Current bikes

Thorn Audax Mk3.

Steel frame using Reynolds 858 tubing.  Excellent balance between comfort and stiffness.

Contact points: Cincelli handlebars, Shimano Sora R400 brake levers, Brooks B17 saddle, Shimano A520 pedals.

Wheels: Mavic Open Sport 32h rims, stainless spokes, Miche RG2 hubs, Panaracer Pasela 700x28c tyres

Transmission: Shimano DeOre chainset with 48, 36 & 26t chainrings, KMC 9s chain, Sram 13-26 9 speed cassette, DeOre mechs, Dura Ace 9 speed bar end shifters

Other: Shimano R650 brakes, Nimrod rack, Specialized bottle cage, Zefal pump, Cateye lighting

Reviews:

• First 5000 miles
•  https://thecyclehub.net/?p=197 First 2000 miles
• https://thecyclehub.net/?p=288 First 1000 miles (in depth)
• https://thecyclehub.net/?p=288
• https://thecyclehub.net/?p=353 new year, new bike)

Dawes Galaxy c.1984

I got this in 1984, my Mother bought it for me on her birthday.  Since then it has travelled thousands of miles.

The frame, made from Reynolds 531, has been replaced under guarantee and subsequently has had cantilever brake bosses brazed onto the frame and resprayed in charcoal black,  This work was carried out by Argos, hence their name.  Some improvements but many original components.  Nowadays this bike is used for shorter local trips.  It might be old but it rides beautifully owing to the steel frame and relaxed geometry.

Argos fast tourer c1988

This bike belongs to my teenage daughter Becky.  It’s former owner is a friend of ours who had it made-to-measure by Argos, in Bristol.  It is a Women’s Specific Design and made from Reynolds 531 throughout.

The bike is mostly original in terms of the components and is a join to own and begin customising it slightly for Becky to ride.  Further details can be found in Categories – Birthday Bike Project.

Trek 7.0 Hybrid

 

This is Rachel’s current bicycle, on a loan from a scheme offered by Bedfordshire Rural Communities Charity as a way of assisting local people to attend places of employment etc.  At the time of writing it is early days with this bicycle but it’s off to a good start.

Although it is fairly modest in terms of its specification, it appears to be a decent bicycle for the purpose it is intended to fulfil.  Everything works well, it has a very wide spread of gears and well equipped.  The scheme ensures the bicycle is supplied with a lock, pannier rack, mudguards and LED lights.  More to follow once the Reluctant Cyclist has got to grips with it