Thorn audax 853 for sale

[jags]

Lads when I'm cycling getting the miles in i go  grand , ;)but the problem I'm having is serious back pain .this audax is to long for me nothing wrong with the bike it's the pilot that's the problem.

think I'm gonna have to get a bike fit done before i buy again this guessing game is a waste of time and money.
imagine no one is interested in buying my bike I'm flabbergasted 

anto.

[leftpoole]

Anthony,
You mentioned in a previous post that a bike which climbed hills well would be worth having.
In my experience with my original correct size 550S Thorn Audax 853 ,it was that this bike climbs better than any other bike owned, including the present 'Mk 3 Audax'.
Just trying to warn you in advance before you rush. I recall that your Sherpas was described by you as 'superb' but you sold it (financial needs). What size was that bike? Remember the Audax 853 did not 'give you back problems' when you first rode it. If I recall you thought it the 'best' bike you had ever ridden, that was until your 'friends' got custom and carbon bikes?
Think about it, it's your bike and I know from your previous enthusiastic behaviour that you did 'love it'!
Regards,
John

[jags]

Morning John,yeah the sherpa was 51s but a complete dog on hills other than that great bike 
to be honest although      i rode the Audax plenty and loved it dearly i kinda always new it was way to long for me.
i could always ride different size bikes didn't seem to bother me, but i'm not that guy any more ,i dont cycle as much either its been over a week since i was out, few years back i would be out 4 days a week quality miles but not any more.
i've been going through this feckin lower back pain abot 10 years now ever since i did the camino tour in spain even though i won the king of the mountains on that trip
yeah i was a good little climber but no more and the bike ain't helping believe me.
to be honest i'm not all that bother if i sell it or not the trouble posting it to the uk is just not worth the efford.and you know me i never bargain with the seller that would be one of my pet hates i'd sooner give it away i can safely say i'm a decent enough gobshite i would never pull a stroke on anyone.
anyway i'm starting to ramble thats what happens to auld fellas like me  .
oh i put it up on yacf had one enquirey think i'll take it off there .

anto

[leftpoole]

Morning John,yeah the sherpa was 51s but a complete dog on hills other than that great bike  
to be honest although      i rode the Audax plenty and loved it dearly i kinda always new it was way to long for me.
i could always ride different size bikes didn't seem to bother me, but i'm not that guy any more ,i dont cycle as much either its been over a week since i was out, few years back i would be out 4 days a week quality miles but not any more.
i've been going through this feckin lower back pain abot 10 years now ever since i did the camino tour in spain even though i won the king of the mountains on that trip
yeah i was a good little climber but no more and the bike ain't helping believe me.
to be honest i'm not all that bother if i sell it or not the trouble posting it to the uk is just not worth the efford.and you know me i never bargain with the seller that would be one of my pet hates i'd sooner give it away i can safely say i'm a decent enough gobshite i would never pull a stroke on anyone.
anyway i'm starting to ramble thats what happens to auld fellas like me   .
oh i put it up on yacf had one enquirey think i'll take it off there .

anto

Anto,
You say you never argue with a buyer?
Offer genuine, on table now. the frame is too small for me but I will offer £125:00 including post for the frameset!
Regards,
John
PS You could keep the tent too!

[jags]

AW no thanks  john i'll get more for it here besides if i dont get 580for bike (im not stripping it down again )its staying putt.
havent even  pitched that tent yet jury still out on that one.

anto.

[Relayer]

Anto

The top tube on your Audax is shorter than I thought, going by the size matrix in the brochure it must be 530mm, and therefore getting a 700c bike with a significantly shorter top tube and manageable TCO isn't going to be easy - the smallest Audax Mk3 has a top tube of 518mm, shorter by only 12mm which is nothing really.

Looking at your bike your handlebars are a wee bit lower than your saddle and I'm wondering of this is a factor in your back problems  

A couple of potential solutions which come to mind are a) get one of those adjustable stems that can go up to a really steep angle, it won't be pretty but could be effective; or b) get another [carbon] fork with a lot more steerer to get your bars higher and hopefully ease your back problems.  

Either way there's a chance your Audax could be perfect for you again.

Good luck anyway whatever you decide Anto.

Jim

[jags]

Cheers Jim worth thinking about
I've just fallen out with it at the moment  I'm a geek 
yeah i could change a few things lighter carbon fork and shorter stem get rid of those wheels and tyres  and mudguards those changes would certainly make a difference.
I've fallen out with cycling this past while  more into walking in the woods  on my own well away from bloody glory hunter.
yeah maybe i should step back a bit and see if i can make this work it is a lovely bike afterall.

still its a 53cm frame that's whats bugging me  big time ,will i ever feel comfortable on it that's the thing.ah my head is cabbaged trying to figure out the best thing to do.
anyway its staying where it is for the time being. rs jim.

anto

[jags]

Feck it i'm keeping it .no longer for sale.
gonna go for shorter stem  for the time being i will change the forks for carbon.drop kick those mudguards over the nearest hedge .i have 4 bikes (frames) here at present my old raleigh my beautifull bianchi and my mates sintesi .must get the measuring tape out will be interesting to see whats the difference in top tube lenghts.
anyone got an 80 or 100 mm stem going cheap.
btw does SJS cycles have a carbon fork to fit this audax .

thanks lads

anto.
bianchi top tube 51 seat tube 48
sintesi top tube 52 seat tube 52
raleigh top tube 55 seat tube 55
Thorn top tube 53.5 seat tube 50

so you guys with the brains i've none work out the average in that lot.
in other words is it worth me getting rid of the thorn.

btw my top tube is 65 ins (height)
inside leg 29 ins.
i'm defo getting smaller as i get older.

[Danneaux]

i have 4 bikes (frames) here at present my old raleigh my beautifull bianchi and my mates sintesi .

Bianchi *and* the Raleigh 753 in reserve behind the Audax? 

Nice arrows in your quiver! 

Best,

Dan.

[jags]

Aw Dan the bianchi is  my friend 's bike same guy that ownes the sintesi, i have it here to ventually built it up for him (reckord group set )

anto.

[Danneaux]

Ah! Just admiring, Anto. I love all bikes, as you know. 

Best,

Dan.

[Audax hopeful]

Anto

A stem of 80mm should put the reach on the Audax about the same as the Bianchi or Sintesi with 100mm stems. 80mm is not too short for good handling. A 6 or 10 degree stem (depending on steerer height) should give you good options for bar height, with the option of a 17 degree in reserve!! Which make/model of stem depends on steerer diameter and bar diameter but Vai and Pro stems are inexpensive and good quality.

The most important thing is to get out and enjoy the ride - perhaps you're pushing yourself too hard pace wise to have fun, especially if you've not been out as much lately? Ultimately it's not about the bike (as long as it's reliable and functional) but about the experience. I'm probably preaching to the converted here!

Good luck!

Nich

[leftpoole]

Anto,
Forget my offer  
The seat post that you are using is a layback. You require a straight seat post with the saddle inline by the look of things. The bar height looks ok to me
and with the length of top tube you have I would have thought the bike would fit perfectly.
Personally I think that you have run away with the idea that your pals have better bikes? They are new but not better in my opinion. I wish I could find another Audax 853 size 550S. The bike climbs well, is comfortable, well brazed up and looks great!
Try to get the saddle forward as mentioned, with an inline seat post.
The bike is 'supposed' to have mudguards which is why I let you have them with this bike!
Regards,
John

[jags]

Nich cheers buddy appreciate the advice all taken on board,i'll start hunting for a new stem a carbon fork as soon as i have the money 
yes i did start cycling with the local group again after years of cycling on my todd and i now have a new cycling partner who drives me feckin crazy.
to be honest i think i;ll have to go solo again although i do like the company and the craic does be good in the group but its just hard work trying to keep with these lads on a heavy bike.
still the changes will only improve the ride quality so something to look forward too.

john i know the frame is ready for mudguards but man oh man they should be banned from bikes   a simple clip on  mudguard will work every bit as well,besides it seldom rains here in sunny ireland.
cheers lads

anto

[leftpoole]

Nich cheers buddy appreciate the advice all taken on board,i'll start hunting for a new stem a carbon fork as soon as i have the money  
yes i did start cycling with the local group again after years of cycling on my todd and i now have a new cycling partner who drives me feckin crazy.
to be honest i think i;ll have to go solo again although i do like the company and the craic does be good in the group but its just hard work trying to keep with these lads on a heavy bike.
still the changes will only improve the ride quality so something to look forward too.

john i know the frame is ready for mudguards but man oh man they should be banned from bikes   a simple clip on  mudguard will work every bit as well,besides it seldom rains here in sunny ireland.
cheers lads

anto

Anto,

The bike is not heavy at all-it is all 'in your head' because your pals have lighter bikes.
That 853 is a perfect weight.
It does not need carbon forks either.
I give up!
Regards,
John