In the market for a Titanium road/touring/audax bike
Posted: 7 Jun 2014, 7:14pm
New bike time - big choice as Im moving from a starting point specialized secteur into something a bit more special.
After doing Lands End to John o Groats I would definitely like to do some more lightweight touring. My other riding will be long one day rides and general commuting, town and country riding.
I would like the option of mudguards, 25cm (possibly even 28cm) tyres and also would like the option of mounting my rear saddle bag or a rack and panniers for touring.
Groupset wise I want at least shimano 105. I already have hand built 36 spoke touring wheels to use for tours so I will be speccing the new bike with lighter racing wheels for use with one day sportives and some audaxes. It needs to be comfortable for long rides above all else, but retain the ability to cover ground fast. I like my descending so it needs to be sure footed too.
Budget is about £2k max - I have finished my cycle to work payments now so I can take out another £1k on the scheme and pay the rest cash.
The choice currently is this....
Van Nicholas Yukon.
Titanium - Looks great, very strong, lifetime guarantee on frame, doesnt rust, doesnt mark, silent (no road noise is a big plus on a long ride) .... also rediculously comfortable while being stiff enough to be spirited still
105 groupset with a triple - Iused my triple on lejog and Im looking at doing stuff like C2C in a day next year .... 150 miles and 8000ft of climbing in 14 hours .... yeah, im gonna need a triple
You can spec nearly every part of the bike to your liking - Im gonna get some colour into the saddle and bars it to make it look a bit more modern and custom.
They have a tester in a shop in Oxford - gonna borrow it for the weekend soon to see if its the one. This bike will be my only bike so it needs to be a proper all rounder, and it needs to last......
Pics of some in race mode
commute/audax mode
Heres one in full touring mode
Im pretty convinced Carbon isnt for me - I want the ability to tour and the comfort and quality of rides on British roads you get from Titanium is really tempting.... plus I love the look of them. Im convinced the way a titanium bike rolls over rougher roads negates also of the weight advantage you get with carbon - plus they last for ever.
Any other options out there im missing?
After doing Lands End to John o Groats I would definitely like to do some more lightweight touring. My other riding will be long one day rides and general commuting, town and country riding.
I would like the option of mudguards, 25cm (possibly even 28cm) tyres and also would like the option of mounting my rear saddle bag or a rack and panniers for touring.
Groupset wise I want at least shimano 105. I already have hand built 36 spoke touring wheels to use for tours so I will be speccing the new bike with lighter racing wheels for use with one day sportives and some audaxes. It needs to be comfortable for long rides above all else, but retain the ability to cover ground fast. I like my descending so it needs to be sure footed too.
Budget is about £2k max - I have finished my cycle to work payments now so I can take out another £1k on the scheme and pay the rest cash.
The choice currently is this....
Van Nicholas Yukon.
Titanium - Looks great, very strong, lifetime guarantee on frame, doesnt rust, doesnt mark, silent (no road noise is a big plus on a long ride) .... also rediculously comfortable while being stiff enough to be spirited still
105 groupset with a triple - Iused my triple on lejog and Im looking at doing stuff like C2C in a day next year .... 150 miles and 8000ft of climbing in 14 hours .... yeah, im gonna need a triple
You can spec nearly every part of the bike to your liking - Im gonna get some colour into the saddle and bars it to make it look a bit more modern and custom.
They have a tester in a shop in Oxford - gonna borrow it for the weekend soon to see if its the one. This bike will be my only bike so it needs to be a proper all rounder, and it needs to last......
Pics of some in race mode
commute/audax mode
Heres one in full touring mode
Im pretty convinced Carbon isnt for me - I want the ability to tour and the comfort and quality of rides on British roads you get from Titanium is really tempting.... plus I love the look of them. Im convinced the way a titanium bike rolls over rougher roads negates also of the weight advantage you get with carbon - plus they last for ever.
Any other options out there im missing?