Thorn Audax - what they like?

[mr-mac]

Was initially looking for old 27” 531 as a relaxed geometery frame road hack just for kicking about on but seen this and thinking it may be just an ideal modern incarnation of the thing I am after.

Thorn Audax in Reynolds 725 so should be just as strong and comfy as 531 maybe a tiny bit lighter. Campag stuff (chorus levers, 10 speed triple at front, 9 speed cassette and diff campag derailleur at rear). Just needs a seat post, saddle and peddles to finish. Frame is a bit untidy but only asking 200 which tbh some people are asking for gas pipe single speed conversions.

Seems a lot of bike for money. Assuming it’s a fairly relaxed geometery being for audax, I can fit 32 or maybe even 35 tyres and get five or take same rolling circumference as a 27” tyre and assume similar comfort. I get a nice light quality tubing. Steel comfort, modern indexed gears.

Anyway would appreciate some thoughts on if bike does fit with way I am thinking and overall what people think of the bikes etc.

 

[bagpuss]

Re:

Never heard a bad word about Thorn bikes . Well thought out frame geometry etc .725 rides really well .It has some good kit on it .
Fair value but check for wear on chain rings and have a good look for any damage to frame if you have not already done so .
Coat of maybe at some stage . Got to be at least £120 worth of parts on it . Enjoy .

 

[hamster]

Nice bike - stick some guards and a saddlebag on it and it's a brilliant go anywhere / do anything machine with low gears and slightly steadier steering to get you home if you feel shattered.
Check if the owner has the the guards etc, he seems to have stripped it as a pretendy racer.

 

[mr-mac]

Re:

Will ask but no big deal popping on some new mudguards on. Got a feeling he bought it with original components at end of life and know he has been changing the bits to get it back running and all the components he has used are low use.

Think I am gonna go for it. Hopefully pick up on Thursday. Canny grumble at price for a quality hand built frame in 725. Like I say I often see middle of road gas pipe single speed conversions at similar money.

Needs new tyres and as luck would have it just picked up a free unused pair of continental ride tour (which should be ideal for what I want to use bike for) on a Scottish bike sale fb page. Hopefully have a seatpost here that’s of right size so just some pedals and a saddle and it’s good to ride. I am thinking a brooks style sprung saddle should be good for my excessive weight and reducing chance of discomfort or injury and probs some toe clip pedals as never got along with shoes and clip in pedals (plus want it as a grab and go bike so something I can just hop on to go to shops without any planning as well as longer tarmac and occasional farm and forest roads). All rounder between road and cross I guess. Mtb can go back to proper off-road tyres for any days I fancy a longer off road stint.

 

[mr-mac]

Re:

Ooo just found an itm super europa drop bar in garage from maybe 10/12yr back when I was gonna build up a frame, along with some bontrager bar tape and bar end plugs.

Tyres collected, just bike to get tomorrow

 

[mr-mac]

Re:

It’s now mine

 

[Jamiedyer]

Congratulations!
Look forward to seeing what you do with it. Start up a page if you haven't already on the readers rides thread and we can all follow the progression.
Cheers
Jamie