Joe_Rides
Senior Retro Guru
I recently felt another pull to try using drop bars. Never really found a comfortable position with them before, probably owing to the size / reach of previous bike 'attempts'. I've been doing some fairly long off-road rides (40 - 50 miles) and feel like the slightly more aero form combined with more hand positions might help me get some longer rides in on mixed terrain.
So. Bought a Dawes Audax on a whim post-xmas, and I quickly realised that to make it fit me would mean at least some stem / bar changes. It was a lovely thing, and I didn't really want to mess with it. Also, could only take 28c tyres, and ran calipers rather than my preferred cantis. So, sold on ebay, to a lovely bloke, glad it went to a good home.
With the proceeds burning a hole in my pocket I looked around, and ended up buying this. It's been knocking around on marketplace and ebay for a bit so i made a cheeky offer. I figured it would be a decent fit, with plenty of adjustment and space for 35c tyres.
It's just a 520 frame (cro-mo) but combined with a decent wheelset and shimano 105 throughout (not original to the bike i dont think), it doesn't feel too heavy.
There are some tweaks to make (not least that saddle), but I was surprised to find that the position felt really quite natural immediately. So I'm hoping I'm going to make this comfy for some good runs out.
Intention is to mix canals, bike paths and quiet lanes, ideally some loaded tours in future when family allows.
Anyone had one before?
Cheers for reading, Joe
So. Bought a Dawes Audax on a whim post-xmas, and I quickly realised that to make it fit me would mean at least some stem / bar changes. It was a lovely thing, and I didn't really want to mess with it. Also, could only take 28c tyres, and ran calipers rather than my preferred cantis. So, sold on ebay, to a lovely bloke, glad it went to a good home.
With the proceeds burning a hole in my pocket I looked around, and ended up buying this. It's been knocking around on marketplace and ebay for a bit so i made a cheeky offer. I figured it would be a decent fit, with plenty of adjustment and space for 35c tyres.
It's just a 520 frame (cro-mo) but combined with a decent wheelset and shimano 105 throughout (not original to the bike i dont think), it doesn't feel too heavy.
There are some tweaks to make (not least that saddle), but I was surprised to find that the position felt really quite natural immediately. So I'm hoping I'm going to make this comfy for some good runs out.
Intention is to mix canals, bike paths and quiet lanes, ideally some loaded tours in future when family allows.
Anyone had one before?
Cheers for reading, Joe
).
