Hello
As I mentioned in a thread on tyres, I have ordered a new-build Audax.
I've often rambled on about how good my Sherpa is, and I still think that 100%. Round town, the braking, flat bars, good wheels etc makes a bike with few equals in my opinion . . . on tracks / lanes in bad weather as well. But on longer rides, on good surfaces (e.g. my ride from Brittany to Limoges in France last year) it was fine . . .but not at it's best. I hope to get back to France next Spring, and would welcome something that would lope along better.
I remember Dan the Oregon Sage suggesting when I was considering the Sherpa that I looked at Club Tour or Audax , but to save money I swapped the components from my Ripio (another superb bike) to a light Sherpa frame. So now, I'll end up spending more by trying to save money . . .
It's now about 45 years since I rode drop bars, and I was quite worried about this. I had a go on my daughters bike, and Evans Cycles loaned me one of their sportif bikes for a trial ride, a Carbon Fuji. I got the hang of the bars and STI quite easily.
Several months ago, I sent my details, bike measurements etc to SJSC and Dave Whittle reckoned I needed a 555S. I had quite fancied the Audax 550 advertised on the web as an EX TEST bike, with a double and a huge 11 sp chain ring. I calculated that a 550 should do for me. But my visit to Thorn confirmed what Dave thought, the 555S is better, and I ended up with reservations about the already built bike with the 11 - 46 cassette.
So I bit the bullet and ordered a new build. Gunmetal, a colour I liked. Wide range 11 - 36 cassette, and some modest upgrades to wheels, brakes, shifters . . . . modest on their own but they sure add up.
DT Swiss rims and Supreme tyres.
The Sherpa? That will still get plenty of use.
It should be ready week before Christmas, more details then. As always, it was good to see Dave and the others and I was well advised and cared for I reckon. Thanks Sarah.
Lewis
