Thorn Audax Mk1 refurb
- Thread starter zerogravitas
- Start date
Hi, could you enlarge with pics or a method on how you did this?
You'll see in my neighbouring thread - Trek MultiTrack 700, that I got a 26.8mm lathed down to 26.6mm.
I could't work out an even way to sand a seat pin down at home - regular drill chuck wasn't big enough.
zerogravitas
Retro Guru
Hey, I would have much preferred to use a lathe for this but didn't have access to one at the time. My current workplace is due to get one in later this year so I'll probably tidy this post up then!
I don't think I had any particular tricks I'm afraid, just put it in a vice and used some coarse paper in strips held in two hands, rotating the post to keep it even. Once I was most of the way there I moved down the grades to smooth up the finish and lose any big scratches that could create stress risers.
PeterPerfect
Senior Retro Guru
I'm selling a lovely 55cm one of these atm if anyone's interested.
I think mine might even be a bit earlier than this one.
One of the best bike renovations I've seen. So glad this was brought back as I missed this one.
I think mine might even be a bit earlier than this one.
One of the best bike renovations I've seen. So glad this was brought back as I missed this one.
zerogravitas
Retro Guru
Thanks George! Celebrating it's 5 year anniversary in my ownership this summer.
It's now my most ridden bike, an all year, all weather commuter. Mileage is about 22000km since 2020.
I'll have to do a bit of an update/mini review on how the build and components have stood up to it all.
It's now my most ridden bike, an all year, all weather commuter. Mileage is about 22000km since 2020.
I'll have to do a bit of an update/mini review on how the build and components have stood up to it all.
Guinessisgoodforyou
rBotM Winner
What a beautiful bicycle 
very useful too.
very useful too.
zerogravitas
Retro Guru
My reflections after 5 years and 21,900km of riding this thing...
I love this bike, the frame is superb and has put up with a lot of abuse. I ride this bike all year round on my daily 25-30km round commute, through the British winter and it copes with it all so well.
If I were to build it again i think I would have held out for a slightly larger frame. I am 6ft with pretty long legs and this at 55cm is the smallest frame I can comfortably ride. The smaller frame is stiffer and feels nice and nimble but I have the tall stem and seatpost which looks a little ungainly (although that's true of many Thorns)! If you have a 57-58cm for sale like the one Winjon posted above let me know and I might be tempted!
It's picked up the odd paint scar from locking up and most annoyingly the bike got knocked over whilst locked in a bike stand. The frame was jammed between the stand and lock, putting a small dent in the top tube. It's been like this for two years now with no other issues. I keep meaning to fill and repaint it so I don't have to look at the imperfection.
The rear triangle is spaced to 135mm so would better suit a wheel built onto an mtb hub. I thought about cold setting them in but didn't think the 753 stays would cope with this. I run the Ultegra hub with a 1.5mm spacer washer on the axle caps on each side -bit of a bodge but works for me. At some point I'll bite the bullet and build a wheel with a Deore hub.
Onto the components;
The Stronglight headset I bought with the frame; a quality bit of kit with needle rollers still going strong.
The Nitto parts are fantastic and show no signs of wear. I like the Noodle bar shape a lot and find the drops very comfortable for descending.
The Aire Ti saddle is holding up well and is nicely broken in now! I would recommend a bit of threadlock on the post clamp bolts and the tension screw as I had issues with them coming loose early on.
Planet X don't offer the bottle cages anymore but I love the shape and would buy the Nitto R versions even though they are significantly more expensive. I took one cage off as the usual distances I am riding on this don't need two bottles.
I've replaced cables, a couple of chains and tyres over time. I found the Jack Browns were vulnerable to sidewall cuts so they didn't last long. I now run 28c Conti GP4 Seasons which are excellent.
The TRP brakes are fantastic, great performance for longer reach, and quality finishing and hardware which stands up to wet/salt etc. I use Kool Stop salmon pads with these for wet weather bite.
I rebuilt the wheels with new rims after 4 years but have been very happy with them generally.
I run standard Keo classic pedals now which put up with a lot and just keep on spinning.
The rack does well, even fully loaded with two stacked Ortleib panniers full of shopping/clothes/work crap. Mostly I just run with a pannier on one side unless I have lots of stuff to shift.
I am due to strip things down over the summer for a bit of a deeper rebuild so will give the bike new tape, full new inner and outer cables and probably a new cassette. I am still on the original but it is at the end of life now. I am considering changing the crank for a double and getting a more regular road cassette for the back. When I originally built the bike I was living up on Highgate Hill in North London but I'm now in rather flatter Oxfordshire and I have no real need for the massive range the triple and mtb cassette gives.
The drivetrain components have worked well - the Spa cranks and rings are of good quality although I find the crank a bit chunky. The BB is also still super smooth!
Finally the VO guards have stood up to a lot of abuse, they are no longer so shiny and the rear cracked last winter around the washer at the chainstay mount. I just made a larger washer with a rubber spacer and will happily do another 20k km I'm sure!
Overall, I think these are pretty unassuming, underrated frames with lots of potential for all sorts of riding. With lighter, more racey wheels like mine the bike handles and feels like a gentler steel racer with more relaxed handling. With a tougher wheelset it would suit a heavier rider or you could ride light gravel and do some more serious touring or expedition rides. There was a fork with front rack mounts if you wanted to go the whole hog.
I'm looking forward to putting many more kms on this one - I'll post a picture from my commute later!
I love this bike, the frame is superb and has put up with a lot of abuse. I ride this bike all year round on my daily 25-30km round commute, through the British winter and it copes with it all so well.
If I were to build it again i think I would have held out for a slightly larger frame. I am 6ft with pretty long legs and this at 55cm is the smallest frame I can comfortably ride. The smaller frame is stiffer and feels nice and nimble but I have the tall stem and seatpost which looks a little ungainly (although that's true of many Thorns)! If you have a 57-58cm for sale like the one Winjon posted above let me know and I might be tempted!
It's picked up the odd paint scar from locking up and most annoyingly the bike got knocked over whilst locked in a bike stand. The frame was jammed between the stand and lock, putting a small dent in the top tube. It's been like this for two years now with no other issues. I keep meaning to fill and repaint it so I don't have to look at the imperfection.
The rear triangle is spaced to 135mm so would better suit a wheel built onto an mtb hub. I thought about cold setting them in but didn't think the 753 stays would cope with this. I run the Ultegra hub with a 1.5mm spacer washer on the axle caps on each side -bit of a bodge but works for me. At some point I'll bite the bullet and build a wheel with a Deore hub.
Onto the components;
The Stronglight headset I bought with the frame; a quality bit of kit with needle rollers still going strong.
The Nitto parts are fantastic and show no signs of wear. I like the Noodle bar shape a lot and find the drops very comfortable for descending.
The Aire Ti saddle is holding up well and is nicely broken in now! I would recommend a bit of threadlock on the post clamp bolts and the tension screw as I had issues with them coming loose early on.
Planet X don't offer the bottle cages anymore but I love the shape and would buy the Nitto R versions even though they are significantly more expensive. I took one cage off as the usual distances I am riding on this don't need two bottles.
I've replaced cables, a couple of chains and tyres over time. I found the Jack Browns were vulnerable to sidewall cuts so they didn't last long. I now run 28c Conti GP4 Seasons which are excellent.
The TRP brakes are fantastic, great performance for longer reach, and quality finishing and hardware which stands up to wet/salt etc. I use Kool Stop salmon pads with these for wet weather bite.
I rebuilt the wheels with new rims after 4 years but have been very happy with them generally.
I run standard Keo classic pedals now which put up with a lot and just keep on spinning.
The rack does well, even fully loaded with two stacked Ortleib panniers full of shopping/clothes/work crap. Mostly I just run with a pannier on one side unless I have lots of stuff to shift.
I am due to strip things down over the summer for a bit of a deeper rebuild so will give the bike new tape, full new inner and outer cables and probably a new cassette. I am still on the original but it is at the end of life now. I am considering changing the crank for a double and getting a more regular road cassette for the back. When I originally built the bike I was living up on Highgate Hill in North London but I'm now in rather flatter Oxfordshire and I have no real need for the massive range the triple and mtb cassette gives.
The drivetrain components have worked well - the Spa cranks and rings are of good quality although I find the crank a bit chunky. The BB is also still super smooth!
Finally the VO guards have stood up to a lot of abuse, they are no longer so shiny and the rear cracked last winter around the washer at the chainstay mount. I just made a larger washer with a rubber spacer and will happily do another 20k km I'm sure!
Overall, I think these are pretty unassuming, underrated frames with lots of potential for all sorts of riding. With lighter, more racey wheels like mine the bike handles and feels like a gentler steel racer with more relaxed handling. With a tougher wheelset it would suit a heavier rider or you could ride light gravel and do some more serious touring or expedition rides. There was a fork with front rack mounts if you wanted to go the whole hog.
I'm looking forward to putting many more kms on this one - I'll post a picture from my commute later!
Last edited:
zerogravitas
Retro Guru
Before melting on the commute home
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