Touring - Audax Bikes?

From what I've read, an Audax bike might be ideal for me- fast recreational riding & long-distance Scottish weather commuting. Any particular bikes that stick out as good for this stuff? If I'm fit enough, I may have to give Audax a look...

Some sites to look at

Audax in the UK
http://www.audax.uk.net/index2.htm

Thorn bikes who make a good Audax
http://www.sjscycles.com/

Orbit bike who also make a good audax
http://www.orbit-cycles.co.uk/

And Condor who make some very nice road/audax bikes
http://www.condorcycles.com/flash/index.html

Happy reading

Check out the magazine Cycling Plus, they are aimed more to touring/audax/commuting then any other magazine I´ve come across. They tests lots of bikes in these catagorys.

Anders K

I use an Audax bike for commuting (531c slightly shorter than touring length chainstays) and it has also been toured successfully.

So much so that I'm just getting it refurbished for it's next 18 years, with additional braze ons for front racks and to convert to 700c(still on 27")

I got mine custom built and that can still often be as cheap as buying a really good off the shelf bike.

I also just got a 531 put together for me from old parts. cost less than £300 and is great (touch wood etc), v comfy ride, takes bumps well and is pretty quick

theres a guy in richmond, london who does them pretty cheap, but you have to be patient as he prefers doing mbk's bc theyre quicker (he just does tourers when he gets the frames in)

his name's keith. i don't think I'll ever forget his no. I had to call him so much (you really do need patience). 0208 892 3758. but its worth the wait

say alex, the fella with the bob griffin, sent you

ONEN

Try http://www.rivendellbicycles.com/ its one of the best sites on bikes designed with common sense. Grant has come out with a couple of lower priced frames also.
ck out the all rounder bike.

Ride safe ......Dudley

I started audax rides 3 years ago. A midsummer 100k ride is a lovely thing. What's great about Audax is its not a race, but it is organised. You get to see parts of the country you'd never otherwise see.

However - it is addictive. Once a few 100s are under your belt you'll be thinking about a century (100 miles) and then a 200k. Soon 200s are the norm and you'll be planning 3s 4s and 6s. and then . . .
Paris-Brest-Paris or London-Edinburgh-London or Boston-Montreal-Boston.

Stew

I looked at it once and I think they have regulations that your bike has to conform to before you join and event. Mudguards are compulsory, I think? Audax bikes almost remind of the heavy thumpers I used to ride in the 70s.:eek: