Club Tour or Audax over Sherpa? and fitting advice

[Xipe]

I've picked up cycling again since two years, commuting daily, taking longer weekend trips and gone on a couple of touring trips (with a rucksack which didn't make it fun to be cycling). Right now I have a Stevens CX that I love for being able to both commute on and taking to road training, but I've been itching for more touring trips - longer touring trips and with more packing.

So I had this idea I would get a Sherpa and use it for commuting and touring while continue using my CX for weekend training. But it is starting to strike me that a Club Tour, or possibly an Audax, would serve me much better in this regard. ...and even if I still decide to keep the CX for some reason I can exchange tires and wheels freely between the bicycles.

So - I mainly ride on paved roads on a 23 mm 700C cyclo cross bike, I ride about 1600 miles a year whether it's raining or not, and I'd like to do more loaded touring and more comfortable commuting. I'll probably also do some credit card touring with those of my friends who are averse to wildlife. I can keep the CX for unloaded road riding if worst comes to worst, but best case scenario is that I find a bicycle that can do all of this reasonably well.

Which one would you say would fit me best (or are there other possibilities?), before I talk myself in to something?

Currently leaning towards the Club Tour as I'd rather have more of a dedicated tourer that's still a decently fast commuter, since I'll probably buy a dedicated carbon cycle for the road anyway.


Also, my current frame is 54 cm but I think it's a tiny bit too small, so I'd get a 56 cm if I got the same model of bike again - do you think I can just order a 55-56 cm Thorn and not worry about the size much?

Edit: I'm in Sweden and can't test ride any Thorn model or size, hence all the *words*.

[blair]

The answer depends on what mix of loaded vs credit card touring you do, and what other bikes you have available.

I've had a Club Tour since 2003, and have really enjoyed riding it, but I would probably have been better off with a Brevet (predecessor of the Audax) as I haven't done a lot of loaded touring, and the extra weight of the Club Tour is quite noticeable, even after upgrading some of the parts.
(The fact that I am 7 years older than when I bought it might also be a factor, I guess. I seem to have a bit more more trouble keeping up with the group now than I did a few years ago.)

On the other hand, the Club Tour is indestructible, and can take 37mm tyres with room to spare, so it can cope with any sort of road, and mild off-road. Just make sure your wheels are up to it!
The Club Tour is very comfortable, too, does a great job of soaking up vibration and small bumps.
If you go this way, I'd specify the XT chainset, the BR-R550 brakes, and the XT/DT-Swiss wheels. All expensive, but lighter and stronger than the standard items.

As far as fitting goes, the 2 important measurements are top tube length and standover height. You can adjust for the TT length to some extent by playing with the stem length, but there is nothing you can do about a bike that is too tall for comfort. So measure your inside leg, and make sure that you will be able to straddle the bike you choose.

[peter jenkins]

I endorse Blair's comments.

The Club Tour is no lightweight, and if credit card touring is going to be your main focus, I would consider the Audax MK3. I bought my Club Tour in 2005 and rode Coast to Coast and End to End on it and it was well suited to those trips, as I was carrying a fair bit of gear. It is a very comfortable tourer as Blair says.

I've done a few 200KM Audax rides on it and commute regularly 35KM each way to work and back.

I have to say that SJS got the size and fit spot on from the dimensions I sent them on their order form, and I am certain that this contributes significantly to the comfort on long rides.

But..... for credit card tours and Audax type riding there are more sprightly and equally durable bikes out there. (like the Audax)

I hope this helps.

pj

[john28july]

http://www.pbase.com/leftpoole

Mine are in this link, you may find it useful.
John.

[Xipe]

Thanks for all the replies, I think I might be a little bit closer to an answer.

John, what's the make of the bag you have on the Club Tour photo? A bag like that, maybe even a bit smaller, might solve my credit card touring voes if I keep the cyclo cross, and then perhaps I should get a Club Tour for commuting and loaded touring.

[john28july]

Thanks for all the replies, I think I might be a little bit closer to an answer.

John, what's the make of the bag you have on the Club Tour photo? A bag like that, maybe even a bit smaller, might solve my credit card touring voes if I keep the cyclo cross, and then perhaps I should get a Club Tour for commuting and loaded touring.

CARRADICE Nelson longflap.