300, 400 & 600km Audax rides on it)