Audax 853

[john28july]

Copy of my message to the Owners pictures Forum.
Hello,
As viewers may be aware I have a Thorn Nomad. I am so pleased with this bike that I am shedding all my other bikes! In actual fact so that I can fund the purchase of another Thorn. This one is to be a Thorn Audax 853. I have the framset on order and will be getting or collecting it this weekend. I have already stocked up on the components and cant wait to get my hands on it.
So, the weather forecast for the foreseable future post the coming weekend is sure to be, gales and heavy persistant daily rainfalls.
I will post the details of the completed bike next week.
Any feedback on this frameset greatly welcome as I suffer spinal problems and am hoping it will be as comfortable as my Nomad but quicker.
Best regards,
John.
www.pbase.com/john28july

[luceberg]

Hi, I ride both a Nomad and an Audax classic, and need to be careful with the lower back.

As far as transmition of vibration and shock through the seatpost, the Audax has more kick, due to shorter chainstays and narrower tyres.

I use a suspension seatpost, a USE SX, which removes the worst of it and a gel saddle still more. If you want to float on air, then a parallelogram seatpost can do that.

[john28july]

Just finished building the Audax 853! Temporary set of brake calipers as the correct dual pivot deep drops are on the way at present-hurry up postman. Had a short ride to 'test' it out. First impresions are that its comfortable and quick. I will post pictures later this week when its really completed. Things to note are that a Thorn extra lightweight rear rack will be purchased to replace the oldish Blackburn. I will be riding later this week and will give a report then.
Bye for now,
John.

[john28july]

Pictures here now!
http://www.pbase.com/john28july/bikes

A short ride seems to show that this is going to ba a nice ride.
John.

[john28july]

quote:Originally posted by john28july

Pictures here now!
http://www.pbase.com/john28july/bikes

A short ride seems to show that this is going to ba a nice ride.
John.

Hello all including those at SJSC,
It was pouring with rain and windy too. So I went out for my first ride on the Audax 853 as it seemed in the spirit of Audax UK!
Result. I am very happy with the bike. As to the Thorn write up that it goes up hills better-well- it does! I am amazed I do not know why it does but it does climb better than other bikes I have ridden (and that is a very large number. The bike is also very comfortable, in fact it seems more so than my Thorn Nomad.
All in all an expensive but good purchase. Well done designer Andy Blance. A thank you from me.
Only downside I can tell, is that whilst I tested up and down the road, the height of the bars (I have a poorly spine) I marked the steerer twice. I cut off the wrong line! Its just about 1" too low for me for long distance rides. The ride today was 30 miles. Audax rides are longer. I suppose a replacement fork will be called for at a later date. My own fault so must grin a suffer it for now. Next purchase will be a horn Ultra light rear rack.
Anyhow a good bike I have no doubt.
John.
www.pbase.com/john28july