New Bike o'clock
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bitwrx

Original Poster:

1,352 posts

234 months

Tuesday 30th July 2013
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I need a "new" bike. The Raleigh - an early eighties Record Ace - is, well, ace. But I need something a bit more contemporary. Don't get me wrong, she's got a lot going for her: comfy; fastish; strongish; very simple; cheap to run; but it's just a bit, well, old.

It's in desparate need of a new set of wheels, but decent 27" rims are unobtainable (not to mention the fact that I keep bending the axle on the rocking-horse-dropping 120mm/6speed rear hub).
And as quaint as downtube shifters are, I could do with a bit of a wider range of gears.
Brakes that slow one down would be nice as well.

So, time for a new bike. Until I can afford a nice Mercian or Roberts or something, I need a stop gap.
Required spec is:
  • Triple chainset
  • Brifters
  • Deep drop brakes w space for 28mm tyres
  • Mudguard mounts (to put SKS chromoplastics on over my 28mm tyre)
  • Maybe a cheeky rack mount
Usage will be day rides, the odd sportive, some light touring (<10kg luggage).

Budget is less than £500 so it has to be second hand. I can think of a couple of bikes that fit the bill (Dawes Clubman, Thorn Audax), but they tend to be a bit on the expensive side.

Any ideas of what to look for on ebay? Searching for my required spec doesn't yield much...

BadgerBenji

3,534 posts

248 months

Tuesday 30th July 2013
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Claud Butler Dalesman?

Roman

2,034 posts

249 months

Tuesday 30th July 2013
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Audax or Cross/commuter:

Ribble Audax
Specialized Tricross
Boardman CX (Disc version a bit over budget)